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Bombings, Searches Increase Tension in Congo
CONGO (August 17, 2000) - The announcement a few days ago by President Kabila that he was going to withdraw his troops and cancel the offensive he was planning into the Equator region was hailed as good news for Evangelical Covenant and Evangelical Free churches in that area.
However, unrest and uncertainty have continued as government planes continue bombing runs in the area of Gemena, Covenant News Service (CNS) has learned. "Two bombs were again dropped in Gemena, but there was no loss of life," a source close to the action told CNS. "When bombs had been dropped there a week earlier, about one-half of the town of 80,000 had left for smaller villages or for the forest," the source said. "Some people had started to return, but I expect this latest bombing would cause even more people to leave for safer places."
The latest action follows sorties by government planes a week ago that dropped four bombs on Gemena, with portions of the village strafed by a fighter plane. There was no loss of life reported. There were reports, however, that a government troop boat carrying 800 soldiers was destroyed on the Ubangi River and all aboard perished. Kabila's withdrawal promise was issued the same day.
"Talks to restore the cease fire were scheduled to take place earlier this week," the CNS source reported. "All the parties to the fighting had representatives present in Lusaka. President Kabila quickly said that he was not interested in talking, and the talks have broken down. Some people were calling this a 'last chance' meeting to try to restore peace to the area," the source continued, noting President Kabila continues his refusal to allow United Nations peacekeeping soldiers to be stationed in government-held areas.
Churches continue to meet throughout the area, but denomination-wide meetings have been canceled during August. "There has been some increase of baggage searches as people come into Zongo, the Congo town across from Bangui, Central African Republic," the source said. "The director of the Covenant/Free Church seminary who arrived in Bangui today said that they had been thoroughly searched, but then the soldiers had asked the two pastors to remember to pray for them. There have been other reports of more malicious searches and confiscating of money and belongings.
"There are many rumors circulating, so it is difficult to know where battles are being fought and the results," the source continued. "The request of the church is that we continue to pray for peace and for strength of faith to face whatever comes."
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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