Covenant News

Two Dead as Fighting Erupts in Congo Capital

KINSHASA, CONGO (June 3, 2004) - At least two people have died as angry mobs stormed the United Nations base in this capital city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Covenant News Service has learned.

The deaths came as thousands of Congolese reacted to the takeover of the eastern town of Bukavu by dissident soldiers, something the protesting Congolese believe should have been prevented by UN peacekeeping troops, reports the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Covenant Congo Church President Dr. Mossai Sanguma immediately issued an urgent plea for members of the Evangelical Covenant Church and others to join in prayer. "Pray for the people in Congo," Sanguma requested during a telephone conversation with Bob Thornbloom this morning. "They are tired of war and frustrated with the continued disruption of the peace process, which has the tendency of delaying elections."

Sanguma believes the current crisis will prove to be a temporary setback, Thornbloom reports, though it likely will have a negative impact on the ongoing peace process. BBC reported that the rebel leader has promised that his fighters will leave Bukavu.

"It is affecting life right now in Kinshasa in that taxis and minibuses are not out on the streets and people are forced to walk miles to get to work or their destination," Thornbloom observed. "We have two individuals hoping to get to the airport tomorrow, which is 22 kilometers from where they are staying, to continue their biotechnological classes in Accra, Ghana. They are not sure how they will be able to get to the airport if this continues another day."

Sanguma is fairly new to his work as president of the Covenant Church of Congo (CEUM), having been installed in April. He had returned to Kinshasa in January following five years at Fuller Theological Seminary in California where he earned a doctorate in mission.

More information on the Kinshasa situation will be posted to this online Covenant news report as it becomes available.

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