Congo- not to be in 63rd General Assembly- due to fighting in their country

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia Fides)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Agenzia Fides (25/9/2008)is reporting that The Congo's president and representative will not go to the UN general assembly in light of the crisis in the country.

Days ago- Caritas International reported human rights abuses, raiding of medical facilities by combatants, and other issues such as arbitrary arrest in the Eastern DRC. Agenzia Fides states that the Government along with the UN task team in the country are now involved in conflicts with rebels near the Rwandan border, and against the LRA near the Ugandan border, who have apparently kidnapped dozens of children. Africa is famous for its child soldiers, and many problems.

The government has cited the same peace agreement mentioned by Caritas a few days ago- in which all combatants agreed to a withdrawal, and have apparently sent urgent aid shipments to camps and affected areas.

This follows calls by Caritas International days ago for Humanitarian channels to be reopened and a ceasefire implimented.