Social Justice South Africa: CAR; North Africa: Central African Republic sends troops to Congo Border

(Social Justice South Africaa; c.f. c.f. News 24 (Secular; South African; Independent) 15 / 01 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

"Central African Republic", is sending troops to their border, as a "buffer", against LRA ("Lord's Resistance Army") rebels, believed to be operating out of the DRC (Congo). The LRA, has been accused of recent atrocities in Southern Sudan, and in other countries. Defence Minister Jean Francis Bozize, of the "Central African republic" (CAR), claimed that troops would be sent to the border. They will be in High Mbomou Province, which borders on Sudan, which has accused the LRA of attacks, High Mbomou Province also, importantly borders on the DRC, where the rebels are believed, by some important sources: to base themselves.

The LRA, have been implicated in human rights abuses, and a recent massacre in a Catholic church. The LRA, are lead by a Mr. Joseph Kony, who is wanted in the International Criminal Court (ICC), that is: in the Hague: for war crimes. Accusations against the LRA, include those by Catholic Ethos Umbrella Humanitarian Group: Caritas internationalis.

South Sudan; North Africa: Ugandan "Lord's Resistance Army": accused of attacking Sudanese villagers

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular; British; Independent) 08 / Jan / 2009 ; BBC World News (Secular; British; Government) 01 / Jan / 2009 )

Article by Marc Aupiais

Western Equatoria, a region in southern Sudan, has accused the Ugandan LRA (Lord's Resistance Army): of killing 38 Sudanese villagers (accusations are by the governor of the area: Jemma Nunu Kumba). The LRA has recently been pushed back from positions in the Congo. Caritas Internationalis: a humanitarian grouping: claims that about 400 people were killed in LRA raids over the Christmas period, including many in a Catholic Church.

Accusations of dismemberment, the bashing of a baby against a tree, and throwing a man in a fire, are just some of these surfacing from South Sudanese authorities. Ugandan, Congolese (DRC), and southern Sudanese troops were involved in recent offensives against the LRA. After a brief silent period in December, ending with offenses against the Ugandan Rebels: who have displaced about 2 million Ugandan civilians, and whose leaders are wanted in the Hague (International Criminal Court) for war crimes: The LRA, has since been accused of a spate of brutal, even primitive massacres of civilians.

Many of their outposts in the DRC, have been irradiated in bombings, but their leadership(including:their elusive commander: Joseph Kony), which is wanted for trial in the International Criminal Court(ICC): have yet to be caught.

Recently, the BBC, reported of fears that the LRA, were heading towards CAR, after the recent offenses against them in a national park (Garamba).

Vatican City;Europe / Israel: Pope and Cardinal on "Concentration Camp" Statement of official

(Social Justice South Africa ; c.f. Reuters (British; Secular; Independent) 08 / Jan / 2009 ; BBC World News (British; Government; Secular) 08 / Jan / 2008 )

Article by Marc Aupiais

In a small proof: that one must be very careful in choice of words: statements; comparing the Gaza Strip, to a "Concentration Camp": because of the fact civilians are unable to move out: due to conflict, and politics: have caused massive insult.

Cardinal Renato Martino: of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; has caused Jewish people to say: the comparison: is not fitting; that a concentration camp is worse. The Cardinal later stated; that he also condemned Hamas; and related his statement to the walls: but those who had been in a concentration camp: were not impressed. Pope Benedict; in his state of the world address: again emphasized a need to condemn violence. The Majority of those in the Catholic church are neutral on the matter, with a few officials, and organizations breaking ranks. Israel called the statements by the Cardinal Renato Martino: president of the Ponitical Council for Justice and Peace: Hamas propaganda.

Iran has been accused of possibly funding the wars of Hamas and Hezbolla, by the BBC, in an article on rocket attacks from Lebanon into Israel. France and Egypt, have both been working at a peace deal: in which they had a near miss previously: with Israel accepting conditionally a peace deal, which they did not adhere to, when Hamas (initials for "Islamic Resistance Movement" in the Arabic dialect): rejected these: wanting open borders.

This latest battleground situation: started with seemingly unprovoked rocket-fire by Hamas militants, into Israel: after a 6-month truce. A number of people, including an infant, and a number of buildings, including one for child-care: on the Israeli side: have been hit. Hamas, has in turn: since been hit in outposts throughout the densely populated: Gaza strip: wherein certain sources believe there is a massive humanitarian situation: caused partly by Collateral Damage: on Israel's part, which they claim is because militants purposely fire from civilian areas.

UN (United Nations) officials on the ground: deny accusations by Israel, and by a Canadian newspaper: that there were militants in the area around a UN school. The UN, recently suspended aid in to the Gaza Strip: since an incident where Israeli troops were accused by the UN of shooting at some of their aid workers. We are unsure, what allegedly provoked the alleged attack.

Meanwhile: amongst calls by the ANC's "King maker" allies: COSATU; and by protesters who marched on Parliament yesterday: to call for sanctions against Israel: a Jewish association: has lamented the anti-Jewish sentiment, they believe they are experiencing: in South Africa: and have reminded the seemingly pro-Hamas: ANC controlled: South African government: who it is who started the attack in the first place. Racism, Bigotry, and hate speech, are not uncommon in South Africa; despite constitutional clauses against these. It is more than just possible: that those with a hatred for Jewish culture, beliefs, and people: have been misusing this situation: for their own unconstitutional means.

Often, support for one side of the other, springs from hatred of a culture, or religion, often based on, what many would consider: misleadingly superstitious religious beliefs. I personally, have even seen some who hope there will never be peace in the Middle East: believing that it will warrant the end of the world. These same people often believe the Catholic church to be evil... and many other things: but it is simply more proof, of how biased many viewing the conflict are.

The point is, that because of the location of this battle, and the players in it: and propaganda due to it: there is a harsh situation, whereby those who harbor hatred of one or other group: chose to air it, and those attempting to stop it: need to be careful of how they phrase the situation.

The alleged connection with Iran, is actually quite credible, according to the BBC: who say that Iran makes very little effort in denying accusations from Israel: especially , as credible as the connection between DRC rebels, and the Rwandan authorities: also noted by BBC. Who noted Rwandan troops operating in the conflict area, and these troops: have also been noted as apparently shooting down a UN helicopter in the African nation. Iran itself, desire the destruction of Israel. According to the BBC: they do not want a deal: which prevents smuggling of Iranian weaponry into Palestine.

A possible reason for the way in which Hamas is responding to this situation: could well be tied with the Iranian government. Iran, has no benefit from peace in th Gaza Strip.

Israeli-Vatican tensions have been heightened since the Cardinal Renato Martino: of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, used what can only be a metaphor to concentration camps.

Pope Benedict XVI, has not taken sides: but laments the violence, and civilian casualties. He still has done so: after the statements were made: according to Reuters; making it seem that these were the personal; views of the person who said them: and not the view of the Vatican: who are more concerned with collateral damage, and sustainability of peace: than with who is guilty of what offense: at least: at the moment; such, it appears from the outside: is the case.

DRC: Congo: Great Lakes Region: Africa: Two more Ebola Deaths: cases since november: 13 deaths, 42 infections?

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f ; South African catholic 06/01/2009 IOL (Secular; South African; Independent) 07/01/2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Authorities are reporting two more Ebola deaths, in the "Democratic Republic of Congo": formally Zaire. IOL: reports, that the death count is raised by 2 from 11. With 42 cases, and 13 deaths: this situation has not become less serious. Recently, Angola, closed off their border with the affected region of DRC: Congo: having placed their police and military on high alert. Ebola has spread across the border to Sudan before, and countries in the region are edgy: due to the mostly lethal, and incurable nature of the disease. The Ebola disease: is named after a river in the DR Congo.

Great Lakes Region, Africa: Ugandan Rebels: LRA: want peacefire

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. IOL (South African; Secular; Independent) 06 / 01 / 2009; AlertNet (article by Reuters: British; Secular; Independent) 07 / 01 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Sorry for the lag in articles, we have been doing important local work, but are resuming service properly, we have of course: kept news, but have not published stories on all of it here.

On Tuesday: the "Lord's Resistance Army" (LRA): accused of mass murder by the Catholic Umbrella (Social Justice/ Humanitarian/ Charity) grouping: Caritas Internationalis, among others, but still denying many claims: has desperately called for a peace treaty: after the armies of three nations joined in offensive to drive the group accused of massive human rights abuses: from the (DRC) Congo.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the (DRC) country, it was reported by Reuters: yesterday, that a mediator: of talks which occur in Kenya: has asked for a temporary ceasefire, between the Congolese government: and these other rebels. This second conflict is the one which made most major news stations, after tens of thousands fled their homes. The first made newspapers: with the attack of a Catholic church, and slaughter of those inside of it.

Angola, Great lakes Region, North Africa: Angola closes DRC border, to prevent Ebola Sufferers getting into the country

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. AlertNet (Collaborative; Secular; Article here: by Reuters) 05/01/2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Angola has shut off a border stretch, with the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC); due to an alleged Ebola outbreak: suspected to have infected 40 persons, and killed 13 people, since November. Closing the border is aimed at preventing the spread of the disease, according to representation of the Health Department.

Ebola kills 3 in every ten people who contract it, has not cure, and has symptoms including: vomiting, diarrhoea, and internal and external bleeding. No cases, according to the authorities there: have been reported in Angola. All people have been banned from moving across the border strip, and Angolan police, and military personnel are on the lookout for any signs of the deadly man-killer.

South Africa has not closed the border to Zimbabwe, where Cholera has broken out, and recently several people died at morning-side clinic from a disease borne of a Namibian rat. In Africa; it is common for epidemics to spread across borders, however: while South Africa presently aims to treat as best as viable: sufferers from the Cholera Epidemic (even though it denied its own people HIV medication):

Other nations: at times prefer rather to protect their own populations, than cure those suffering.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L5269183.htm

Africa, Great Lakes Region, DRC, Congo- Caritas internationalis- Congo's Bishops say that the World are not protecting Congo from "Silent Genocide" as Congo's resources are carved up

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Caritas Internationalis 14/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

International Humanitarian umbrella organization- Caritas Internationalis, has warned of urgent statements of the DRC Catholic bishops, who claim that the war in DRC largely involves resources, even as human rights are abused daily, and that the United Nations is not protecting the people, nor upholding International Law in the DRC, as mandated to. The Bishops claim the international community has for the time being betrayed the people of the war ruined region, through inaction.

Caritas Internationalis themselves, have appealed for a clear mandate for the United Nations Peacekeepers on the ground- Monuc- to act against those instituting violence, and breaking peace treaties.

The Congo, they continue to claim in their bitter, urgent, hopeful pleas- is being disected and divided between powers, and the people are losing out- as her resources are harvested via conflict. The bishops have asked the people of the vast region not to let their nation be divided in such a manner. The DRC Catholic bishops urgently urge the international community to no longer condemn them via apathy and ineffective means of solving their dire and deathly circumstances- but rather to act effectively, and uphold international law.

They, like Caritas Internationalis are asking for also: an increase of aid to sooth the bleeding wound of the humanitarian situation in Congo.

To see more see:
http://www.caritas.org/newsroom/press_releases/bishops_condemn_silent_genocide_in_congo.html

To read statement in french:
http://www.caritas.org/includes/pdf/congobishopsstatement.pdf
Google Translation
Translation- we hope it will work

Rwanda- Germany kicked out over arrest of Rwandan official- Germany joins France, and the Catholic church in being apposed by the Rwandan President

(Social Justice South Africa; Scripturelink Voters guide; c.f. Reuters (Secular) AlertNet 11/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Germany is set to join France, the Catholic Church, and Rwanda's French speaking citizens on the list of people snubbed by the Rwandan government,an African administration accused by Congolese officials of funding an insurgency in their neighboring country- the DRC, an illegal conflict, which is strictly damaging the region, and aid efforts.

Rwanda's president is wanted by a French court, to face charges in the Hague for the murder of his predecessor, a death which caused the Rwandan genocide. A top aid was arrested by Germany in efforts to try the aid for the same plane crash incident. Rwanda's military's involvement in the DRC is confirmed as possible by representation of their government, who say proving it is another thing. The BBC reported of an incident of Rwandan troops firing at a United Nations attack helicopter in the neighboring Dr Congo, and others also give varying accounts. The Rebels in the DR Congo are of the tribe attacked in the genocide, and many of their victims are of the tribe which was largely seen as aggressive in the 1994 Genocide. Rwanda's president denies claims by parties including United Nations sources of involvement in the war in their neighboring nation, even as rebels in Congo claim to be there to fight Rwanda's own rebels. The requests involving solving the murder of the 1994 president of Rwanda, is the source of much of the Rwandan cuttings of ties.

French was recently removed as an official language in Rwanda, and government departments, and schools may no longer use this language. Since the French called for justice involving the Genocide, they, along with the Catholic church have suddenly been accused of involvement in the Genocide, by Rwanda's justice system.

Humanitarian Issues still not resolved

(Social Justice South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

We would like to update on some issues- the situations in India, DRC, Somalia, and other areas we reported on are still largely happening, with some or other manifestation. Such issues are overcome by actions and by prayers.

Africa- Great Lakes Region-DRC-Congo- Goma Violence continues- claims of looting of refugee camps, and torching of these surface!

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. CNN (Secular) 31/10/08- thanks to a friend for pointing this out to me; IHT (Secular) 21/11/06; BBC World News 29/10/08)

CNN, like other news services is reporting on the harsh situation in the Kivu region around Goma. They have mentioned that there are reports being investigated, of camps being burnt. They note of 1 000 000 people who have fled Congo's violence.

We have already noted in previous articles, that even before this- camps had reached capacity- and many, even thousands- of the desperate refugees were having to find shelter elsewhere. Recently, when food aid was once again given out- a fence was scrambled over, and those being aided almost stampeded in a quest for the food. Catholic Relief Services, and many others have been forced to withdraw from the immediate area, to safer areas in the Congo. They (CRS) will still be supplying aid in Goma, but via the structures of Caritas Internationalis. Organizations such as Caritas Internationalis- are still doing a large portion of the work on the ground- via use of locals to distribute food to thousands, and also by tactical distribution of other products to ensure life- such as hygiene products, and blankets.

Rwanda, who the BBC (See one of our previous articles for c.f. or see link to BBC above), noted that the UN have reported to have been implicated somewhat in violence:

Rwandan troops shot at UN attack forces- at a helicopter, deny claims of being instrumental in this violence, or of responsibility for it. The fighting seems shockingly to involve the same two tribal groups who were involved in the Rwandan Genocide- the Rebels in Congo are of the tribe which was attacked in the Genocide, they claim to be protecting their tribe against "Rwandan Rebels" they claim are in the area. The conflict however is not ethnic, people of every group are dying or starving or fleeing because of the actions of the rebels, and there is no real visible presence of any enemy which they claim to be fighting, except the Congolese army, and the United Nations. The Rwandan president has still refused to appear before a French court for the death of his predecessor, whose death is widely thought to have been the Catalyst for the Rwandan genocide. Instead, French is now no longer an official language in Rwanda.

The British Minister to Africa, believes that the world risks another Rwanda in the DRC, if correct actions are not guided into place. France wants to send in thousands of EU troops to aid the situation, but this requires co-operation in Europe.

Violence is taking place during crop planting season- this means there will not be crops planted in the affected areas this year- resulting in threats to food security. Many have lost everything in recent weeks, and soldiers on both sides have been accused of human rights violations, as the Congolese government gradually loses control of their troops. A barely holding peace treaty is barely maintaining peace in the region, with some fighting continuing after dark.

DRC- Congo- Kivu Region- Catholic Relief Services pulls two relif workers out of country. Only grass roots organizations like Caritas Internationalis still easily operate in wartorn region

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Catholic News Service 30/10/08; Caritas Internationalis 30/10/08; BBC World News (Secular) 29/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Catholic Relief Services has pulled two relief workers out of the DRC into neighboring Rwanda- due to unsafe conditions of operation, however they claim this is an isolated event, and not a general withdrawal. The Relief workers can't wait to get back to the CRS headquarters in the southern Congo, where the organization's efforts are based.

In recent days a UN peace-keeper helicopter was shot at, purportedly, if UN sources quoted by the BBC (29/10/08) are to be taken as accurate- not by rebels, but by Rwandan troops, and DRC troops have been noted as shooting across the border when they saw weapons fire. The BBC's representation- noted exchanges of fire. Rwanda denies involvement in the conflict. Rebels however claim to have a purpose of fighting Rwanda's own claimed rebels they claim to be in the Congo. We cannot verify any of these claims, by the Rebels.


Caritas Internationalis is appealing for an end to violence. After a recent cease fire called for by rebel forces, and a UN condemnation of rebel activities, as rebels have attacked UN troops- there was still the sounds of gunfire under the shadows of the dark African night.

Caritas Internationalis needs better conditions to ensure 16 000 persons who they are supplying with food necessities get this. Other organizations, including Catholic Relief Services, are appealing western governments to intervene diplomatically. Much of the important work on the ground, however- is still being done by Caritas Internationalis, whose use of local grassroots people has enabled them to continue operations where some other organizations have needed to reassess the aid they are giving. Both Catholic Relief Services, who are appealing for US diplomatic support, and Development and Peace (who are asking the Canadian government for intervention), plan to use Caritas Internationalis in order to supply needs in the Goma Region, where Caritas has structures still in place.

Sites of those mentioned for their aid of efforts:

Caritas Internationalis
Catholic Reflief Services
Development and Peace

Africa- DRC- Congo- UN Security council recognises crisis, plans to send in thousands more troops- Rwanda denies funding CNDP - Kivu Rebels,

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. BBC World News 30/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The BBC reports- that the UN Security council has made a non-binding statement- condemning Nkunda's CNDP's violence, and calling for further troop deployment.

The rebels, who have consistently advanced against UN troops, are suspected to be funded and assisted by a regional foreign power. As the UN Security council asks Rwanda and the DRC to sort out their problems, and take concrete steps to create stability in the region- so hurt by the conflict- Rwanda is denying funding of the Rebels.

The rebels claim to be protecting Congolese from Rwandan rebels- who they claim aided the 1994 genocide. The Rwandan president was recently desired in a French court to face charges of murdering the man whose death sparked the genocide- his 1994 predecessor. Rwanda recently removed French from their official list of languages, and as a language in which children can be taught in schools, or people can contact the government. They have also pulled out of a group of French speaking nations, and since France asked for their president to appear in court have accused French soldiers, who were assigned by the UN to protect civilians in the region- of helping conduct the genocide. Others facing accusations, from the government whose leader has been accused by a French judge of murder- include the Catholic church.

The DRC Kivu rebels themselves have caused mass flights from towns whenever they have stormed different urban areas, have shot at UN MONUC troops, and of late have directly been fighting UN peacekeepers- who recently launched air attacks on the rebels who responded with anti-air fire.

The UN has noted that rape, and mutilation of sexual organs are a weapon of war in the DRC, and have asked for human shields to not be captured or used. Which side they are referring, on the second issue of human shields we have not been able to ascertain, as the government of the country has also began to lose control of their soldiers.

There was firing of weapons across the Rwandan border, and firing into the air- by Congolese defense force troops, whose government is gradually losing control of the terrified soldiers, as the rebels continue to take more ground.

Yesterday, the rebels- accused of kidnapping child soldiers recently- announced they wanted a peace treaty- having themselves broken the previous one at an opportune time, and are the cause of even further food insecurity in Congo- as villagers should now be planting crops. They are not however prepared to disarm, until "Rwandan Rebels", they claim are in the area- are "out" of the area.

Caritas Internationalis- from their position on the ground in the country are desperately looking for 1.5 million US dollars to help with immediate, basic needs. They were already desiring this when the number of refugees had not completely burst the capacity of refugee camps around Goma, a regional capital in Kivu.

The UN intervention may be needed to stop the constant loss of territory by the African UN task-force- and to possibly prevent what some (United Kingdom minister Mark Malloch-Brown- to Africa) are claiming could be a massacre on the scale of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. This comes After calls by Caritas Internationalis for global action and immediate relief of some of this humanitarian crisis.

Caritas Internationalis- The weekend's and week's fighting- is at time when fields are used to sow crops, refugee camps past capacity- needs desperate

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Caritas Internationalis 28/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Caritas Internationalis, the umbrella body of over 160 Catholic aid agencies, is asking, as they had at earlier stages for a desperate 1.5 million US dollars, in order to supply basics, such as blankets, or hygiene products, to over 90 000 people, in the Eastern DRC. Refugee camps have breached capacity, as another 30 000 people are heading for Goma, as two more towns fell to foreign backed Kivu rebels.

Refugees are sleeping at relatives, schools and government buildings- as humanitarian organizations are ill-funded to adequately sort out this problem, and as the UN task team continues to lose ground against the Human Rights abusing, criminal rebels, who recently broke an UN sponsored peace treaty.

As the situation continues to worsen- Caritas Internationalis is warning of lack of food and water, and hygiene necessities among refugees. There have already been several outbreaks of disease this year, worsened by combatants raiding the medical supplies of humanitarian organizations.

Caritas Internationalis, who have a proven record of dealing with, and stabilizing humanitarian situations, and of supporting the poor- claiming that their work is "Justice, not Charity", in their motto- have warned that until areas are secured, refugees cannot return to their villages- also they have noted the dire fact, that these battles will prevent crops being planted when they should be- and help contribute to food security problems in the region. They are asking for the world to mobilize, and for those responsible for this infringement on Congo's sovereignty, and on human rights and dignity- to be held responsible for their unspeakable actions.

DRC- another town falls to Rebels- despite UN insistence they would halt advance- Rebels claim

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular) 28/10/08; South African Catholic 28/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

On Monday, the UN force, MONUC, was attacking rebel positions outside of Goma, following the falling of another town to the Human Rights abusing, foreign backed, criminal, Kivu Rebels. On Tuesday the UN force was vowing to protect urban areas. By the end of Tuesday, the town of Rutshuru had, if claims of the Rebel forces are to be given any credence, already been the latest victim of the rebel onslaught, as tens of thousands were likely forced to flee, or face the wrath of the infamous foreign backed rebel group- who don't blink at killing UN forces, or volunteers. The UN is claiming that rape and mutilation of sexual organs are weapons of war in the DRC, where children are captured, kidnapped, and forced to fight, even addicted to drugs to ensure loyalty.

The rebels, under their leader Nkunda, accused of human rights abuses, and normal criminal activities, including fraud and kidnapping, and use of child soldiers, also known as the "National Congress for the Defense of the People", or "CNDP" have abused their status as Tutsi- in order to pretend that this is an ethnic conflict.

DRC- Congo- Aid workers evacuated as Human-Rights-abusing- rebels advance further

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular) 28/10/08)

Article By Marc Aupiais

As the nation's Tutsi rebels advance further towards a regional captial against the Government forces in the eastern DRC, the United Nations, is pulling out about 50 aid workers from various charitable organizations from a town close to rebel forces, which is an aim of recent aggressions. Attack helicopters of the UN mission in the DRC recently attacked rebels positions with strategic air power- however the rebels responded with anti-aircraft barrages.

The rebels continue to fight government forces despite a recent treaty. The leader of the group currently advancing is wanted for fraud, use of child soldiers, illegal mining and human rights violations, but has yet to be advanced on by the recognized DRC government. Since the DRC gained a constitution via referendum, and has also had an election, the dynamics of the moral high ground have been shifting. The United Nations firmly states that they will do all in their power not allow further encroachment on urban areas by the infamous Kivu rebels, and that they will defend the nearby town with force.

The town, that the Rebels now want to launch an offensive against, Rutshuru, is home to tens of thousands of internal refugees fleeing violence caused largely by the advancing rebels. Recent attacks on a nearby town sent about 20 000 refugees fleeing for life, towards the provincial capital- Goma.

Social Justice South Africa- DRC- Congo-Caritas- Appeal for 440 000 dollars- as Ugandan "Lords Resistance Army" continues human rights abuses, burning villages, and committing other attrocities

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Caritas Internationalis 16/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Caritas Internationalis is desperately asking for urgent aid of $440 000 in order to supply 4 000 people with blankets, clothes, cooking utensils, and hygiene items. The so-called "Lord's Resistance Army", based in foreign Uganda has been raping villagers, burning villages, and killing innocent civilians since September, despite a January ceasefire.

Recently- Caritas appealed for aid for 90 000 people already affected by the conflict between the government of the country, and the rebels- famous for their use of child soldiers, who are kidnapped and brainwashed.

The Ugandan based Rebels are known for their abuses of human rights- against Congolese civilians. The LRA is only one of the horrific factors which have prompted a burst in conflict, and civilian casualties over the past months.

Many of these displaced civilians- brothers and sisters of ours in their shared humanity- like many refugees, such as the Christians, currently victim to a genocide in India- are facing the dangers that nature has to offer those without basics needed for survival. Caritas Internationalis is well known for their abilities when it comes to ensuring the best use of resources. Caritas Internationalis will be using the funds to aid civilians.

Agenzia Fides- Humanitarian situation in DRC continues to worsen

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f.
Agenzia Fides 09/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The situation in North Kivu DRC, continues to worsen each day- and humanitarian organizations, including Caritas Internationalis are continuing to try to aid with the limited funds they have.

Often- to even get to refugees, one must enter the country by a dangerous route from from neighboring Rwanda. The aid of many is left directly to missionaries and the church, as many issues continue to prevent any real relief from the civil war in the country, and from its effects.

It is confirmed on the ground that many people in affected areas also
have dangerous health conditions.

A positive aspect- is that some children are being taught in schools again!

Congo- citizens don't get profits from fuel production, focus on poor- bishops

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia fides 03/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Catholic Bishops in Congo- find it sad that average citizens don't profit from the proceeds of one of the largest fuel producing economies in Africa. They have asked for focus on the poor of this country- who suffer terribly, some missing a day's worth of food regularly (once a week), and were many die from many diseases in their poverty. Efforts involves studies by Caritas.

Congo- Fighting continues- Caritas asks for 1.5 million dollars in aid- in order to supply non-food aid

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Caritas Internationalis 02/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

"The five-month project will provide household articles such as blankets, hygiene products and cooking equipment to 15,000 families who have lost their homes and possessions in the violence." (Caritas Internationalis 02/10/08), according to Caritas in a media release. Fighting by government and rebels has continued despite a peace treaty. Caritas only mentions that the government had signed this.

They are asking for 1.5 million dollars to help sort out the basic needs of those affected.

Congo- Missionaries call for backlash against Kivu Rebels- say no ligitimacy in treating them equally with governemt

(Social Justice South Africa; C.f. Agenzia Fides 29/09/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Agenzia Fides reports that a group of Christian Missionaries (“Congo Peace Network”(Agenzia Fides 29/09/08)) are questioning UN policy of putting government and the Rebel group CNDP of Kivu on the same playing field.

They claim that a Rebel group known for their violent actions- cannot share the same position as a democratically elected government with a popular referendum's constitution. This comes as fighting intensifies.

The leader of the Kivu rebels, Nkunda, continues to be gifted by authorities, with - freedom of movement. This is despite his organization's human rights abuses being decried by secular humanitarian group Amnesty International. Nkunda enjoys protection from the Congo's government from these treaties, making irrelevant- having an arrest warrant pending- for many crimes including extortion. The Rebel group, which profits from illegal mining is also known for recent kidnappings, to further replenish stocks of child soldiers.

The Missionaries consider it dangerous to give such legitimacy to the Rebels, and desire for the UN to act against these. They say that peace treaties organized, have turned out to give a sort of amnesty to these aggressors, who are profiting from the situation.

Despite treaties, the fighting has continued, and the international community seems still to refuse to take sides.