The 13th Synod had been held as scheduled by God’s grace. It is 2 days later after the opening that a new war started at Bukiringi which is a sub location situated at 17 km away of Boga. The members of the Synod did not panic; trauma was not seen on the face of any participant to the meeting.
At the end of the Synod members of the Synod that came from Aveba, Gety and Bunia had to travel in convoy with us using an unusual routing which is in the Equatorial forest. This is because the usual road from Boga to Bunia is still impassable to militia forces that apparently seem to gain strength at the moment. We spent 2 days along the journey in the forest before we could reach Bunia town. After we left the forest, we had to rest at Eringeti, a small town in the Northern Kivu Province located at the border with the Eastern Province. This for getting some food stuffs. In all we were forty (40) people going to Bunia after the rest of participants to the Synod had stayed at their homes at Tchabi and Bwakadi.
At the same time some friends as well some administrative leaders from Bunia advised us to leave Eringeti as soon as we received their phone calls because the National Armed Forces were deployed on the road that we were travelling on ( Marabo – Bunia pathway). The Armed Forces were brought at this specific place so that they could fight against the Militia troops that had already occupied a neighbouring location called Songolo. That reason forced us to leave Eringeti without rest despite our fatigue due to long journey in the forest so that we could get to Bunia before getting dark.
A few hours after our arrival to Bunia yesterday evening, the road was closed and fighting was going on today at Kombokabo, situated at 16km from Bunia. But Bunia is still calm up to now.
Commodities prices are getting higher because there is no connexion of transport from the rural areas to the town. There is an increase of fear that the fighting groups may loot peoples goods. We are told that yesterday some trucks carrying goods were shot and looted as they were coming from the rural villages. Now we have the task of catering for the delegates of the Synod whose areas are affected by hostilities and as well other people that are displaced due to armed conflicts. We have numbered 48 families that are under the responsibility of the Anglican Church.
There are 7,000 people around Bunia Town at a place called Kotonu and many other are still coming. Those that are coming to look for safety do not have anything with them. They need assistance in feeding, medical care, blankets and plastic sheeting ( canvas )because of the rainy season at the moment. Some NGOs such as LWF are trying to provide some food, but they are overwhelmed by the size of the beneficiaries.
Why again the war this time? Here are some reasons to explain it:
- Rebels are accusing the government of being unjust and corrupt; again the lords of wars among the rebels got arrested in Kinshasa and others at The Hague.
- They need to drive out Ugandan rebels that are operating on the Congolese soil causing suffering to Congolese citizens on their own soil.
- The Congolese Armed Forces that are supposed to protect their land and citizens are not paid by the government, it is only their higher commanders that are well paid. This makes it hard to a common soldier to survive on the small wage from the state. They become a burden to civilians.
- The government failed in his program of demobilising armed militia troops and integrating them in a society of civilians. Though the World Bank had given some financial support, the progress has ever remained slow. These young people are flexible and can join militia movements easily due to their idleness. The recent war is not of tribal colour, but it is about unhappiness of some people that feel forgotten and are looking for justice.
We are grateful for your support in prayer and it sustained us during hard times of risks. We are also making an appeal of assistance to vulnerable in this crisis. We will be happy with your support of any kind. In a spirit of prayer with our Lord.
The Rt. Bishop Henri Isingoma K. K
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