Congo-Kinshasa (MNN) — Despite growing international pressure, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is standing firm on its decision not to have direct talks with the M23 rebel group making major advances in the country’s eastern region.
Instead, DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka told BBC News that her government wants to negotiate with neighboring Rwanda. DRC leaders accuse Rwanda of backing the M23.
Trans World Radio’s Egide Bandyatuyaga says, “Since they (rebels) feel that the government is not taking much care of them, they have taken arms to fight the government. So far, they have taken two major cities in the eastern part of DRC, and it looks like they are progressing southward to take other cities.”
At least 8,500 people have been killed since fighting escalated in January. More than 100,000 people were recently forced to flee their homes in a single week.
Church in the DRC (Representative stock photo courtesy of Johnnathan Tshibangu via Unsplash)
“When there is a war in a country, there are victims,” Bandyatuyaga says.
“People are displaced from their homes, and in the course of fleeing, people die. They die of hunger. They die of diseases, and families are separated.”
Rooted in decades-old ethnic violence, today’s conflict threatens to cripple the next generation.
“As they flee in crowds, children are separated from their parents, and it’s very difficult to reunite them,” Bandyatuyaga says.
Bandyatuyaga coordinates ministry and partnerships for TWR in 12 African nations, including DRC. Pray for wisdom for TWR staff as they develop radio programs and content for DRC listeners.
“We really try to encourage them, that even though they are going through those difficult times, God has not forsaken them,” Bandyatuyaga says.
“You cannot assume that when people are running away to try to save their life, they have time to listen to the radio, but when they do have time, they can continue listening to some of our programs.”
Header image is a representative stock photo depicting the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s flag. Photo courtesy of David Peterson/Pixabay.
