News
World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca condemned an attack on a UN convoy in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on 22 February.
Italy's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, his Italian bodyguard and a Congolese driver were killed in the attack.
This incident happens in a context where the wider community is suffering from the atrocities committed by armed groups. The violence has become part of a systematic pattern of disrupting lives, instilling fear, extorsion and creating havoc in society.
“The World Council of Churches condemns this violence against victims involved in a fact-finding mission with the World Food Programme—people who were trying to help alleviate hunger,” said Sauca. “We call for an end to such senseless attacks, violating the essential protection of humanitarian workers, and we reach out in prayer and condolence to families who have lost loved ones.”
The delegation was travelling from Goma to visit a World Food Programme school feeding programme in Rutshuru when the attack took place.
With a complicated and long history of cross border ethnic violence, external interference and exploitation of rich mineral resources, the conflicts in the region have national, regional and international implications.
“This incident should reaffirm the world's commitment to bring peace, security and justice to the region. Our moral obligation is to accompany the local communities subjected to tremendous suffering over the past decades.” Sauca concluded.
