SW News: Ahead of the Holy Father’s upcoming visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Africa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of Kinshasa Archdiocese spoke to Vatican News about the recent attacks in the country. He said they are part of a long history of strife in the eastern part of the country.

Hinting that neighboring Rwanda and Uganda are helping the rebels in the eastern part of DRC, the cardinal said that “Where the state is absent, there are other forces that take power. At the moment, gangs of thugs are taking advantage of this disorder to sow death and desolation in this area.”

He echoed the sentiments of the prelates of Congo who are asking how long will this bloodshed continue. He said he has observed that the international community was complicit when it came to knowing what happened in the eastern part of the country. He also boldly denounced the MONUSCO, which is the peacekeeping unit of the UN, saying they were powerless in tackling the M23 insurgents.

“MONUSCO has admitted that it is powerless against M23, that M23 has more sophisticated weapons,“ he said. “Work that one out for yourself! All the United Nations put together, and they are powerless against a small group of armed men. It is incomprehensible,” said the top prelate.

Cardinal Ambongo also warned of the looming danger of “Balkanisation”, or the fragmentation of the nation into small states.

“I believe that the Congolese nation is in danger,” he said. “With the resurgence of conflicts in the east, especially with the M23, we [the Congolese bishops] now have the clear conviction that there are external forces that really want to break our country up into small states.”

Regarding the upcoming papal visit, the cardinal said that news has been greeted by the Congolese people as something good amid the pieces of bad news that are trickling in. Cardinal Ambongo said the Holy Father’s visit is purely pastoral. “He comes to comfort suffering people. That is the first purpose and that is above all what the people want in the midst of these sufferings, in the midst of these tribulations.”

He expressed hope that the Holy Father’s strong words during the visit would put some sense into those who are peddling violence and hatred. He also added that the pontiff would be meeting young believers. This gains significance as in all wars, it is the young people who are brainwashed and are given weapons to kill others.