Bishops Warn of Silent Genocide in DRC

(14 Nov 08 - RV)The Bishops of Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo have launched a cry for help, warning that the International Community is standing by as a silent genocide unfolds in their land as fighting between pro-government troops and rebels escalates.

Former Nigerian President and UN envoy for Congo Obasanjo, arrived in Kinshasa today for talks with President Kabila, before heading east to meet the rebel leader Laurent Nkunda.

Protected by U.N. peacekeepers, 12 trucks carrying 100 tonnes of food crossed combat lines today attempting to reach some of the one and a half million people displaced by fighting.

Antonio Cabral, CAFOD's regional manager for West Africa and the Great Lakes, spoke of the seriousness of the situation: