Leaders meet on Congo

(Vatican Radio) The presidents of Congo and Rwanda are meeting in Uganda on Wednesday for emergency talks on healing their contentious relations, as a rebellion Rwanda has been accused of supporting continues to occupy Congo's eastern provincial capital of Goma and its airport. The M23 rebels are also moving toward Bukavu, which is south of Goma. Nearly 1,500 U.N. peacekeepers in Goma failed to engage the rebels, saying they wished to avoid starting a battle.

The Catholic aid agency CAFOD’s Country Representative in DRC, Bernard Balibuno said the humanitarian situation is critical.

“Thousands of people are fleeing their homes and camps. More than 15,000 people from the Kibumba camp north of Goma have been forced to leave because of the fighting, and are fleeing south towards the towns of Mugunga and Sake with many of Goma’s residents,” he said.

“For many previously displaced by fighting, this will be the fourth or fifth time they have had to flee in the last two years,” said Balibuno. “Our long-term partner Caritas Goma has estimated that more than 50,000 people will be in need of humanitarian aid in the coming days.”

Listen to the interview by Charles Collins with Bernard Balibuno: