Pope appeals again for peace in DR Congo

(Nov. 05, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday appealed again for dialogue and reconciliation in strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a humanitarian crisis is hitting the common people the hardest. The Pope expressed his concern for the central African nation at the end of his weekly general audience in the Vatican.
An 8-month insurgency by the M23 rebels is posing the biggest ever threat to the government of President Joseph Kabila in years, and risks developing into a war that could drag in neighbouring armies. “Serious news keeps coming in regarding the humanitarian situation in east DRC, which for months has become the scene of armed clashes and violence,” the Pope said in Italian. He noted that a large part of he population lacks the basic means of survival and thousands of people are forced to abandon their homes in search for refuge elsewhere. “I therefore renew my appeal for dialogue and reconciliation and urge the international community to work to “provide for the needs of the population”, he said. Pope Benedict had earlier appealed for peace in Congo on September 30.
The M23 pulled its fighters out of the North Kivu provincial capital Goma in eastern Congo on Saturday after seizing it from fleeing United Nations-backed government forces and holding it for 11 days. Negotiations between the government and the rebels are expected to take place this week.