Pope Francis, on his first visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, denounced the “internal and external organizations” that “orchestrate war” in the country to plunder its resources
in the east of the country, heavy fighting was erupting again between the Congolese army and a Rwandan-backed militia group in the mineral-rich region.
“It is, above all, a war unleashed by an insatiable greed for raw materials and money that fuels a weaponized economy and requires instability and corruption,” he told the war survivors in an emotional meeting. Francis had been scheduled to visit Goma, a regional capital in eastern Congo, but the journey was cancelled after the fighting grew worse. More than half a million people have been forced to flee their homes over the past year because of the conflict, many for the second or third time.
The latest fighting in Kitshanga, a town of about 80,000 people, has left about 90 per cent of the town empty, according to a report on Wednesday by an independent radio network, Radio Okapi. Battles were continuing in several other places in the region, it said. Rwanda said it fired at the jet because it had strayed into Rwandan territory – a claim denied by Congo’s government. Goma’s airport is close to the Rwandan border, creating the constant risk that military aircraft could cross the border inadvertently.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pope Francis condemns ‘poison of greed’ stoking conflict in Congo as he begins Africa tripFrancis is the first pope to visit Congo since John Paul II in 1985, when it was still known as Zaire
Read more »
'Hands off Africa!': Pope blasts foreign plundering of CongoPope Francis demanded Tuesday that foreign powers stop plundering Africa's natural resources for the 'poison of their own greed' as he arrived in Congo to a raucous welcome by Congolese grateful he was focusing the world's attention on their forgotten plight.
Read more »
Pope's Africa trip spotlights conflict, and church's futurePope Francis began a six-day visit to Congo and South Sudan on Tuesday, aiming to bring a message of peace to two countries riven by poverty, conflict and what Francis has called a lingering “colonialist mentality” that still considers Africa ripe for exploitation.
Read more »
Toronto Catholic trustee fighting back after court ruling and order to pay board $140,000 in costsMichael Del Grande to appeal court decision after judicial review ruled the board acted legally in censuring him over controversial 2019 comments.
Read more »
FIGHTING ISLAMOPHOBIA: Will PM's new adviser unite or divide us?WATCH FIGHTING ISLAMOPHOBIA: Will PM's new adviser unite or divide us? Via sunlorrie cdnpoli CLICK:
Read more »