AFRICA/RD CONGO – In the east of the country: postulants of the Comboni missionaries attacked by rebels

AFRICA/RDCONGO – In the eastern part of the country: rebels attack postulants from the Comboni missionaries

Thursday 26 January 2023

Butembo (Agenzia Fides – On January 22, Mai-Mai rebels attacked a group of Comboni Missionaries postulants in North Kivu. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the attack.
“The rebels attacked the vehicle where the four postulants were returning to camp with their formator Brother Jacques Eluma. They attackers shot at the vehicle without hesitation”, reported Father Léonard Ndjadi Ndjate, Provincial Superior of the Comboni Missionaries.
“The only person injured,” he continued, “was 22-year-old brother Héritier Mambaya, from Bumba, who was taken to Matanda hospital in the city of Butembo”. The Provincial did not provide any further information about the young man’s condition and asked for “the intercession from St. Daniel Comboni”.
He stated, “This attack on innocent people is barbaric and criminal.” “We regret that the security forces were unable to protect the people of the East. We ask for prayers of peace for this region and Africa. We pray for the speedy recovery of our postulants.
The situation in this area of Congo is still tense. Numerous rebel groups are active within the region. There is tension between Rwanda and Democratic Republic. These rebel groups have been accused of being funded by Rwanda by the government in Kinshasa.
Pope Francis will travel to the country January 31st, but will not travel to eastern Congo for security reasons. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 26/1/2023)

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