Reports 1995-1998 Edited by Dwain C. Epps

Statement on the Humanitarian Situation in Eastern Zaïre

Issued by the General Secretary, 5 February 1997.

The WCC shares the concerns of those who have called attention in recent days to the dramatic needs resulting from the continuing rapid degradation of the humanitarian situation in Eastern Zaire.

Through the work of ACT (Action by Churches Together), the WCC is well aware of the difficulty of distinguishing between civilian populations in desperate need and the youth who remain involved with the former militias. The terrible suffering of people in this area is, however, an overriding consideration. The complexities of the situation cannot be used as an excuse by the international community to avoid its responsibility to address this crying human need. Assistance to these victims of poverty and the continuing conflicts in the region must not be denied, even if some accused of committing crimes may derive benefit from it.

The WCC therefore appeals to the concerned governments and international community to facilitate access by humanitarian organizations to these populations for the purposes of distributing crucial food and medical supplies, and of providing emergency medical assistance, and urges them to assist these efforts in every possible way.

Communiqué of the emergency meeting on the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Issued in Lusaka, Zambia, 10 September 1998.

Having analysed critically the conflict in the DRC and its implications for the wider region, and having considered the interpretation of the situation by churches of the DRC, we noted that the conflict has two dimensions, namely, internal conflict and external aggression. We established that the root causes of these dimensions were insecurity, issues of identity, poor governance, political opportunism with its military options, and selfish economic interests.

In the case of the DRC insecurity brought about by unresolved conflicts arises from the legacy of the previous regime and unsolved problems by the current government. This situation has been exacerbated by the presence in the DRC of armed groups from neighbouring countries who are seen to pose a security problem to their home countries. These armed groups have become a pretext for invasion of the DRC by neighbouring countries such as Uganda and Rwanda. The problem is further compounded by the emerging trend of exporting internal conflict to other countries through aggression and support of rebels as is the case in the DRC.

There are serious questions of ethnic and national identity. These are not unique to the DRC, yet it is important that the country addresses the issue of its own integration for the sake of future peace and stability

Fifteen months after the departure of the previous regime the issue of democratic governance has not been seriously addressed. Instead of political dialogue and consensus building the current political process has perpetuated exclusion and marginalisation. This has provided fertile ground for political opportunism to take root, as the misuse of ethnic diversity clearly demonstrates. Outside forces have taken advantage of the internal weaknesses in the DRC to promote their own selfish economic interests at the expense of the life, dignity and sovereignty of the people of the DRC.

As the church of Jesus Christ, our mandate stems from the Biblical imperative to proclaim the sacredness of life, and uphold justice with mercy by speaking the truth in love. We are concerned that under the culture of violence that prevails in the region, lives and property are being destroyed and economic resources wasted. At a time when the DRC and other countries in the region need resources for the health and education of their people and reconstruction of their infrastructure, they are directed to the financing of war.

We appeal to the churches and other faith communities, the political leadership and the people of the DRC to do everything in their power to bring an immediate end to the war, to embark on a process of reconciliation through dialogue, and promote consensus on the issues that affect the welfare of the people and the state, including safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC.

We appeal to our churches, communities of other faiths and international partners to stand for the truth and to influence their own constituents and governments to promote policies that affirm the value of life, peace with justice, and integrity of creation.

We appeal to the countries in the region to seek just and sustainable solutions to the existing problems through dialogue, not military force.

We call upon invaders to leave the DRC and let the people of that country sort out their internal problems peacefully. We call upon the invading countries to address their security problems from within their own borders.

We call upon the member states of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to adopt a cohesive approach towards the issues affecting the region through consultation and consensus building in their decision making.

We appeal to the churches of Southern Africa and the Great Lakes region to actively monitor and influence developments in order to pre empt situations of tension and conflict.