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Two Dead as Fighting Erupts in Congo Capital
KINSHASA, CONGO (June 3, 2004) - At least two people have died as angry mobs
stormed the United Nations base in this capital city in the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Covenant News Service has learned.
The deaths came as thousands of Congolese reacted to the takeover of the
eastern town of Bukavu by dissident soldiers, something the protesting
Congolese believe should have been prevented by UN peacekeeping troops,
reports the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Covenant Congo Church President Dr. Mossai Sanguma immediately issued an
urgent plea for members of the Evangelical Covenant Church and others to
join in prayer. "Pray for the people in Congo," Sanguma requested during
a telephone conversation with Bob Thornbloom this morning. "They are
tired of war and frustrated with the continued disruption of the peace
process, which has the tendency of delaying elections."
Sanguma believes the current crisis will prove to be a temporary
setback, Thornbloom reports, though it likely will have a negative
impact on the ongoing peace process. BBC reported that the rebel leader
has promised that his fighters will leave Bukavu.
"It is affecting life right now in Kinshasa in that taxis and minibuses
are not out on the streets and people are forced to walk miles to get to
work or their destination," Thornbloom observed. "We have two
individuals hoping to get to the airport tomorrow, which is 22
kilometers from where they are staying, to continue their
biotechnological classes in Accra, Ghana. They are not sure how they
will be able to get to the airport if this continues another day."
Sanguma is fairly new to his work as president of the Covenant Church of
Congo (CEUM), having been installed in April. He had returned to
Kinshasa in January following five years at Fuller Theological Seminary
in California where he earned a doctorate in mission.
More information on the Kinshasa situation will be posted to this online
Covenant news report as it becomes available.
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