News has been received by the Diocese of Chester reporting further unrest in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Ven Jean Bagada, Diocesan Secretary for Boga in the DRC, has written to Carys Addison, Link Administrator for the Anglican link between the Diocese of Chester and DRC, asking for our continued prayers.
The Ven Jean says: "There has been further insecurity in the villages of Djugu, Gety and Tchabi which are near the main town of Bunia; and some villages around Boga where the cathedral is situated.
"On 31 May, twenty houses were torched in Djugu and Mahagi and the people were massacred.
"The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan Muslim terrorist group, invaded the Tchabi area, looting and stealing cattle and also medicine from the local hospital. Nurses at the hospital were forced to transport the terrorists to the forest and some of the nurses are still in captivity. Many people fled to Boga, where the Christians there collected food and clothes for them. Some have been able to return to their villages, but others have stayed in Boga as they fear the assailants.
"Recently a Diocesan Council was held in Boga Diocese as a major issue is the appropriation of church land by locals who are in connivance with local government officials.
"Local churches have been given the task of sending and supporting candidates for theological studies – there are many new churches needing leaders and the diocese has a vision to plant more."
More information was sent in an email by Bisoke Balikenga, Provincial Youth Leader. He says: “I am in Chari and people from Kunda and Malili are running here – four people from Lendu were killed there. In addition, Hema people have been killed in Kobu, a place where there is big business in gold. The killers are determined in their murderous intent and so the number of displaced people in Bunia town and around the airport has increased even more. Children have been lost and some people have died during their flight, especially the elderly.”
The Lendu and Hema are the principal tribes in the area and are historic enemies.
This photo reportedly shows the movement of displaced people