Cardinal Monsengwo Denounces Repression in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The nongovernmental organization Human Rights Watch mentions at least two deaths. The count may be higher. Police forces used tear gas to disperse the groups demanding the departure of President Joseph Kabila on December 31, 2017; this departure was part of the Saint-Sylvestre Political Agreement reached through the intervention of the episcopate.

Cardinal Monsengwo strongly condemned the police repression and denounced the ongoing political crisis.

The prelate also condemned the “barbaric” acts committed by “supposedly valiant men in uniform”, calling for these “second-rate individuals to clear out and for peace and justice to reign in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”.

Radio France Internationale explained that the Apostolic Nunciature, in an internal letter to the bishops, condemned “the disproportionate reaction of the Security Forces” of the Congo on December 31 to the protests the letter calls “peaceful”.

While the government authorities play down the importance of the Church’s support for the Lay Coordination Committee that organized these movements, the Roman authorities insist upon the legitimacy of this organization.