Quakers uphold DR Congo
‘Conditions are difficult and dangerous...'
Friends have been upholding Quakers and others living through the war in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
More than 7,000 people have been killed in recent months, with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group making swift advances since January, in a violent escalation of a long-running conflict.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, with at least 65,000 people arriving in Burundi in the month up to 17 March. The UN has said that sexual violence and human rights abuses are ‘rampant’ near the frontlines, as well as looting and destruction of civilian homes and businesses.
Fred Ashmore, of Quaker Africa Interest Group (QAIG), said that Friends met for worship on 26 February to uphold all those affected by the conflict. The gathering was held by QAIG and other Quaker groups supporting Friends in eastern DRC. ‘Among the forty-eight who joined the Zoom Meeting for Worship were Friends in the towns of Goma (North Kivu) as well as Bukavu and Uvira in South Kivu. They joined us in worship, and shared their current experience afterwards,’ said Fred Ashmore.
‘Conditions are difficult and dangerous, and the Friends who talked to us were placing themselves at mortal risk if they had been detected by the occupying forces. The local economy is apparently in stasis, and residents, including a son of one of our contacts, have been kidnapped as recruits to M23, and residents are subject to forced labour demands by the occupying forces.’
The Friends ‘expressed their appreciation of the upholding worship in moving terms’, he added.
QAIG also welcomed a statement by the UK government on the DRC hostilities, issued on 25 February, in which it announced suspending aid to Rwanda.
‘Quaker Congo Partnership UK (QCP)[and Conflict Minerals Campaign] remains deeply grateful to those who have contributed to the significant emergency funding raised for our appeal, nearly £10,000 so far,’ added Fred. ‘It is a drop in the ocean of need for the displaced thousands who suffer hunger, cold and disease as well as loss of property and livelihood – and for women and girls, the ever present threat of sexual violence.’
QCP and QAIG held another Meeting for upholding earlier in March, with an ongoing fortnightly Meeting beginning 27 March. The link will be on QCP’s Facebook page.
