Catholic church leads protest against congos president kabila #comments
It appears that the Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo has indeed led a protest against President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001. Here are some key points and comments from the situation:
Background: President Kabila's term ended in 2016, but he refused to step down, leading to widespread protests and violence. The Catholic Church, which has a significant presence in the country, has been a vocal critic of Kabila's government.
Protest: On January 31, 2019, the Catholic Church led a massive protest in Kinshasa, the capital city, against President Kabila's government. The protest was attended by thousands of people, including clergy, nuns, and laypeople.
Demands: The protesters demanded that Kabila step down and allow a peaceful transfer of power. They also called for an end to political violence, corruption, and human rights abuses.
Violence: The protest was met with violence by government forces, who used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd. Several people were injured, and at least one person was killed.
International reaction: The international community has condemned the violence and called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The United States, the European Union, and the African Union have all expressed concern over the situation.
Comments:
- "The Catholic Church is not a political party, but we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice and violence." - Archbishop Marcel Utembi, President of the Congolese Episcopal Conference
- "We demand that President Kabila respect the constitution and step down. We will not be silenced by violence and intimidation." - A protester in Kinshasa
- "The international community must pressure Kabila to respect the will of the Congolese people and allow a peaceful transfer of power." - A human rights activist
Current situation: The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains tense, with ongoing protests and violence. The Catholic Church continues to play a key role in advocating for peace and democracy in the country.