Daniel Comboni
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The suffering experienced by the displaced people of Bangassou
Monday, August 20, 2018
Greetings from Fr. Joseph Mumbere and Confreres,
After two months without the Internet, I share with you the suffering experienced by the displaced people of Bangassou, in Central African (Rafai, Zemio, Mboki), who ran away through South Sudan. I spent two weeks with the refugees at Bassokpio, 150 km from Bambilo. There are more than 9,000 of them, located in different Christian communities of the parishes of Billi and Ango. In Billi-Bassokpio, I found 6000 refugees who have arrived on November,24, 2017.
They are fleeing from the war that began in 2013 between the Seleka and the Anti-Balaka, which spread to the diocese of Bangassou, on the border with the DRC.
From the past 9 months, no organisation or authority in the Central African Republic or in Congo has brought them relief: they have no refugee documents, drinkable water, medicines for people with HIV. They have improvised small shops with palm branches. There are 2000 children, malnourished, without education and many orphans. The few hunting rifles and two community radios were seized by local authorities. They deceive them with 1000 FCFA. ($ 0.60) for half a day’s work and then do not pay them. They are treated like slaves, risking their lives and an uncertain destiny. It is a crime against humanity.
The problem is serious, because the rebels are 25 kilometres from our parish of Bambilo. Our Christians are ready to stop their invasion by force. Bangassou is on the border with the diocese of Bondo. The Muslims of South Sudan and the nomads of MBORORO have invaded several Christian communities, burning and killing more than 300 people, including children and elderly, in their homes. It is official that the Congolese authorities are collaborators for granting free access and protection to the jihadists who seek the natural resources of this area: water, pastures for livestock and minerals.
On the one hand, there is the indifference of the local authorities and of the Congolese people towards the refugees and, on the other, the insecurity due to the threat of the MBORORO nomads. The Catholic Church by its profound vocation has the prophetic duty and obligation to side with the poor who have lost everything but hope. In a special way, Justice and Peace and the Caritas must be for us the light of Christ in this moment of trial.
On the other hand, let us ask ourselves, did St. Daniel Comboni expect us, his children, to be a province or a community?
Fr. Pedro Indacochea
