Catholic Bishops in DR Congo Condemn Killings, “disregard for human life” following Deadly Jailbreak

“It is more than deplorable to have to count the number of deaths every day as a result of attacks and blunders by the Forces of Order and Security on the one hand, and the negligence of State services on the other,” CENCO members say.

They recall, “A year ago, on August 30, 2023, the Republican Guard massacred more than fifty people known as ‘Wazalendo’, followers of a sect, in Goma; recently, on August 15, 2024, the Congolese nation was plunged into mourning by the villainous massacre of a dozen young people from the Mbidi religious movement in Kilwa, by certain elements of the DR Congo Armed Forces and the Congolese National Police.”

The Catholic Bishops further recall that on “August 18, 2024, we mourned the death of 25 people and the disappearance of 160 others when a whaleboat sank on the Lukeni River in the Maï-Ndombe region, as a result of negligence on the part of the state services responsible for regulating navigation on our lakes and rivers.”

“We unequivocally condemn these despicable attacks on human dignity,” the Catholic Church leaders say.

They express their “deepest sympathy and condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in these massacres and to all those affected by these iniquitous tragedies.”

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“We reassure all the wounded of our prayers, that they may recover strength and health through the grace of the Lord,” CENCO members add.

In the September 4 statement which CENCO’s President, Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu signed, the Catholic Bishops note that the Congolese people are “deeply wounded and desolate everywhere: the victims of armed violence, the starving, etc.”

“Our bitterness is all the greater when we note that this series of unfortunate events is followed by lethargy in the investigations displayed by the political-administrative and military authorities that borders on abandoning the people to themselves,” CENCO members say.

They add, “These phenomena are just the tip of the iceberg, concealing a deeper tragedy: culpable negligence, carelessness and corruption in the judicial system, disrespect for human life, bad governance, and so on.”

The Catholic Bishops reiterate their call for the “sacredness of life and respect for human dignity”, stating that every person, including prisoners, is made in the image and likeness of God. 

“Human life, a gift from God, is sacred. The dignity of every human being (including the prisoner), created in God's image and likeness, must be promoted and respected,” they say.

CENCO members urge the Congolese justice system to respect the rights of the accused and the procedures governing arrests, adding, “This would also contribute to the government's efforts to reduce prison overcrowding and avoid clandestine incarceration.”

“We call on the Government to honor its own commitments, especially as regards the construction of new prisons,” they add.

They further urge the security forces to return to their role as “protectors of the population rather than oppressors.”

CENCO members call for judicial authorities to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations across the country.

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They encourage all Catholics and people of goodwill, to promote a “culture of non-violence” and respect for human life, advocating for national unity and social cohesion to achieve lasting peace.

“We call on all to work towards restoring a peaceful society where human life is respected, and we offer our prayers for the families affected by these heinous tragedies,” the Catholic Bishops say.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.