Recent events in Eastern D.R. Congo

Recent Events in Eastern D.R. Congo

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Dear Friends and Partners,

As many of us celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday today with family and friends in homes and around tables, let us stand in solidarity and in prayer with our friends and colleagues in eastern D.R. Congo, who are facing a very difficult situation in the wake of the takeover of the city of Goma by the M-23 militia group on November 20. Although the work of Congo Initiative is not in Goma or in the currently affected area, many of our students and staff come from Goma and have families and friends there. Our US staff and board leadership remain in daily contact with leadership in Beni. And our leadership in Beni is maintaining communications channels throughout the region with their "ear to the ground." We trust their abilities to gather and respond to information.

Accurate information is difficult to obtain at present. Cell towers and internet service have been interrupted or sporadic, at best. We can say that as of Wednesday, November 21, Beni is calm and undisturbed. CI-UCBC faculty, staff, and students are safe. Writing earlier today, Dr. David Kasali shared the following: "Thanks for prayers and concerns, and for organizing the team in the US to pray and recieve news. We've been following the situation closely, remaining in touch with authorities and people we know from near and far."

And from CI-UCBC Administrator Mbusa Manassé--

"By God's grace, we woke up well this morning. Yesterday (Nov. 20) at around 11.00 am the town of Goma was under the rebels' control. We heard from friends and so far those we managed to contact were safe, although some few hours later the there was no network to enable us to keep in contact with them til now.

"The news we get from the local radio this morning is that the rebels have taken over all the strategic places in the town and that they were looking to pursuing the fugitive government troops stationed in Sake around 18 miles west of Goma.

"From yesterday, the provincial offices of the Governor have moved to Beni where MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo) has brought the officials of the Governor's office led by his deputy. We are trying to look at the situation closely to see what step to make at the right time as we also inquire from the Lord in prayers.

"We will keep you posted and thank you for joining us in prayers on behalf of our friends and relatives in Goma."

News media will tend to focus on the "highlights" of the crisis--major developments in the unfolding situation, but often to the neglect of a fuller and more nuanced picture of these events. CI-UCBC staff and leadership are wise, prayerful people, concerned for the safety of all students and staff. They have, individually and collectively, demonstrated wisdom and good decision-making in times of challenge and unrest. And given their personal proximity to, and awareness of, the context, we trust them now. We request prayer and protection for them, for their families, and for all of our faculty, staff, and students.

Thank you for your continued friendship, support, prayer and advocacy on behalf of DRC and the work of Congo Initiative. We could not accomplish this work apart from your participation and involvement with us to support transformation in DRC. We look forward to updating you on a weekly basis with further information about the current crisis, including perspectives from our brothers and sisters in Beni.