Monsignor Donatien Nshole of CENCO was summoned by the Congolese government after expressing concerns about discrimination against Swahili speakers amid rising violence following the M23 takeover of Bukavu. Despite government assurances that the incidents were isolated, Nshole’s involvement in peace initiatives has drawn scrutiny, reflecting underlying tensions in addressing ethnic and linguistic divide amid ongoing conflict in the region.
Monsignor Donatien Nshole, secretary general of the Bishops’ Conference of the DR Congo (CENCO), was recently summoned by the government for a statement condemning discrimination against Swahili speakers. This follows the M23 rebels’ takeover of Bukavu. During the March 6 meeting at the Ministry of the Interior, Nshole discussed current events and shared information about the situation in the country with Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani.
CENCO’s February 22 statement raised concerns regarding the stigmatization of Swahili speakers, especially after President Félix Tshisekedi’s comments at the Munich Security Conference. Tshisekedi implicated former President Joseph Kabila in the rise of M23, which fueled threats against Kabila’s ethnic group and Rwandophones in the media.
CENCO emphasized the violence stemming from linguistic identity amidst ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. They condemned the government’s failure to protect targeted communities and called for accountability. Nshole was asked to substantiate the allegations made in CENCO’s statement, including specific incidents and victims’ details.
After the meeting, Nshole mentioned that the conversation clarified the issues raised. However, Minister Shabani described the incidents as isolated and emphasized that reports should first be verified by the government to prevent misinformation.
Political sociologist Prof. Tony Kanyinda defended the summoning of Nshole, stating that complaints from significant institutions like CENCO warrant government attention. He noted that such matters are addressed by the Interior Ministry, reflecting an established agreement with the Holy See.
Conversely, some view the summons as an intimidation tactic towards Nshole, who is key in promoting the Social Pact for Peace and Coexistence—a dialogue initiative with M23. The government’s suspicion of this initiative complicates the outreach. A group of Christian leaders has sought a meeting with President Tshisekedi to discuss their findings on the conflict.
As tensions rise, fighting has escalated in Masisi territory, with reports of clashes between government forces and M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda. Civilian casualties and mass displacements have been reported by local organizations as the conflict continues to unfold.
The situation in the DR Congo has escalated following the M23 takeover of Bukavu, leading to concerns over discrimination against Swahili speakers. CENCO’s summoning of Monsignor Nshole signals the government’s awareness of these issues while also invoking controversy regarding intimidation and freedom of speech. The ongoing violence, particularly in the east, points to a deteriorating humanitarian situation that necessitates urgent attention and resolution through dialogue and protection of vulnerable communities.
Original Source: international.la-croix.com
