Pope Francis invited the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo to be “artisans of reconciliation and peace” at his weekly General Audience gathering.
These comments come in light of the turbulent political climate in the DRC where citizens continue to protest President Joseph Kabila. Al Jazeera reports President Kabila served two terms in office and has yet to step down after his term's expiration. This resistance inspired multiple protests, with at least 11 people killed in the country.
According to Agenzia Fides, the Vatican’s official news agency, soldiers forcefully entered the homes of three activists from a human rights group called Coalition des Femmes Pour la Protection des Droits Humanis on Dec. 19. The three women recently traveled along rural areas of the country to raise awareness about power structures and the need for President Kabila to step down after his expired mandate. They received numerous telephone threats that may have been a precursor to the kidnapping and violence that they later faced.
From the Agenzia Fides report:
Grace Tulinabitu was seriously injured and tortured and several of her personal items were stolen. Instead Judith Chekanabo and Armelle Mwamini were kidnapped and we have no news.
In his Dec. 21 address, the pope also urged those with political authority to “listen to the voice of their conscience” as they looked toward their people and political opponents.
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