Kinshasa:  A silent genocide is taking place in the east and northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Catholic bishops say.  The bishops of the Permanent Committee of the Congolese Bishops' Conference (CENCO) issued a "cry of grief and protest," saying that they are "disturbed and overcome by the human tragedy in the east and northeast Democratic Republic of Congo."
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In a statement sent to Fides news agency, the members of the Permanent Committee of CENCO affirmed that in the eastern part of the country, they are witnessing a "a silent genocide."
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"The great massacres of the population, the planned extermination of the youth, the systematic robberies, used as a weapon of war...a cruelty and exceptional violence is once again being unleashed upon the local people who only ask that they can live in a decent manner in their homeland. Who is willing to take interest in this situation?"
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The bishops criticised the UN peacekeeping force, MONUC, saying that "the most deplorable fact is that the violence is taking place right before the eyes of those whose duty it is to maintain peace and protect the civilian population."
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They also questioned the government, noting that "our governors appear impotent before the gravity of the situation, and give the impression that they are not prepared to respond to the challenges of peace, nor to the defence of the population and the integrity of national territory."
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The natural resources of the DRC are fomenting the greed of several powers at large, the bishops said.
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They also said there was a plan to split the country. "We ask the Congolese people not to cede to these desires for balkanizing national territory. We advise that the international borders of the country, established and recognized in the Berlin Conference and subsequent accords, may never be placed in dispute."
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The African Union is leading mediation efforts between President Joseph Kabila and rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda.
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The bishops called for increased humanitarian aid to the people in refugee camps. They also asked the Congolese government to protect the population and the national borders. The international community should on its part "make a sincere commitment to respect international law."