A United Methodist killed in his home was among 19 people who died in the latest violence in the Beni territory.
“Nineteen people have died in fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the so-called ADF in the so-called ‘triangle of death’ between the localities of Mbau-Kamango and Eringeti in the territory of Beni,” said Capt. Mak Hazukay, a spokesman for the Armed Forces in the North Kivu Province in Beni. The ADF or Allied Democratic Force are a rebel insurgent group in Congo and Uganda.
Baudouin Shindani, who was a greeter at Mutuei United Methodist Church, leaves a widow and nine children behind, said Justine Kaviria, president of the United Methodist Women in Beni,
She said the church will focus on helping his widow and the children.
Emile Ulangi, president of the United Methodist Men in Beni, called on the government to do everything possible to secure the safety of the population of this part of the country.
Ulangi added that many faithful United Methodists are fleeing because of repeated massacres in the territory of Beni. He said many people have to spend nights in schools and churches for safety.
The Kivu Annual Conference was supposed to be held in Beni this year, but East Congo Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda has moved the meeting to Goma because of the violence in Kivu, Ulangi said. He added that he thought the move was the right thing to do.
The Rev. Alphonse Kasereka, pastor of Mutuei United Methodist Church, said only God will bring peace to this part of the Congo. “We will continue to pray unceasingly because in view of all that happens one day God will have pity on his people,” he said.
Mother Adolphine Okako, who is in charge of the orphanage in the Kivu Conference, expressed regret over Shindani’s death and said the church will strive to help his children.
The bishop offered his condolences to the entire community of Beni District.
Kituka Lolonga is a communicator in the Kivu Conference. News media contact: Vicki Brown at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.
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