In the past month, three new military bases have been established by the United Nations\u2019 peace-keeping force in the democratic Republic of Congo \u2013 MONUSCO \u2013 in the Djugu territory of Ituri province, but it has so-far failed to stem the increasing tide of violence. Last week, 33 people were killed in an attack on the village of Maze. The Bishop of Bogo, Mugenyi William Bahemuka, has said that it is \u201cdifficult to confirm\u201d that the recent violence is an extension of ethnic and tribal conflicts. \u201cIs it a planned insurgency that will turn out to be either a civil war or a genocide?\u201d he asked. \u201cBoth are situations no one would like to experience. Once again we need prayer and advocacy for peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bishop William said: \u201cIt is becoming difficult to understand the main reason of the killings in Djugu. The situation appears to be beyond control as time goes on. The Provincial and National governments keep assuring people that that situation will come to an end soon. Community leaders and politicians from the two communities claim to dissociate an ethnic conflict on what is happening in Djugu.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the night of Thursday to Friday, the village of Maze and few surrounding villages were attacked \u2013 and this is happening after the deployment of police, the army and United Nations\u2019 peace-keeping forces in the area. . . Who is behind all this? No answer is found yet.\u201d<\/p>\n