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Congo’s churches face rising violence

Members of dozens of churches are in hiding and Catholic institutions in particular have been attacked in the Demo­cratic Republic of the Congo in recent months.

Amid a history of low-intensity conflicts stretching back 20 years in the predominantly Christian central African nation, it is unclear whether the violence is connected to the churches’ role in advocating for elections. President Joseph Kabila has remained in office even though his term ended in December. Many suspect him of having stolen the last election, in 2011.