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.
“It’s a very dangerous moment right now,” said Laura E. Seay, a professor of government at Colby College, who studies the political situation in the Congo. “I’d be hesitant to say that it has nothing to do with the election and also hesitant to say it has everything to do with the election.”
