Horrific reports are emerging from the Democratic Republic of Congo as the nation is torn apart by fighting that has echoes of the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s.

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and DRC government troops have clashed in North and South Kivu, with thousands dead, more than six million people forced from their homes and thousands of others fleeing to neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda.

The conflict has links to the Rwandan genocide of the 1990s with the rebels led by ethnic Tutsis. In the isolated city of Goma,  rebels have conducted a campaign of looting, rape and indiscriminate killing.

The Archbishop of Sydney's Anglican Aid has launched an emergency appeal to provide food, clothing, and medicine to those in extreme need.

I am grieved to the core - Canon Tim Swan, CEO Anglican Aid

“This week I received some distressing photos from our partners in DRC,” said the Rev Canon Tim Swan, CEO of Anglican Aid. “We had asked what their situation was, what they were seeing there, and what they showed us was truly horrifying. Mass graves. Men and women with terrible wounds, lying on stretchers. A baby still clinging to its mother, who had been slain in the streets.” 

The photos, too graphic to publish, also showed family members searching for their children and other relatives in makeshift morgues. International media is carrying reports that the M23 rebels have also executed children who picked up the weapons of the retreating government soldiers. 

“I am grieved to the core,” Canon Swan said. “Anglican Aid has trusted, long-term partners in Goma, many of whom I visited and prayed with when I travelled there in 2023. We have sponsored dozens of Bible college students there, and helped others provide for their families through our microfinance project. 

“Pray that our Lord will bring comfort and strength to our Christian brothers and sisters. Pray that they may spread the hope of justice and peace that the Lord will bring at his coming."

The needs on the ground

The Rev Jean-Paul Muhindo, the Congo director for Anglican Aid partner, Life in Abundance, explained that the “many internally displaced people found in South Kivu, especially in Idjwi, Bukavu and Kalehe and those locked down in Goma town, require humanitarian assistance in the form of food and non-food items and trauma healing.

“Water, electricity and internet connections have been cut in Goma, a city of more or less a million inhabitants and where weapons are currently crackling by rebels looting properties, raping women and killing innocents. 

“As Life in Abundance, we have gathered information of the displaced presence from our local volunteers in Kalehe, Katana, Kavumu, Idjwi and Bukavu. Identified displaced are located in host families. Some of them are hosted in local churches and other public structures such as schools.” 

Items being shipped to the needy include cornflour, rice, beans, oil, salt, loincloths, children’s clothes and soap. 

“We also plan, with our partner churches, to run sessions of trauma healing and, with local health centres, some urgent care for the sick,” Mr Muhindo said.

Donations to the appeal can be made at anglicanaid.org.au.

The DRC is the second largest country in Africa and is home to 100 million people. Map Source: mylifeelsewhere.com/country-size-comparison

Please pray for the people of the DRC

Mighty God, our Lord and King, while the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain, we know that you have authority over all things. All who take refuge in you are blessed.

We pray for our brothers and sisters in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where violence has again flared. Please bring comfort, healing, and restoration to the people of this city, now under the control of a rebel group.

Would you restore order and install leaders who will govern wisely, and for the good of the people. Thank you for our brothers and sisters from Anglican Aid’s partner, Life in Abundance, who are caring for people who have been displaced in the conflict. As Life in Abundance workers show your love through providing food and other essentials, help them to share the hope they have in you.

We pray that the gospel will go out in DRC, and many will find new life in Christ. Would you enable Bible college students who are supported by Anglican Aid to learn how to correctly handle the word of truth. Prepare them to build up the body of Christ, so your people are united in the faith and in the knowledge of your Son. Please change hearts to bring lasting peace to this troubled country. Our Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, we pray in your name and for your glory.

Amen.