DRC CONGO, KINSHASA – Senior Catholic Archbishop of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fridolin Ambongo, has made an unflinching statement about the fate of the nation, saying that the country has “collectively failed” to meet the aspirations of its independence.
While delivering the Mass of Thanksgiving at the Notre Dame du Congo Cathedral in Kinshasa to commemorate 66 years since the end of the Belgian colonial era, Archbishop Ambongo did not hold back when commenting on the present situation of the nation.
“Where are we now 66 years after our independence?” Archbishop Ambongo queried his congregation. “The answer is clear. After 66 years of independence, we have collectively failed. Our country is today in danger.”
He identified the compounding nature of the various crises the country has faced, citing, among other things, the existence of more than 160 armed groups, food, water, and electricity shortages, and the outbreak of the country’s 17th Ebola epidemic. “Everything seems to be happening here. All the evils of the world seem to have been brought down here,” said Ambongo.
In addressing the current issues in the country’s politics, Archbishop Ambongo was very vocal in condemning the ruling alliance’s attempts to amend the constitution to prevent the president from running for a third term. The critics of the amendment say it is intended to enable President Felix Tshisekedi to run for the presidency once again in 2028.
“Are you sure that the best response to the tragedy of the Congolese people is the change of the constitution with the idea of the third term?” asked Ambongo.
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