after Bozoum, news from Bangassou: ...ashes and Ashes

...ashes and Ashes

Between late January and early February 2019 the rebel movements (14!), the Central African government and the International Community have gathered in Khartoum, Sudan, to come up with yet another agreement.

Over the past five years, the Agreements (signed solemnly, and solemnly repudiated) have been at least 8, and even the last one is likely to have the same result. The Khartoum Accords present a good analysis of the situation, and of the problems that have brought Central Africa to disaster: corruption, centralization and mismanagement of power. But the application of this, and of many other (rather confusing) points become quite problematic. The Agreements provide for a government that includes also representatives of armed groups (why????), and on Sunday the new government was formed. Twenty-one of the thirty-six ministers have been reconfirmed (in the face of the innovation!). The rebel movements are represented, but not enough, according to the same rebels. Already on Sunday some groups dissociated themselves, and later other followed, requesting more parliamentary seats and more Ministries. Some groups took advantage of it to regain ground (as happened in the North, in Bocaranga, Ndim, Koui and Ngaundaye, where there were also fatalities, and the blocking of access to humanitarian organizations).

Elsewhere, in Baboua, towards the border with Cameroon, the rebel group FDPC (Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain) blocked the road, and kidnapped some travelers (including Fabrice, a student of our High School St Augustin, who attends the University in Bertoua in Cameroon). They were taken to the savannah, robbed, and only after 3 days, and thanks to an intervention of the blue helmets of Minusca, were released. Here is his story in his own words:

"In order to gain some time, we left Bouar on Sunday afternoon, to reach the border in the evening, but it was a pity that when we arrived at the village of Zoukoumbo, our bus was stopped by FDPC armed men who were demonstrating against the new government, just formed. After having threatened us, the rebels robbed us of everything of value and money (about 15 thousand euros). We were 25, and we were captive for 2 days and 2 nights, kept in very bad conditions. They were not very brutal (only one exception for a merchant who complained for the stolen money. He was taken away and we never saw him again!). We were finally released on Tuesday morning, with the mediation by MINUSCA and local authorities ".

We will see in the next few days how it will go!

Here, as in the whole Catholic world, on Wednesday we began the journey of Lent, a period of 40 days of preparation for Easter. It is a time of preparation, especially for candidates receiving baptism (the catechumens), who will receive the Sacrament at Easter. Here we are blessed and lucky, because every year, at Easter, we have the grace to celebrate the Baptisms of boys, girls, young people and adults. A time of commitment, marked in the certainty and joy of knowing that we are loved by God in a unique and infinite way.

On Wednesday we climbed a hill (called with a bit of presumption "Monte Binon"), where we celebrated the Eucharist and gave the ashes (sign and symbol of conversion). Many did stay on the mountain for the whole day, in prayer and meditation. And today, Thursday, school resumes with the "Cultural Week": a couple of days of cultural events for our students of the St Augustin High School, with competitions, sketches, songs and dances.

And best wishes to all women on International Woman's Day!