KINSHASA, MAY 21, 2003 (ZENIT.org–Fides).- Scientific seminar held in Kinshasa appeals to the United Nations to dismantle the arms traffic networks and financial support of the wars in Africa.
The appeal, made to the United Nations from the Democratic Republic of Congo at the end of the 18th Scientific Seminar, was held at the faculty of economics and development of the Catholic University of Kinshasa, from May 7-10.
The theme of the seminar was «Solutions for Armed Conflicts and Development for Africa.» In conclusion, a call was made to ensure that Africa would not be used as a field of experimentation for new weapons by the foreign powers backing the numerous guerrilla movements in Africa.
The seminar participants called on the United Nations to organize a conference, under U.N. supervision, for the countries of the Great Lakes region disrupted by years of wars being fought in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. The conference’s objective will be to find lasting solutions for border conflicts which embitter relations between the countries in question.
The seminar also called on the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to promote regional alliances to guarantee security of persons and their goods. Lastly, it said that those responsible for sacking and for illegal exploitation of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s resources must be punished.
The African Union, the seminar insisted, must work to ensure that its members achieve authentic political and economic independence.
Copies of the seminar’s final report will be forwarded to MONUC, the U.N. Mission in Congo, and to the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States.
