Cardinal deplores murder
A CONGOLESE cardinal has called for an end to the twoand-a half-year war in Congo, following the assassination of President Laurent Kabila.
At the funeral held last week, Cardinal Frederic Etsou-Nzabi-Barnungwabi of Kinshasa said President Kabila's murder had "plunged Congo into consternation and national mourning".
lie said: "I call on the protagonists to immediately end this war. Let us embark on a frank and sincere dialogue to build a prosperous nation."
President Kahila was buried a week after being assassinated by his own bodyguard under mysterious circumstances. His government has been fighting Ugandanand Rwanclan-backed rebel forces since August 1998. Many Congolese believe Western powers had a hand in his assassination.