An appeal to the international community, and to Belgium in particular, to show solidarity with the people of the Congo and to assume its own responsibilities in supporting the peace process was made by Cardinal Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Malines-Bruxelles, on 4 March. The cardinal was speaking in the presence of Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kisangani, who told of the difficult situation in his country, torn by war and devastated by poverty. “We support the aspiration of the Congolese people to live in peace and in democracy said Cardinal Danneels . We appeal to the international community to assume its responsibilities by supporting the peace process. We hope that, by virtue of the special links that unite us with the Congo, Belgium may play its full role”. Meanwhile two Belgian humanitarian organizations are directing the coalition “The Congo wishes to vote!” which, confirmed Archbishop Monsengwo, “is wholly in tune with the commitment of the Congolese Church to holding democratic elections and supporting the aspirations of the population”. Claude Mormont, co-ordinator of “Entraide & fraternité” (one of the two organizations), says he is convinced that “Belgium can contribute to peace and democracy in Congo”. Agnes Pas, president of “Broederlijk Delen”, also maintains “Belgium must make a substantial contribution to the UN peace mission in Congo”.
