UNION
POUR LA DÉMOCRATIE
ET LE PROGRÈS SOCIAL

HIS EXCELLENCY Dr ETIIENNE TSHISEKEDI wa MULUMBA ADDRESSES CONGOLESE ON GOMA DISASTER

Johannesburg, 18th January 2002

COMFORT AND CONDOLENCE MESSAGE TO CONGOLESE IN KIVU

My Dear Compatriots,

I have been deeply dismayed to learn, through the media, on Thursday 17th January 2002 of the devastating effects following the eruption of Nyirangongo volcano.

This volcano eruption that has ravaged the town of Goma and most of its suburbs, has just worsened the catastrophic situation in which Congolese, as a whole, and particularly Goma residents were living, and resulted in death and misplacement of an important number of people.

I hereby would like to express my solidarity to all you who have been victimised by this disaster that yet again has saddened our country. I, therefore, hold this opportunity to convey my vivid and sincere condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones and to express my deep sympathy with the victims of this horrible and ludicrous catastrophe.

I do acknowledge that this disaster occurs while our country is extremely experiencing deep trouble due to selfish gains, but we could not be left unmoved by the scale of the catastrophe.

I salute and sincerely thank the International Community as well as all Congolese Compatriots for their contributions financially, materially and morally.

I finally urge all the Congolese, on one hand, and the residents of Kivu, on the other hand, to stand firm in our liberation fight in order to completely eradicate from our country the old-fashion dictatorships in which we all live and look forward to installing a strong and prosperous State of law.

May God Bless all the victims families

I thank you. Dr Etienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba
Congolese Opposition Leader