Congolese Jesuit urges Canadians to support mining contracts' review

Published: 2008-02-01

MONTREAL (CNS) -- A Congolese Jesuit called on Canadians to support efforts for a review of mining contracts drawn up with international mining companies during years of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. "The Congo belongs to us, and the wealth of its subsoil also belongs to us," said Jesuit Father Ferdinand Muhigirwa of the Jesuit-run Center for Studies for Social Action in Kinshasa, Congo. International mining companies have gotten the "lion's share" of the country's natural resources, while the Congolese people have been left with a pittance, said Father Muhigirwa, who spoke in Montreal Jan. 24 at the invitation of nongovernmental organizations working for development and human rights in Congo. "Anything that deprives the country of its right to natural resources is plunder that must be punished," Father Muhigirwa said, referring to an article in the Congolese Constitution that says the Congolese have the right to benefit from natural resources.

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