tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post5906925495770038447..comments2024-02-24T06:10:42.255-08:00Comments on Congo Siasa: Troubles within the MLCJason Stearnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454449854081540397noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-89853530369668545452011-04-13T00:06:20.470-07:002011-04-13T00:06:20.470-07:00Interesting post, but somehow & sadly not surp...Interesting post, but somehow & sadly not surprising news... This underscores, yet again, the strongly personalized nature of political parties in the DRC that orbit around rich, influential big-men (rarely women, though Justine M'Poyo might be an exception but maybe for symbolical reasons and not financial ones...). <br />The weakness of these parties is blatant: the big-man's absence literally decapitates the party. No one can dare to make decisions or take over the full control without being held for a dissident -- and to a certain extent that is right: these personalized parties are based on loyalties to individuals (sometimes embodying values, ideals and agendas militants believe in, but most of the times facilitating militants' access to various resources) and NOT loyalties to ideas, objectives and common goals. Hence, from a logical perspective internal criticisms as well as a participative internal party structure are not compatible with its personalized essence, as they inherently challenge it. Another striking example in the DRC is certainly UDPS, where I would argue, we can even witness to what extent the longevity of a party is bound to a single man's lifespan (although, I must add UDPS has been an exception in regards to its capacity to truly embody an agenda reflective of the population's aspiration - in the 90's! ). Of course one only has to look a bit more to the DRC's Eastern neighbours to see that such patterns are not exclusive to the Congo. The numerous fallouts between former RPF members and the incumbent leadership are pertinent examples that were relevance long before some dissidents/excluded members opted for violence.<br />In the light of the upcoming elections this news of tensions within the MLC falls in line with my last blog post, where I argue that the vacuum left behind by the MLC will likely challenge the competitive nature of the elections. Would love to have your thoughts on that!<br />http://hersweetanger.blogspot.com/Her Sweet Angerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169704554507253299noreply@blogger.com