tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post881355281528061822..comments2024-02-24T06:10:42.255-08:00Comments on Congo Siasa: Is it the end or the beginning of a rebellion?Jason Stearnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454449854081540397noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-54148798235186035392012-05-15T13:29:11.946-07:002012-05-15T13:29:11.946-07:00I find your blog illuminating. I've spent much...I find your blog illuminating. I've spent much of the past years in Africa and have just published a book with an activist in Cameroon named Ofir Drori who is battling wildlife crime and corruption. The book is The Last Great Ape.<br /><br />We started a blog to get the word out about the book and about Ofir's activism, and I'd love for you to see it and perhaps add it to your sites to watch.<br /><br />lastgreatape.wordpress.com<br /><br />Keep up your important work,<br /><br />david<br />davidmcdannald@yahoo.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-28574240298286700952012-05-13T17:08:44.109-07:002012-05-13T17:08:44.109-07:00Oh how I long for the day when the people of the G...Oh how I long for the day when the people of the Great Lakes labor not to make militia's and pick stones from the earth, but are building companies that sell goods and products the world needs, crafting stories of the human condition that entertain and enlighten, and probe the very depths of knowledge....<br /><br />will we ever see this day?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-59194293607450628682012-05-13T16:04:41.974-07:002012-05-13T16:04:41.974-07:00War or madness?
http://gorillacd.org/2012/05/10/t...War or madness?<br /><br />http://gorillacd.org/2012/05/10/three-of-ours-killed-during-militia-attack-near-rwindi/<br /><br />RichRichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01301460106025447019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-78452943976396896772012-05-13T05:30:25.979-07:002012-05-13T05:30:25.979-07:00Kagame is the leader that will set a path to follo...Kagame is the leader that will set a path to follow for every African aspiring or current leader, who wants to bring Change. Oye P.Kagame! My hero, he saved my life, i would never forget the day i shook hands with him in the refugee camps of Kabuga, i was this is the man. Because of him i did not get slaughtered like a lamb.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-58946746692211042152012-05-13T03:29:15.387-07:002012-05-13T03:29:15.387-07:00@Mel
Thanks 4 taking the cause of the voiceless an...@Mel<br />Thanks 4 taking the cause of the voiceless and faceless congolese in the US. May God bless u and people like u.<br /><br />@Bruce,blaise et alii<br />To find a resolution to the problem in the kivus,we need to circumscribe it.<br />What is it? 4 possible answers.<br /><br />1. The problem can be the intercommunity conflicts. I doubt though. because there are,sometimes violent, intercommunity feuds in every province of the DRC. But because congo is not a 2-tribe country,like rwanda or burundi, these feuds r quickly submerged or resolved. But why r intercommunity conflicts artifically exarcebated? <br /><br />2. Is the problem some injustice by the congolese against the tutsi as the dogs of war of the cndp and m23 dress it up as grievances? But today even their stauchest supporters dont believe them anymore. What grievances if the tutsi is the most represented tribe in the DRC institutins! Even about that fallacious non-issue of "the returning of the tutsi refugees from rwanda": Ntagana and Makenga were tasked with pacifying the area so everyone could live in peace. Instead, they abandonned their positions and indulged in looting, raping and smuggling congolese minerals to rwanda.<br /><br />3. Many say the problem is the tutsi. Even though this may be immediately plausible as all the wars (mutebisi,nkunda,ntangana,makenga) are started by these war mongers. But personnaly i dont believe in the innate evil on any people. Unlike their elite, ordinary tutsi just want to live peace.<br /><br />4. Eureka! i just found what the problem of the kivu (cong) is , and ipso facto how to solve it. The problem of the kivus is Paul Kagame. paul kagame both as an individual and as an ideology. Because kagamism is the belief in the continued instability of the congo so its riches can be shipped through the rwanda-corridor. It is importantly the dangerous belief in the racial superiority of his hue over bantus. <br /><br />Now the question is, why would the very people who decry or suffered nazism support P kagame. Look who is doing his bidding in the USA and give him shameful patronage in the intl media.<br /><br />So take out p kagame and the problem is solved!<br /><br /><br />muanacongoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-78666006303390631812012-05-12T23:35:12.998-07:002012-05-12T23:35:12.998-07:00@ Bruce,
That's right. A comprehensive solutio...@ Bruce,<br />That's right. A comprehensive solution will help everybody. I just don't trust Clinton's old guards to come up with a solution in our advantage. I believe they are reading history in the wrong perspective ( see Kagame redognized as an humanitarian, it's like Hitler lauded for the rise of the third reich: good for the germans but not necessary for the rest of humanity).<br />Seeing susan Rice as ambassador for the UN doesn't particularly excite me for the future. We know that who control the money control the decision. Did you noticed that it took years before the Monuc was authorized to fire on "rebels". I think i know who was obstructing.blaisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10271081481475980902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-15762955693266556542012-05-12T18:37:18.333-07:002012-05-12T18:37:18.333-07:00@blaise
That didn't come out quite right...my...@blaise<br /><br />That didn't come out quite right...my point is that a quick resolution really doesn't serve investor confidence if the peace doesn't hold...so even the business community has a self-interested incentive in the establishment a comprehensive solution in the Kivus.<br /><br />BruceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-46669408293724785762012-05-12T18:21:02.552-07:002012-05-12T18:21:02.552-07:00@blaise
I don't consider your arguments to be...@blaise<br /><br />I don't consider your arguments to be simplistic; to the contrary, they are thoughtful and well-informed...I agree with much of what you say.<br /><br />Where I might take exception is the idea that a "quick resolution" that serves the interests of the business community, which may or may not serve the goal of an enduring and just peace, is merely "kicking the can down the road." If these conflicts in the Kivus are going to flare up every two or three years, then a more comprehensive solution needs to be found. Pragmatism is idealism tempered by realism - and Barack Obama is generally a pragmatist, so I haven't given up hope yet.<br /><br />In the past the kinds of ongoing machinations that seem designed to protect Bosco probably would have succeeded...in today's environment of an emerging global civil society, a lot more people are paying attention.<br /><br />BruceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-50481669877387198072012-05-12T12:22:59.750-07:002012-05-12T12:22:59.750-07:00@ Anonym MAY 12, 2012 1:58 AM,
It's quite iron...@ Anonym MAY 12, 2012 1:58 AM,<br />It's quite ironic that Paul K. is recognized for " his contributions to the humanities or human welfare." I guess beauty in the eye of the beholder.<br />@ Bruce,<br />You made really good points regarding us foreign policies toward Congo. I agree that it will be simplistic to conclude that all republicans are good and all democrats are evil.<br />In another hand, my impression on the field is that we have a better chance with the republicans assuming power than the democrats. The former are more pragmatics, businesses friendly. Since great capitals hate instability, they are more prone to push for a quick resolution of a conflict.<br />The latter are more sentimental. They are more interested in the social aspect of a conflict.They pick side based on their convictions. I'm afraid that in the case of Congo, the mainstream democrats picked Rwanda not Congo. Albright said that we cannot touch any Tutsi because they are like the apple of her eyes. The Clinton administration put tremendous pressures to stop Zimbabwe and Angola to go forward. They misjudged the Congolese's will to keep the country together. It's not because they cared about us that they funded the monuc. There was a statu quo and public opinion turned against the RCD narrative after Makobola and Okitundu's white book.<br />I don't think that Susan Rice evolved in her opinion about Rwanda, the Clinton administration has that sense of guilt since the Rwanda's genocide happened under their watch. Most of them are back with Obama.<br />Democrats may be good for America but I doubt their self righteous attitude in foreign policies will be beneficial for the Congo. <br />It's more complex than my simplistic explanation but I believe that we are better off with republicans than democrats.blaisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10271081481475980902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-73853614151752064152012-05-12T01:58:37.256-07:002012-05-12T01:58:37.256-07:00paul kagame will today deliver the commencement ad...paul kagame will today deliver the commencement address to a graduating class of 370 students and also receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, from the William Penn University in Iowa, United States.<br /><br />http://www.wmpenn.edu/News/News_Releases/2012/Rwandan_President_to_Give_Commencement_Address_at_William_Penn_University/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-72338722465211134012012-05-11T23:06:54.892-07:002012-05-11T23:06:54.892-07:00@ blaise and Marie,
Mel might be correct that at ...@ blaise and Marie,<br /><br />Mel might be correct that at the grassroots level evangelical Republicans are more organized on Congo related issues - but I know plenty of evangelical Democrats who are just as committed. Effective lobbying is really a bipartisan effort.<br /><br />Regarding US foreign policy I would concur that the Clinton Administration made some missteps in the 1996-98 period. However, it was Madeleine Albright and the late Richard Holbrooke who persuaded Jesse Helms that the American taxpayer should fund MONUC/MONUSCO (and he was a staunch critic of UN peacekeeping operations). It is easy to criticize the UN Mission in the DRC - but its deployment was essential to reversing the partition of the country. Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe were not prepared to bear the costs of a military resolution to the August 1998 invasion.<br /><br />The Bush Administration basically pursued a continuation of the Clinton policy. The Bush Administration also pushed for a rapprochement between Kinshasa and Kigali - which is in the long-term national interest of both countries. Unfortunately, any number of underlying problems in the Kivus were left unresolved in the agreement reached by the two governments.<br /><br />Now the Obama Administration is having to contend with these unresolved issues. Was it a mistake for the Obama Administration to push for Bosco's arrest as called for by groups like the Enough Project and the Eastern Congo Initiative? I've had serious misgivings about launching military operations in the Kivus; at the same time I tend to agree with Mel that a "false peace" in the Kivus with Bosco operating with impunity is not acceptable.<br /><br />I don't know how the current situation is going to play out - none of us does. But I think once a military operation is undertaken it needs to be seen through. I don't believe any sovereign government can accept mutiny in its armed forces and rebel movements dictating terms to state authorities.<br /><br />One needs to be careful about arriving at a false dichotomy of Republican/good, Democrat/bad with regard to US foreign policy in the DRC. Administrations from both parties have made decisions that historians will likely judge as serious miscalculations.<br /><br />BruceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-66576934296591774562012-05-11T21:04:50.559-07:002012-05-11T21:04:50.559-07:00We Congolese commend you, Mel, for your and others...We Congolese commend you, Mel, for your and others in America love for our people. Yes, America has not always done good by the Congolese. But, American people are good and true- like Stearns. I too wonder why more black American do not lobby their representatives??!! And yes, it seem Republicans are more interested in Congo nation because of evangelical influence. Keep fighting for Congo in America, Mel! Do not give up! We cheer you!!- MarieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-79486270739590167612012-05-11T19:36:08.560-07:002012-05-11T19:36:08.560-07:00@ Mel,
I always felt that Congo's cause is bet...@ Mel,<br />I always felt that Congo's cause is better served by Republicans than Democrats. Under Clinton, we had a tough time to convince the world that the wars against Mobutu and Kabila were in fact invasions.<br />Under Bush, we were able to advance our cause. Obama is helping but I feel he can do more.<br />BlaiseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-54641180635477044622012-05-11T18:21:22.467-07:002012-05-11T18:21:22.467-07:00@Rich
We (Americans) are doing our best out here....@Rich<br /><br />We (Americans) are doing our best out here. The various activists groups here in Florida have met with many of our Congressional representatives to keep forcing the issue on the Congo on their radars. <br /><br />We even have secured support and assistance from the Archbishop in Miami and Tampa- both of whom are friends of Monsengwo- to assist in addition to other local leaders. <br /><br />But given what is likely to be a very contentious election cycle it is all getting drowned out by all the noise this is generating. And, for some truly depressing reason, everyone wants to talk about Sudan, getting Kony, sexual violence, etc. <br /><br />It is so frustrating- particularly for our young student activists- but it is largely because we can't get their attention that we are finding it so hard to pressure them and therefore change or affect policy towards the Congo. <br /><br />This is just the view from Florida- not sure how it is elsewhere. Congo tends not to be a partisan issue (though Republicans, given their evangelical base, tend to be more willing to listen i feel) so when we DO get their attention we tend to see movement. <br /><br />But, even there, it is a snails pace.<br /><br />I am coming to believe we must get African Americans to care MORE about the Congo-like they did with apartheid in South Africa. I believe this is key to making sure Congo is paramount in the minds of Democrats. <br /><br />Without black Americans, Democrats cannot win elections. So, if they make policy toward the Congo a priority and make it clear they will withhold support if policy is not in keeping with assisting the Congolese than we would see some change akin to Jewish Americans and Israel.<br /><br />It just can't be young students- God bless them- trying to push the Congo issue. Young Americans rarely vote so politicians just don't take them seriously. <br /><br />Anyway, we are doing our best out here but, fundamentally, Congo activists in the states simply need more power to affect change.<br /><br />Or alot of money to give to candidates to affect change...<br /><br />MelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-60053753732884337952012-05-11T12:35:44.577-07:002012-05-11T12:35:44.577-07:00Hi Jason, Can you comment on the relationship betw...Hi Jason, Can you comment on the relationship between Bosco and Makenga? Thank you.<br /> jessica.hatcher@me.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-30487492594541773632012-05-11T06:07:21.065-07:002012-05-11T06:07:21.065-07:00According to radio Okapi, M23 rebels are now occup...According to radio Okapi, M23 rebels are now occupying 3 localities. Runyori, Chanzu and Bikenge in Rutshuru...<br /><br />Apparently they came from Virunga park the same place where it was believed bosco and his men were holed up. Fighting took around 2 hours and FARDC troupes when finally retreated.<br /><br />No good. Why is the M23 not indicted? It is obvious that this is a continuation from where Jules Mutebusi left in 2004, continued by nkunda and left in 2009, then recently took over by bosco until 2012 and now it is sultani makenga; one can almost guess that if the same mistakes are made, by 2016 another rwandan mercenary?<br /><br />Where is the pressure from the US? Where are those who pressed J K to go after bosco now and not later?... <br /><br />RichRichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01301460106025447019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-55568049028949756902012-05-11T01:59:11.897-07:002012-05-11T01:59:11.897-07:00Hello Mr. Stearns
Is it true that Rwanda sends 30...Hello Mr. Stearns<br /><br />Is it true that Rwanda sends 3000 troops to DRC? <br /><br />I would also like to talk with you about impunity and the security sector reform in the DRC.<br /><br />Feel free to contact me: docno87 [a] googlemail . com<br /><br />With kind regards,<br /><br />Stefan EikenbuschAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-83531937659007063682012-05-10T05:27:04.391-07:002012-05-10T05:27:04.391-07:00@Mel,
Thanks for the link...more good work by The...@Mel,<br /><br />Thanks for the link...more good work by The Guardian which has done a series of articles on various mining deals in the DRC.<br /><br />Good investigative journalism and the advocacy work by groups like Global Witness can help shine a light on the opaque world of business deals between multinational corporations and governments that are still in the process of establishing the rule of law and public accountability.<br /><br />BruceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-75943690203861431882012-05-09T23:28:51.748-07:002012-05-09T23:28:51.748-07:00TestTestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-44150469947004447332012-05-09T21:24:38.126-07:002012-05-09T21:24:38.126-07:00Oh my god...
Thanks, Anand.
MelOh my god...<br /><br />Thanks, Anand.<br /><br />MelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-36470609220277336712012-05-09T20:47:06.521-07:002012-05-09T20:47:06.521-07:00@Mel - Just pre-read someone's testimony on DR...@Mel - Just pre-read someone's testimony on DRC conflict minerals for tomorrow's hearing. Mentioned the 500,000 number of IDPs in N. Kivu.Anandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11428835613475519655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-1030812680769108732012-05-09T16:12:32.570-07:002012-05-09T16:12:32.570-07:00Rwanda needs to upgrade its security!!! like i sai...Rwanda needs to upgrade its security!!! like i said before the consequences will be far worse for Rwanda~~!!! I survived the first genocide! Thanks to God,, im a so called tutsi, but im for unity, im against these primitive living, and politics based on ethnies and the so called politique du ventre!! it has to stop, and the youth needs to get together and bring on the la nouvelle releve!!! SVP sensibilizez vos enfants, vos jeunes contre le racisme, mais pour la lutte contre la pauvrete et la guerre.<br /><br />Less hope though that the change that we so hope and strive for , is knocking on the doors of the Great Lakes. Especially Rwanda!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-47674545030443169922012-05-09T09:37:17.235-07:002012-05-09T09:37:17.235-07:00Report from Head of Virguna says Bosco in forest w...Report from Head of Virguna says Bosco in forest with FIFTEEN HUNDREN men. Jason admits that figure seems very high however.<br /><br />http://gorillacd.org/2012/05/09/rebel-militias-enter-mountain-gorilla-sector/<br /><br />@BradLehighAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-59615267808745888002012-05-09T09:35:53.323-07:002012-05-09T09:35:53.323-07:00@Mel - Last I read was that 300,000 people had bee...@Mel - Last I read was that 300,000 people had been displaced since the start of the year, making the total amount of displaced around 2 million across the country (mostly in the east, I assume). UNHCR said 20,000 people had been displaced as of May 4th, due to the current conflict. But those numbers could have gone much higher. The numbers are just crazy. Then there is the conundrum of the rights people are afforded based on if they become refugees or not. As of last week, there were some 38,000 IDPs who were cut off from aid in Masisi and Walikale. It's a bad, bad situation that quite honestly doesn't get enough coverage.Anandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11428835613475519655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-77605061271125635132012-05-09T05:52:17.208-07:002012-05-09T05:52:17.208-07:00Just wanted to highlight what I believe could be a...Just wanted to highlight what I believe could be a very significant development.<br /><br /><b>British MP's to Launch Investigation in Congo Mining Deals (The Guardian, UK)</b><br /><br />http://apps.facebook.com/theguardian/business/2012/may/08/mining-firms-congo-deals<br /><br />Just a few quick thoughts on this:<br /><br />a) The UK group FreeFairDRC and Global Witness are doing some damn fine advocacy. <br /><br />b) If the Congolese opposition do anything, they should take a page- hell, the whole damn book- from their Ugandan and Tanzanian compadres and follow suit with similar investigations. <br /><br />c) If this turns out to be big, I can't imagine a conservative government and the Congo's 2nd largest aid donor wouldn't begin to engage in some hard conditions on how future aid is disbursed.<br /><br />d) I'm slightly disappointed groups here in the US aren't engaging in the same stuff particularly given "Occupy" and how its narrative fits potential wrong bad behavior by multinationals. Perhaps activists here, given the willingness of our reps to speak to us as E-Day approaches, should schedule meetings with our Reps? <br /><br />Now back to the topic de jure....<br /><br />I've heard that over 500,000 people have been displaced in the Eastern Congo? <br /><br />Is this true??!!! <br /><br />Does someone have a solid #? Jason? others? <br /><br />MelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com