Breaking the Silence
The Congo is the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world today where nearly 6 million people have died since 1996, half of them children 5 yrs old or younger and hundreds of thousands of women have been raped all as a result of the scramble for Congo’s wealth. The United Nations said it is the deadliest conflict in the world since World War Two. However, hardly anything is said about it in the media. Can you imagine 45,000 people dying each month and hardly a peep from anyone in the age of the Internet? This is literally what has happened and continue to happen in the Congo. There is a media white-out about Congo and no worlwide resolution to end the conflict and carnage there.
From October 19-25th college campuses from around the world will be bringing awareness to the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There is a very exciting development among students throughout the globe. In October 2008, students from the US, Canada, England, Belgium, Germany, France, Brazil, Jamaica, Norway, Korea, Ghana, Mali, South Africa, Columbia, etc. etc will organize events (films, lectures, demonstrations, and more) on their respective campuses dealing with the Congo situation. We are calling it “Break the Silence” Congo Week where at least 100 countries and 1,000 university campuses will participate in a week of activities in solidarity with the students of the Congo. The purpose of the Break the Silence Congo Week is to raise awareness about the devastating situation in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people of the Congo. It will take place from Sunday October 19th to Saturday October 25th. The key organizers are students from North Carolina A&T , UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, University of Maryland, Howard University, Bowie University, and Cornell University.
It may be useful on our part to draw attention to this campaign in our dealings with parishes and with our friends and benefactors.
The Regional Superior informs us: The Feast of the Founder and the commemoration of our 50 years of missionary presence were celebrated with the Archbishop of Bukavu, 74 priests, many nuns and a cathedral full of people, thanks also to pupils of the Conforti school. Afterwards, refreshments were offered in the philosophy community, which is not far from the cathedral. The entire celebration took place in the awareness of what is going on in the nearby province of North-Kivu, not only because the echoes of that tragedy reach Bukavu, but also because the threat of destabilization hangs over the South-Kivu area too. Regarding the situation in Goma, diplomatic activity continues. We expect to see the umpteenth International conferences, which have never done any good so far, but there are also rumors of underground alliances that are not
very promising for the countrys welfare. International press coverage was quicker this time, but it only considers the humanitarian aspect, which is a consequence of the as yet unresolved political situation. Many interwoven causes make the situation even more complicated, making a fair solution even more difficult to find. But one thing is certain: today there is a humanitarian emergency, but in two or three months there shall be famine. At the height of the rainy season, when the sowing of beans should already be finished, it is not a good omen when 1,600,000 people are in the streets instead of working in the fields. Difficult times are arriving for the people who have had to flee the fighting. For the time being the Confreres are well, calm and serene. They continue their work in collaboration with the neighboring community of the “Piccole Figlie” and are monitoring the situation and trusting in Divine Providence.
Fr. Brentegani gives «a summary of the memorandum sent by the Archbishop of Bukavu to the new Congolese Prime Minister on 5 November. The document provides some keys for interpreting the current situation.
The Archbishop wonders why this new outbreak of hostility has taken place. In spite of the 5 million Congolese dead, the presence of MONUC (the UN Mission to the Congo) which costs 1 billion dollars per year, the 500 million dollars spent on the elections, the ordeal of the Congolese people continues.
External causes
The main cause is the richness of the regions subsoil: gold, diamonds, coltan. For these resources, entire populations are decimated by Congolese armed groups with the support of foreign armies, whose international ramifications are wider than anyone can imagine. Territories beyond the control of the state have
been created where each armed group can find the resources it needs to finance its activities. A second cause is the strategy of prevention of another genocide in Rwanda. But, while this is to be avoided at all costs, – observes the Archbishop it must also be remembered that the genocide in Rwanda was the work of Rwandans against Rwandans in Rwanda. It is therefore absurd and unjust that the international community should continue to make the Congolese people pay for the situation in Rwanda.
Internal causes
A great part of the responsibility for this crisis is of Congolese origin. An ever widening gulf is being created between the aspirations of the people and the maneuvers of some politicians. Also the provincial government does not seem to be greatly concerned by the social situation. Nothing is said about the problem of teachers, health personnel or other social issues. The impression is that they are more concerned with
their personal careers and interests. The bishop observes that the system is a fragile one. We feel trapped in a vicious circle. Wemove from a phase of rebellion to a phase of negotiations, from negotiations to agreements, from agreements to new institutions and from new institutions to new rebellions. Whatever happens, the people are held hostage of the situation. Our hope is that the state will shoulder its institutional responsibilities and ensure territorial integrity, peace and security, and good government. This cannot happen as long as corruption reigns in the military and the public administration.
We, the staff of NEEMA Corporation, are writing to the British government on behalf of the people of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo because we believe you are part of the solution to end the calamity and suffering of our people. We have received numerous calls, letters, and e-mails from our home country, Eastern Congo (Uvira, Fizi, Bukavu, Goma, Lubero, Rutshuru, and Butembo) begging our Organization to contact your government directly in an effort to appease their suffering. Time is now to act and act accordingly.
The aim of this letter is to urge the British administration to change, amend and/or update your foreign policy related to the Great Lake Region which clearly supports the government of Rwanda ’s standpoint and the Congolese Tutsi ethnic group who are sowing desolation in our region.
We the people of Eastern Congo believe that the suffering we face is a direct result of British government policy that sides with the government of Rwanda and fully support its policies. We love the Rwandese people and share common bond. We do not hate the Tutsi either. We love them; however because of their self interest behaviors and through the British government supports, the Tutsi have engaged in unfair wars that are harming and destroying the Congolese people.
We the people of Eastern Congo have neither asked the Hutu from Rwanda to flee to our region in 1994, so that the government of Rwanda can blame Congolese people. Nor we did not participate in the genocide of 1994 in Rwanda so that we can be held responsible for that. We openhandedly received those who fled the killing in humanitarian aims and with an open heart. Fourteen years later, we are now paying a huge price from our generosity.
We the people of Eastern Congo understand that the presence of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and Interahamwe in our soil is the reason d’être for some Congolese Rebels, especially the CNDP of general Nkunda. The FDLR is from Rwanda and bears Rwandese nationality. They should sit down with the government of Rwanda to negotiate their peaceful return and/or settle their differences.
For the sake of peace, we the people of Eastern Congo came together in January of 2008 in Goma at the “Conference known as Conference on Peace, Security, and Development”. The European Union played a crucial role in this forum. It resulted to the Goma Declaration. We hope that the Rwanda government and FDLR can do the same peaceful solutions to resolve their differences. We urge your government to create this kind of meeting for the sake of peace in this region.
We the people of Eastern Congo believe that the British government has philosophical and ideological differences with the French government. According to BBC world news, the French supports the Congolese government and the British supports the Rwandan government. We understand this, but for the sake of peace and suffering of innocent people, you (British and French policymakers) should settle your own differences. Millions of lives have been lost; thousands of millions people have been displaced, and hundreds of thousands women have been raped families humiliated; and millions of houses destroyed. Recently million of those innocent people also have left at the mercy of the enemy (hunger, diseases, illness, and the like).
History will condemn your standpoint if change is not made. The British government and other European countries should understand that in the long term, the use of force by the Tutsi dominated rebellion, intimidation, and violence against innocent people is only a temporary way of resolving the Great Lake conflict. Hate sowed by violence, war, fear, and humiliation ends by a wave of rage accumulated by resentment. For years efforts have been made by our elders to include the Tutsi in our institutions. This approach worked until 1994 when the Tutsi dominated regime overthrew the Hutu government in Rwanda . Support for one tribe among more than 450 ethnic groups is a disastrous policy and destruction of this tribe.
We are asking your government to invest in lasting peace:
1. We the people of Eastern Congo need your help (all forms) and we need it now.
2. There is no need today, after the genocide of 1994 in Rwanda to side with government of Rwanda and/or support the renegade Congolese General Nkunda’s obscure vision in resolving the Congolese situation. The fall of Goma that looks similar to the fall of Kigali in June 1994 will not solve the core issues in this region. Your policy is only creating division among ethnic groups living in this region that could have long term serious consequences.
3. Nkunda who claims to fight for the protection of his ethnic group is only making it harder for his ethnic group to live peacefully with other tribes. It may create a lasting resentment against the Congolese Tutsis even if they win this war. The end result will be distrust, disregard, and humiliation. Believe me, Nkunda may win the war but he will lose his core fight. We urge your government to side with all the ethnic groups in Congo and build a sustainable and prosperous region.
4. The EU has a vital contribution to make. The FDLR is part of our misery but instead should be part of the solution in our region. We urge your government and EU to stand up and take active steps to facilitate a true negotiation and/or reconciliation between the government of Rwanda and the FDLR. Once this forum is created, it should tackle the root causes of their conflict for the sake of peace and to safeguard the Great Lake Region.
5. The immediate needs of the Congolese people are obvious and necessary. Foremost, these people need a lasting peace under EU troop protection. This protection will give them hope and confidence. We urge your governments (EU) to send troops to the region. Remember this crisis, if not contained, will return forcefully. Besides working under Chapter VII of its charter, the UN troops have failed to protect this region. A powerful EU troops will force Nkunda and its allies to be bound to the Nairobi and Goma Declaration;
6. Meeting between the Congolese and Rwandese presidents has proven to be unproductive. Numerous promises without compromises since 1998 resulted to only a continuation of suffering of innocent people. However, we truly believe that United Kingdom , EU, and the United States have a fertile terrain in Congo once they invest in lasting peace in this region.
7. We urge the governments of “ Britain and France ” to transcend philosophical policy differences towards the Great Lake Region of Africa . We request that both sides work-out your differences and come up with a common policy that will give peace a chance in the Great Region of Africa. Previously, unilateralism behavior has led to a disastrous result. The benefit of working together to resolve crucial issues, such the Goma catastrophe, is needed more than ever.
We urge you ( Britain and France) to please reshape your Great Lake Region policies. Introduce a foreign policy that favors inclusion, not exclusion; a policy that unites but not divides, and a policy that works and benefits all the ethnic groups but not only favor the Congolese Tutsi; a policy that chooses hope instead of fear, a policy that preaches love instead of hate, prosperity over poverty and peace instead of war.
If you need more information and/or have more concern, please do not hesitate to contact me. Time is running out.
We thank you in advance
Yours sincerely,
Alfani Ngulwe K.
Topeka, KS 66614
USA
Tel 785-817-7437
e-mail: neemacorp@yahoo. com