Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Congolese Supporters Gather in Washington

Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati

Guest article by Scott A Morgan

Over the last dreary weekend in March a group of concerned people gathered in Washington, D.C. The topic of concern was an issue that has ebbed and flowed on the radar of many people. What was the issue that caused such a gathering? It is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

One will ask what type of people attended this Conference and Lobby Day?There were Religious Advocates and Defenders of Women’s Rights. Other Attendees were concerned about the exploitation of the Natural Resources of the Country and Students concerned about their peers. There were even some that were concerned that the United States is neglecting a Nation that is in Dire Straits.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has had a violent history since it gained Independence from Belgium in 1960. On More than one occasion French and Belgian Troops have had to Intervene to restore order. One of the results of their intervention was the long running corrupt Pro-American Regime of Mobutu Sese Seko. After his Death is when the really violent era in the history of the DRC began.

Twice in the 1990s the Congo was a war zone. The fighting there was a direct result of the Rwandan Genocide. The fighting was also encouraged by the tepid response by the UN, its African neighbors and their Western Backers. So after the removal of a Corrupt Regime another grab for the resources began in earnest. This grab would eventually involve seven other African States. The fighting would be considered to be Africa’s World War.

Over the last two years the Congo has taken baby steps towards what would be considered to be a Democratic Government. However problems still remain. Several Foreign Militias are active in the Eastern Part of the Country. In some instances they are the bodies that collect and levy taxes and provide security. Another major issue will be the massive use of Sexual Abuse by both warring parties and civilians.

In a conflict the two most vulnerable groups are women and children. Sadly both groups have been abused by virtually all sides over the last decade. This sad detail also includes the UN Peacekeepers that have been sent there. If the country is to heal this is an issue that needs to be resolved post haste. The Natural Resources of the country are targets as well for exploitation. The Infrastructure of the country needs to be repaired as well.

These are just the highlights of the reasons that this gathering occurred in the the United States. Last year a similar meeting took place in Brussels and Organizers hope that such an event will take place in Africa next year. But on the First of April this year people will trek to Capitol Hill in Washington. They will meet with Legislators and urge them to allow for the US to take a more Positive and Crucial role in the Situation in the Congo. After all the US did play a role in creating this debacle its only fair that we attempt to resolve it.

The Author Publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet. it can be found at morganrights.tripod.com

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