Editor,

REFERENCE IS made to the story, "UN drops biased duo from Group of Experts on DRC” (The New Times, March 19). 

This is merely akin to putting lipstick on a pig’s snout; it will do nothing to improve a process that has proved to be highly susceptible to dangerous manipulation. 

The whole UN management of the perennial crisis of the Congo, from the moment of the country’s independence to the immediate assassination of Prime Minister Patrice E. Lumumba by an axis of Western powers barely three months into "independence”, to the introduction of Monuc/Monusco-FIB, has been a well-manipulated charade from A to Z. 

Shuffling a few individuals or the whole lot will not make the smallest difference as long as the goal remains the same as from the days of King Leopold of Belgium: to administer the Congo for the maximum benefit of Western mining and commodities trading interests rather than that of the forgotten Congolese people. 

Remember the quote, They love the Congo but not the Congolese?

Mwene Kalinda, Rwanda

***************************

IN MY opinion, it seems like Monusco and the UN don’t want to end negative forces and conflict in eastern DR Congo. It’s apparent to me that they have their reasons which we cannot ignore if we want to understand what is happening in that region for the last 20 years. I mean this inefficient, ineffective, corrupt, most expensive and drone-equipped UN mission ever in UN history, but which has miserably failed to end atrocities in the region. 

In fact, I am sure that instability – rather than peace – in eastern DR Congo is more beneficial to Monusco and the international community!

Delphine, Rwanda