-1.gif)
Opinion
Why Congo will never get it right
The problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo seems intractable. But it really isn’t. The Congolese could fix it tomorrow if they chose. But they won’t. And this is why. The Congolese government and people have surrendered responsibility over their country to others.
It is a historical thing, you might say. They do not own their country now. They have never owned it at any time in the past. It has been run by a variety of interests, largely foreign, from the time when King Leopold of Belgium owned it as his personal property to the present when President Joseph Kabila pretends to preside over its affairs.
And as if to underline the instability and continual change of ownership, the country has changed names more than any other in the world. First it was the Congo Free State, then Belgian Congo before becoming Congo Leopoldville and later Congo Kinshasa. Then it changed to Zaire and now Democratic Republic of Congo. If change of names were to be a measure of improvement, DRC would be the most improved country in the world. As it is, it only emphasises the lack of real ownership, direction and purpose.
Because the Congolese have never owned their country, they are unable to take responsibility for its affairs. They tend to push it to outsiders. If there is a problem in the country, like there is now, its source must be outside. Its solution also must come from outside. By this logic, the conflict in eastern DRC is caused by Rwanda, not by the absence of the state or government-inspired xenophobia. The insecurity, instability and humanitarian crisis in the region is the work of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and has nothing to do with the presence of the genocidal FDLR and a host of other armed groups.
And the magic solution to this essentially Congolese problem? Crucify Rwanda. Slap sanctions on the meddlesome country and everything will be alright. Cut aid to the little upstart and you will see Congo turn into paradise. Beef up MONUSCO (surely already bloated) and drive out the foreigners. Notice there is no mention of what the Congolese can or will do.
A certain Lambert Mende has been leading the chorus demanding that Rwanda be crucified. He has since been joined by a group of religious leaders who have taken the cry to Western capitals. Apparently, the good men of the cloth have forgotten that a certain innocent man in whose name they profess to speak was unjustly hung because of the clamour of the mob. Actually, the action of the Congolese clerics is not surprising because that mob over two thousand years ago had been put to it by religious leaders.
From a historical perspective it is possible to appreciate the attitude of the Congolese. They have been politically emasculated throughout the metamorphosis of their country (in name only).
Leopold and his brutal overseers so savaged the country and its people that most of them lost the will to fight for themselves.
When Patrice Lumumba tried to restore the dignity and fighting spirit of his compatriots, he was brutally cut down and the effort went down with him.
Mobutu, who ruled Congo after that, was the black re-incarnation of Leopold. His rule was perhaps less savage, but equally debilitating to the spirit of the Congolese. The man strutted across the country like he was immortal and gave the citizens a false sense of self-worth, while effectively running down the country as a state and as an enterprise. Foreign interests propped him up as they plundered the country’s wealth.
His successors have done no better. They have spent most of the time squabbling in Kinshasa, looking to the outside for approval and support, and leaving the provinces without effective government.
The historical experience of Congo that has resulted in the inability to act has created an attitude where they must look for a big brother to protect them. Foreign interests recognise this weakness in the national character and have exploited it to great advantage.
In the current conflict in eastern DRC, who is doing most of the talking? Outsiders. Not Congolese. There is Human Rights Watch making the loudest noise and pointing fingers. It is convenient for them because their existence depends on troubled and muddy waters. These fellows, whose application of rights is selective, have the unusual capacity to see atrocities committed by some in a few months, but are totally blind to more evil acts done by others over a longer period. And, of course, they can produce a report in a flash.
That’s the same with a variety of experts, led by the UN Group of Experts. Their expertise is such that they cannot even tell a lie convincingly.
Then there are various individuals and governments across the world that purport to speak on behalf of the Congolese.
An examination of this tendency points to a patronising attitude. It’s like: “Look, you are suffering, but are incapable of speaking or standing up for yourself. So we will do it for you”.
The Congolese have for all practical purposes ceded their responsibility and independence to a bigger brother. That’s why they will not solve their own problems.
Contact email: Email: jorwagatare[at]yahoo.co.uk Blog: josephrwagatare.wordpress.com
Most Read News
- Why Congo will never get it right
- How Rwanda slashed child mortality rate
- Kubwimana takes Miss Personality at Miss Supranational
- Rwanda, Kenya seek to ease travel restrictions
- Elections end Pentecostal church wrangles
- KBS invests Rwf900m in public transport
- Rihanna leads MTV Music Award nominations
- APR sign seven Isonga players
- Mugesera seeks further trial delay
- Right to host ICTR archives
Most Commented
- Why Congo will never get it right
- APR sign seven Isonga players
- Kubwimana takes Miss Personality at Miss Supranational
- Over 7,000 inmates get free eye treatment
- Right to host ICTR archives
- Rwanda, Kenya seek to ease travel restrictions
- KBS invests Rwf900m in public transport
- How Rwanda slashed child mortality rate
Poll
.jpg)
.gif)
Comments
Dear Joseph,You are unfortunately right. And, although I am an eternal optimist, I very much fear the Congo, in whatever name, is doomed as a functioning state, never having been and thus without a collective memory to guide its people towards a working polity. On the basis of their current showing, I strongly believe the present band of incompetent "leaders" but efficient looters will preside over the inevitable final decomposition of King Leopold's misbegotten creation.And that may not be such a bad thing after all, given the existing extreme dysfunctional arrangement which provides neither security nor the minimum essentials of life for the country's long-suffering and opposed population. Breaking this gigantic entity into more manageable states might provide the necessary catalyst to enable Congo's people to finally take charge of their affairs and destiny, wrestling it from foreign interests and their Kinshasa compradors.
Reply | Close
Joseph, that is a very informative and intelligent article. I had no idea that DRC is the sixth name. The country changes names like a chameleon changing its colors. Congolese peple, especially leaders, must take the crucial step of believing that the country is theirs, then take ownership, and finally take responsibility of their failures as well as successes. To be a leader, you have to accept the challenges. Failures will be encountered, setbacks will be enormous, but success will finally come by keeping eyes on the ball. I think Rwanda should establish Leadership University to train our Congolese brethren. Now I wonder what name the next president of DRC will come up with. CAP, anyone? CAP stands for Congo d' Autres Personnes. Just kidding. Congo belongs to the Congolese.
Reply | Close
If only Congolese could do a little soul searching and think through this just for a bit; alas they have for decades elected to be given a helping hand by others whose record in Congolese affairs is despicable.The hard, cold fact is that our brothers refuse to learn from their past and that of Africa in general.
Reply | Close
Thanks Joseph for your article. Can Shameless Mende read your articles on DRC!!!!!!!!!! The things that do not change much here are some names of DRC presidents. Except Patrice Emery LUMUMBA who was different from all the other Chiefs of DRC; they all have either JOSEPH or DESIRE as their first name. 1.Joseph Kasa – Vubu2.Patrice Emery LUMUMBA3.Joseph Desire MOBUTU SESE….4.Laurent Desire KABILA…5.Joseph KABILA…Of course Lumumba, a true son of Congo, was different from the other. And MOBUTU having the two names Joseph and Desire all together he stayed longer than the rest on power. Maybe the devil hunting DRC is the two names. Can Joseph Kabila Kabange after reading this be advised to change his First name.Sorry Rwagatare you have the same name’’ Joseph’’ Thank God you are of Rwanda like we know the great Joseph in the Bible. So you don’t need to change yours unless….May God help us
Reply | Close
'...The man strutted across the country like he was immortal and gave the citizens a false sense of self-worth, while effectively running down the country as a state and as an enterprise...' ..lol.., you are so circumspect and intelligent in your choice of words, Mr Rwagatare. I wonder to which president in the Great Lakes region today we might apply the description... Brilliant!
Reply | Close
Mwana Boling, I, too cannot comprehend Mr. Lambert Mende. I remember reading an article in which he was asking the UN Security Council to change the mandate of the peacekeeping mission in DRC (MUNOSCO). According to him, the article read, MUNOSCO should be authorized to help in the fight against the armed groups. Mr. Mende forgot that the UN troops do not launch military operations, they only defend, and rarely do they use deadly force unless in self-defense. In fact, the UN Security Council Resolution 1925 states, among other things, that the Government of the DRC bears primary responsibility for security, peace-building and development of the country, and that DRC remain committed to protecting the population through the establishment of professional and sustainable security forces [Paragraphs 5 and 6 (ii)]. The same requests are mentioned in Resolution 1896 (2009).The UN Security Council authorized MUNOSCO to protect civilians, humanitarian and human rights workers (including Steven Matthew Hege, remember him? More of him later), UN personnel and facilities.
Reply | Close
Well written piece. Just two quick comments. First off, your introduction seems rather personal and also it does the opposite of being sarcastic in that it makes it seem like you are defending that meddlesome neighboring country (i.e. Rwanda). Second, I would love an article which doesn't mention the GoE or HRW. Why acknowledge them at all? It is making our responses seem like defenses rather than statements of fact. When responding to allegations that are ludacrous, stating facts in the most neutral way works best. However, I do acknowledge that it spoke to the flow of your article. On the issue of the DRC, your central thesis is correct. The Congolese have walked away from their responsibilities as citizens to demand the change they are protesting about in our western capitals. They protest, but they don't actually do anything. Lumumba had vision. The rest couldn't see past their own bellies. The DRC is a failed state because the government won't do anything in the interest of its citizens. Why should they? No is holding them accountable! Yes, there are serious security issues. Yes, foreigners have been plundering (but that's a two way street). Yes, the DRC is so big, to govern you have to inspire loyalty from 2000 different tribes and languages and affinities...Rwanada has mostly homogenous culture and language and is a speck compared to the DRC. But REALLY, the issue is leadership. And it seems, everyone in the DRC has abdicated exactly that.
Reply | Close
Dear Ms. Munya,I would normally agree with you that a mostly factual and generally impersonal tone in an article is the most likely to convince neutral readers. Op-ed writers are however, dispensed from this general rule and can exercise the prerogative of dealing with a subject with the passion that best reflects the views of their target audience.That said, I fully concur with your essential diagnosis: the fundamental problem of the DRC is its perennial lack of leadership and its people's stubborn refusal to accept that their difficulties are almost wholly self-inflicted. Until they assume effective ownership of their painful situation and have the means to impose accountability on their leaders, I very much fear our grandchildren will inherit the same headaches we have to continously experience from our neighbours across Lake Kivu. And until the so-called international community stop mollycoddling the Congolese and demand that they assume primary responsibility for their national sickness, our Congolese brethren will have no incentive to mend their ways. Unfortunately we Rwandese, and to a lesser extent the DRC's other neighbours, are chained onto this burdensome carcass of a failed "state" and cannot unhook ourselves from the attendant vicissitudes of its unceasing agony.
Reply | Close
Congo needs help to put proper administration in place. There should be an interantional conference on Congo. Congo should be divide into small self governing provinces following the model of Canada or united states. It is too big for one inexperience leader to govern her. With many states, reporting to the Federal government, at least some states would prosper more than others and competion would be in place. Congo has lots of natural resources that would not only benefit the people of Congo but also all international community if properly used.
Reply | Close
Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, Reporters sans Frontiere, Amnesty International,... They claim to work for the objective truth, freedom, equal rights, you name it. They are also Western experts. Some circles believe that just because they are Westerners, it means they speak the truth and are unbiased.A few days ago, Albert from Contact FM investigated on Human Rughts Watch and revealed a number of incriminating facts against them. I wonder why there is no African institution investigating on EUrope
Reply | Close
wow, good piece Mr. Joseph. i believe unless the congolese people stand for themselves they will always be refugees and create more work for UN which ofcourse is their wish! how sad!
Reply | Close
Submit your comment