Par Leny Ilondo
 
Monsieur le ministre,

Dans votre plaidoyer du 19 août 2009, invitant la diaspora congolaise à investir en République démocratique du Congo, leur mère-patrie, vous notez avec pertinence les efforts appréciables de ceux, tel Mutombo Dikembe, qui n’ont pas oublié leurs origines. Ils n’ont pas oublié non plus que ce pays leur avait offert les fondations de leurs développements, leurs progressions sociales et ultimement leurs réussites à l’étranger. Il s’agit, sans équivoques, de l’éducation ou la formation de base dont ils avaient bénéficié dans les écoles publiques de la RD Congo.

Dans ce plaidoyer, Monsieur le ministre, vous relevez le mimétisme dans le comportement de ces investisseurs dans les secteurs tels l’hôtellerie, l’habillement, le transport en commun et pas suffisamment ou pas encore dans d’autres. Parmi lesquels vous soulignez l’importance du tourisme, l’agroalimentaire et plus spécifiquement la formation en affirmant que cette dernière offre une panoplie de choix.

By Edward B. Rackley

Unlike in Latin America, where liberation theology was once an influential force, Christians in Africa rarely confront political oppression. On the surface, African Christian institutions claim not to meddle in affairs of the State. These days, ‘conversion of the heathens’ is passé, as Christianity is now a widespread and entrenched belief system. Churches of all denominations offer manifold development initiatives in education, health and agriculture. In many countries where the State has limited reach into rural areas, churches represent the sole link to the outside world for isolated communities.

Think of Congo and war comes to mind. A war fought in places with unfamiliar names–Goma, Kiwanja, Kanyabayonga, Sake and Rutshuru.

This war may take place beyond American shores and rarely appear on local news, but we cannot carry on our daily lives without the territory in which it is fought. The hills of North and South Kivu are abundant with strategic minerals such as coltan, cassiterite and wolframite that are essential to electronics and high technology. Whether we are chatting on a mobile phone, typing on a laptop computer or watching our children play videogames, the Congo conflict follows us everywhere.

Four times the size of France, and as big as the United States east of the Mississippi river, Congo is an important player in Africa and of long-term interest to the United States. As the heart of the continent, Congo borders nine countries. A secure, peaceful and prosperous Congo would positively affect the rest of the continent. With its vast resources and large population, Congo has a regional calling along with South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt.

RAY SUAREZ: The fighting in one of Africa’s largest and most resource-rich countries is threatening to become a broader war.

Angola today sent in troops to help the Democratic Republic of Congo government put down a rebellion.

For more, we go to Mvemba Dizolele, a freelance journalist and author and now a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He was born in Congo and is now a U.S. citizen.

Well, it’s now being called a civil war. Help us understand who the combatants are and what they’re fighting over.

MVEMBA DIZOLELE, Hoover Institution: Ray, thanks for having me. The conflict in a nutshell is about control of resources and the wealth of the region.

On September 2, a small carrier operated by Air Serv International, a Virginia-based company, crashed in eastern Congo, killing all 17 passengers and crewmembers. Another plane, operated by Kinshasa-based Hewa Bora, crashed in the same area five months ago.  It seems that every quarter a plane crashes in Congo.
 
I was born and grew up in Congo. And during my years living there, I only recall a handful of crashes. They were mostly military aircrafts. Back then a plane crash was an extraordinary event – one that rarely happened. I remember them as vividly as the few eclipses I have witnessed in my lifetime. Today, crashes are common occurrences.