Meanwhile, a Global Witness report says that the government of Rwanda has done nothing to stop the transport of illegally obtained minerals from Congo from crossing its borders. Rwanda has dismissed these reports, but it does seem like more than a coincidence that Rwandan President Paul Kagame tricked Laurent Nkunda into coming into Rwanda in January, and then "detained" him with no legal recourse. This was after Nkunda gave several public interviews regarding his belief that the resources of Congo belong to the Congolese and not the Chinese and certainly not the Rwandans. But, Secretary Clinton, you are also going to China to shore up trade there and the Chinese have signed a deal with the corrupt Kabila government. The Chinese are promising infrastructure in trade for resources, but the average Congolese won't benefit from this deal. Kabila will be able to add to his motorcycle collection and purchase additional mansions in the US and in Kenya, but what the Congolese really need is a decent government and responsible, moral leadership.
Informed by on-the-ground investigations and interviews in North and South Kivu, the report reveals that despite being on opposing sides, the national Congolese army and rebel groups, in particular the FDLR, regularly cooperate with each other, carving up territory and occasionally sharing the spoils of illegal mining. It warns that the recent integration of another armed group, the CNDP, into the national army will make it easier for the former rebels to get 'in on the act' of exploiting the mines.
"Despite recent political and military developments, including the apparent rapprochement between the DRC and Rwanda, violence against unarmed civilians is continuing and countless lives are lost each day. All the warring parties in the DRC are systematically using forced labor and violent extortion in mining areas," said Patrick Alley, Director of Global Witness.
Secretary Clinton, you will, if you break away from your handlers, learn a lot. Please try.
I almost forgot about this little guy in Block 35 at Mugunga II.
He found a discarded piece of plastic in the dump and wanted me to take a photo of it. Here it is.
A clear piece of plastic does not show up very well against the blue sky, but he sure was proud of the fact that it was flying. It almost had wings -- hope is the same. All he has is his kite and hope that we will remember him, and sometimes hope is transparent, too.
Maybe you could show it to him? Could you perhaps bring him a real kite and tell him it is from the Muzunga who visited with him in January?
I'll send you the money when you return. Thanks.
PS I know my tone is bitter, but if I go into compassionate mode, the tears come too quickly and I can't even begin to write. I do have faith in you. I think the world needs strong women to get us all out of this mess.
Cross posted on Huffington Post
