Do not forget us ! The call to Brussels by three Congolese intellectuals
(B2) Three Congolese intellectuals, including the famous Dr. Mukwege, came to Brussels to sound the tocsin “ in the face of political stalemate and the perils that threaten the country. They denounce the paralysis of the current political system and ask " a civic transition”
Dr. Denis Mukwege, “the man who mends women”, is particularly known for his role as a doctor for women victims of sexual violence and his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. But Monday (May 28) in Brussels, at the Press Club Brussels Europe, he has taken on the role of political activist. Accompanied by political scientist Alphonse Maindo and constitutionalist André Mbata, welcomed by Maroun Labaki (former editor-in-chief of Le Soir and president of the Press Club Brussels Europe), he wanted to appeal to the Congolese in particular, but also to the international community to save “ the Congo which is dying, the Congo in decay ».
Congolese who are not listened to
« Kabila has no supporters says Dr. Denis Mukwege, who points out a big difference between the DR Congo and its neighbors. However, " the DR Congo has become the country of 'everything is fine, Madame la Marquise'”. For him, " lhe missing piece is awareness [...]. Lhe Congolese people live as foreigners on the soil of their ancestors. [...] There are people who complain. The Congolese know what they want, but are often not listened to “, he declares, calling for the support of “ friendly countries and more of SADC countries (1) ».
Tackling the root causes of the crisis
Refusing to point the finger at Kabila as the cause of the humanitarian crisis, the doctor who has suddenly become more political denounces the Congolese political and institutional system as a whole. And the need nevertheless for a citizen transition without Kabila », as provided for in the New Year's Eve agreement (2), to remedy this. We must stop focusing on the symptoms, he underlines, denouncing a government which claims that the crisis is due to natural factors (3). " Humanitarian aid will never be enough. Only a completely free, fair and transparent electoral process can begin to resolve the situation. We, the Congolese, campaign peacefully for good governance, improved living conditions and lasting peace. ».
« Better to die standing than kneeling – Dr. Denis Mukwege.
The appeal to the international community
« It is those who have the responsibility to protect who are organizing this crisis! accuses Professor André Mbata. The crisis is due to ae « complicity in the system, particularly within the multinationals”. For him, it is “the international community [to do] something because the security of the region depends on it ". A call made in particular to United Nations […] and the international community who [have] the responsibility to protect ". Bad governance is responsible but not only. " Ltear gas, they come from us. But the weapons we don't make them, they come from here, from the so-called civilized states », thus pointing the finger at Europe.
A necessary civic transition
Although the idea is good, hold formal elections on December 23 (3), it's impossible because it's too early. The conditions are not met explains Professor Alphonse Maindo, mentioning in particular the lack of public freedoms, political prisoners, exiles. It takes a " citizen transition » to remedy the current political crisis, pleads the professor. “With personalities from civil society. [These] will take over for a short and intense period of a few months, to set the preconditions and guarantee the participation of all. "It's the only solution to a " a locked political system, led by "political undertakers »And« illegitimate institutions for many years already ", whose interest, he laments, is to " plunder the resources of the country, corrupt people, and those who refuse are repressed ».
(Aurelie Pugnet)
An alarming humanitarian situation
According to UN figures, the instability of the 20 latest years has created 4,5 million internally displaced persons, the highest number in Africa recalls Dr. Mukwege. " Seven million people are severely food insecure. Pover three million depend entirely on humanitarian aid, 1,9 million children suffer from severe malnutrition ". It is with great regret that " last year, [he] was unable to hold the vaccination campaign in a region ". A situation further aggravated by the arrival of Ebola. The doctor draws particular attention to “the thousands of children recruited into armed groups or militias ". The situation is so critical that he asserts, " authorities or organizations (including the UN) do not go to certain provinces because it is too dangerous ". The DR Congo has approximately 80 million inhabitants and nine border countries. The political stability of the African giant will thus benefit the security of the entire region.
NB: one can read with profit the last report report by the European Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) which draws up a detailed assessment of the Congolese situation
(1) The Southern African Development Community includes Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Its purpose is cooperation in matters of security, development, political
(2) The New Year's Eve agreement, signed on December 31, 2016, provides for new democratic elections without Joseph Kabila as soon as possible. Initially set for the end of 2016, then 2017, the presidential and legislative elections in DR Congo should finally take place on December 23, 2018. The postponements had been recommended by the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) because of incomplete and beneficial electoral lists. Kabila, who does not have the right to a third term, according to the agreement.
(3) Response of the Congolese authorities to " the humanitarian conference on the DRC held on April 13, 2018, by the European Commission and the UN in Geneva to raise funds »
