Global Policy Forum

by Dr. Roger Asani

The recent collapse of the inter-Congolese dialogue at its initial stage in Addis-Ababa is the best thing which could happen in the Ethiopian Capital for the future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Let me reassure the readers of this respected newspaper of my feelings: I wish that country well, I was born and bred there; I wish all people well, they are my compatriots; I wish all people living in the nine countries surrounding DRC well; they are my neighbours. Let them all live in peace, freedom, national concord and trans border African brotherhood.

The talks aimed at ending the three (3) years old, complex and multifaceted war may be difficult and probably last longer than what we anticipate. They may not be concluded where they started; by the first teams which sat around the same negotiations table. I consider the brief interlude in Addis-Ababa as a good omen, a sign that a reasonable degree of openness was present among the delegates. In fact, anger and frustration opening the way to hot verbal exchanges leading ultimately to the withdrawal of some groups during such negotiations are clear indications of the absence of hidden agendas. In such a tense negotiating situation are more genuine. We could have been more alarmed if everything went fine and smoothly!! Those who care about the future of DRC should meanwhile avoid excessive optimism which assures that all will move forward hitch-free. On the other hand, as things stand now, despair and discouragement are of no help, we should keep hope alive praying that a little persuasive push from well intentioned, neutral, commonly accepted friends of all warring sides will put back the talks on the right track again.

The roots causes of the war in DRC are deep and old with their implications extending far beyond that country and the African continent. In spite, of the clamour of the Congolese people who want just to live together in peace in one geo-political entity called "DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO", the demons of greed, pride and jealousy, discernible in the behaviour, incoherence and inconsistence of some factional leaders are still having a field day. The situation is further compounded by the last discovery of important strategic minerals and huge deposits of gold, diamonds and many other resources which, after sharpening the appetite to a higher degree or green in the mind of those who are wielding some parcel of power through the guns, are rudimentarily mined and illegally sold out. The proceeds of such transactions are being used to sustain the war efforts of the belligerents.

Noteworthy is the nebulous and rightly questionable role played by foreign mining companies during different Congolese crises since independence. Let it be left to specialists to disentangle this imbroglio in the future! As I said earlier on, this war in DRC is not a new one. It predates the accession of Presidents Kabila Senior and Junior to power. It has been consuming the country in pernicious forms for more than three (3) decades, since the installation and consolidation of the kleptocraticregime of Mobutu. It was under the "Great Leopard's" administration that the country went bankrupt and its people endured untold sufferings due to inept incompetence in the conduct of public affairs, nepotism, corruption, high- handedness and embezzle-ment. Occultist and satanic practices at their worst permeated many facets of the national life. Thus brewing a huge frustration which sent voluntarily or forcibly tens of thousands of competent patriotic citizens out of their fatherland. Though, it was not bitterness for everybody, some strata of the Zairean society benefited from the largesse of that regime.

It is imperative to stress that the events of those years did plant the seed of distrust and hatred between those who were calling the shots - big or small - and the majority of impoverished Congolese people always at the receiving end of the big stick. Little wonder then that the regime was so easily overthrown by a combination of internal and external factors.

Unfortunately, four years after the change, the poisonous fruits of the evil tree have invaded, en masses, almost every corner of the country.

Many twists happened in the history of DRC the past three years. Keen observers have noticed the dissolution or the formation of many national and international alliances, military, political or otherwise. The deep and massive involvement of external forces at the beginning of this ever widening conflict has blurred the whole political scene with elements of aberration in certain cases!

Three years down the line, it is clear that the Congolese people are weary of war. The two main camps and the myriad of unstable groups between them have fought themselves to stalemate. It is time to call it quits. It is time to negotiate seriously, to negotiate a honourable, face saving peace, that of "NOBODY SURRENDERED." It is agreed that a successful negotiation is the one at the end of which each of the aggrieved warring sides gives "something" in return for "something." The government in Kinshasa is the one recognised by the international community - as the sole legitimate ruler and representative of DRC currently.

The international community- if it is interested in peace in DRC - should allay the fears and apprehension of the Congolese government in place, guarantee its survival by helping its economic policies and encourage it to open itself up to members of the armed and political opposition, civil society and others, transforming itself thus into a broad government of national unity, under the leadership of President Joseph Kabila. Let there be as many ministries and political appointments as that large country ran afford. Let many petty egos be satisfied if this personal recognition is the price to be paid in return for a quick and solid peace for the 50 millions Congolese people. The government should carry out the urgent and delicate task of organising the general elections at all levels to be held latest two years after its inception. The United Nations and African Union should be requested to provide logistics and monitor the voting exercise. Cooperation and friendship with all our nine neighbours should be restored after issues of common interest have been addressed.

But we should keep in mind that, be it as it may, very few things will go the way of our wishes because unforgiveness, insecurity, deeply seated personal pride and the fear of being unceremoniously dumped in the dustbin of history and be forgotten by their own people dictate to many a factional leader the negative predisposition they so blatantly display towards recompilation and cooperation for the good of their fatherland. Those negative traits should not be allowed to continue holding

the country to ransom, preventing the young leaders of different camps and their backers from hammering out an agreement which will bring back peace, allowing DRC, its neighbours and all their peoples to disengage from war and face resolutely the more important task of rebuilding their devastated countries and economies! DRC needs reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Let us remember my real leaders are those whose hand is open to shake that of a former enemy once the truce or peace is decreed and the sword sheathed.

The example of Nigeria with her policy of "NO VICTOR, NO VANQUISHED" after the civil war - comes naturally handy. President Obasanjo, one of the architects of that policy is still much around. By his age and his status, he could be the father of the young leaders drawing crowds in Kinshasa, Goma and Gbadolite. In the African culture, our young leaders owe him deep respect. Because of his wealth of first hand experience in the Congo crises, he should be listened to. He has put the return of peace to DRC high on his agenda of international affairs. The very fact that all warring factions in that country have accepted the idea of meeting each other in his presence or that of his affable and indefatigable adviser, Dr. Ralph Uwaeche, is a full flower of diplomatic persuasion displayed by the Nigerian team with the active behind-the-scene participation of other African and non-African stakeholders too numerous to be mentioned. The elder statesman in Aso-Rock loves DRC where he had his first experience in peace-keeping as lieutenant in the Nigerian army with the United Nations. Abuja is no less friendly to Kinshasa than Pretoria, Harare or Luanda. Abuja it is, where many other peace accords were signed, bringing an end to internal conflicts in some other African countries. I wish that, as recognition of the importance of the role played by Nigeria for the restoration of peace, reconciliation and national unity in DRC, the ceremony of the final signing of the peace accord between the warring factions of my country (whenever it will take place, God willing) be held in Abuja, in the presence of the elder statesman of Aso-Rock and his team.

Those gentlemen deserve it. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and its people owe them at least that token sign of gratitude. Dr. Roger Asani, is Chief Medical Officer, Specialists Hospital Bauchi.

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