[The Standard, Kenya]
La Prosperite,
Congo
Like Hillary,
Congolese Must Take their Nation Seriously
"The
United States of America long ago internalized the dictum that Africa is in the
shape of a pistol, and Congo is the trigger. … How long will Congolese have 'bent
foreheads'?"
EDITORIAL
Translated By Sandrine Ageorges
August 13, 2009
Congo - La Prosperite - Original Article
(French)
Kinshasa: The Democratic
Republic of Congo is the only francophone country visited by U.S. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton during her African tour. Not without reason. Addressing Americans, President Kennedy said: “If we have no policy toward the
Congolese, we have no policy toward Africa.” [translated quote].
This is one way of
emphasizing the importance that Uncle Sam accords the country of Patrice Emery Lumumba,
the incontrovertible pivot upon which the essential balance of the Black continent
depends. The United States of America long ago internalized the dictum of Frantz Fanon, who said that
Africa is in the shape of a pistol, and Congo is the trigger. This is the meaning
to be accorded the visit of Mrs. Clinton to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
And with the sober vision of Barack Obama, it heralds the new Africa policy of
the United States.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
Quite pitifully, the
Congolese themselves have never understood the importance that the entire world
places on Congo, starting with Africans. For decades, the compatriots of Mobutu, Joseph Kasa-Vubu [first Congo
president], and Kabila I
and II, were mere objects
of mockery in the world. Pride has been slow to take hold in Congo, and its
leaders are made to listen to long sermons by every important visitor. Almost
all [of our leaders] denounce corruption, poor governance, the failure to
respect human rights, cronyism, the absence of leadership, the lack of a
democratic culture, the embezzlement of public funds and the selling-off of the
nation's wealth …
On
the outskirts of Goma in Congo, 'internally displaced'
wait
to see the American secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, Aug.
11.
How long will Congolese have “bent
foreheads”? This question involves us all. We can never say this enough - international
politics is dictated by the balance of power. As long as we don’t have an
internal dynamic on the national level that creates a balance with outside
forces anxious to collaborate with the Congolese, these relationships will forever
be unfavorable.
SEE ALSO ON THIS:
Le Potentiel, Congo:
Hillary's Visit is 'No Bad Thing'
Le Potentiel, Congo:
Hillary Calls for 'Strong Prosecution' of Rapists
A strong Congo with strong institutions
will be able to negotiate on an equitable basis with its foreign partners. But
a weak Congo, divided, fratricidal and with corrupt institutions, will never be
out of the woods and will forever be dominated, dependent, underdeveloped and backward
and thus, exploited at will. It will be an owner without authority, where everyone
comes to take based on their own interests and leaving nothing for poor Congolese,
turned into tramps, robbed, driven from their land and wandering like animals
in the bush. It’s up to Congolese to take stock of the geostrategic position of
their country, its importance to the fundamental balance on the continent and
to comport themselves accordingly. What will we bequeath future generations?
CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION
[Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US August 17, 5:55pm]
