hat unsettles me is the indifference of the international community to the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its massive human rights abuses: had there been 3,8 million victims in Europe, it would have been the major event of the decade; instead, political leaders, the United Nations and the mass media are ignoring this war.” Dr Richard Brennan speaks slowly on the telephone from New York, but his gentle tone does not hide his indignation. He is one of the authors of the report promoted by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) on ex Zaire, presented on the eve of today’s International Day for Human Rights. The figures speak for themselves: 3,8 million victims since the beginning of the conflict in 1998 – the equivalent of the population of Ireland.
“Our research has shown that 31.000 people continue to die each month from causes related to the war, and in particular from infectious diseases and malnutrition,” Dr Brennan explains to MISNA. “One thousand people a day: what more is needed to draw the attention of the international community?” he asks. “We have documented the consequences of this conflict for the fourth time since 1998. Let it not be said that there are no figures: the figures are there, and they speak loud and clear.”
Our research has shown that 31.000 people continue to die each month from causes related to the war, and in particular from infectious diseases and malnutrition. One thousand people a day: what more is needed to draw the attention of the international community? ...The figures are there, and they speak loud and clear.
All too clearly: according to the statistics gathered by IRC, one of the most active organizations in favor of victims of the war and refugees, humanitarian aid destined for Iraq in 2003 amounted to roughly 138 dollars per person; in Darfur – the region in west Sudan where a major humanitarian crisis is underway – this year 530 million dollars have been allocated in aid, or 89 dollars per person, in Congo in the same period 3,23 dollars per person. Why is this war more overlooked than the others?
“For various reasons,” replied Dr Brennan. “Firstly, ex Zaire is not a key country for the economy or for security; if the West had direct interests in this part of Africa it would not allow this conflict to be forgotten.” Yet the Congolese war was not ‘just’ a local conflict; rather, it involved seven African countries: “All the warring parties have violated the various accords that have been signed over the years: the rebels, the government, the regular army, Uganda, Rwanda and those who have financed this war”.
This has not been enough: “We are also witnessing a lack of attention, a sort of oblivion,” continues the person in charge of IRC, who cites an example: “In an analogous study on the conflict in Kosovo we registered 12.000 victims: this war attracted – rightly, in my opinion – the energy of the media and of governments, since white people were dying in the heart of Europe”. Instead, Congo is far away in the heart of darkness of the ‘black continent’: “Some people may give in to Afro-pessimism, in the conviction that Africa is adrift and without hope. Instead, this is not the way it is, since we have to look on the positive side: Congo is a huge country, with vast natural resources, but especially with a strong and resistant population”.
After six years of violence, massacres, rape, looting of mineral treasures – “the war is clearest example of the violation of human rights and of the creation of humanitarian need” – the Congolese still want to rebuild their country, to start afresh: “They have not lost hope. But now the international community needs to show its commitment to a process that could be an example for other conflicts: it is important to understand that only a peaceful Congo can lead to stability and security throughout central Africa.”
(From MISNA)