The Crisis Continues

According to THIS STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE UNITED NATIONS on October 25, 2012, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon "condemns in the strongest possible terms the violent attack which took place tonight at the home of Dr. Denis Mukwege, the founder and Director-General of the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, South Kivu Province in eastern DRC." 

This "condemnation" is insufficient, insulting, and perpetuating the known War Criminals that are operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

First:  The time for words has ended.  It is time for action.  If the United Nations is not willing to take action in areas of humanitarian crises at the magnitude of those in the DRC, then the UN should cease to exist.  Action does NOT necessarily mean military action.  Action means that UN Peacekeeping forces are sent to such violent areas and are allowed to actually keep the peace.  In this situation, the perpetuators of violence are the M23 militia thugs sponsored by Paul Kagame's Rwandan Government.  A Peacekeeping Force from a multi-national force could enter the area and literally be a barrier between the innocents and the thugs.  This force could deliver humanitarian aid to refugees and civilians.  As they do such, by sheer might, M23 would stand no chance and violence would cease.  If M23 pursued violent means, the mere show of unity by a multi-national force would show this para-military killing group that their efforts to kill at will are futile.  

While this force is in place, the Congolese people could regain their strength and rebuild their nation.  They could learn to do for themselves without the constant fear of an external attack.  Congo is one of the richest nations in the world, but the beautiful people of this nation have for centuries been exploited by outside forces preventing their own development.  It is only right that they are given the opportunity to do for themselves what other's have robbed from them.

Second: UN condemnations are nothing but mere words.  THIS condemnation is directed to an "unknown" person or group (I say "unknown" because it is well known what group attacked Dr. Denis Mukwege is the M23 militia or another Kagame sponsored group).   Words do carry power - much power, but the time for words are over.  For almost 20 years, Paul Kagame's Rwandan Regime has terrorized the DRC. They have caused the deaths of 10 Million people.  His government sponsors militias that continue to do his bidding for his profit.  The UN and the powerful nations of the world have known this for a lot longer than just the past few months.  They have been complicit either by sending aid to his government or by refusing to intervene.  This is an insult to justice and peace.

Third:  The UN is not merely spewing political babel, they are perpetuating War Crimes.  By refusing to intervene, they are allowing War Criminals to not only carry on but to also bask in the glory of their conquest.  In United States Law, if a person is complicit in a crime, even if he or she is not the main criminal, he or she can be charged in that same crime.  If I am driving a car, and one of my passengers robs a bank without my knowledge, if we get arrested, I am also charged with bank robbery.  Why is the United Nations seen as this benevolent organization when they stand by and watch millions of Congolese die in a very preventable situation?

Let me be clear - I am a Christian Pacifist.  To say that is very hard.  I've heard it said that if you're not willing to kill, then you shouldn't call yourself a pacifist.  I realize that bullets would "solve" this situation much quicker than anything I propose.  That is only true on one level - It would eliminate one problem.  What would rise to take its place? 

As a Christian Pacifist, I take seriously the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and eventual return of Jesus Christ.  I believe in redemption.  While I often feel hopeless, I believe Jesus' words that hope is always alive through God.  This is not a myth to me, this is not a set of mere moral teachings, though it does include moral teachings.  This is more than a way of life...This is a world view.  

I want to hate the people who kill innocent people.  I want to give up the fight.  I want to say it's not my problem.  But, if I do that, then I break the fabric of humanity.  Because these situations are happening in the DRC means they could happen anywhere.  The world did not mean it when they said, "never again" after the Holocaust.

Just because I write about Rwanda and the DRC and the UN does not mean that I'm writing only about them.  This is about all people of all time where there are evil forces at play against innocent people. This is about life vs. death in the most cosmic sense possible.  Substitute any of the specific names I've used with any other similar name or situation if it applies.  While I do write out of anger, it is anger motivated out of love - love of God -  love of God's creation - love of ALL of my brothers and sisters....even those whom I never will meet.