Colonialism Redux

Colonialism used to be easy to define. One nation with advanced weaponry would invade another nation (usually a South American or African nation) with less advanced weaponry, enslave the people, and exploit the resources.  Millions of innocent lives were lost to Colonialism, dignity was lost, basic human rights were lost.  What the world is not understanding is that Colonialism has taken another form in today's world. The players are the same, but the tactics are different. Sadly, the results remain just as tragic.

We no longer live in a world where an outright invasion in order to steal the resources of another nation would be tolerated. Of course, that is violated from time to time under the pretension that the nation that is invaded is a global threat, developing weapons of mass destruction, or some other insidious lie.  We saw this when the US and the UK invaded Iraq. Yes, Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator. I will not defend him, but the motives for going to war had nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction. The motives were a form of colonialism. Thousands of US and British soldiers as well as innocent Iraqis and Iraqi soldiers lost their lives in what was based on a lie. Is the world better off without Saddam? That is a question I cannot answer. The Sermon on the Mount does not give me permission to hate even those who hate me. Truth be told, I would rather not have to deal with the likes of Saddam, but to wish his death is equal to hate.

We now see Russia and the United States engaged in a new "Cold War" over Ukraine. Do not be fooled. Neither nation has one bit of sympathy for the innocent citizens of Ukraine who are victims in these battles. Both nations are engaged in a battle of wills for resources and the hearts and minds of the Ukrainian Government that will ultimately feed those resources to either the US or to Russia.

This week, US President Barack Obama held a forum for African leaders. He praised Rwandan strongman dictator Paul Kagame for his leadership and even gave a nod to the ineffective dictator of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila. At the same time, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was not even invited to the summit. As I later found out, Mugabe is not even allowed to travel within the US Border.

If we look at the human rights records of these three African leaders you will see first of all that people who are in leadership of a nation are forced to make decisions that I as a Christian cannot ethically or morally make. The same can be said for ANY nation! But, how can two men (Kabila and Kagame) who are personally responsible for the deaths of at least a very conservative estimate of 6 million innocent people be praised for their leadership? How can a president (Mugabe) who refuses to allow Zimbabwe to be robbed of its minerals be considered a criminal?

This all goes back to "Colonialism Redux." Instead of directly invading nations, the powerful nations install or support puppet governments. It is public record that President Bill Clinton blocked every measure in the UN to send aid during the Rwandan Genocide so that Kagame's RPF could take control of Rwanda.  It is well known and reported that Kagame sends militias into the Congo under the pretext of eliminating the FDLR (an opposition group - or now - a refugee group of Rwandans who cannot return safely to Rwanda). Under this pretext, he is funneling the minerals so rich in Congo to Rwanda and ultimately to the US and UK.

Why would the nations support Joseph Kabila? One could find a rock with more leadership skills than this president. He does nothing, rigs elections, and allows his nation to be raped and pillaged.  That is why powerful nations call him a leader they can support.

Colonialism is far from over! It is time for citizens to demand that other people around the world without a voice be treated as humans created in the image of God.

It is time we stop listening to the xenophobic rants of pundits such as Ann Coulter who says that our concern should only be within our own borders and that the battle is really between liberals and conservatives. This is a red herring meant to distract. God knows no borders. Liberal and Conservative are misnomers (at best) and false labels.

Colonialism must be called what it is. The enslaved must be set free.

"Dirt" - Reflections of Current Events

The pictures above are from my visit in May 2014 to Zimbabwe. They were taken near the city of Nyanga, just on the outskirts. The carvings are handmade soapstone carvings. The artists pictured above go to the fields and find the soapstone. Using files and chisels, they tediously make these amazing pieces of art.

Stone is nothing more and nothing less than "dirt." It is dirt that has gone through a geological process that I am not qualified to explain, but if you break down stone to its very raw material - you find dirt. The same can be said about the humans who made these amazing carvings. If the human body is broken down into its chemical components, much of the body is made of carbon - the foundation of dirt.

When God made the first human, God took the "adamah" (earth - dust - dirt), breathed life into it, and made "adam" (Adam, human, man, mankind). We are all at our physical cores; dirt. We are special dirt! We are dirt with life.  Maybe, the next time someone thinks they are insulting me by calling me a "piece of dirt," I should say, "Thank you! God made me like that!"

I've been reading a book edited by Robert Ellsberg that is a collection of Dorothy Day's writings entitled, Dorothy Day: Selected Writings. Generally, I am quite a fast reader, and these writings are short, but each is packed with so much that I am taking well over a month now, and I haven't even made it through the first 100 pages. There is so much to digest. It is not difficult reading, but it is like devotional reading.

Dorothy Day, along with Peter Maurin, was the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. During the Great Depression and the years following, Day worked for social justice through the lens of Christian faith. She lived and worked as Jesus literally taught. She lived with the needy, she worked with the poor, she gave up everything and followed Christ. The Catholic Worker Movement is probably a "Marketing Disaster," but a "Religious Miracle." There is very little organization, but yet this movement has impacted and aided countless people. Day believed in "living a life that wouldn't make sense if God didn't exist." That is evident in the Catholic Worker Movement, even to this day. If God didn't exist, this movement would have toppled long ago! There is no formal hierarchy nor formal budget. Each group exists independently yet is connectional. The Movement prints a newspaper yet maintains no computerized mailing list. There is no fundraising scheme except to ask for donations on occasion.

Dorothy Day just may be the model of the type of witness we need in the world today. She wasn't afraid to get dirty. At the same time, she worked to make the world clean while still seeing the beauty of the dirt. She didn't pass the obligation of bettering the world to someone else or to a large organization, but she took the burden onto herself. Yes, she got frustrated - she writes about it often! But she knew that she shared Christ's pain - and she was also a cause of Christ's suffering as we all are.

In Zimbabwe, I met some of the most friendly people I have ever met in my life! I hesitate to say, "friendly" because I felt more like family! I would dare say that they would say the same thing about me. I went as a stranger and left as family. Zimbabwe has been in my heart for many years - ever since the day my wife and I met a couple who went to our church in the US who had moved from Zimbabwe. I began researching and learning about the country that very day. Zimbabwe will always be in my heart, and I know that one day - and most likely several times - I will return!

I don't want to overemphasize any suffering in Zimbabwe because I don't want to project a negative image of a beautiful country! Zimbabwe is modern, safe (safer than the USA!), and beautiful. However global politics play into the everyday lives of the people. Whatever the world and the Zimbabwean government think of each other, the innocent people are the ones who are hurt when rich global politicians make their decisions. "The dirt suffers when land developers decide to pollute."

People in Zimbabwe are very resilient and strong. God has blessed their faithfulness. I didn't see anyone going without basic needs - though obviously, I did not see all people. I'm sure that there are many who are suffering just as there are many suffering in every nation. People were self-reliant and could rely on family and neighbor.

Global politics hand them a disgusting hand when it comes to what people should have. Most hospitals lack basic supplies. Schools cannot get enough books or paper. Money (the actual paper currency) is in shortage.  Why? Because the "clean" of this world is afraid of the "dirt." Income inequality is real! This is not income inequality of 1 person driving a limo and another driving a 2nd hand car. This is income inequality of limo vs. bare feet.

Why does the discussion of "income inequality" make so many so nervous? Because those who control what we watch on TV, listen to on the radio, read in magazines, see on the internet, and so forth - Those people hold the vast majority of the wealth. There is nothing wrong with working hard and being rich. This, however is not working hard. This is legal thievery and legal slavery. The governments of this world (in the vast majority of cases) are run by people so disconnected from the dust of the earth that they would deny water to the garden so they can fill their Olympic sized swimming pool. The only word for this is "greed."

Of course, this isn't limited to Zimbabwe. We see this in the USA - Why are inner city children dying of shootings and dropping out of school, at such a high rate? One or two success stories does not make this reality null and void. People can break free from this evil, but to do so is extremely difficult.

We see the evils of power. Just yesterday (June 9, 2014), there was a report that 302 Rwandan Forces entered Kinshasa, DRC "secretly" under the invitation of DRC President Joseph Kabila. Why? That is a good question, but power seems to be a possible answer. He wants to have a 3rd illegal term as the Rwandan/US/UK Puppet President. Is Rwandan President Paul Kagame involved? If this is true, most likely he is pulling the strings. How is the US involved? Right now, the US is publicly saying that Kabila should not have a 3rd term. Privately, the US is most likely continuing to rape and pillage the minerals of the DRC with Kabila's tacit support through corporations or 3rd parties.

I could point out the evils of this world all day, but anyone with eyes already sees them. But we CAN do something about them. What we can do involves getting dirty. But we cannot be afraid - we are already dirt! God has called each of us in the Gospel to follow Christ. This is not complicated. Love God and Love Others. That is what we can do.

The answer is Love. Love is active - not passive. Love requires action and doing. How each of us love is different. Dorothy day loved by forming the Catholic Worker Movement that fed and housed countless (and continues today after her death). Love requires us to give ourselves - not as a sacrifice that destroys us, but because we can't imagine doing otherwise. Love requires us to give and to receive.

On giving and receiving - In closing - While I was in Zimbabwe, I met 2 orphan girls who were sisters. 1 was 13, the other was 8. They are being taken care of by a church, but they still need help. I'm trying to find a way to give to them - distance and communication is an issue. But while I was there, we spent time together, talked, and I gave them some money. They also gave back to me. They were on their lunch break, and had to go back to school. The 13 year old had to be back sooner, and she gave me a hug and left. The 8 year old did the same. I thought the 8 year old was gone, but 5 minutes later she was back. She had a few more minutes to be back to school. She didn't want to be rude or to beg, but I knew what she wanted. I had some candy and she wanted more. I took a handful and gave it to her. Her eyes shined. She gave me the biggest hug! I think I received more that day than she did.

Was the world changed? I think it was.

The Power of Just a Little Money

November 20, 2013

For some reason, despite his abysmal human rights record, the United States Government has continued to fund the Paul Kagame regime of Rwanda. Never mind that there are at least 6 million dead at his hands. Never mind that he invaded the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) twice (officially) - According to his Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) Government, it was to rid the DRC of forces hostile to Rwanda, however, these invasions openly killed innocent civilians as well, without apology.

The latest invasion into the DRC by Rwanda was unofficial. It came in the form of an illegal militia named M23 (named after the date of it's founding - March 23). While many journalists call M23 a rebel group, I will not - it was an illegal militia sponsored by Rwanda and Uganda to destabilize the DRC. 

Recently, the Army of the DRC (FARDC) with the help of the UN (MONUSCO) defeated M23 and sent over 1000 militants fleeing the border to Uganda and over 100 militants into Rwanda. Both countries refuse to turn those militants over to the DRC for justice. Since they deny any involvement in this militia, it is interesting that they do not help prosecute these criminals. 

The FARDC and MONUSCO was only able to finally defeat M23 when the United States temporarily withdrew military aid money from Rwanda. Interestingly, President Kagame shunned this gesture and laughed in the face of his ally - the US, but in the end, his neo-colonial movement failed. 

For the time being, the DRC is free from M23 oppression. At the same time, we must remember that there are many other militias in the Eastern DRC that would destabilize this mineral rich nation. What could be one of the richest nations in the world has its citizens living in abject poverty due to poor governance on the part of President Joseph Kabila and his cronies and also because no leader has ever been given the chance to actually lead without being under constant attack from outside forces - be them nations or corporate interests. 

The Importance of the Congo (DRC)

A Very Brief History:

Plain and simply stated, the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) do not know what living in peace is like. Since at least the 1880’s there has been an onslaught of invaders who have brought war to this nation.  Couple the invasions with inept leadership and you have what is today’s DRC.

The DRC’s neighbors will be quick to pin all the blame on the DRC alone. This is a bold face lie! I point you to the “UN Mapping Report of Human Rights Abuses” as well as the “Group of Experts Report” which implicates Rwanda and Uganda for supporting the M23 militia for destabilizing and killing inside the DRC borders.

The DRC does have inadequate leadership. This is not all the fault of the people of the DRC. Foreign intervention has caused this leadership to exist. The United States in its fear of communism installed brutal dictator Joseph Desire Mobutu in 1965 and maintained him because of his support for the US. The United States maintained this brutal dictator despite the Congolese peoples’ attempts to overthrow him for over 30 years. The reason? Greed.

Finally, in 1997, Mobutu was overthrown, and another pawn of the Western powers – the United States and the United Kingdom – Laurent Kabila was installed after an invasion by Rwanda and Uganda. Together these two African nations put into place a leader they thought would be sympathetic to their own selfish interests. This time, the US and UK stood idly by allowing this to happen, believing that their interests were being met as Mobutu had gone “rogue,” not playing directly into the hands of the US.

In 1998, Rwanda and Uganda invaded the DRC for the second time. This invasion was ignored and tacitly supported by the United States and the United Kingdom as approximately 6 Million Congolese died. Obviously all of these people were not soldiers. The majority were civilians, and they died of war injuries, starvation, exposure, and preventable diseases because of poor health conditions during wartime. In this invasion, Rwanda and Uganda installed Laurent Kabila as the next Congolese “puppet” leader.

In what is an open secret, Laurent Kabila was assassinated by those forces that installed him, and he was replaced by his son, Joseph Kabila who “rules” to this day. The younger Kabila is a mystery to the world and to the Congolese for his lack of emotion for his own nation and his detachment from the everyday issues facing his own people.

Congo’s Importance to the World Economy:

The DRC is one of the richest nations in the world in terms of mineral riches. The DRC is rich in diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, uranium, timber, iron, tin, tungsten, and coltan. Coltan is a mineral that is used in state of the art electronic equipment from cell phones to computers. Those in power simply do not want stability in the Congo because with stability will come higher prices for these minerals. Peace could come tomorrow, but with peace comes higher prices as the Congolese people would gain their dignity that they deserve and begin to build the infrastructure of a nation.

Instead of wanting peace, the powers that be want the DRC to be destabilized. This way, the world can have cheap access to “blood diamonds” – minerals that are exploited at the peril of innocent Congolese.

Why Congo Matters:

Even with the minerals, I refuse to say that the DRC matters because of its minerals. I will not say that any nation is of value for what it can produce so that others can use. The Congo matters because of the sacredness of the humans who live there. The Congolese people are just that – people – human beings.  They are not animals – They are not tools for our exploitation. They have hopes and dreams just as any other human on this planet.

The Congo matters because the people of the Congo matter. We should look to the Congo as a cautionary tale for what could be. We should look to the Congo and see our brothers and sisters. Find just the right politicians or corporate exploiters, and what happens in the Congo could happen anywhere. Anyone reading this could be the next Congolese person.

Even saying that, we shouldn’t only care about the DRC because “it could be us.” We should care because it is they who experience the horrors! They are victims of exploitation beyond what I can even describe. My own United States government both looks on and does and says nothing and covertly supports those who do exploit by supplying arms, and legalizing corrupt business practices.  We should care about the Congolese because the same Creator who made us made them. In fact, I should say, the same Creator made all of us. Life is sacred, and in the DRC, it is being willfully treated as expendable.

What to Do:

The first thing is to stop saying we can’t do anything! Yes, governments are larger than any 1 of us and even larger than any group of us. Corporations who exploit are bigger too. But, if we let that scare us, then we become part of the problem. There are many things we can do.

Engage in advocacy! When you challenge the powers that be and rattle the right cages, you will get the lions to roar. That means you’ve hit the right nerve! Confront the aggressors directly and don’t be afraid! Be armed only with the truth. Learn the facts and don’t back down.

More war is not the answer. More war is the problem. Pray for peace. But let your prayers also include the question, “and let me be an instrument of Your peace.” Be an instrument of God’s peace. For all of us that will mean something different.

Most importantly – Do not forget the reason we care – We don’t care for self-indulgence and self-promotion. We don’t care because of material gain. We care because our brothers and sisters are hurting!

All cited statistical and factual information can be found at friendsofthecongo.org

 None of these photos are mine.

Can There Be Peace?

Any regular followers of my blog will know that the majority of my writings are related to the ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the vicious nature of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and his past and accused current War Crimes. Please note, however that though the subject of this blog is on the Great Lakes Region of Africa, the places could be changed to Egypt, Syria, the streets of Chicago, New York City, the Drug Cartel violent areas of Mexico, and any other violent areas around the globe. Space and time and my own ignorance of geopolitics prevents me from naming every conflict around the world.

Of course, these issues are not as simple as the old movies of "good guy" vs. "bad guy."  They are so intertwined with militias and armies with members of each crossing and double-crossing sides so that today's ally is tomorrow's enemy and vice versa.  Even the national interests change on a fairly regular basis because they are not regionally based at all.  While this seems to be a conflict contained within the heart of Africa, there are unseen forces hard at work to keep the conflict brewing so that their corporate interests can thrive.  Simply put, if militias and their workers can get the materials out of the DRC that a corporation wants for cheaper than a paid worker can get it, it is in the corporations best "business" interest to keep the conflict going.

What is obviously missing is any sense of personhood or morality of killing. People have become pawns. Regional leaders have allowed themselves to become pawns of Corporations. While leaders such as Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Joseph Kabila of the DRC believe they are acting for their own good or the good of their nation, they are essentially acting as Pawns of Corporations who want the minerals and materials that they hold. These leaders have "sold their souls," whether it is knowingly or unknowingly, for power, money, stability, or whatever false idols to these Corporations to keep these conflicts going.

Smaller leaders of the countless militias that are in the DRC have also become part of this scheme.  While they claim to have "noble causes," they continue the cycle of violence that plays into the hands of the Greedy.  They continue the instability that allows the Greedy to continue their pillage of the land and people.

First, let me point out that not all Corporations are by nature greedy to this degree.  There are Corporations that want absolutely nothing to do with this conflict and they keep their hands clean of it.  By nature, however, a Corporation's job (unless it is a non-profit Corporation) is to make a profit. That is, it is to spend as little money as possible to make as much money as possible. To do so essentially takes an element of greed. We can argue all day as to whether this is Greed or Capitalism, but the point of the matter is that in a Corporate world there must be winners and losers.  Even if the loser doesn't lose everything, the winner still is taking from the loser. That loser may be informed, and it may be the "rules of the game," but the loses still loses to the winner.  Is that greed on the part of the winner? In it's deepest sense, yes. Anytime one desires more than one needs, that is a form of greed. Does that make a person evil? That answer is between the person and God. God calls some of us to give everything, while God calls some of us to give something.

Returning to the situation in the DRC - Can There Be Peace?

Without trying to sound like a doomsday preacher - I answer with a qualified No! As things stand, peace will not come. There may be moments of peace. There may be moments of less violence, but there will not be long lasting peace. A leader may be overthrown, charged with War Crimes, but still, peace will not come.  The problems are too deeply rooted for there to be peace.

So, What Are These Problems?

People have fallen for the false narrative that, "might makes right." People trust in the power of the gun to make peace. There is no greater irony than this assumption.  It is impossible to make peace by killing in a war setting.  Police settings are different because the gun is only used as a defensive and last resort tactic.

If the governments and militias that continually rape and pillage the DRC are serious about having the people at heart, why do they displace at least a million people from their homes? Why do they force so many hundreds of thousands of innocent people who only want to live a normal life into refugee camps with horrible conditions? Why do they force tens of thousands more to flee into the jungles to hope for survival there? Why do they rape and perform other sexually violent acts on the women and children they say they are there to protect? Why do they rob the families of goods and food if they are protecting them? Why do they kidnap children and force them to become soldiers? Why do they torture and kill men who are only trying to be fathers and husbands because they will not leave their families to fight a losing war?

They do this because they believe in the false power of the gun.  The gun will never bring peace.  Look at Afghanistan. This nation has been under attack since time immemorial from multiple nations. Afghanistan's people have not known peace. Sure, there have been pockets of time when there has been no shooting, but actual peace? - Not in a very long time!

If these governments and militias were serious about peace, they would first lay their weapons down.  They would show their strength in their resolve. I can hear my detractors now. "But that is ridiculous!" I ask, was Gandhi ridiculous when he freed an entire nation without firing a shot? Was Martin Luther King Jr. ridiculous when he fought non-violently for civil-rights and won without hurting one person? maybe both were a little ridiculous. Maybe we need more ridiculous people! Maybe we need more people who worry less about their image than about their cause and just refuse to "shut up!"

Am I naive? Maybe I am, but if I am, so were Gandhi and King.  Look at what they won! If they were naive, then Hitler was sane - and look what he lost. Look at even what the Allies lost. How many Allied troops in WWII lost their lives and how much money was spent in rebuilding Europe after WWII?

Can There Be Peace? - Maybe?

Maybe the next "militia" needs to be an unarmed militia of the people of Rwanda and/or the DRC! A "militia" that puts aside tribal affiliation, race, nationality, and demands peace! This is where my qualified no answer turns into a qualified yes - there can be peace!

It's obvious - The United States is not going to help. If anyone in the Great Lakes region of Africa is reading this, I am sorry that my tax dollars are funding the deaths of your friends and families.  I am sorry that Corporations based in my part of the world see you as expendable. I am sorry that the world has abandoned you rather than seeing you as created in the image of God! Please know that our Government and Corporations DO NOT speak for all of us! We write letters, make phone calls, protest, and do anything we can think of to call attention to your plight. We too are ignored. We promise to continue!

While we do our work, we need you to do your work.  Your work is much harder than ours. Your work may require much more sacrifice. Someday, we may have to do the same thing here, but we are not yet facing the same conditions.  You need to stand for peace and settle for nothing less.  You need to be the new Gandhi and King of today! You need to say no to violence, even if that means staring down the barrel of a gun. Will your lives be threatened? Almost certainly, I can answer Yes! Will some die, definitely! But you will have your nation and have it as you deserve it!

Fight the militias and governments by inviting them to "join the winning side" much as Archbishop Desmond Tutu did when the White Apartheid soldiers stormed his church and tried to disrupt a service.  Anyone can be violent - But it takes a special gift from God to make your enemy your friend.

Remember to keep the faith! Jesus said whoever lives in him dies in him and has eternal life! Remember that if you do this work in God's name, the Spirit is with you! My prayers and the prayers of many around the world are with you! Shalom!

The Moon Landing and Paul Kagame of Rwanda - 2 Conspiracy Theories

           

 The Moon Landing and the Presidency of Paul Kagame of Rwanda have much in common.  Both are shadowed in conspiracy theories.  There is a network of those who believe that the Moon Landing was a great conspiracy on the part of the United States Government and faked in order to intimidate the then Soviet Union.  President Kagame has convinced his loyal followers that there is a grand conspiracy against his rule and the right for Rwanda to move forward after the 1994 Genocide on the part most of the World Community.

            Both of these Conspiracy Theories hold little truth.  But here’s the problem:  If you don’t believe in the Moon Landing, no one gets hurt (unless you’re standing in a room of astronauts – then I’d suggest you keep your opinion to yourself).  If you are Rwandan and don’t believe in Paul Kagame’s conspiracy theory, there can be a severe price to pay if you speak out with your belief.

Professor Linda Melvern chronicled what she called the conspiracy against Rwanda.[1]  She says that this conspiracy is fueled by “Hutu Power ideologues[2],…fugitive genocidaires[3], and their supporters.”  This is only partially true.  Yes, there are fugitive genocidaires who have fled Rwanda and seek an armed and violent return.  But, we must remember the genocide is at the time of this writing 19 years old.  The most active genocidaires of that time would be close to age 40 now.  Therefore, while some of the genocidaires  are still seeking return, many have had 19 years to develop a new life and to settle.  Please note that I am NOT defending the genocidaires! Genocide is a horrible crime – quite possible the worst crime that can be committed! I am saying that President Kagame is keeping the fear of Genocide alive so that he can remain in power.

Melvern’s division of Hutu and Tutsi also plays into Kagame’s hands.  While right now, under Kagame, technically it is illegal to claim to be anything but Rwandan – the labels Hutu and Tutsi are illegal, by making people fear the Hutu Conspiracy, Kagame again seems like the savior. Tribe and race cannot be erased because one declares it to be so.  What can be erased is our ultimate allegiance to them.  For example, I am a white American male. I try to use the “whiteness” for statistical purposes only when I have to fill out forms asking for my race.  I may also use my race when celebrating my heritage from my ancestors from Italy, Sweden, and Ireland. Since those ancestors were white, by default, my race comes into play, but it is not at the forefront of what I celebrate. On St. Patrick’s Day, I eat Irish food and wear green.  I remember my Irish grandfather. Being white is only a factor in that my Irish Ancestors were white.  I honestly don’t think about it on that day.

By erasing Hutu and Tutsi divisions – except when it’s convenient – such as when discussing the Genocide of the Tutsis, Kagame has attempted to erase the past of a nation.  Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda should see themselves first as Rwandans, but they should also be allowed to celebrate their uniqueness.  This does not take away from Rwanda. It adds culture and builds up Rwanda.  By calling the Genocide the Genocide of the Tutsis, Kagame has made it illegal for Hutu families to properly mourn the loss of those whom they have lost in the Genocide.  It is true that more Tutsis were killed.  But it is more true that Rwandans were killed.

Melvern’s article claims that there is a master plan that wants to violently overthrow Kagame because the Hutu majority wants to be in power.  This could be true in some circumstances, but on the whole, do people really want more war?  There have been elections in Rwanda, and where has the violence come from?  In the last election, one of Kagame’s opponents was beheaded.  Of course the murderer was never found.  Does it take a rocket scientist to link Kagame’s 93% win with the beheading of an opponent?  Why was political opponent Victore Ingabire jailed (and at the time of this writing remains in jail) because she mentioned that Hutu families should be allowed to mourn their dead?  Then she was charged and convicted on “thought crimes?”  How exactly does one prove a thought crime?  Her crimes were partially based off of Wikipedia articles (something that any Academic knows is not a credible source) and admitted lies on the part of the prosecution.  Her case is now in appeal.  Does any of this sound like a violent overthrow attempt? To me it sounds like people following the political process and being jailed or murdered.

Melvern’s largest error is that she blames Europe and the United States for this conspiracy against Rwanda.  Nothing can be further from the truth.  Kagame has been the favorite “African Son” of the West for years.  He was trained at Ft. Leavenworth in the United States.  This is a place where only the top US Generals get to be trained. An average US Soldier does not train there.  He has received countless dollars in aid from the West and continues to do so. When the Group of Experts named Rwanda as sponsoring the M23 Militia that has invaded the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States refused to take any action.  In a very short press release after weeks of the report being released, President Obama made a short phone call to President Kagame telling him to stop all interaction with M23.  Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has vehemently defended President Kagame’s dictatorial regime.  So, there is no Western government threat against Rwanda!

Let’s be clear:

            *The only people who deny the 1994 Genocide are sadistic people. They are obviously wrong. No one except for the sadistic few believe the Rwandan Genocide did not happen. To say otherwise is a lie.

            *Only a sadistic few would say that anyone deserved to be killed in the Genocide.  Most people have sympathy for ALL Rwandans because of the Genocide! I do, and everyone I know who knows about it do.

            *Very few want a violent overthrow of Kagame. To be on record: I am NOT                        calling for an armed or violent takeover! Let the political process work, and let it work as it is intended. Stop the scare tactics of opponents and quit murdering them!

            *The reason there is so much opposition against Kagame’s Rwanda has nothing to do with the citizens of Rwanda. I, for one, wish the best for Rwanda.  Our problem is with the leadership’s bloodlust.  Human Life has become expendable to the Kagame regime. The regime has sparked the 2 Congo wars that have killed an official 6 Million People (and probably more). 

            (When bringing this up in a Twitter conversation, I was sickened on 2 occasions when 2 different people asked me something to the effect of,  “Oh, did you go out there and count all the dead bodies?”  Where is the human compassion?)

            *Since I have mentioned the Congo, all the blame cannot be put on Kagame. The Congo is very unstable. President Joseph Kabila is a weak president (at best) or an uncaring dictator (at worst). Again, all of the blame is NOT on Kagame, but at the same time, when there is an unstable situation, more instability is not needed.  While Rwanda is free to defend its borders, making incursions into the Congo to go after the genocidaires was questionable. There was no distinction made between actual murderers and civilians.[4]

Conclusion:  The grand conspiracy theory that says that the world lies about Paul Kagame and Rwanda is simply untrue.  It plays off of peoples’ sympathy for the 1994 Genocide.  Kagame is a dictator – plain and simple – who rules by scare tactics and an iron fist.  His first and only quest is power.  Rwanda has made great gains under his rule – that cannot be denied.  The economy is up, the nation is beautiful, and the streets are safe.  These positives, however have to be looked at through the lens of what brought them there.  They were brought on the blood of innocent people and maintained through deceit and emotional hostage holding.

           

---

[1] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmintdev/writev/726/726.pdf

[2] Hutus are one tribe along with Tutsis in Rwanda. The Twa people are a third tribe making up only 1% of the population.  During the ’94 Genocide, mostly Tutsis were massacred, but Hutus were killed as well.  By saying this, I have committed a crime of “Double Genocide Ideology” in Rwanda which is harshly punished.

[3]A Genocidaire is one who participated in the mass killing of the Genocide.

[4] To see documentation of this see the Mapping Report of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: http://www.friendsofthecongo.org/pdf/mapping_report_en.pdf

The Congo, a War Criminal, Rwanda, and Moving On

Within the past week, Bosco Ntaganda, a former head of the M23 militia fled to the US Embassy in Rwanda and asked to be handed over to the International Criminal Court where he is wanted for war-crimes charges.

To the average person in the West, this may not seem like a big deal.  But, there are many reasons the world should care about this issue.

I will not attempt to give an in depth report of the events leading up to this situation. You can find that very easily in a simple "google search."  I will simply point out reasons why those of us without direct ties to Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo should care, and what we should do about situations like this.

First of all, despite their rhetoric, M23 is not a "movement." They are a militia that attacked and killed both soldiers and civilians.  Movements seek reform. Militias kill and seek destruction.  When the top leaders of M23 could not get along with each other, M23 literally split into 2 factions and began battling each other.  This battle did not happen with words, it happened with weapons.  Civilians were caught in the crossfire.  The very people that M23 said they were "trying to liberate" were the ones that had to flee their homes just to survive.  I don't have the statistics, but I would wonder how many were killed by this in-fighting?  Had M23 really been about Governmental Reform in the DRC (which is drastically needed), why didn't they use political pressure? Why didn't they form their own political party? Why didn't they raise popular support? Instead, they acted as an invading army.  That, my friends, is called power taking.  I'm no predictor of the future, but had they succeeded, I envision more of the same oppression and bad leadership.  But, that is a rabbit trail that we need not travel.

Ntaganda was a former Rwandan Patriotic Front member (the same army and now political regime of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda).  Ntaganda was part of Kagame's forces that took over Rwanda after the Genocide of 1994.  (Read previous articles on this blog about the misinformation that passes as the official story of the 94 Genocide).  Ntaganda then went into the DRC and became involved in Militias.  In other words, he got power hungry. He wanted his share of DRC's minerals.  Although he was wanted for war-crimes, the DRC Government refused to hand him over.  Although he terrorized the people of the DRC, nothing was done by the DRC Government to stop him.  Talk about a Government that lives in an Ivory Tower!

President Joseph Kabila of the DRC is nothing short of a weak leader at best and a corrupt puppet at worst.  Though his nation could be one of the richest nations in the world because of its mineral wealth, the people live in abject poverty.  Kabila does nothing.

Ntaganda, when he was leading M23 was supported by the Rwandan Government.  The Rwandan Government vehemently denies this, but the Group of Experts report from the United Nations has given proof that only the Rwandan Government and Tony Blair will try to whitewash.  (Remember, Tony Blair was the first to jump on President George W. Bush's war in Iraq because of their non-existent weapons of mass destruction...To this day, Blair still defends that war as a "good thing.).

As of today, March 20, 2013, Ntaganda is still in the US Embassy in Rwanda awaiting transfer to the International Criminal Court.  He was no idiot in making this move. Had he stayed in the DRC, he faced the possibility of death since M23 had split and he was now a marked man.  By fleeing to Rwanda, Ntaganda was fleeing to a country that did not sign the treaty for the International Criminal Court.  The ICC has no jurisdiction in Rwanda.  By entering the US Embassy, he entered an embassy whose nation has not signed that same treaty, because, after all, neither Americans nor Rwandans commit war-crimes (yes, that was sarcasm).

If Ntaganda is turned over, it will only be a symbolic offering of justice to the people of the DRC, but it will be important.  The people of the DRC, especially in the Eastern DRC live in abject Hell.  Not only are they terrorized by attacking militias, foreign backed rebel groups, but they are also terrorized by their own military.  When the military came to "liberate" them from M23 recently, the DRC military went on to rape a large number of their own women.

So, what is the answer?  First of all, the answer needs to come from the Congolese people.  They need to say that enough is enough.  They need to speak in one voice and rather than seek power, they need to seek unity.  They have a God-Given right to live their lives - a right that has been broken since Colonial times.  These exploited people need to say that their days of being exploited are over, but in the process they need to say that they will not exploit others.  If they can make that move, they will win.


As a final and personal note, it will be interesting to see how this blog post is taken. Members of the Rwandan Government follow all of my writing.  They practice intimidation techniques.  As I have asked before - If you are right and I am wrong, give me evidence, and I will retract anything that I have said. I will apologize for the mistake I made. And, I will acknowledge that you are correct.  But, if the past repeats itself, watch for racist remarks, insults on my intelligence, and personal slander.

Reflecting on DRC/Rwanda Conversations

I’ve again recently engaged in some discussions concerning my writings about the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.  These discussions have at times been respectful questioning of my motives, and at other times ad hominem attacks of my person and motives. 

As a person who writes about social situations, and especially about controversial situations, I fully expect such interaction.  Everyone who reads my writing is entitled to his or her own interpretation and belief. 

After these recent discussions, I want to lay out my issues as I see them to make things as clear as possible.

First of all, and this is very important:  I am NOT a journalist.  I am a pastor and theology student.  I take situations and frame them theologically.  Whether I mention God or not by name, God is first and foremost the subject of what I have to say.  When I say, “The Congolese people deserve peace,” I say that because all of God’s children deserve peace.

I have been told in recent conversations that I should go to Rwanda to do my own research to find the truth.  I object to this argument on several points.  First, the research has been done.  Why do I need to research what has already been researched?  Some may object to the findings of this research, but the Government of Rwanda has been given multiple opportunities to present their case.  They have presented arguments against this research, though the world community has not accepted it.  Why would anything I have to find be any different? 

Let me elaborate more on this point.  Rwanda engages in intimidation techniques of those with whom they disagree.  See this interview with Steve Hege of the Group of Experts that presented the United Nations with a report incriminating Members within the Government of Rwanda with supporting the M23 Militia that has invaded and is terrorizing the people of the DRC (http://theglobalobservatory.org/interviews/414-interview-with-steve-hege-former-coordinator-un-group-of-experts-on-the-drc.html) In this article, Hege describes his research methodology, but also the intimidation techniques used against him.

I also have been victim of Rwanda’s intimidation techniques.  To me this is abhorrent.  I am of NO threat to any government.  I will not go into detail, but those who read this who have engaged in this intimidation know what I am speaking of.  I know of others who also have been victims. 

I have to ask as I did in a recent post…If you are right, and all of these reports are wrong, why intimidate? Why not prove to us that we are wrong?  I have yet to receive ONE piece of evidence disproving ANYTHING.  I have not received ONE web link, one article, or one substantive piece of evidence.  All I’ve received is name-calling and “intimidation.”  Those who have been respectful have told me to do my own research.  Again, I ask, why?

The Group of Experts Report (GoE)(http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2012/843) implicates Rwandan officials of illegal activities.  Rwanda did respond to this report (http://www.minaffet.gov.rw/fileadmin/templates/minaffet/doc/Rwanda's%20Response.pdf) and the Group of Experts replied to it in Annex 3 in the GoE Report above. 

I will be fair in saying that I realize there are multiple militias in the DRC that are NOT affiliated with Rwanda.  The DRC is a poorly run nation under the poor leadership of Joseph Kabila.  Kabila is nothing short of an incompetent dictator.  When he sent DRC forces to battle M23 in the city of Goma, it was the Congolese forces who committed sexual violence and rape against THEIR OWN women along with the UN Peacekeeping forces (MONUSCO); NOT M23. 

The DRC is a living Hell for its citizens who deserve much better!  They live in abject poverty since the nation is in constant chaos and militia battles.  And remember, this is one of the richest nations in the world with minerals.

I also do not need to travel to Rwanda to do research because of how its president Paul Kagame treats opposition.  He arrests and even kills those who show opposition.  Rwanda is a one party state.  (http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/01/13/the-case-against-rwanda-s-president-paul-kagame.html).  Kagame is also responsible for the deaths of millions. Estimates range from 6-10 million dead.  Following the Rwandan Genocide, Kagame invaded the DRC two times under the guise of attacking those who committed the genocide.  However, Kagame ordered his Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) army to kill indiscriminately, thus sparking the First and Second Congo Wars (http://www.friendsofthecongo.org/pdf/mapping_report_en.pdf). 

It is not simple to explain away the situation in either Rwanda or the DRC.  Yes, Kagame has modernized Rwanda.  He has brought positive changes.  But, this is at the expense of millions of lives and despotic rule. 

The DRC suffers not only because of Rwanda – they would have their own problems if M23 were not involved. 

So, what is the solution?  The solution is NOT more violence.  Though Kagame is a war criminal and a murderer bordering on a perpetrator of genocide, he does not need to be killed.  He needs to stop all violence and autocratic rule.  The United Nations Security Council needs to formally charge him with war crimes with the International Criminal Court where he needs to be tried. 

Rwanda then needs a leader that will lead them to true reconciliation following the Genocide of 1994.  Kagame’s solution was to blame it entirely on the Hutu tribe and then “officially” eradicate tribal affiliation, while still maintaining that if one even mentions that Hutus suffered, that person is guilty of the crime of Genocide Denial (punishable by long prison sentences).  This reconciliation will be painful and it will be long. But, it is possible.  It happened in South Africa after apartheid (which involved senseless massacres).  It unofficially happened in Zimbabwe after independence when Zimbabwe emerged from what was once called Rhodesia.  Now, whites and blacks can live in the same country without killing one another.  Reconciliation is not perfect. There may be grievances for a long time, but it allows for the wounds to begin to truly heal.  Kagame has only pronounced them healed with no treatment.

As for the DRC, the solution is very complex.  First, they need a competent leader.  That leader needs competent regional leaders.  These leaders must be democratically elected and truly represent the people.  Congo’s wealth must belong to the Congolese people.  Foreign invasion (military or corporate) must stop.  Instead of invasion, there needs to be investment and partnership. 

Is any of this possible?  Absolutely!  It is all possible.  Is it likely?  It’s as likely as a snowball in Hell.  Kagame is seduced by the idolatry of power.  If he lets go of power, he knows he will be charged with serious war crimes.  Therefore, he must continue his despotic rule and indoctrination of his citizens.  In the DRC, this is only possible if the people of the DRC say enough is enough.  Sadly, they are so used to suffering that many don’t know another way of life.  They’ve accepted it as normal. 

To conclude, I will be accused of being a neo-colonialist.  I will be accused of being a white preaching to Africa how to run itself.  As for the colonialist, that is a distraction.  Nowhere did I mention that any foreign intervention is needed.  It is true, I am white.  I can’t do anything about that.  Am I preaching to Africa?  I suppose I am if one considers it preaching to say that murder and genocide are wrong; if one considers despotism and rape evil.  But, these are not confined to Africa – these are universal realities and truths.

There will also be name calling and someone will ask, what makes me an expert?  To that, I ask, “Does one have to be an expert to know that people should be able to live in peace?” “Does one have to be an expert to know that genocide and murder are wrong?”  I think not. 

Others will say that I’m jumping into something that is none of my business.  How is this not my business?  When tragedies happen in the US, isn’t that everyone’s business?  Shouldn’t the world care more about each other and not less?  Aren’t we all Children of God?

Some will say I don’t know what I’m talking about because I haven’t been there.  As a Pastor, I have never met Jesus in the flesh, but I put my faith in him because I’ve met him in other non-physical ways.  Since I haven’t “been there” with Jesus does that mean I don’t know what I’m talking about?

None of this is to promote hatred, it’s to promote peace.  Is it controversial? – absolutely!  Will people hate me? – probably.  Will I hate them back? – no!

What is He Writing About? - A "Handbook"

Whether you are confused by issues in the DRC or not, this is for you - If you are not confused, go to the end of this post.  If you are, continue reading.

Many of my American readers are confused.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo admittedly is not part of most people's dinner conversations.  Paul Kagame is not an American Celebrity or a household name.  M23 is not the newest musical group.

If you are confused, this is for you.

Here is a "Glossary" of names and terms to help you understand my recent posts.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) - A large nation in the center of Africa - though it is wealthy with minerals, the people are some of the poorest in the world due to corruption, constant foreign invasion and manipulation, and because 2 major wars (the 1st and 2nd Congo Wars) were fought killing at least 6 Million people.  DRC has recently been invaded by the M23 Militia.

Genocide - Systematic killing of a race or ethnic group.  In Rwanda in 1994 800,000-1Million were killed in 100 days.

Goma - A major city in East DRC recently conquered by M23 as UN Peacekeepers stood by and
 watched.

Joseph Kabila - President of DRC - Considered to be weak by many inside and outside of the DRC.

Paul Kagame - The current President of Rwanda

M23 - A Rebel Militia - The United Nations has issued reports implicating the Rwandan Government of controlling the M23 Militia.  Rwanda denies this, but evidence is not in their favor.  M23 stands for "March 23 Movement"

Rwanda - A small but powerful nation in west/central Africa - In 1994, Rwanda suffered a Genocide   for approximately 100 days.

UN - The United Nations - The world's body set up to mediate international disputes, prevent disease, help refugees, and other issues.

UN Peacekeepers - Armed Forces from various nations under the Leadership of the United Nations sent into conflict zones to protect civilians from harm.

Oversimplified Explanation of What Happened in Recent Weeks:
* For several months, Rwanda has been accused of supporting M23 through giving weapons and direct military orders.

* The "Group of Experts" (a group within the United Nations) issued a 200+ Page report (Link Here - Please note that this link may take a long time to load) directly implicating Rwanda of supporting M23.

* After several days of Fighting the Army of the DRC and the UN Peacekeeping Force, the Army of the DRC (a very undisciplined army) left the front, and UN Peacekeepers stood aside while M23 took over the DRC city of Goma.

* DRC President Joseph Kabila met with Ugandan President Museveni and Rwandan President Kagame to come up with a solution.  A statement was issued from the meeting "condemning" M23.

* The UN Security Council met and "condemned" M23.  The Congolese Ambassador spoke to implicate Rwanda, but no action was taken.  The Rwandan Ambassador spoke denying all charges.

* Despite all evidence and reports, US Ambassador Susan Rice removed all language referring to Rwanda from the "condemnation."  The US has long been a supporter of Rwanda - the question is Why? Is it for cheaper access to the minerals in the DRC?  Only recently did the US begin to withdraw aid to Rwanda after reports showed the connection between Rwanda and M23.

* At the latest negotiation, M23 says they will move out of Goma in an act of peace.  They are demanding to have their grievances heard.  They are also threatening to overtake the entire DRC.  There are many voices speaking for M23, and it is difficult to get 1 message.

* While all this is going on, innocent people are dying, starving, being raped, murdered, looted, beaten up, and threatened.  Still, the world watches.  Still, the UN does NOTHING!


Pictures of M23 Invasion - Please look at this Link!

Please Look at this Link.  Take time to look at each picture.  These are pictures of the invasion of Goma by M23.  Notice the humanity of the civilians.  These people are not objects.  They could be you.  They could be me.  Don't these people deserve the RIGHT to live their lives in peace? Don't they deserve the RIGHT to earn a living, to go to school, to enjoy life, to worship God, to celebrate holidays, to live without constant fear of being brutally murdered/raped/robbed, to live without constant fear of being attacked by a foreign entity?  LOOK AT EACH PICTURE.  See the HUMANITY.  See the IMAGES OF GOD in each person.