

Rwanda in eastern Congo

A new sphere of influence?

Rebel allies of Rwanda are making rapid inroads

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Readers' comments


faustin kabano

Journalists as representatives of the Western World never care listen to local people's side of the story. In their eyes, Africans own interests and problems in their own countries are always seen as related to products which can fit the Western world greed for raw materials. The same way as in the past countries were named Gold Coast, Ivory Coast, Pepper Coast or even Slave Coast depending on the “products” found there, Eastern Congo is just "Coltanistan”. If conflicts there prevail, the main reason has to be found in Rwanda's will to control mineral deposits the West needs.
The current crisis just as the war started in 1996 in the Southern Kivu Mulenge Hills was caused by the unbelievable and unprecedented decision by the then Mobutu government to expel the Banyamulenge Tutsi community as a whole to their Rwandan “homeland” they emigrated from around the 18th century, before the Congo was created by King Leopold the II of Belgium almost 200 years later. Coltan and other minerals is what America, Europe and other industrialized powers need. Not what Kinyarwanda speaking people of the Congo are fighting for after their rejection by their corrupt leaders. As for Rwandans themselves, just help settle the problem of the 65 000 Congolese Tutsi refugees forgotten on their soil since more than 15 years and then see if they even care about your Coltanistan. Secondly, ask yourself if your own country could tolerate at its borders a gruesome army led by criminals sought after for genocide but still proclaiming in their acronym their intention to “free” you as the FDLR ("Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda") do! Then if possible, please don’t forget that Rwandans are human beings like you.

BenzionBof in reply to faustin kabano

Dear Faustin Kabano stop spreading lies please... The population of Kivus province Alone is almost over 10 millions of autochtones and natives congolese of various tribes...Why is that mr Kagame had use the false excuse of Tutsi congolese rebels whose parents came from Rwanda to invade congo and provoque the deaths of over 4.5 millions peoples since 1996.. why is that there is no conflict with others neighbouring countries of Congo execept Rwanda and Uganda whose presidents are tutsis... why is that Congolese army and Police are full of commanders and seniors officials whose origin are tutsi of Rwanda and whose loyalty is dubious... The truth is the first group rwanda tutsi came in Congo in 1959 as a group of Refugees... they take fully advantages for years of congo benefit and naives hospitality.. The truth is Kagame with the help of USA trained Uganda army conquered Rwanda to chase the Habyarimana rwanda army... Mobutu being terminally sick, Bill Clinton supported an invasion of Tutsi leaders of Rwanda and Uganda to occupy Congo by using their surrogates and a puppet president and exploited its rich land...

dziga vertov 1

Excellent article on a crisis with potentially serious repercussions that is being ignored in the wake of Olympic euphoria and summer vacations

Guy Fawkes

The crafters of the narrative continue their craft apace. They're almost showing off now the extent to which they can define the reality in whatever manner they wish, such is their propaganda dominance! But with Russia and China around, a three-fold chord is not quickly broken. ;)

Rugema in reply to Guy Fawkes

Please Kabano dont confuse the world with FDLR to justfy the presence of Kagame in Congo. No one works with FDLR more than President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, he works with all its top criminals it has ever had, people who didnt just kill Rwandies but whom I think used even to swimm in blood of our nationals giving examples, Ninja came when he was a Mj. he is now ageneral in ranks of RDF, Gen. Murenzi was the head of Habyarimana presidential guards and you know what those forces did in Kakyiru, Kimihurura and all parts Kigali, go to Rwarakabije, the list is very big even those who are still in bush he works with them to extent of killing who ever he wants and calling them in Kigali when ever he wants. example Col. Jnvier was killed on his orders in feb or march 2012. So please if Congolese are there figthing for their country without his influence and controll why did he jail Nkunda and how did he get him of which he didnt use to get FDLR commanders? Why is it that MONUSCO hands in FDLR men and officers who gets tired of war to Rwanda and at the end you hear MUNUSCO reporting the same men and officers they handed to Rwanda are cougtht again on on side of m23? To me it justfies how much Kagme is acreminal, hates peace and democracy and for that reason Kagame should be responsible for the blood of Congoles people and sons of Rwanda who are just perishing because of his gred for routing mineral.


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