Guest Blog: Scott Morgan's Confused Eagle - Confused Over the Congo

In recent days there have been some interesting movements regarding US Policy towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the surface they appears to be good decisions but when there is some digging new questions begin to arise.

Take for instance the investigation into the deaths of the Indian Peacekeepers. The Administration did call for an investigation into this matter. The Kabila Government has undertaken such an endeavor. Recent reports now indicate that two people have been taken into custody for the incident. In the past this and previous Administrations have been strangely mute over allegations of atrocities committed by the Blue Helmets. Why?

Even Better Question: Within the last 48 Hours the International Mercy Corps announced that it was sending a response team to a remote village where a " Four Day
Onslaught of Mass Sexual Violence" occurred. When Secretary of State Clinton went to the DRC last year a team from AFRICOM went to the country to determine how funds and aid could be distributed to the clinics that assist the victims of Sexual Assault. It would be nice to have the Administration call for an Investigation into this assault and why this problem continues unabated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo!!

Another thing of concern is why isn't Public Law 109-456 has not been implemented by this Administration. This Law which was authored by the President while He was still a member of the US Senate seems to be selectively enforced by the US. At this time two actors that have been causing trouble in the DRC (Rwanda and Uganda) have not seen any punitive action levied against them by Washington. It appears that at this time we should not hold our breaths either unless the pitchforks come out.

Speaking again of AFRICOM: It appears that there will be a coordination between the US Military command and the Congolese Military regarding the effort to defeat the LRA. The Government of the Central African Republic announced that very fact earlier this week. But here is an interesting question: Is the effort by the US Military to bring in Joseph Kony Legal? that is a good question to ponder. Key Concept if Kony is to be arrested then Posse Comaitus is the hinge point in this.
Finally to those who are growing tired of the voices of Lisa Shannon and Kambale at Friends of the Congo and Africa Action regarding this. If you are growing tired of hearing about this then the easy way to stop hearing about this is to have action taken to address what they are complaining about. Lip Service is not acceptable either.
 


Here is Scott's letter to Kaya Adams of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID):

Dear Ms Adams,
                        My Name is Scott Morgan. I am the Editor of Confused Eagle. This is a blog that I maintain that covers US Policy Issues towards Africa. I am also on the Board of Directors of OKONGO. This is an NGO that is being organized to assist people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

                        You may have heard by now of the horrible Gang Rapes that took place earlier this month in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Earlier today the UN Security Council Held a Meeting regarding this actions which have been condemned by the United States. But several contacts of mine have told me something that I find appalling.

                         Last Year when Secretary of State Clinton visited the Congo She Promised $ 47 Million in Aid for the Victims of Sexual Abuse. 14 Months later I have heard that $ 30 Million of it which were previously earmarked have been distributed. The final $ 17 is reportedly tied up due to Red Tape in the United States. Can this be verified as fact? If true than this is a serious policy blunder.

                        There has been too much suffering that has occurred in Central Africa since 1994. It would be a callous act to discover that an unknown person for whatever reason has delayed these funds so that women in this region can receive the proper Medical Care that the deserve to begin the road to recovery.

                        I thank you for your attention in this matter.

Scott A Morgan
Editor Confused Eagle
confusedeagle.livejournal.com



Let's discuss....

The Pole Pole Foundation - Part 2: Jenny Murphy

An amazing article about my friend, Jenny; her past humanitarian work, her love for the Congolese and how she "stumbled across" Dominique Bikaba, director of The Pole Pole Foundation.  

 (Jenny Murphy, Dominique Bikaba, Lisa Shannon & Michelle Hamilton, former editor of Runner's World magazine in DC)

Please read it here: Who We Are: A Helping Hand for Congo

Did They Or Didn't They?

There is much being said lately on whether or not the UN was aware of Rwandan rebels occupying the village of Rivungi in the North Kivu province of eastern Congo, gang raping a reported 200 women and infant boys during a four day weekend terror spree.  The UN says they didn't know.  But considering that the invasions occurred just a few short miles from the UN facility, that there were between 200-400 rebel soldiers from the FDLR and the Mai Mai, both notorious for their torture of women, and that it occurred near the mining center of Walikale, known for militia activity, it raises the question, "How could you NOT know?"  One New York Times article states "If a car passed, they would hide".  The UN didn't know that there were hundreds of rebels hiding in the bush when they drove through the village?

According to this BBC report, peacekeepers passed through the town of Rivungi and its surrounding villages twice, but were informed only of roadblocks, not sexual violence.  One must wonder then, if the UN was aware that rebels were in the area, hundreds of rebels, and they were in such close proximity to their camp, why did it take them 10 days to find out about the rapes? One UN official, special representative Roger Meece, went on the record with the Associated Press, stating that "maybe it's a cultural issue".  He went on to say "There is, of course, a significant amount of cultural baggage associated with rapes in this area, as well as elsewhere. Is it conceivable that the local villagers were afraid of reprisals if they reported anything to MONUSCO? Possible. Is it conceivable that they were ashamed of what has happened in some form? That's possible."

But according to the New York Times, the UN knew the rebels were attacking villagers, having been told by International Medical Corps.  The day the rapes began, July 30, an email alert was sent from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security to UN staff members, warning them to stay away from the area because it was being overtaken by rebels.  A UN official based in Kinshasa states that such an alert should have prompted them to protect the villagers.  This official, speaking on condition of anonymity said "I don't know why they didn't act in time.  It is beyond my mind."  

Yes, it's beyond my mind too.  As Americans, citizens of the world, how can we let this continue?  How many more women, girls and infant boys need to be raped, how many more men need to be butchered because they refused to rape their daughters, how many more children need to be shot because they wouldn't eat their mother's flesh, and how many more nights do these people have to live in fear before we do all we can to help them??  

I, for one, am tired of the governments, both American and Congolese, sitting idly by, watching it all unfold, knowing that women are tortured every day, that leaders of these militia groups are living free among us in France, Germany and the US, and that they can put a stop to it, yet don't.  We, as human beings, need to put an end to this culture of impunity.  We need to go after the rebel leaders who commit these war crimes.  We need to be the voice of the voiceless.  We need to insist that our governments step up, be the powerful nations they are, and end this horror. 

The True Definition of Being a Sister to a Woman in Congo

Lisa & Generose

(Photographer: Mads Greve - Italian Wired)

A Thousand Sisters - A Letter to Secretary Clinton

Our group, A Thousand Sisters, has a new call to action.  We are signing a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to urge her to end impunity in Congo.  

The letter, as authored by A Thousand Sisters founder, Lisa Shannon:

Dear Madame Secretary Clinton,

We applaud your visit to Congo last year. As American women, business owners, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, runners, and others deeply concerned with Congo, we are proud of your interest and commitment Eastern Congo.

However, more than 500,000 Congolese people have died since your visit. Tens of thousands of women, children, and even infants have been raped, including the recent incident 200 right in front of a UN Compound. This is a shame on all of us.

The USA has taken precious little action. That needs to change today. You are the leader to make it happen.

1. You promised Congo 17 million dollars. Why is it still sitting in a US Government account, buried in red tape? Unacceptable. Please do what you must to get this critically needed aid to Congolese women today.
2. The culture of impunity in Congo must end. Congo needs a justice system. The Congolese army must be professionalized, so soldiers “protect and serve” rather than “steal and rape”.   We urge you to coordinate with donor governments and the Congolese government to spearhead a comprehensive national security sector reform plan for Congo.

Congolese women and children need your immediate action. We look forward to celebrating your bold, immediate leadership on this critical issue.

Sincerely,

A Thousand Sisters

To sign this very important letter, go to the A Thousand Sisters Website, add your name and a personal note to Secretary Clinton.  Lisa will pass your messages on to her.  While you're at it, if you haven't already done so, you can join our amazing Facebook group, A Thousand Sisters, but clicking here.


(Letter source: A Thousand Sisters)