UN PEACE KEEPERS IN D.R.C INEFECTIVE
The ravaging war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the past years, have left the country bleeding from inside out. And the sad thing is that nothing or nobody seems to be equipped with the right tools to end this savage war and heal the population once for all. But who is to blame?
In 10 years nearly 5 million people have died, including around 400, 000 who were shot dead. It is no wonder Brian Wood of Amnesty International said: “The level of the death toll in Congo is like having a September 11 each day.”
Just a few weeks ago it was reported how more than half a million people fled their homes from Goma, in Eastern Congo, due to a surge which was said to have been started with gun fires by a bunch of rebels who wanted to take over the country. Their leader, Laurent Nkunda, a Congolese who is originally from Rwanda, is using his harmful remote control to a mess up a government which is trying to recover from 30 years of slavery under a deceased dictator, Mobutu, the former president.
All over the world news streams highlighted reports detailing the level of misery these innocent people were going through during the war outbreak. How appalling. To think that rebels stoop so low to get their way in by destroying lives, leaving burning homes behind them, causing the little ones to go hungry because their parents couldn’t take enough food to sustain them for days on the run? It goes beyond words.
On the other hand, rumour has it that some Western countries have always had their eyes on the wealth of developing countries in Africa, thus they supply rebels with sophisticated weapons enjoying their mineral products in the process. What is known officially is that the neighbouring countries such as Rwanda and Uganda are triggering the war for a reason or another. However, it is believed that a group of experts sent by the UN are carrying out investigations to find out who finances the needless war in Congo, and the truth is yet to be uncovered and exposed.
Still it is true that D.R.C is said to be one of the richest country when it comes to valuing its minerals resources. These include diamond, gold, silver, coltan (a source of tantalum for the capacitors used in electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers) and copper etc. Could these be a good enough reason why this poorly governed country is likely to be exploited? According to the man who has been closely following weapons’ trafficking in eastern Congo, Brian Wood, of Amnesty International “the real cause of the ethnic war is the need to control the minerals’ wealth.”
In the meantime, what about the civilians caught up in the politic of this war? Fair enough the United Nations (UN) are diligent when it comes to mandating military forces to attend a place in crisis. For goodness sake, what are they doing for this exhausted nation? We know that they are called UN Peace Keepers. Apparently their job is to only be present in places of trouble but they have no power. This means they have no right or order to prevent killings of any sort from happening. So what’s the point? Their presence in DRC has proven to be ineffective so far. They might as well pack their bags and go home.
Sunday 30 November 2008
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Barack Obama: A History-Maker
It is true that most of us never believe we would see a day like this one in the history of mankinds. A black man publicly elected to lead one of the most powerful nations on earth: The United Nations of America. From the moment he stepped out of no where to live for a greater cause, he attracted a number of enemies against his plan to bring “change” around. However, his courage meant the world to all of us because in the face of fierce adversity he didn’t dare to shrink back, nor give way to the giant who thought he was going to keep tradition alive by having the last word as usual. But thank God for people to whom quitting is not an option to access success.
In his speech as the first black president of the United States, Barack Obama said: “…Is anyone up there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our fathers is alive in our time; who still question the power of our democracy: tonight is your answer.”
He appeared as calm as ever. He was finally reaping the fruit of his labour. Barack Obama was addressing the nations with a firm voice, highlighting his clear purpose for the White House just as he did throughout his campaigning season. There, stood a man looked upon as a hero by an overjoyed crowd. Some in tears: young, old, white, black, Asians and people from all walks of life. They all turned up to listen to their history-maker.
What can we say? At the end of a race, there is always a winner and a loser. It is no wonder that in the Republican’s camp, defeat was raining on an obviously disappointed crowd. A large number of people who also lined up to hear Senator John McCain wrap up his last sermon to confirm that his race to the White House was over. Still the latter encouraged his faithful followers to “forget their differences and reunite” with the Democrats in order to “rebuilt” the country.
Meanwhile, back to the place where all the spotlights were, Obama said: “Tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment: change has come to America.” The 44th elected president declared that he did not win the election for himself but that this victory belonged to his supporters who stood up to fight with him to the end.
Aware that the victory was won but the battle was not completely over yet, he admitted that he wasn’t a “perfect” man. He knew it would take a lot to reach a satisfying ground for the whole of America and even all other nations looking up to the US. But he also confidently said: “I promise you that we, as a people …we will get there.”
Barack Obama urged the people who didn’t vote for him and who probably still didn’t think he was worthy to take America to the next level, to see the bigger picture. It was about time they joined him because he needed their participation in order to restore the country, just as much as he needed those who wholeheartedly accepted him in the first place. And so he passionately cited a quote by a great pioneer of the past, Abraham Lincoln who said “We are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bond of affection.”
To see a shot of Jessie Jackson’s face, the man who has campaigned as a civil right activist for many years, in tears like a speechless child. It was priceless. Various broadcasters played over and over again the clip showing Jessie Jackson’s face as he broke down in tears. It felt as though the expression on his face was sending a message of relief, consolation and “victory at last” to the viewers all around the world.
Finally, proving to be a sensible man, Barack Obama remembered to include his unofficial supporters from all over the globe. “…And all those watching from beyond our shores …and the forgotten world; our stories are singular but our destiny is shared. The new dawn of America’s leadership is at hand,” he said to emphasize his sympathy to nations in the third world countries.
After winning with a score of 349 beating his rival John MacCain who fell short with a total of 173 points, it is no wonder that a broadcaster announced that it was a “comfortable” triumph for the Democrats. In fact, with this undisputable victory, surely Obama is a hero to many and is going to remain a history-maker for generation after generations.
In his speech as the first black president of the United States, Barack Obama said: “…Is anyone up there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our fathers is alive in our time; who still question the power of our democracy: tonight is your answer.”
He appeared as calm as ever. He was finally reaping the fruit of his labour. Barack Obama was addressing the nations with a firm voice, highlighting his clear purpose for the White House just as he did throughout his campaigning season. There, stood a man looked upon as a hero by an overjoyed crowd. Some in tears: young, old, white, black, Asians and people from all walks of life. They all turned up to listen to their history-maker.
What can we say? At the end of a race, there is always a winner and a loser. It is no wonder that in the Republican’s camp, defeat was raining on an obviously disappointed crowd. A large number of people who also lined up to hear Senator John McCain wrap up his last sermon to confirm that his race to the White House was over. Still the latter encouraged his faithful followers to “forget their differences and reunite” with the Democrats in order to “rebuilt” the country.
Meanwhile, back to the place where all the spotlights were, Obama said: “Tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment: change has come to America.” The 44th elected president declared that he did not win the election for himself but that this victory belonged to his supporters who stood up to fight with him to the end.
Aware that the victory was won but the battle was not completely over yet, he admitted that he wasn’t a “perfect” man. He knew it would take a lot to reach a satisfying ground for the whole of America and even all other nations looking up to the US. But he also confidently said: “I promise you that we, as a people …we will get there.”
Barack Obama urged the people who didn’t vote for him and who probably still didn’t think he was worthy to take America to the next level, to see the bigger picture. It was about time they joined him because he needed their participation in order to restore the country, just as much as he needed those who wholeheartedly accepted him in the first place. And so he passionately cited a quote by a great pioneer of the past, Abraham Lincoln who said “We are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bond of affection.”
To see a shot of Jessie Jackson’s face, the man who has campaigned as a civil right activist for many years, in tears like a speechless child. It was priceless. Various broadcasters played over and over again the clip showing Jessie Jackson’s face as he broke down in tears. It felt as though the expression on his face was sending a message of relief, consolation and “victory at last” to the viewers all around the world.
Finally, proving to be a sensible man, Barack Obama remembered to include his unofficial supporters from all over the globe. “…And all those watching from beyond our shores …and the forgotten world; our stories are singular but our destiny is shared. The new dawn of America’s leadership is at hand,” he said to emphasize his sympathy to nations in the third world countries.
After winning with a score of 349 beating his rival John MacCain who fell short with a total of 173 points, it is no wonder that a broadcaster announced that it was a “comfortable” triumph for the Democrats. In fact, with this undisputable victory, surely Obama is a hero to many and is going to remain a history-maker for generation after generations.
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