The Democratic Republic of the Congo houses a huge diversity of cultures, traditions and tribes. As a result, people are highly likely to identify themselves in relation to their ethnic groups rather than to their nation as a whole. This has led to serious tribal conflicts in the country which resulted into the killings of hundreds of thousands of Congolese and other evils that this article does not reveal. Our Political leaders are primarily focused on pursuing their tribal interests rather than uniting around a common purpose for the good of the nation.  They spend 5 years of their term balancing their own interests and those of their tribes instead of managing the economy of the country.  After having made a critical and objective analysis on the horrible effects of tribalism in the country, Ali Bitenga alongside with his four friends created a youth movement called Les Militants de la Renaissance du Congo made up of young boys and girls of various tribes who meet once a week and share information about what is going on in the country, and who are now on the long path from tribalism to nationalism. Our group members have all realized that tribes are not built up upon democratic ideas but thrive on zero sum competition. We focus on the importance of building our nation around ideas rather than clan identities.

The group came to life since September 2010, and meet once a week (on Sundays) to share information about what is going in the country, discuss the history of our country, the importance of nationalism and some basic Republican values such as gender equality ,respect of  public welfare ,behavior of a good citizen etc. We also discuss corruption largely and how it has ruined our nation, AIDS/ HIV, war, ethnicity etc and come up with some solutions to orient and guide the present generation toward prosperity and better future. Generally we have two speakers a day: One speaks about what has ruined and destroyed Congo and another speaks about what can leave Congo out of crisis, and gives future perspectives for better life in Congo. After listening to the speakers, the participants are divided into small groups for further discussions and give their points of view. Eventually each small group delegates their spokesperson to speak about their opinions to all the assembly so that we hear the point of view of each small group.

Les Militants pour la Renaissance du Congo also play an important role during electoral campaign.  . They forbid people to vote for someone because they have given them something. During elections, many politicians seem to be so kind and give some beer, beans or some little money (0.5$) to people so they vote for them. Consequently, many people believe that the rule of elections is that politicians must give beans, 0.5$ or something else in order to be voted. Les Militants pour la Renaissance du Congo strongly object to this by going into the communities and teach people about elections and its Importance. In doing so, they ask people not to vote for someone in exchange for something, but vote for somebody  because she/he has a good vision for her/his country by examining deeply if they really deserve to be leaders.

Our Vision

Our vision is to become a larger political party throughout Congo some day and bring about systematic changes by ending tribalism and corruption and make peace and justice available and affordable to each and every Congolese. We are tired of failed politics of our leaders and broken policies of Kinshasa.

Challenges

So that we spread our ideas in Congo, we would like to have access to internet, but cannot afford it, and a larger majority of people in DRC do not have access to internet. In addition to that, we would like to go through villages and towns and help young people organize themselves in discussion clubs, but no bus ticket to get there. The other thing that is challenging for us is that some people in the community regard us as a dangerous youth because the Belgians, our colonial masters together with the missionaries, taught us that talking about politics is a taboo. They even went on saying that Congolese are naturally incapable of governing themselves and they cannot even be made able to administer themselves.  But in the name of the Congo and for the sake of the DRC, we shall tirelessly continue to address all these issues which do not enable our dear and beautiful country to move forward. I believe in the power, intelligence and creativity of the Congolese youth. Our fathers and mothers have failed, but we shall not fail, our spirit is stronger.

Despite of all the difficulties encountered; we believe that we shall overcome the evil ,and one day the lines of tribes shall  dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our country shall reveal itself and Congo must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. We believe that Congo is just a sleeping elephant which will soon rise, walk and rule over all the animals of the forest. That means, Congo will someday be the most powerful country of Africa, and why not of the world? This we can do, and of course, we shall do it!

May God bless Congo!

Ali Bitenga Rock

President of les Militants de la Renaissance du Congo

I was honored to speak at TEDxPSU (www.tedxpsu.edu) on March 17. A link to the video will be available soon!

It was the summer of 2006 and I was collecting interviews as part of my research-based activism with 25 Darfuri genocide survivors at a refugee camp in Chad. In heat that a fellow researcher, who was collecting weather information, measured at 130 degrees, women waited for hours to share their horrific stories about attacks on their villages. I struggled hard to choke back tears as women spoke of rape and of their children who were killed by the Janjaweed paramilitary forces in Darfur, often before their eyes. That trip was a turning point for me.

I felt guilt at first, returning to a privileged, comfortable life in the U.S. as a professor at Penn State. The weight of the women’s sorrow and the need to “do something” about the genocide in Darfur was overwhelming—and paralyzing. My own reaction was baffling and new to me. I had never experienced such a loss for words and action in more than two decades of activism and organizing around social justice issues. I felt a tremendous responsibility to honor these survivors and act on their behalf, but how? As I immersed myself in the transcribed interviews, guilt gave way to the realization that my privilege could be a force for positive change.

“I was able to leave Chad,” I kept thinking. “These women face daily life in a refugee camp.” My inaction was now inexcusable.

I stepped up my role in the anti-genocide and Save Darfur movement, giving talks in living rooms, synagogues, high schools, church basements, and on college campuses. I received a Carl Wilkens Fellowship with the Genocide Intervention Network (now United to End Genocide) that helped expand my activist networks, opportunities, and knowledge about other crises, including rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was during this time that I came across the phrase “worst place in the world to be a woman” in reference to DRC. How could that possibly be, I wondered, given the horrific stories I had heard from the women in Chad? How could Congo be worse?

There should never be a contest over which conflict-ridden region has the most women with brutal tales. But it was clear that my work shouldn’t end in Chad. Still mulling over the provocative but problematic label of “worst place in the world to be a woman,” I realized I had to go to Congo.

To read the rest of the article, please click over to Women Under Siege. 

Their behavior has been compared to kindergartners’ but that’s actually an insult to the kids – who probably know better. Washington could learn a lesson from what transpired at this El Paso high school basketball game. Marcus Mitchell, the team manager of the Coronado Thunderbirds, Peter Morales their coach, and Franklin High School senior Jonathan Montanez, are an inspiration for their actions.

Act of Sportsmanship Gives Texas High Schooler Shot at Glory

Dear citizens of Congo,

Most of the government soldiers are now based around Kavumu to secure the airport so it may not fall in the hands of M23.  I spoke to two soldiers in Bukavu this afternoon and they told me they are not going to fight because they are hungry. They said, “‘What are we going to die for?” That’s a national shame! The goverment has a poor, uneducated, and undisciplined army. It can not resist such a well structured Rwandan army. Only international pressure can save us. If there is no international pressure on M23 and on Rwanda, even Kinshasa will fall and Kabila will be easily overthrown. It is time to reorganize our army and give it everything it needs to ensure our national defense and security. The M23 are advancing as rapidly as wild fire because we have no army and we have no government. All of that is due to our collective failure in choosing the right leaders to lead the nation to a new age. It is time to turn the page and write a new chapter for the history of the great Congo. May God bless Congo!

Mukwege calls for overcoming hatred with love.

Great to see Dr. Mukwege strong in spirit and words.

It’s been a rough few days at Panzi hospital. The attack on Dr. Mukwege last Thursday night and the death of his employee, who was a long-time friend, was shocking and heart-wrenching.  You can read the press release from Panzi Foundation USA in the previous post. No further statements are being made at this time.

Today was the first full day back at work for most staff. People are solemn and concerned but clearly committed to the mission of the hospital and providing quality medical care. Even though the staff number over 350 people, they are like a large extended family that has rallied around the Mukweges. Equally impressive is the calmness, professionalism, and team approach used by staff in response to Thursday night’s tragedy.

Thanks to every one who has emailed or called to make sure we are all doing okay. The out-pouring of support has been tremendous. Many of us have had little sleep since Thursday as we grapple with what’s transpired and the implications. But I feel safe here and have no security concerns beyond the usual for day-to-day life in a city.  

My time in Congo, 2 months now, has been productive but is winding down. I have this week at the hospital, then to Nairobi for a week-long conference of African women activists.  I will return for one final week at Panzi. While I look forward to the conference and being home, I’m incredibly sad about leaving.  There’s so much work to be done.

Last Thursday, the same day as the attack, a few of us got involved with a particular case at the hospital. There is a 5 year-old-boy with terrible burns on his face and body and a malformed hand, likely a birth defect.  We’re hopeful that one of the doctors (who offered to perform the procedure for less than $100) can do skin grafts this week. He’ll need plastic surgery after that for severe disfigurement but there’s only one doctor with limited experience at Panzi. We may need to look elsewhere for an appropriate surgeon. This is the most difficult situation I’ve experienced in my life. It’s hard not to look away. But Mukamba is my buddy now and today I got a high-five when I asked him if he is my “rafiki” (friend). He’s been at the hospital with his dad since June but money ran out. I feel fortunate that we can help this little guy.  

Then there’s the young woman at Panzi with what appears to have a paralyzed arm who asked if we could help, and my taxi driver’s sister-in-law who, according to the 4-year-old scans she gave me to have a doctor review, has some sort of tumor behind the eye. The fact that she’s still alive means it’s probably benign but it’s causing her debilitating pain. There’s no neurosurgeon at Panzi so she’ll have to go to Uganda or Rwanda. There’s no way they can afford that.

Of course I’m worried about all 24 “moms” too, who participated in my focus groups last week.  They are plagued by stigma, poverty, and the struggle to accept their children born of rape.  

I know that all of this is horribly depressing. And some days it is emotionally draining.   Right after I met Mukamba the first time, someone asked me, “How did that go?” I walked into the office and burst into tears. I can only imagine what it must be like on a daily basis for a Panzi doctor or nurse.

That’s why the attack on Dr. Mukwege is so maddening. The man who dedicates his life to saving others, almost lost his own due to senseless violence. His days are filled with illness and injury at Panzi yet he and his staff keep going, inspired by those they serve and their passion for medicine.  This is what compelled me to co-found Panzi Foundation USA. I wanted to help Dr. Mukwege realize his vision for healing bodies, restoring dignity, and improving lives. While the assault last week resulted in tremendous loss, the spirit of Panzi remains intact for the mamas and the Mukambas of Congo who deserve life and hope.