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I had the privilege this week of meeting in a doughnut shop with some people from Doctors Without Borders whose special concern is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC, formerly Zaire, before that the Belgian Congo, or just, the Congo. They were almost apologetic about making a “pitch.” I said I didn't consider it a pitch, but an opportunity.

I've seen facts and numbers about the place go by for years: 3.9 million dead due to internal fighting and invasions just since 1998 — 3.9 million — then it's gone; 30,000 preventable deaths each month; the equivalent of two tsunamis every few months. Why do some numbers stick: six million, 800,000 in Rwanda, 3000 plus from 9/11, and others — 3.9 million — don't?

Can you even find the place on a map? It's huge. I've visited Africa, but I'm still vague on placing the DRC. It's like a massive area in the centre of the continent, that isn't there. Your eyes glide over it. It's flanked by eight smaller African states, all of which you likely know more about: places like Rwanda, Uganda, Sudan and Angola. They perch round it like barnacles.

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Africa is vastly under represented, under reported upon, and ignored by the West when we ought to be learning more. It's all terrible. But what are the solutions to these problems? Is it right for us to step in and break up these conflicts? Is it morally responsible to do so? I don't know, but I'd really hope that someone can guide us to the answer.

edited to fix spelling

[ 14 May 2006: Message edited by: Papal Bull ]

Those opposed to R2P do not want failed state intervention,preferring to let the indigenous society resolve their own problems.

As Mr.Salutin's article makes clear,vested interests will continue to destabilise failed states and prey on the victims of conflict without R2P intervention.

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Originally posted by jester:
its Africa,who cares.

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