It was interesting for me to see the receiving end of United Nations
help. That was during my early years in Congo in the 1960s, when
the textbooks I was using, some of the colleagues I was teaching with,
and the armed forces keeping peace and unity in the country were all
from the U.N. And after the horrible years in Congo of
the late 1990s and early 2000s, when over four million are estimated
to have died from war, and from starvation and disease resulting from
war, the U.N. was back again, helping last year to hold elections and
to keep the peace in the troubled eastern part of Congo. Its
17,000 troops form the largest U.N. peace-keeping operation in
the world. Please seek information about this and other Africa
events from the U.N. web site, irinnews.org.
And what was one of the major causes of that recent war? Take
a look at your computer or your cell phone. It may have coltan
in its parts, and that coltan may well have come from Congo. Diamonds
are also a big export from Congo, many of smuggled out. See
a great movie, “Blood Diamond” for insight into how the
riches of Africa (in that case Sierra Leone) can be a curse, thanks
in part to our participation in a global economy where corporations
exploit riches in Africa without care for the disastrous consequences. Please
spread the word that only diamonds that are certified through the Kimberly
process be purchased, diamonds that are not covered with the blood
of those who produced them in Africa.
Darfur is another area where you need to get involved. Have
you heard of the “Genocide Olympics”? One of the
main supporters of Sudan’s government is China. Simple. They
built the pipeline to get Sudan’s oil, and they are anxious to
have plenty of that oil go into their burgeoning economy. So
they buy the oil, and Sudan uses that money for arms from China and
elsewhere to slaughter the people of Darfur. And China supports
Sudan when the U.N. tries to force that nation to change course. But
China also is very proud to host the 2008 Olympics. So by pressuring
China in this sensitive area, they might be persuaded to change course. Log
onto SaveDarfur.org and join those who are active in wanting change
in Darfur.
The example of South Africa is right there for us all to see. A groundswell
of American support for the Anti-Apartheid movement eventually caused
Congress to legislate economic sanctions that were very instrumental
in bringing down the walls of Apartheid. Nelson Mandela’s
wise leadership brought about non-violent change in a nation that had
been said by many to be headed for a giant blood-bath.
So by joining in campaigns, whether by internet, letter, or
on-the-street, you can bring about change for Africa’s good,
whether supporting U.N. peacekeeping in Congo, an end to genocide in
Darfur, or development aid to Uganda.
I’ll be sharing information on these countries and others in
a course at the Claremont Adult School this Fall. It is called “Today’s
Africa.” You are welcome to join me there.
