Congo-heart of Africa

Africa is the heart of the world (I like to call it the pulse) and many watch/partake of its destruction by greedy power elites within and outside its borders. Congo is the heart of Africa, and coincidentally also happens to be a place with one of the worst human rights abuses/exploitation of natural resources anywhere. Congo, since the arrival of Leopold II has suffered immensely from one form of "abuse" or the other. It was under Leopold II that Africans were mutilated and enslaved during the late 1800's -all because of rubber. 10 million Congolese are said to have died in the process! Since then Congo has seen no rest. From the extinguished flame of hope due to Patrice Lumumba's death by western forces post independence, to the 30+ years dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko, another puppet leader implemented and supported by the U.S-this same man, by the way, is reported to have had business dealings with CBN (Christian broadcasting network)television evangelist, Pat Robinson, but that's a different story for another day.

Due to a very complicated turn of events following the Rwandan genocide in 1994 that resulted in the migration of Hutus, and other ethnic/political ramblings, Congo has been the center of conflict that has resulted to millions of deaths and the illegal exportation of natural resources like coltan (to say the least) used to make cell phones. This conflict has benefited many western cooperations who get these resources relatively cheap in the black market, and in turn sell thier products for profits. However, neighboring african nations have also benefited from the conflict. This is evidenced by the fact they have been very slow in ending this war. The Congo crises is something that needs to end soon, so that the country can move on and heal from its wounds. Having natural resources should not be a curse on innocent people trying to lead normal lives. Greed as a means of fueling and continuing a war ought to be a crime with those responsible deserving of punishment.

For the western world and other powers to cease exploiting us, we need to begin by loving our brothers and sisters. Discrimination by ethnicity, gender, nationalities etc, must end. The period of blaming the west for all our problems is over. African leaders must stand up and fix things. They must hold each other responsible, and we must hold them responsible.

Another clip of displaced Africans due to conflict (sigh). I look forward to the day when this type of images are rare, and better yet, non-existent.
Peace.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=10497818&ch=4226714&src=news