My Fears

I suppose if I was a journalist this would be irresponsible journalism. But, I'm a blogger, so we just call it a post...

[Click image for larger map] To understand what is going on in central Africa you need a PhD in political science, an intensive knowledge of the area's history, and a detailed understanding of the various cultural and tribal tensions in the region (including Rwanda, Burundi and Congo). I have none of those. I've been there a couple of times, I've tried to acquire some knowledge of the above, and I've got some friends who either live there, have lived there, or have much better connections there than I do. In short, I have just enough knowledge to know that I don't know enough.

That being said, I spent some time yesterday reading through various articles and reflecting on what I do know, and I ended up with a bad feeling in my gut.

Here's just a little background info for you:

What does Congo's Gen. Nkunda want?
An ordained preacher and rebel group commander, Gen. Laurent Nkunda is threatening to draw other nations into a war in eastern Congo.

Feeding thousands behind Congo rebel lines

Rwandan aide to be sent to France
A senior aide to Rwandan President Paul Kagame is to be transferred from detention in Germany to French custody next week, officials say.

Congo to help fight Rwanda rebels
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed to co-operate to deal with forces along their common border blamed for the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

It was this last article that really put voice to my growing concerns. Here's a quote:

...Both countries' foreign ministers said Rwandan intelligence teams would go into DR Congo to help eradicate them.

The Hutu fighters have lived in eastern DR Congo since 1994 and have been a key factor in destabilising the region.

Anyone familiar with the details of the 1994 Rwandan genocide will have their attention caught by the word "eradicate." I combine these bits of information with input from friends, two of whom have said to me in separate conversations that "It could happen again very easily" in relation to Rwanda. Finally, I mix in my own feelings after attending a conference on Reconciliation in Rwanda earlier this year. It's true - so much progress has been made, and there is incredible work being done. That being said I still came away with a sense that for some reconciliation meant the proper apportioning of blame. I heard more than one Christian pastor preach that "there can be no reconciliation without justice." The words reconciliation and forgiveness were often confused and used interchangeably. In some cases it seemed the preacher was saying there can be no forgiveness without justice. I don't believe that is a biblical concept. I came away from that trip feeling that things were not as calm as they appeared.

All this to say I ended the day yesterday with the fear that the current problems in Congo could be the trigger to reigniting violence in the whole region.

I pray I'm wrong. I also share these rambling thoughts with you so that the pray-ers among you can apply some of that energy to this region. There are more details here.

Comments

[Wes Roberts]

...a courageous post, Mike

...thanx!!!

...praying with you

...praying for you

[Matt Kok]

A book you need to read (if you have not yet read): An Imperfect Offering by James Orbinski. I just finished reading about his experiences in Rwanda during the genocide and what he dealt with several years afterwards in neighbouring Zaire. Now I take a break from reading simply to digest his words. How do we come to understand these things?

[Mike]

Thanks for the tip, Matt. That one has been on the "To be Read" list for a while now.