If you only read one thing today, read this...

During the General Election campaign this blog highlighted the death of 400,000 people in the Darfur region of Sudan. The Darfur genocide - for that is what it is - hardly featured in Britain's decadent election. But the huge death toll in Sudan is small in comparison with what has been happening in Congo (formerly Zaire).

On belief.net Sarah J Coleman writes about the 30,000 lives lost every month in Africa's bloodiest nation:

"Add up all of the American deaths in every single war we’ve fought in since 1776, including World War II and the Civil War (1,540,665). Now add to that the estimated deaths from the recent tsunami (169,752 confirmed dead, 127,294 missing). Next, add to that the estimated death toll in the conflict in Darfur (400,000). Then, add to that the victims of genocide in Rwanda, one of the most horrific slaughters of the 20th century (937,000). Add all of the deaths together–and you still have a smaller number than the 3.5 million people who have died in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1998."

30,000 Congolese people are dying every day - mostly from the disease and malnutrition that are the side-effects of the country's many conflicts.

A large part of the explanation for the Democratic Republic of Congo becoming a war zone is the country's rich reserves of natural resources. These include cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, and timber, according to the CIA.

At various times Uganda, Rwanda, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe have all invaded parts of the DRC. Much of the violence has been internal, however. This is, perhaps, the legacy of Belgian rule which brutalised the nation. 10 million people are thought to have died during the period that King Leopold colonised 'Congo Free State' and plundered its resources.

Ms Coleman's article calls for the west to do more for the Congolese people. She regrets the failure of the international community not to be more involved in peacekeeping, provision of clean water, immunisation and basic medical care. The UN is present in Congo but has been blighted by allegations of sexual abuse of young Congolese women.

It's fair to point a finger at the USA, Belgium and other rich nations who have done little to help the DRC but it is also fair to point a finger at the anti-war extremists that are currently getting excited about causing mayhem at the Gleneagles G8 summit. It is because of their militancy that every tragic death of a British soldier in Iraq gets on to the front pages of every newspaper. Democratic governments are understandably reluctant to commit troops to other places where they're needed - like Darfur or Congo. After Iraq, Bush and Blair probably know that the politically safe thing to do is to ignore the world's rogue and failing nations. It may be politically safe but, as Ms Coleman's article reminds us, it couldn't be more wrong.

Comments

[James Hellyer]

The people who pontificate about the need for "a Marshall Plan for Africa" all seem to overlook the fact that a necessary precursor to the Marshall Plan was ending Nazi rule of Europe by force of arms, and the installation of democratic regimes underpinned by the US and UK.

Why then would such a plan work in Africa, if the corrupt and corrupting regimes are left in place? Giving money won't help until an environment has been created where it won't be embezzeled or wasted. I can't see the UN doing anything about that anytime soon.

[Sam Burke]

This piece brutally highlights the scale of the killing in the DRC and the ignorance of so many to this most grave of injustices. I recently went on an investigative visit to the DRC with Crossbench Peer, Lord Alton of Liverpool sponsored by the Jubilee Campaign. For anyone who is interested, the findings of our visit and other information about the DRC can be found in the report on the following link: http://www.jubileeaction.co.uk/reports/congo.pdf

[malcolm]

Maybe you right James but nevetheless the Conservative Party ought to devote considerable thought to this subject not least because there are huge numbers of our countrymen who(as I think Bob Geldofs campaign will shortly prove)who are exorcised by the suffering in Africa.
There are no easy answers but I hope that we will find a way of increasing aid and lowering restrictive trade barriers if(and ONLY if)it will benefit the poor of Africa rather some tin pot little dictator.
To accept the status quo and do nothing is surely not an option nor is to wait for action from the U.S. which I suspect will never be forthcoming.

[James Hellyer]

The Make Poverty History campaign is deeply flawed as they wish to give yet more power to the governments which already strangle developing countries. The major beneficiaries of this campaign will be the corrupt and inefficient governments of developing nations.

Cancelling debts lets those self-same corrupt rulers off the hook and gives them more money to spend as they choose. There is nothing to stop countries from defaulting on their own debts if they don’t want to pay – Russia did so in 1998, Germany in the 1930s, and the UK in the 1920s. If heavily indebted poor countries don’t want to pay back their debts they should default.

But these countries don’t want to default, because if they do so, international banks will be more discerning over which projects they're willing lend to. For example, they may want more lending to support activities that would increase the wealth and welfare of the population (and thus generate returns) and fewer that involved vanity weaponry or grandiose dams named after politicians.

Unconditional cancellation of debts and encouraging the introduction of protectionism and tarrifs will not help developing nations. It will leave them at the mercy of the same governments who have mismanaged their countries in the past and pursued policies that include internecine warfare.

Trade barriers in rich countries do more harm than all of the good we try to do. We could help counties lift themselves from poverty by buying their goods. Free trade rather than "trade justice" is the best vehicle for this as it takes power from the governments, rich or poor, and their special interest groups.

[malcolm]

Everything you say is true.But what to do? The Make Poverty History campaign may be flawed but it exists and is gathering considerable support from our countrymen,support which I think will grow during the coming months.
We, as Conservatives can choose to do three things.1.Do nothing,not contribute to the debate and wait for events to take their course.2 Criticise Geldof and the Make Poverty History campaign as naive simpletons and stand carping from the sidelines.3Try to work with them and offer practical solutions on how to get aid to those who need it rather than having it siphoned off in corrupt deals.
3 Is obviously the most desirable but risky course but one which could reap significant benefits to the people of Africa.
I am suprised as to how few people have contributed to this thread when subjects of less importance seem to arouse much greater passions.

[Simon C]

Malcolm - you are right that the enthusiasm and passion that Geldoff and co can generate is immensely valuable, and mustn't be lost. But it must be channelled towards support for effective sustainable long-term solutions - not quick-fix campaigns which make the particpants feel good, but don't produce long-term results.

We have heard nothing from Live8 about governance, democracy, the rule of law, and freedom of contract. But these need to be the focus.

Similarly, Gordon Brown is talking a lot about aid targets - an input - but much less about outputs and outcomes.

There are very few examples of African nations that have managed the transition from colonialism to self-rule effectively. Botswana is one such. But what's really needed is a new generation of African leaders who recognise what needs to be done. Mbeki, in South Africa, is a real problem - he is not facing down Mugabe (who went "slum-clearing" and made 10,000 people homeless only yesterday), and he is not facing up to South Africa's responsibilities in its region.

Our current government has been so paralysed by fear of being accused of post-colonial interference that it has failed to apply any sort of meaningful pressure.

So what to do: engage with Live8 and similar organisations, certainly. Recognise that our long-term aim is the same, and that we are on the same side, even if our approach may differ. Set out what we think the right strategy is to achieve that aim - applying "neocon" principles of democracy and governance. Be not ashamed of our Imperial past, but recognise that has left us both with responsibility and goodwill, and use the Commonwealth effectively as a tool for influence & partnership, and a source of shared commitment to the abiding values set out above.

[NJ]

The United Kingdom is not morally obliged to cure the globe of dictatorship or tyranny. Most Britons have much more on their minds than African conflicts, which is why it is not surprising the Congo never featured in the general election for the UK Parliament.

[malcolm]

You're right NJ it is not our moral responsibility to cure tyranny in Africa but wrong to feel that that it is not an important issue for many people in Britain as events leading up to the G8 will prove.
Our enemies always try to portray Conservatives as selfish and self obsessed yet many of the most public spirited and generous people I've met,I've met 'through the party.If we can come up with some hard headed but imaginative proposals to help the Make Poverty History campaign not only can we help ease the suffering but also show the UK electorate that we are interested in subjects that may suprise them.
We could of course spend the next few years talking almost exclusively about tax cuts,crime and immigration as we did in the last election campaign but don't be suprised NJ, if we take a terrible beating again.

[venkeetslaw]

Sir Bob
I note with interest that Sir Bob Geldof will be helping the Tories to define a strategy for the next election !!.
The next thing, Sir Bob will be leading the hounds in a sweet little red jacket !!.

[JEROGatch]

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[bbn]

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