by Priya Kankanhalli ‘19
The most recent manifestations of the political unrest in the Central African nation of Congo have been armed protests defying the extended presidency of Joseph Kabila, who began his term as President of the Democratic Republic of Congo on January 26, 2001. The violent opposition on September 19, 2016 took the lives of 48 people in capital city Kinshasa. In the midst of shooting, burning, and beating, a minimum of 422 people were directly or indirectly attacked in the protests, and yet, there seems to be no resolution in sight.Over the past 30 years, the Congolese have been subject to the harsh dictatorship of Joseph Mobutu, the equally corrupt presidency of Laurent Kabila, and the current rule of Joseph Kabila, son of Laurent. Mobutu, who, at one point, was supported by the United States for his anti-communist views, was swayed by the wealth at his fingertips and neglected the nation he ruled. Following his upheaval, the Second Congo War enveloped the country, much to the displeasure of then-President Laurent Kabila. Though his reign was largely eclipsed by the War, Laurent was still dubbed similar to Mobutu. Failing to introduce notable progress and, predictably, falling victim to the temptations of riches, he was assassinated on January 16, 2001. Laurent was immediately succeeded by his son Joseph Kabila, who continues to face the aftermath of the African World War today. Through criticism and appraisal alike, the second Kabila has retained his presidency for close to 16 years. His reelection, shrouded in controversy and political scandal at avoiding the constitutionally mandated debates, met the anger of supporters of opposing candidate Etienne Tshisekedi. Though Kabila was initially a welcome change from former dictators, his third term in Office is a frightening prospect to the Congolese, whose pressing socio-economic issues have been repeatedly ignored by governing bodies.The fight against wealth inequality, a cause that garners tremendous support in the African subcontinent, is a primary criticism of Kabila’s and his predecessors’ presidencies. Several times accused of increasing his wealth while disregarding the poverty status of the majority of Congo’s citizens, Kabila is increasingly unpopular among his Congolese constituents. This ongoing struggle extends an ethical dilemma to the rest of the world—both neighboring countries as well as nations overseas, including the United States. While Western nations are eager to support the social movements proposed by Kabila, aiming to increase accessibility to education and energy sources, the citizens of Congo are drained and skeptical, as the pace of the supposed progress is entirely too slow. In a culmination of the citizens’ disappointment and frustration, the bloody protests against the prolonged stay of President Kabila fuels the political turmoil in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sources:http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/congo-security-forces-killed-48-protesters-report-42962877http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/21/africa/congo-unrest-protests/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13283212http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-16120557http://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-politics-un-idUSKCN12L13D Image: http://allblackmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/kabila-protest.jpg
