Congo

This is coolbert:

More alarming headlines, only today, from the Congo:

"Q&A: Fighting in Congo"

"Tens of thousands of civilians flee in east Congo"

"Tens of thousands of people have fled in heavy fighting in east Congo after rebels seized a key army base near the town of Goma. At least 200,000 people have been displaced in the area in the last two months amid growing concern about a return to full-scale war."

"Nkunda [Rwandan rebel commander], who has been implicated in numerous war crimes, is believed to command around 5,500 highly trained and disciplined fighters [Tutsis].

"The UN has 17,000 peacekeepers in Congo, its largest mission in the world . . . Thousands of demonstrators attacked the UN headquarters in Goma yesterday, smashing cars and office windows in a show of anger."

"UN force is in disarray. The commander of the UN mission, Lieutenant General Vicente Diaz de Villegas of Spain, resigned yesterday citing personal reasons after having been appointed only seven weeks ago."

"diplomats . . . seemed receptive to sending additional battalions and other reinforcements to shore up the U.N.'s peacekeeping force in Congo"

"the force [U.N peacekeepers] can use additional 'capacity' to defeat its attackers."

Right! Additional capacity is needed. Those African peacekeeping troops just do not have the physical or mental wherewithal to deal with the situation. This Spanish general officer - - having been appointed commander of the U.N. force only seven weeks ago - - HAS JUST UP AND LEFT!! What does that say!!

AGAIN, THE WARRING FACTIONS IN THE CONGO KNOW THAT THE AFRICAN UNION TROOPS JUST ARE UNABLE TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS OF THIS MAGNITUDE!!

Once, more, we see evidence that the nation-state system of government is not appropriate for Africa? What is the alternative? De-populations of entire regions by a combination of endemic warfare and disease is the future of sub-Saharan Africa?

SINCE 1994, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE NEVER-ENDING "CONFLICT" IN THE CONGO, 3 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE PERISHED!!

No amelioration to an already bad situation is possible?

French Foreign Legion [FFL] troops are needed to stabilize the current crisis? But what then? Answers are lacking!

coolbert.