The Dignity of Hawthorns
3 years ago
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Thursday, 13 May 2010
The FARDC
Last week i wrote about the visit of Sir John Holmes to Dungu and why exactly the UN mission should not withdraw from Congo. The FARDC, the Congolese military, are another reason why the UN mission needs to reamin to stabilise the country.
The FARDC (Les Forces Armees de la Republique du Congo), unfortunately are not a viable force that will provide this country with the stability and security it needs. Where to begin in describing the problems of the FARDC? As part of the agreement to re-integrate many militia into daily life, they were given positions within the FARDC. This policy was initially supported by the UN, but many of these militia men have continued their old habits. In North and South Kivu, FARDC soldiers have themselves been responsible for massacres and atrocities, rape is widespread, infact the levels of sexual violence in Eastern Congo are just appaling.
Due to the severe levels of abuse committed by FARDC forces in the Kivu`s region, it was decided that one batallion from this region would be sent to Dungu in December 2009. The UN also announced it would stop supporting any FARDC elements continuing to commit abuses. The violence and aggression continues against the population though. Just 2 weeks ago I saw a drunken soldier chasing a civilian and threatening him with his gun, This was in the middle of the afternoon.
As you might expect in the DRC, corruption is another serious problem for the FARDC. The military here is top heavy with generals, and the forces here in Dungu have not been paid for 4 months. They demonstrated in Dungu this week and have threatened to pillage the town. How can you expect a force who have not been paid for 4 months to fight the LRA? They are underequipped, not paid and there are huge problems with morale. Soldiers are often forced to turn to crime to make a livng.
The FARDC, in its current state, is not ready and able to manage and co-ordinate security in the DR Congo.
The FARDC (Les Forces Armees de la Republique du Congo), unfortunately are not a viable force that will provide this country with the stability and security it needs. Where to begin in describing the problems of the FARDC? As part of the agreement to re-integrate many militia into daily life, they were given positions within the FARDC. This policy was initially supported by the UN, but many of these militia men have continued their old habits. In North and South Kivu, FARDC soldiers have themselves been responsible for massacres and atrocities, rape is widespread, infact the levels of sexual violence in Eastern Congo are just appaling.
Due to the severe levels of abuse committed by FARDC forces in the Kivu`s region, it was decided that one batallion from this region would be sent to Dungu in December 2009. The UN also announced it would stop supporting any FARDC elements continuing to commit abuses. The violence and aggression continues against the population though. Just 2 weeks ago I saw a drunken soldier chasing a civilian and threatening him with his gun, This was in the middle of the afternoon.
As you might expect in the DRC, corruption is another serious problem for the FARDC. The military here is top heavy with generals, and the forces here in Dungu have not been paid for 4 months. They demonstrated in Dungu this week and have threatened to pillage the town. How can you expect a force who have not been paid for 4 months to fight the LRA? They are underequipped, not paid and there are huge problems with morale. Soldiers are often forced to turn to crime to make a livng.
The FARDC, in its current state, is not ready and able to manage and co-ordinate security in the DR Congo.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
My meeting with John Holmes
Who is Sir John Holmes? He is the under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordination. He is also a former British diplomat who he used to be the British ambassador to France. Yesterday he came to Dungu as part of a 5 day visit to the DR Congo. We, the NGO community were invited to speak with him for over 1 hour to discuss current humanitarian needs in Congo and the presence of MONUC (the UN force present in Congo).
Having spoken to several high ranking UN officals who arrived in Dungu in the days leading up to the visit, I had high expectations of meeting Sir John in person, that he was really somebody willing to listen and had ideas to change and implement action, and that he was not somebody who who was very political and would get bogged down in the many agendas of all the UN Members. Maybe im naive, but all the UN officials I met suggested here was a high ranking diplomat who has a sincere interest in serving the best needs of the Congolese people.
High on the agenda was the possibility of a UN witdrawal from Congo. The Congolese government has been putting pressure on MONUC to leave Congo by August 2011. While nobody expects MONUC to stay here forever, it is absoloutely impossible for them to withdraw in the next 12 months. There is a huge need in Province Oriental, especially in the Bas Uele province. This area has been hugely affected by the LRA crisis, but also suffers from having a very poor infrastructure and there is a huge problem, both logistically and security wise, in tewrms of accessibility to thousands of displaced people. Even in Bunia, in Ituri province, the peace there is very fragile. About 60 km away from Bunia in Gety, there is a very forgotten conflict still continuing with over 100,ooo people displaced and Bunia itself could very easily slip back into a serious war. There remains a lot of banditry and insecurity around the town, a complete UN withdrawal would be disastrous for ituri province.
As Medair have an emergency health programme here, I also had the opportunity to talk a little about some of the difficulties we are currently facing in this domain.
Overall, Sir John seemed to engage in the issues, but the meeting was short. He will return to New York and directly advise the Security Council on what he has heard. Certainly, in Dungu, he saw that the LRA conflict is far from over. It remains to be seen whether his visit will have any impact, but I remain hopeful. Please continue to pray for the people fo the Congo.
Having spoken to several high ranking UN officals who arrived in Dungu in the days leading up to the visit, I had high expectations of meeting Sir John in person, that he was really somebody willing to listen and had ideas to change and implement action, and that he was not somebody who who was very political and would get bogged down in the many agendas of all the UN Members. Maybe im naive, but all the UN officials I met suggested here was a high ranking diplomat who has a sincere interest in serving the best needs of the Congolese people.
High on the agenda was the possibility of a UN witdrawal from Congo. The Congolese government has been putting pressure on MONUC to leave Congo by August 2011. While nobody expects MONUC to stay here forever, it is absoloutely impossible for them to withdraw in the next 12 months. There is a huge need in Province Oriental, especially in the Bas Uele province. This area has been hugely affected by the LRA crisis, but also suffers from having a very poor infrastructure and there is a huge problem, both logistically and security wise, in tewrms of accessibility to thousands of displaced people. Even in Bunia, in Ituri province, the peace there is very fragile. About 60 km away from Bunia in Gety, there is a very forgotten conflict still continuing with over 100,ooo people displaced and Bunia itself could very easily slip back into a serious war. There remains a lot of banditry and insecurity around the town, a complete UN withdrawal would be disastrous for ituri province.
As Medair have an emergency health programme here, I also had the opportunity to talk a little about some of the difficulties we are currently facing in this domain.
Overall, Sir John seemed to engage in the issues, but the meeting was short. He will return to New York and directly advise the Security Council on what he has heard. Certainly, in Dungu, he saw that the LRA conflict is far from over. It remains to be seen whether his visit will have any impact, but I remain hopeful. Please continue to pray for the people fo the Congo.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Field Trip 1
As part of the preparation for an upcomig donor visit, I went on a field trip today, just 15km from Dungu to places called Kpezu and Dungu May, to help prepare the heath centres. Enjoy some of the views. Below is the road to Kpezu.
The journey to the health centeres. People just appear in clearings in the jungle, there are villages hidden in the dense forest. Its crazy really.
The health centre at Dungu May. You can see a Congolese soldier waiting to be treated.
The consultation room in the health centre at Kpezu, its pretty basic conditions. Medair have helped to treat displaced people here for free. An invaluable service, as some IDP`s can`t even afford the most basic treatment for 1$/2$. They have been forced to flee their homes and crops, and sometimes have no income at all.
The health centre at Kpezu. Supported by Medair since the beginning of the LRA conflict in Nov/Dec 2008, early 2009.
Friday, 23 April 2010
More photo`s - Dungu
The truly bizarre chateau in the centre of the Dungu, on the banks of the River Kibali. It was built by a Belgian coloniast, and lies in ruins now.
The Medair base in Dungu, the house was used for elections in Congo in 2006. You can see the satellite dish they used for the elections just left at the house. We have nowehere to store it, and we had told the local administrator several times to pick it up, but nothing, they never came. A bizarre country.
The outisde kitchen at our base in Dungu, with Maman Therese in the picture as well. We cook on charcoal, and we have a bread oven as well.
The Medair Base in Dungu
Flying directly over Dungu
The amazing colour of the Congolese. Women waiting at a heath centre in Dungu
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Dungu - Photo`s
There is a significant UN (MONUC) force in Dungu, with troops from Morocco, Indonesia and Bangladesh. This is the entrance to one of their 2 camps
The incredible landscape of NE Congo
A MONUC helicopter loading up ready to go to Bangadi. One of our medical supervisors was on this flight, but I was not allowed close enough to get anction shot. Bangadi is an extremely insecure area, deeply affected by the LRA crisis.
The incredible landscape of NE Congo
The intense jungle in NE Congo. This is the approach to Dungu by plane...pretty incredible
The Bamokandi district of Dungu, pretty intense jungle. Makes it easy for the LRA to hide and avoid and capture. There was a serious LRA attack here in January and the threat persists. You can see a MONUC tanker in the distance.
The airport in Dungu, built by Indonesian UN (Monuc) Forces. Maybe thats why the sign welcomes you in En glish
Monday, 19 April 2010
Depending on God
Phillipians 4,11-13 is an interesting verse in the bible ive come to appreciate in recent months. `I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I only have one month left in the Congo, and the last year has not always been easy, lots of ups and downs. Problems ranging from security issues to many changes in the team have led me to depend on God on a daily basis more than I have ever done before. For my work, i have been asked to do things Ì have never done before and had to have faith in God to help me, sometimes when i have been the only expat at my base.
Its right to depend on God. Trusting God`s grace to draw near so that we can expeience Him as our refuge, glory and stength corrects the problem of our independence and separation from God. That God wants to be close enough to be your confidence and security means that he wants to be yout God, in every situation. I also think that our dependence on God in these everyday situations exalts Him, gives Him praise and shows that we are worshipping Him through the way we choose to live our lives.
I hope this attiducte represents a developing maturity in my faith, and i really hope i can keep surrendering every day in dependence to God, to give him the glory. The apostle Paul wrote, Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light...behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Rom. 13:12b-14). Separation from God naturally leads to sin, and sinful desires. It is right to completely depend on God for our confidence and security.
I only have one month left in the Congo, and the last year has not always been easy, lots of ups and downs. Problems ranging from security issues to many changes in the team have led me to depend on God on a daily basis more than I have ever done before. For my work, i have been asked to do things Ì have never done before and had to have faith in God to help me, sometimes when i have been the only expat at my base.
Its right to depend on God. Trusting God`s grace to draw near so that we can expeience Him as our refuge, glory and stength corrects the problem of our independence and separation from God. That God wants to be close enough to be your confidence and security means that he wants to be yout God, in every situation. I also think that our dependence on God in these everyday situations exalts Him, gives Him praise and shows that we are worshipping Him through the way we choose to live our lives.
I hope this attiducte represents a developing maturity in my faith, and i really hope i can keep surrendering every day in dependence to God, to give him the glory. The apostle Paul wrote, Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light...behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Rom. 13:12b-14). Separation from God naturally leads to sin, and sinful desires. It is right to completely depend on God for our confidence and security.
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