That Obama’s foreign policy team will need to formulate a Congo policy soon—along with one on the tragic human rights abuses that have characterized Central Africa’s more than decade-long regional war—makes thorough and visible coverage of the conflict all the more vital. The Times story is an encouraging, if incomplete, start.
Behind the News
01:23 PM - December 17, 2008
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International opinion is not considering enough the situation in DRC. I thing it is time for Big power in the world, in instance of US, Uk, France, Gremany to sit down and take a decision to stop the killing in Congo and brought Nkunda before the ICC.
Posted by leon lokuli on Wed 17 Dec 2008 at 03:40 PM
Currently this is one of the most under reported stories here in the United States. It is too easy to place all the Blame on General Nkunda. There are other Militias that are acting outside the Law in the Eastern Congo.
The Potential Reaction of the Obama Administration to this Crisis and to what is currently ongoing in both Somalia and Zimbabwe will test the Mettle of this Administration.
It is time for the Media to Address this and other issues that will shape the Foreign Policy of the Incoming Administration.
Posted by Scott Morgan on Wed 17 Dec 2008 at 04:28 PM
"The Times story is an encouraging, if incomplete, start." It is crucial for the Times and other leading American media to take this assessment seriously. In Central Africa, in Congo especially, millions have died, killed by war lords. Much more have fallen because of the silence and mediatized manipulation of facts that have justified criminal behavior. If world leaders are to give the right response to conflicts, they need the right information, the right analysis which I believe to be the first task of media. As i look at the coverage given to the conflict in the Great Lakes Region, and particularly in Congo, I have no word for that negligence: a lack of interest? a complicity? a military tactic? The real motives and the impacts of that conflict are kept unveiled from the people and their leaders. Till when people will be unaware of what is being machinated at their back, they will not feel compelled to act. Without knowing it, this ignorance is keeping potential supporters of the worst terror ravaging central Africa. Media has the power to initiate the change!
Posted by Paul Batairwa on Thu 18 Dec 2008 at 03:09 AM
Worldfocus -- a public TV newscast/ Web site -- has been covering the crisis in Congo during the last several months.
Here is a video on the humanitarian crisis told through one family's story. The Story of Pascal and Vestine:
http://worldfocus.org/blog/2008/12/03/war-in-dr-congo-the-story-of-pascal-and-vestine/3053/
Here is another video on sexual violence in Congo’s war. Rape as a weapon of war in eastern Congo:
http://worldfocus.org/blog/2008/12/16/rape-as-a-weapon-of-war-in-dr-congo/3263/
Here is all of our multimedia reporting on Congo, including reporters on the ground, a Q&A on the conflict, etc.:
http://worldfocus.org/blog/tag/democratic-republic-of-congo/
Please let us know what you think.
Thanks,
Lisa Biagiotti
Worldfocus.org
Posted by Lisa Biagiotti on Thu 18 Dec 2008 at 12:41 PM