London Indymedia

International Congolese Day Demonstration, London 30 June

Peter Marshall | 01.07.2008 16:26 | Anti-racism | Globalisation | Migration | London | World

A remarkably cheerful group of Congolese celebrated International Congolese Day, the anniversary of independence from Belgium in 1960, with a lunchtime demonstration about the terrible situation in their country.
Pictures (C) 2008, Peter Marshall. All rights reserved.

Kabila must go
Kabila must go

Kabila is selling uranium to Iran
Kabila is selling uranium to Iran

Behind the Congolese flag
Behind the Congolese flag

George Brown Live Up to your promises on Congo
George Brown Live Up to your promises on Congo


The demonstration, opposite Downing St in London, was organised by International
Congolese Rights. It drew attention to the killings (6 million since 1966), rapes and other human rights abuses in DRC and called for and end of deportation of DRC asylum seekers to the police state in the DCR.

It called for Britain, Europe and America to freeze the bank accounts of President Joseph Kabila and his cronies, for more action by Gordon Brown and the International Criminal Court and for an end to the corrupt Kabila regime.

It isn't clear exactly who the various militia that control most of the DCR are - though some are certainly supported by neighbouring African governments such as Rwanda and Uganda, as well as by oil companies, mineral companies and other organised criminals.

But it is abundantly clear what they are doing in DCR, whether through sweetheart deals made with the Kabila government or through other channels.

DCR is a country of cast mineral wealth - up for grabs, and the militia are grabbing. Most important is coltan, an ore containing niobium and tantalum, essential for modern electronics - such as mobile phones - and 80% of known world reserves are in DCR. Other important minerals include diamonds, copper, cobalt and gold.

A UN report in 2001 concluded "Business has superseded security concerns. The only loser in this huge business venture is the Congolese people."

More pictures and background on My London Diary shortly at  http://mylondondiary.co.uk/2008/06/jun.htm#dcr

Peter Marshall
- e-mail: petermarshall@cix.co.uk
- Homepage: http://mylondondiary.co.uk

Comments

Display the following 2 comments

  1. Come and join the protest against the UK Border Agency — londoner
  2. solidarity with the Congolese — Jason

Kollektives

Birmingham
Cambridge
Liverpool
London
Oxford
Sheffield
South Coast
Wales
World

Other UK IMCs
Bristol/South West
London
Northern Indymedia
Scotland

London Topics

Afghanistan
Analysis
Animal Liberation
Anti-Nuclear
Anti-militarism
Anti-racism
Bio-technology
Climate Chaos
Culture
Ecology
Education
Energy Crisis
Fracking
Free Spaces
Gender
Globalisation
Health
History
Indymedia
Iraq
Migration
Ocean Defence
Other Press
Palestine
Policing
Public sector cuts
Repression
Social Struggles
Technology
Terror War
Workers' Movements
Zapatista

London IMC

Desktop

About | Contact
Mission Statement
Editorial Guidelines
Publish | Help

Search :