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.
Pictures (C) 2008, Peter Marshall. All rights reserved.
Kabila must go
Kabila is selling uranium to Iran
Behind the Congolese flag
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A UN report in 2001 concluded "Business has superseded security concerns.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
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 
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