Someone had to say this

The leaders of the Congo all seem to want the people to believe that the elctions are the ultimate goal, that will make them reach the Holy Grail of denocracy, freedom, justice and good governance. Even those that claim not to be doing that, will still use the argument of "it is okay, as long as we get to the elections", to justify such unacceptable situations, as the continued unrest in the East of the country.

The problems of the DRC will not be solved overnight, because the Congolese will have elected a new leadership - assuming the elections are actually fair and transparent. It will simply be a starting block, to begin the reconstruction of this country. It is a long term commitment that must be taken extremely seriously, if we are to see that country rise again. It is just a start, and it took a foreign UN big whiz to remind our leaders, and the people, of that hard reality:

monuc.org ::: JM Guéhenno: "Elections are a starting point, not an endpoint"

"When taking stock of his visit that lastest nine days, he was “surprised by the immense hope of the Congolese' and invited all participants in the electoral race not to disappoint the expectations of the citizens. The elections campaigns need to succeed in a “political climate of trust and inclusiveness.”

Mr. Guéhenno stressed that “it is necessary to avoid anything that divides the Congolese. There is talents in all political parties and at the end of the elections, everyone should benefit. This is why the country requires a culture of tolerance and civic involvement,” he said.

Jean-Marie Guéhenno also expressed himself on the nature of the elections 'which are not a magic formula. They are a starting point, and not an endpoint.' "

The fact that the DRC apparently needs the UN leaders to play referee between the local opportunistic politicians, that the International Community seems to have such a hold on whatever occurs in Congo, and that they seem to be the ones (the UN) with the most balanced and accurate assessment of the country's situation, simply reassert, in my mind, the argument I made in this post.

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