Democratic Republic of Congo: Optimism For The Future

With the successful July 30th vote, that saw millionsBrink, a senior vice president for health at Anglo
“enthusiastically” participate in theAmerican who was instrumental in developing the
Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) firstcompany’s approach, “Before [2005],
free elections since 1965, concluded without a majorpeople feared AIDS. They feared stigma. They
incident, the country has taken a big step forwardfeared discrimination, but now with a good treatment
towards peace and prosperity. As the countprogram, people understand it. The fear of the
proceeds for the election termed by Presidentdisease, the stigma, the discrimination, it all
Joseph Kabila as “the most important day indisappear[ed] into the background. We’ve
[the DRC’s] history since 1960 [in which] thecome out of the valley of the shadow of death and
ultimate winners will be the Congolese people who[are looking] at a whole new vista of
have suffered so much,”[1] marred by only ainspiration… [As a result] …the [2005] HIV
few immaterial problems, namely isolated incidents ofprevalence rate is exactly the same as [2004], which
alleged vote buying and voter intimidation,means no new infections, no one is getting sick and
“ballot sheets collected late from pollingno one is dying.”[11]
stations due to a lack of petrol, [and confusion atSuch an approach is especially important since based
some centers] where the results of individual pollingon a 2005 estimate by the DRC’s national
stations were being [counted due to the arrival of]AIDS program, PNLS, 1.2 million Congolese comprising
some ballot sheets… in partially opened4% of the country’s population is HIV+
boxes,”[2] there is reason for optimism,(which includes 20% of female war rape victims) with
despite fraud allegations made by Presidentialnew cases exceeding the current mortality rate and
candidate, Azarias Ruberwa (a Vice President in thefears that a “very explosive” outbreak
transitional government and former rebel leader).is pending according to UNAIDS coordinator Pierre
Ruberwa has ruled out “returning toSomse.[12]
arms”[3] while the Carter Center andAnother constructive contribution, one that requires a
international observers have given a “cautiouspartnership between government and business that
thumbs up”[4] with the former stating,can be made in post-election DRC is the elimination of
“although there were procedural problems,under-aged child labor and improved working
‘on the whole, these appear at this point to beconditions. Currently young children and adults
minor.’”[5]“labor under toxic conditions in [the
Presently early results show incumbent Presidentcountry’s] gold and diamond mines”
Joseph Kabila and Vice President Jean-Pierre Bembawhile “orphans choke the streets of
as the “leading contenders” withKinshasa” among the nation’s major
Harvard-educated Dr. Oscar Kashala “receivingcities.[13]
strong support in opposition areas.”[6] AYet all is not dire, bleak nor hopeless. With the end of
run-off election between the two leading candidatesthe major fighting and expressed willingness by
is likely and is slated for October 29th.opposition candidates to pursue “peaceful
However, more important than the actual Presidentialprotest” in lieu of armed conflict to solve
winner and the composition of the country’sdisputes, the expansion of established cell-phone
parliament is the direction the DRC will take tonetworks, the introduction of proactive healthcare
improve stability and peace to harness her vastprograms (e.g. The International Rescue
potential to address her myriad of social problems.Committee’s training of people “to
While a state of peace and stability has held in mostrecognize and treat three common but potentially
of the country since the end ofdeadly diseases – malaria, pneumonia and
“Africa’s first world war” in 2002diarrhea… through simple… life-saving
that saw the direct military involvement of Uganda,[measures]”[14]) and increasing allocations of
Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, andresources to social programs, benefits have already
Sudan at one time or another, a state of war hasbeen experienced, most notably 50% reduction in the
lingered in the eastern portion of the DRC. To helpchild mortality rate since 2002. And with the DRC on
bring an end to this low-level war that includes Hututhe verge of forming a “grass-roots”
and Ugandan rebels seeking to overthrow thepopularly elected government the future appears
elected governments in Rwanda and Uganda,bright since the added stability will lead to respect,
respectively, the DRC’s government hasreconciliation, and greater funding for education (to
agreed to participate in a joint operation with Uganda.reduce illiteracy) that will lead to better opportunities,
Peace and stability are essential if the DRC is toproactive healthcare and medical treatment, including
benefit from her vast mineral reserves to solve herof war victims, expansion of the electrical, plumbing
social ills – high poverty, illiteracy, and mortalityand sewage infrastructures (of which the latter two
rates – and improve standards of life throughare especially critical since contaminated water and
the expansion of her electrical grids, running water,untreated sewage pose the greatest risk for
plumbing, and sewage treatment facilities. Peace isepidemiological outbreaks). In short, the DRC could
also critical since “about 30,000 [Congolese]follow Rwanda’s inspirational example
children have been forced into militias, while untold(overcoming the continent’s worst episode of
thousands of girls have been raped”[7] duringgenocide in 1994) and also rise from the ashes of
the fighting that dates back to 1996, according to awar and conflict, eventually joining Nigeria and South
UNICEF estimate.Africa as a continental leader.
“…the DRC is perhaps Africa’s____________________________
richest nation when it comes to natural resources.[1] Congo flocks to vote in first elections in 40 years.
With huge deposits of cobalt, copper, diamonds, andeitb. 30 July 2006. 30 July 2006. [
gold, and smaller deposits of silver, coal, manganese,[2] Chaotic vote counting in Congo, demands for
tin, uranium, zinc, and oil, the country holds themore caution. Africa News. 1 August 2006. 1 August
potential of becoming an African economic power2006.
alongside South Africa and Nigeria.”[8][3] Edward Harris. Congo presidential hopeful claims
Yet because of the 1996-2002 war and lingeringfraud. 1 August 2006. 1 August 2006. [
instability and violence in her eastern region, the[4] Chaotic vote counting in Congo, demands for
DRC’s mortality rate remains among themore caution. Africa News. 1 August 2006. 1 August
highest in Africa, especially when it comes to children.2006.
This is exacerbated by the fact that the[5] Edward Harris. Congo presidential hopeful claims
country’s hospitals are in dire need offraud. 1 August 2006. 1 August 2006. [
life-saving equipment especially when it comes to[6] Edward Harris. Congo presidential hopeful claims
infant care. Currently many, especially in the easternfraud. 1 August 2006. 1 August 2006. [
region, lack ultrasound machines, incubators, and even[7] Lydia Polgreen. War’s Chaos Steals
air-conditioners forcing expectant mothers to moan inCongo’s Young by the Millions. The New York
labor “in suffocating heat.”[9] As a resultTimes. 30 July 2006. 8.
while Congolese children die of “the same[8] William Sutherland. 2006 Elections: Democratic
ailments that needlessly kill children all over AfricaRepublic of Congo's Best and Last Hope?
– malaria, diarrhea, measles, malnutritionEzineArticles 04 July 2006. 01 August 2006
– [they die] on a vast and cataclysmic[9] Lydia Polgreen. War’s Chaos Steals
scale” with the mortality rate in eastern DRCCongo’s Young by the Millions. The New York
standing at “almost twice that of the rest ofTimes. 30 July 2006. 8.
sub-Saharan Africa, which already has the[10] Lydia Polgreen. War’s Chaos Steals
world’s highest rate… kill[ing] one in fourCongo’s Young by the Millions. The New York
children before the age of 5”[10] there is anTimes. 30 July 2006. 1.
urgent need to improve medical care, which can only[11]Charlayne Hunter-Gault. New News Out of Africa.
be accomplished when resources can be diverted(Oxford University Press, New York, 2006) 40.
away from warfare and weapons.[12] Congo-Kinshasa: Hoping to Counter the War
At the same time it is important that the array ofLegacy of Rising HIV/Aids. 1 August 2006. 1 August
companies benefiting from the DRC’s2006. [
resources mirror the progressive steps taken by[13] Lydia Polgreen. War’s Chaos Steals
organizations operating in South Africa, such as AngloCongo’s Young by the Millions. The New York
American that invest in the “health of [their]Times. 30 July 2006. 8.
employees” which includes the introduction of[14] Lydia Polgreen. War’s Chaos Steals
comprehensive HIV programs that consist of fundingCongo’s Young by the Millions. The New York
for “antiretroviral therapy.” Per Dr. BrianTimes. 30 July 2006. 8.