Troubles in Zaire

Zaire, a large central African republic, was at one stage one of the most potentially rich nations in Africa. It produces important raw materials such as cobalt and copper. Unfortunately president Mobuto's authoritarian leadership didn't only result in Zaire's poor development, but set the country on total economic and political devastation as the ongoing crisis indicates.

Mubuto has been in power since 1965, yet so little achievement has been made. On average blue-collar workers earn an equivalent of only US$1 a month. Mubuto's government also achieved a reputation of being very corrupt. At times the President would borrow money from his private bank account for its recurrent spending. But it doesn't end there. Zaire, during his leadership tenure, had one of the highest number of AIDS victims in the world.

Currently the country is being torn apart by the president's forces on one hand, and by the rebel leader's on the other. Mobuto is trying to hold power tenaciously for life, while the rebel leader Kabila is determined to capture power. Assuming that Kabila triumphantly gains power, how can we be sure he'll work hard and sincerely to create a better and more progressive direction for Zaire? In Africa we've seen a number of cases where the incoming power forces are worse than the previous leaders, even though they always claimed they would redeem the poor and the oppressed.

Is it the responsibility of the West or the UN to resolve conflicts in Zaire, or is it Africans' personal duty? Even though South African President Mandela's peace effort for Zaire is welcome, peace resolution is not a one-nation responsibility. What's the Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.) that acts as the continental representative of Africa doing to ease the situation?

Though truth may be bitter, I dare tell anyone that external but hostile forces are equally involved in the Zairean conflict. In the same way, I dare tell all African politicians enough is enough, your congenital leadership and greed has not helped our continent. Unfortunately, most of you are yet to fully realize how negatively Africa is perceived in other parts of this world.

BUHARI ABDU

Jakarta