by Otere Ma'Ambi, Brazzaville, 29 August 1997
THEME = CIVIL WAR
Early in the morning of 26 August, President Lissouba's helicopters bombed the Mpila, Yoro, Poto-Poto and Talangai areas, killing many civilians. A few survivors told us: "It was just like a slaughter house". There was also widespread property damage. The bombing of the Hydro-Congo depot may possibly have been an attempt to set fire to the whole northern section, controlled by Denis Sassou Nguesso's "Cobra" militia.
Last month, helicopters were delivered to Lissouba's militia by Ukrainian mercenaries, who led the bombing raids. These Russian-made armoured gunships are fitted with anti-tank missiles, rocket missiles and machine guns. They are considered to be the best in the world and they have already been used in Angola, and more recently, in Congo RDC.
A few years ago, the Sovereign National Conference, under the presidency of Bishop Kombo of Owando, succeeded in reconciling all the Congolese people. One of the most moving memories of this national forum was the embrace between President Sassou Nguesso and former president General Jacques-Joachim Yhombi-Opango, who had been imprisoned for eleven years after his downfall as president (on 5 February 1979). In spite of the reconciliation, Yhombi-Opango never forgave the Congolese Workers' Party (PCT) leader, Sassou, for his imprisonment. This, in spite the fact that a "mere" 900 million CFA francs had been paid to Yhombi-Opango, as "damages".
When Pascal Lissouba became President, it was a golden opportunity for Yhombi-Opango. He put himself into a position which would enable him to "get even" with Sassou.
So, during the first political-military crisis in 1993, Yhombi- Opango let President Lissouba know that he was the man capable of dealing with the situation. Yhombi-Opango promised to crush the Opposition, headed by Bernard Kolelas, leader of the Congolese Party for Integral Development and Democracy (MCDDI), and Nguesso's PCT, once and for all. This offer of help from Yhombi- Opango, resulted in his appointment as Prime Minister in 1993. In November 1993, violence broke out (once again) in Brazzaville. Government forces began to clamp down on the opposition armed bands.
The present crisis which broke out on 5 June 1997, has its immediate origin in clashes between Yhombi-Opango's supporters and PCT militants in Owando. When Sassou Nguesso visited the north, he made use of a borrowed "Tipoi" (a chief's chair supported by poles and carried on the shoulders of four men, so that the population can see the chief from afar). Local people were furious as it was considered an "invasion" of what was believed to be Yhombi-Opango's stronghold. The dispute was to end with a massive expulsion of about 4,000 people who were not born in that area. These displaced people sought refuge in Dyo, under the acquiescent eye of the authorities. A second clash occurred between Yhombi-Opango's personal bodyguards and police stationed in Dyo, resulting in several deaths.
In the end, a pretext was found for getting rid of Denis Sassou Nguesso, leader of United Democratic Forces (FDU). Early on 5 June, according to the government version, the police mounted what was described as a "routine police operation". In fact, using tanks and infantry, the police surrounded Sassou's private residence. This was the start of the massacre, planned by Lissouba, Yhombi-Opango and their supporters. As a reward, Yhombi-Opango was named Lissouba's campaign director for the elections which would be "organised" when the war ended.
The Congo's politicians must consider the people of Brazzaville, torn apart by war. The politicians must forget their own personal interests, in order to find some solution which will bring peace to the people.
END