by Carole Goma-Makaya, Congo-Brazzaville, December 1997
THEME = SOCIAL CONDIT.
The following is an eye-witness account
written by a Congolese woman journalist
who is completely cut- off from the outside world. The report was
written a month after
the victory of the Democratic and Patriotic Forces (FDP).
It has only just reached us
Victims of the 132-day civil war are estimated between 6,000 to 10,000. More than 20,000 Congolese fled to neighbouring Congo (RDC) and over one million people were displaced within the country. The population in the country's economic capital, Pointe-Noire, rose from 420,000 to 800,000.
Some signs indicate that the situation is improving, especially in the capital, Brazzaville. Refugees recovered confidence after Sassou Ngessou's investiture as Head of State and the installation of a new government, and they gradually started returning home.
International organisations such as the Red Cross and Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) played a vital role in getting basic services restored in Brazzaville. Immediately after Pascal Lissouba's government collapsed, Congolese Red Cross members went out onto the streets, caring for the injured and burying the dead.
MSF has been working in Brazzaville since June 1997 and provides food and medical care, as well as organising a vaccination programme. 10,000 children living in the northern and southern suburbs were vaccinated against measles during the war. Religious groups such as Caritas-Congo and the Mécenes project also participated in these activities. (Mécenes is a combined France/Caritas-Congo project, and is active in medical work).
In the month following the end of the war, the capital was badly in need of basics such as food, water and electricity. During his first cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 4 November 1997, President Denis Sassou-Ngessou insisted on the reactivation of Congo's economic activity. Referring to appeals for funds to cope with Congo's emergency situation, the President explained that: "The funds we are seeking abroad, should help to provide drinking water, electricity, a health system, food supplies and sanitation for the population. Ministers are warned not to line their own pockets to the prejudice of the population".
Some kind of economic activity, albeit modest, has resumed in Brazzaville. Bacongo General Market (Bacongo is a working-class area in Brazzaville) revived as did Yoro market, in the north of the country, on the banks of the Congo River. People are beginning to smile again. But it takes time for life to get back to normal, because the presence of armed militia still frightens the population.
Women's problems, as usual, take second place because it seems there's always something more urgent to attend to. It's only when there's a crisis situation (raping, killing, etc.) that they get attention. In fact, if secure areas could be organised, then much of the above would be avoided.
As regards AIDS and sexually transmittable diseases (STD), the following has been noted: The promiscuity in which people are forced to live encourages AIDS; also, AIDS and STDs are not considered to be major health priorities. Obviously something has to be done to correct this situation and ill-advised opinion. So in their assistance to displaced persons, MSF has incorporated an "Information on AIDS" programme into their basic health care. Dr Guillaume is an MSF doctor. He explains: "After the vaccination campaign against measles in the Brazzaville suburbs in September and October, we will start on the AIDS information programme".
Problems faced by displaced women include: Sexual violence, lack of privacy, unwanted pregnancies. So that women have better conditions in the Displaced Persons' Camps, there should be an equal number of men and women. It's not just a question of money, a lot depends on the camp staff's behaviour. Vincent Massamba adds: "Displaced women are primarily responsible for their own health, where they live and their living conditions. If they want things to improve, then first of all, they've got to go to their group leaders and tell them their fears".
END
PeaceLink 1998 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement