CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Solange L. Kibelolo, Congo-Brazza, September 1998
THEME = SOCIAL ACTION
Recently a census was made of victims who suffered
during the 5 June 1997 civil war in Congo- Brazzaville. They expect the government
to pay compensation for losses in both human life and property
Minister Leon-Alfred Opimbat says: "The census proves the determination by the government and the Ministry for National Solidarity with War Victims (with special responsibility for humanitarian assistance), to associate themselves with the war victims' needs. The census exercise took place from 20 April to 25 May 1998 and involved most of Brazzaville's inhabitants.
Census-taking offices were set up in the city's seven administrative departments, and each office had several satellite extensions. There were two extensions in the city's 4th Precinct (Moungali) and here the census takers were divided off into four working teams. This offered all war victims an opportunity to declare their losses.
Four types of losses were registered. The first relates to real estate losses: owners had to count the number of bullet holes in their homes and the state of roofs and walls. One home- owner living in Sonaco said: "I'm here to declare that my house has lost most of its roof, and the shutters have been pierced. I'm presently covering the holes and windows with cardboard and plastic sheeting".
The second type relates to other material losses. Census takers registered thousands of declarations in this category. Victims brandished lost property lists, hoping to get compensation from the government. "I lost a lot. I estimate my losses to add up to 5 million CFA francs", said Théophile, who lives in Mokondo precinct.
The census takers also registered financial losses. "My stock of goods was looted and I was unable to continue trading", claimed a woman in the wholesale trading business. As for André, he declared: "I've been hanging around ever since the disaster at the Score supermarket. This present operation really gives me hope". By the end of the war, several private businesses had closed down, as premises had either been destroyed or looted. This meant unemployment for many.
Thousands of citizens came to report the deaths and injuries suffered by their relatives. Honoré announced sadly: "I've come to register my brother's death. He worked at the University Hospital during the war".
After registering a declaration, the census teams delivered a "receipt of information" to each individual. These receipts entitle them to compensation - but when? Berthe Bitsindou from the census department is rather concerned about how long it will take for compensation to be paid: "We don't know exactly when compensation will be paid. It could be soon or it could be much later on". The recording of statements is only the first stage in the whole operation. In a second stage, bailiffs will go to the actual spot involved in the declaration and then draw up an official statement of the damage, before any payment can be made.
There remains problems regarding victims of the November 1993 to January 1994 civil war. And these are many. More than 2,000 civilians were killed, mainly in Brazzaville. According to figures released by the Ministry (at that time) in charge of compensating victims of that war, 10,580 houses were ransacked and 30,000 people became homeless throughout the country. Since then, they've been living in temporary shelters: schools, parishes, old abandoned factories. All these victims are extremely poor.
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CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1998 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement