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Immediately following President Laurent-Désiré’s assassination, there was grief, fear and hope
Laurent-Désiré Kabila brought about Mobutu’s downfall, and since 17 May 1997 had been Head of State. On 16 January 2001, he was murdered by one of his own bodyguards. The circumstances, in so far as they are known, have already been sufficiently described and commented on by the international press. But what was the population of Kinshasa’s reaction, immediately following this grave occurrence?
The people’s reaction
The people’s reaction to President Kabila’s murder must be seen in the light of Congo’s present unhappy situation — social unrest, increasing poverty, a catastrophic socio-economic situation, galloping inflation, a dramatic increase in food prices, a serious fuel crisis and transport problems. The news of Kabila’s death was initially received with general indifference (the people being more concerned about their own survival); then came consternation (for a person’s death in such circumstances is always deplored by Africans); followed by indignation (since murder, even if the victim is someone we would normally be glad to see out of the way, must always be condemned); and finally with concern (for everyone fears the resulting confusion). The people were especially afraid that looting would take place and that the soldiers, who complained they hadn’t received their salaries, would go on the rampage.
Truth to say, people were not particularly sad to see Kabila had finally disappeared. However, both in Lubumbashi and Kinshasa, the people paid due homage and respect to the one they called «the Liberator». There was a large crowd lining the funeral procession route, with a number of women visibly very moved by what was taking place. Indeed, the crowd was a mixture of the simply curious and genuine sympathizers.
On 17 January 2001, Congo was about to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Patrice Lumumba‘s assassination. Lumumba was a national hero in his own right. On 16 January 2001, Kabila also fell victim to a traitor’s gun. This coincidence did not pass unnoticed. One wonders if those behind the murder expressly chose this date. The fact is, Kabila had proclaimed himself as Lumumba’s «spiritual heir». Needless to say, he was an enthusiastic admirer of Lumumba and, like Lumumba, had continued the fight for the peoples’ liberation. So he chose an armed struggle to put an end to Mobutu’s dictatorship. For more than three years, as Congo’s leader, Kabila proved he was a true patriot and nationalist.
After Kabila
There is much to say about Kabila’s time as Head of State. In spite of his deficiencies and his weaknesses, he’s left in peoples’ minds the figure of a convinced nationalist, a committed patriot and an uncompromising resistance fighter. Some say that with his death, Congo can once again launch itself along the road to democracy. Others are extremely worried about what’s going to happen during the period immediately following Kabila’s murder.
Immediately after the murder, Kabila’s government met with various groups involved in the life of the nation — Parliament, civil society, the judiciary. These chose General Joseph Kabila, Laurent-Désiré’s son, as President, so as to ensure the State’s continuity. There’s been a great deal of discussion over this choice and politicians are divided on this point. Some say Congo isn’t a monarchy in which the son succeeds the father. Others say it’s the lesser evil. Indeed, in view of Congo’s current situation, who could take over as President?
The new President has as priorities: To unite both the armed and the unarmed opposition; to organize inter-congolese dialogue; to help lift the people from their state of misery. There’s already positive signs in this direction: On Sunday January 21, the Central Bank opened its doors to pay civil servants and the soldiers. Paraphrasing Mr. Etienne Tshisekedi, leader of the unarmed opposition, we can say that if the new leaders don’t set about really serving the people, then they’re already on the way out!
Congo’s Cry
Just before Laurent-Désiré Kabila’s murder, two initiatives had been launched in Kinshasa, which clearly shows what Congo’s people are really looking for. Our country’s new leaders, take note!
«Congo’s Cry» is the name of a peace project initiated by Cardinal Frédéric Etsou, Archbishop of Kinshasa. This project was officially launched on 10 January 2001 in Our Lady of Congo Cathedral, in the presence of members of the government and the diplomatic corps. The project’s aim was to draw the attention of both national and international opinion to the great suffering of Congo’s people and the way in which they are having to live out their daily lives.
«Congo’s Cry» has one message which must be proclaimed both at home and abroad: «Stop the war, we want peace». It is a cry of hope which comes from the inmost depths of the people themselves, who are looking and hoping for the re-establishment of peace, dialogue and national unity in a country torn apart by war.
The fundamental question which is basic to Cardinal Etsou’s initiative, is the following: How can we make known to all and sundry what’s happening within Congo? So as to actualize his project, the Cardinal has called on Kinshasa’s artists, musicians and actors, so that they can use their art and talents to express the suffering and humiliations of the Congolese people. Ev-erybody has welcomed the Cardinal’s initiative, and he has received firm support from the artists, musicians and actors.
To show that «Congo’s Cry» is well and truly launched, Cardinal Etsou invited all churches and other places of worship, including the mosques, to ring their bells for five minutes at 12 o’clock precisely, on the 10th of each month, from January until June. Truck, car and taxi drivers were likewise invited to sound their horns for five minutes at the same hour and the same day. In the same context, on 10 June 2001, a high-profile concert will be organised in the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa, with an international cast of singers.
The 9th anniversary of the March of Hope
On 16 February 1992, a peaceful march was organized through the streets of Kinshasa, calling for the reopening of the Sovereign National Conference (CNS). At that time, the CNS was considered by the people to be the only way that Congo would have a government based on the rule of law. Mobutu’s dictatorship bloodily repressed this March of Hope.
15 groups and associations, among which the Amos group, the Jérémie group, the Council for the Lay Christian Apostolate in Congo (CALCC) as well as others, have suggested that this anniversary should be commemorated in a special way on 16 February 2001. Preparations began last December. There will be a special Message addressed to «The people, of God and all people of good will, entitled: “Remember and take courage”». This message, which has been ready since 10 January and has been distributed in some areas, invites all «to once again take up the pilgrim’s staff with courage and determination. To embark on the road of true democracy. To say “no” to repression, to any new internal or external dictatorship; and to say “yes” to freedom, dignity and respect for life». Unfortunately, having already distributed a number of copies, some members of the organising group were stopped from handing out further copies of the Message; with the result that meetings have been temporarily suspended.
An information hand-out is already with the printers — contents include the broad outlines of the history of the March, which was peaceful by its very nature, but which was bloodily repressed by Mobutu’s henchmen. It also points out the lessons to be drawn from the March, the most important of which is that Congo’s people want change. People must put themselves in the front-line to defend their basic freedoms. Lastly, the hand-out emphasizes that the blood poured out by the victims on the March of Hope, went a long way towards getting the authorities to reopen the CNS. Those who shed their blood during the March of Hope, not only witnessed to what they believed in, but served to remind one and all that they must continue the fight for justice and respect for human rights.
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