Cholera Epidemic Shows Little Signs Of Easing In the Congo

2,800 people have died and the Red Cross says there will be as many as 60,000 cases, by as early as next week. The western worlds are urging Mugabe step down and are pushing for a Democratic government before millions in pounds are released for aid.

The European Council is broadening it’s sanctions against Mugabe supporters and has added twenty five individuals along with 36 companies including British companies previously in the bloc. The EU, meeting in Brussels, will add new government members and relatives of Mugabe allies to an existing list of around 170 individuals banned from travelling in the bloc.
Australia on Wednesday joined Britain, the United States, France and Canada in urging Mugabe to relinquish his vice-like 28-year grip on power.

My question is this. Should the world decide if Robert Mugabe should step down? What do Zimbabweans want? Do they even have a voice in the matter. While I do think aid should be given without political pressure, do we not have some say in how the people we are giving aid to are treated? Should we continue to pour aid into a country where the leader is in charge by subterfuge? Where they can be put to death for pointing in his direction? Where does the world draw the line?

Congolese Troops Shut Out UN Peacekeepers

Congolese troops shut out UN peacekeepers, aid groups and media Wednesday from witnessing a joint operation with Rwandan troops to hunt down a Rwandan Hutu militia.
Up to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers have entered eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since early Tuesday, the UN Mission in DR Congo (MONUC) said.

The head of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels, Ignace Murwanashyaka, said “these soldiers are not here for a stroll. They are here for war” and warned they would, “defend ourselves if attacked. “We have not been attacked, but that could change at any moment.”
The government of President Joseph Kabila has come under fire for not informing parliament about the invitation to Rwandan troops.
"If what I'm told is true, it's quite simply grave. It raises lots of questions," parliament speaker Vital Kamerhe told the UN-run Radio Okapi.

A convoy carrying Indian UN peacekeepers was turned away at a roadblock near Kibumba, at the southern edge of the zone, and headed back to their base in Goma, an AFP correspondent reported.
A Red Cross vehicle was also prevented from reaching the area.
The move drew protests from MONUC, which said lack of access would hamper its mandate to protect civilians in the joint-operation zone.

The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, warned the operation could lead to a "massive population displacement" of up to 350,000 people in Nord-Kivu in the first phase of the operation.
It said humanitarian aid to approximately one million people "will be suspended or hampered by the lack of access".
UNICEF also cautioned that the FDLR's reaction "might entail exactions on the populations and social structures and looting."
"The impact the fighting may have on the estimated 600,000 people living in rebel-controlled areas is deeply concerning," said Juliette Prodhan, head of Oxfam in the country, where 250,000 people fled their homes in fighting three months ago, amid killing and raping of civilians, and looting.

Consider giving to these charities involved in helping the civilians caught in the middle of this war.




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2,000 Members of Rwandan Army Enter Congo

Congolese government official Lambert Mende says "We have officially asked the Rwandan army to participate in the disarmament operations of the Interahamwe (Hutu militia) which have begun," There is some concern the Hutu militiamen may retaliate against civilians.

This is a rare move between Congo and Rhiwanda to agree to step up efforts against Rwandan Hutu militants, of which neither country can seem to eradicate
Louise Mushikiwabo, the Rwandan minister of information, says "There is new momentum and the government of Rwanda is pleased the fundamental obstacle to stability for the last 15 years ... is finally being tackled,"

The Hutu rebels fled to Congo in 1994 after helping carry out the genocide in which more than 500,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed, and have remained in Congo untouched, heavily armed, and in control of lucrative mines in remote hills and forests.