Thursday, September 12, 2013
High Hopes for DR Congo: Is Change Coming?
Congo, A Visible State
Some critics read hopelessness in the current situation of unrest and war in eastern Congo. A few of them, including Pham, Herbst and Mills [1] advocate for the partition of Congo to ensure better management of this "Invisible" state, claiming "there is no Congo" or that Congo is a " failed state. Congolese from all walks of life have already fiercely responded to this yet another display of total ignorance of the reality of our dear nation [2]. Adding to these Congolese and friends voices expressing outrage over the negation of their birth or adoption country-the Democratic Republic of Congo-, the advice of former US Under Secretary of States for Africa, Johnnie Carson, came unexpected. He cautioned those critics not to write off Congo just yet. Carson is right and Congolese as a people, as a nation and land hold firmly in the hearts that their country is here to stay and is going nowhere. They will fight all those cheerleaders predicting evil of Congo, the invisible powers plotting those plans for their greedy interests and profits, their agents in DRC neighboring countries as well as the militias inside Congo creating havoc to justify the masters plans. Against all odds, DRC is here to stay and its people throughout the world are more the ever motivated to defend their motherland.
Strengthen and Improve National Cohesion
What creates the cohesion -despite the lack of infrastructures- of this subcontinent in Central Africa and has proven all those critics wrong in their predictions of Congo future will be left to historians, anthropologists and other human sciences scholars. For now, we must not only enjoy the fact that all Congolese from Goma to Boma, Kikwit to Kindu or Lisala to Likasi are strongly attached and cheerful of the unity of their country. We must continue to work tirelessly to maintain and improve this cohesion of our nation. Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Kisangani and other major cities must continue to be those melting pots where our people converge for higher education, work, family visits, tourism and other cultural exchanges between our communities. Efforts to build a strong and comprehensive national military must be sped up to protect the boundaries of our country through land, water and air against the enemies of the nation and their allies. In addition, infrastructures must be built in a speedy fashion in order to connect different provinces of the country and encourage our people to trade, interact and mingle.
Speaking about infrastructures, it is encouraging to see roads being constructed, rivers and lakes being dredged, rails and airports being renovated and also radar systems being installed in different airports to monitor the air space of Congo. These efforts must be accelerated and financing means that do not incur more debts for the nation need to be pursued. The 2009 agreement with China, although perfectible, is a good model for infrastructure development.
Pursue active cooperation with China
DRC has immense needs that will not be met by a single partner. Smart diplomacy and cooperation must be pursued with all peace loving and well intentioned nations, with measurable outcomes in the advancement of our nation. While all these developed nations beginning with US are borrowing from China, it is unacceptable to prohibit DRC from signing financial agreements with China. Recent cooperation has brought about some significant developments for the country. In addition to roads and other construction infrastructures, it is worth mentioning two recent developments.
In November 2012, a little commented upon but very important agreement [3] was signed between DRC and China for the launch within three years of a communication satellite CongoSat-01. The accord also includes training of DRC engineers to run the project after launch. The significance of such a strategic project is high in allowing primarily for the surveillance of the national territory. Coupled with a strong military, the nation will be better equipped to face predators and other cross border terrorists.
More recently and against strong protests from the IMF and the World Bank, DRC concluded a partnership with China to provide the nation of DRC with high speed internet connection infrastructure. After several setbacks, the high speed internet terminal was inaugurated on July 2013 [4] by the President. Besides the anticipated and expected millions of dollars in revenues for the nation if properly managed, the optic fiber is another tool to connect, link different corners of the country through communication and must be sustained for the unification of the territory.
Hope and Change on the way
Prophets of the disparition of DRC as a nation in its current configuration will come and go. Congo is here to stay and become a powerful nation in the heart of Africa through hard work, discipline and good governance. While international financial notations are what they are, Congolese have welcomed the recent three B ratings by Moody[5] and its forecast of stable outlook for the land of Kimbangu and Lumumba.
[1] http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/03/17/there_is_no_congo
[2] http://www.congovision.com/nouvelles2/dr_pashi4.html
[3] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20398914
[4] http://radiookapi.net/en-bref/2013/07/08/rdc-lancement-de-la-fibre-optique-au-bas-congo/
[5] https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-assigns-B3-ratings-to-the-Democratic-Republic-of-the--PR_281558
Monday, July 30, 2012
Kinyarwanda versus Kikongo: A Short Survey of Similitudes
Contribution to Peace and Understanding in the Region
I. Background
As a result of the continuous unrest in Eastern DRC, caused in part by rebellions originating from Rwanda, a strong resentment now exits between DRC citizens and Rwandans. It is common to register complaints from Rwandan authorities pointing to discrimination against Kinyarwanda (Rwanda language) speakers in the DRC. Some bloggers in Rwanda go as far as suggesting that Eastern DRC is culturally closer to Rwanda and should be part of this latter. Is there any truth to those claims? How far apart are the languages spoken in Rwanda and DRC? Could a common heritage between the languages spoken in both countries suggest a more unified population than presented by politicians?
This post, from an Engineer who is not a linguist, examines some striking similitudes between Kinyarwanda and Kikongo languages, spoken respectively in Rwanda and Western DR Congo. The piece is not intended to be a comprehensive and comparative study of both languages but a glimpse of the common heritage in both communication vehicles. The choice of a Western DRC language is intentional and aims to support wider links not only with the Eastern DRC but also with Western DRC. In highlighting those similarities, the author hopes to contribute to a better understanding between our people and put to rest false claims and perceptions from the enemies of peace in both countries and in the Great Lakes region in general.
II. Brief Comparison
The survey of similitudes between Kikongo(KKG) and Kinyarwanda (KYR) will look into a few words (Table 1), the rules of formation of the plural of nouns (Table 2) as well as numbering (Table 3) accompanied by french (FRE) and english (ENG) translations.
Table 1: Comparison of words and verbs
ENG FRE KYR KKG
To eat Manger Kurya Kudia
Tongue Langue Indimi Ludimi
Breasts Seins Amabere Mabele
Bad Mal Amabi Mbi
Human Humain Umuntu Muntu
What Quoi Iki Inki
Money Argent Amafaranga Falanga (Mbongo)
To open Ouvrir Fungura Kangula
Clean(ed) Laver Usukurwa Sukula
To drink Boire Kunywa Kunwa
Water Eau Amazi Maza (Masa)
Oil Huile Amavuta Mafuta
Meat Viande Inyama Nyama
Onion Onion Ibitungura Ditungulu
Pineapple Anana Inanasi Nanasi
Doctor Docteur Umuganga Munganga
After Apres Nyuma Nima
Table 2: Examples of plural formation
ENG FRE KYR KKG
SINGULAR Child Enfant Umwana Mwana
PLURAL Children Enfants Abana Bana
SINGULAR Human Human Umuntu Muntu
PLURAL Humans Humains Abantu Bantu
Table 3: Numbering survey
ENG FRE KYR KKG
Three Trois Batatu Tatu
Five Cinq Batanu Tanu
Eight Huit Umunani Nana
Ten Dix Icumi Kumi
III. Conclusions
The brief survey, performed by a lay person, suggests a common heritage between Kinyarwanda and Kikongo languages. A common heritage between languages in Rwanda and Western DRC is an indication of closeness of those populations despite their apparent geographic distance.
In addition to the already known and emphasized cultural proximity to the people of Eastern Congo, this modest survey suggests much wider links and relations between the people of DR Congo and Rwanda. More comprehensive studies should be conducted to deepen the understanding of this proximity in languages and in other cultural aspects.
The political and military elite, the maffia and the enemies of peace between the people of those two countries should stop waging unnecessary wars and promote peace and tranquility instead. More than anything else, the populations of those neighbouring countries need peace to focus on their development and well being in their respective countries.
I. Background
As a result of the continuous unrest in Eastern DRC, caused in part by rebellions originating from Rwanda, a strong resentment now exits between DRC citizens and Rwandans. It is common to register complaints from Rwandan authorities pointing to discrimination against Kinyarwanda (Rwanda language) speakers in the DRC. Some bloggers in Rwanda go as far as suggesting that Eastern DRC is culturally closer to Rwanda and should be part of this latter. Is there any truth to those claims? How far apart are the languages spoken in Rwanda and DRC? Could a common heritage between the languages spoken in both countries suggest a more unified population than presented by politicians?
This post, from an Engineer who is not a linguist, examines some striking similitudes between Kinyarwanda and Kikongo languages, spoken respectively in Rwanda and Western DR Congo. The piece is not intended to be a comprehensive and comparative study of both languages but a glimpse of the common heritage in both communication vehicles. The choice of a Western DRC language is intentional and aims to support wider links not only with the Eastern DRC but also with Western DRC. In highlighting those similarities, the author hopes to contribute to a better understanding between our people and put to rest false claims and perceptions from the enemies of peace in both countries and in the Great Lakes region in general.
II. Brief Comparison
The survey of similitudes between Kikongo(KKG) and Kinyarwanda (KYR) will look into a few words (Table 1), the rules of formation of the plural of nouns (Table 2) as well as numbering (Table 3) accompanied by french (FRE) and english (ENG) translations.
Table 1: Comparison of words and verbs
ENG FRE KYR KKG
To eat Manger Kurya Kudia
Tongue Langue Indimi Ludimi
Breasts Seins Amabere Mabele
Bad Mal Amabi Mbi
Human Humain Umuntu Muntu
What Quoi Iki Inki
Money Argent Amafaranga Falanga (Mbongo)
To open Ouvrir Fungura Kangula
Clean(ed) Laver Usukurwa Sukula
To drink Boire Kunywa Kunwa
Water Eau Amazi Maza (Masa)
Oil Huile Amavuta Mafuta
Meat Viande Inyama Nyama
Onion Onion Ibitungura Ditungulu
Pineapple Anana Inanasi Nanasi
Doctor Docteur Umuganga Munganga
After Apres Nyuma Nima
Table 2: Examples of plural formation
ENG FRE KYR KKG
SINGULAR Child Enfant Umwana Mwana
PLURAL Children Enfants Abana Bana
SINGULAR Human Human Umuntu Muntu
PLURAL Humans Humains Abantu Bantu
Table 3: Numbering survey
ENG FRE KYR KKG
Three Trois Batatu Tatu
Five Cinq Batanu Tanu
Eight Huit Umunani Nana
Ten Dix Icumi Kumi
III. Conclusions
The brief survey, performed by a lay person, suggests a common heritage between Kinyarwanda and Kikongo languages. A common heritage between languages in Rwanda and Western DRC is an indication of closeness of those populations despite their apparent geographic distance.
In addition to the already known and emphasized cultural proximity to the people of Eastern Congo, this modest survey suggests much wider links and relations between the people of DR Congo and Rwanda. More comprehensive studies should be conducted to deepen the understanding of this proximity in languages and in other cultural aspects.
The political and military elite, the maffia and the enemies of peace between the people of those two countries should stop waging unnecessary wars and promote peace and tranquility instead. More than anything else, the populations of those neighbouring countries need peace to focus on their development and well being in their respective countries.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Congo_Engineers
The "Engineers Week" initiated by the Association of DR Congo Engineers (ACIC) [1] provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on the role of this profession, in the wake of the call for "revolution and modernity" launched by the authorities.
Despite the distractions caused by fabricated rebellions in Eastern Congo that the government must confront head on, the reconstruction of the nation needs to proceed. The reconstruction or actually the construction of DR Congo urgently requires, among other actors, good quality engineers and scientists in a variety of fieds and in high numbers. Taking advantage of the massive investments pouring in, the country should primarily count on the internal supply of engineers and also on the diaspora where a number of practicing engineers/scientists and scholars live. A database of those should be established and maintained.
When looking at the current numbers first, the country is barely producing enough engineers to address the demands in mining, construction, transportation, telecoms, water...to name a few sectors. How can this vast country undertake the major challenge of reconstruction with so few key actors?
The two major engineering schools in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi barely produce 40 senior engineers (6 years degree) per year in the traditional fields of Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Chemical, Material and Mining. Adding about five schools training intermediate (3-4 years) engineers in those same areas, the country barely hits the level of 200 engineers per year. Diversification of the engineering fields to include more vital needs is also urgently required as well as the increase of the number of engineers produced. It would be normal to expect an output of about 5000 engineers or more per year in a country the size of Congo.
Alongside the quantity, the nation needs to stress on the quality of its engineering graduates by updating the curricula and also recycling the engineers by exposing them to advanced technologies. It is a good trend to see the emergence of Excellence Centers like the recently opened Chinese IT Huawey that will train and update telecom personnel to address the growing needs in this area. More of these are vey much needed in various fields. Vital needs including rail transportation, naval construction, food processing industry etc...are absent from the curriculum. The existing orientations are pretty much still reflecting the colonial legacy and need to be revamped to respond to the challenges posed by the rebuilding of the nation. With the nation being an easy target of so many looters and predators, authorities must integrate engineering defense systems, at the very least to ensure territory surveillance.
When more engineering schools are needed, more faculty will also be required and policies must be in place to fill these gaps. The country still very much relies on old cooperation agreements to train very few engineering faculty abroad or in "sandwich programs", part abroad and part locally. In this area, it seems Lubumbashi is doing much better than Kinshasa where the training of replacement faculty is lagging and no incentives are in place to recall the alumnae throughout the world.
Bold actions are needed to train more engineering teaching personnel. Solely Engineering and Technology Universities (in the model of the German Technical University system) need to be created to train high level graduate engineering students (PhD/MSc) at first, with faculty recruited from the various existing engineering schools in the Congo but also abroad. It is good practice to begin with one such Engineering University in Kinshasa or Lubumbashi. Training PhDs in separate schools will spread thin the effort with little results to show. A new kind of cooperation should be geared towards the acquistion of advanced lab equipment and facilities for brand new engineering schools and for the upgrade of existing schools while ensuring connection to the world.
With so few advanced engineering personnel and actors, the country will be unable to take the major leap needed for its take-off in order to place itself in the 'emerging nations club' orbit any time soon.
[1] http://radiookapi.net/emissions-audio/2012/06/05/antoine-mesu-parle-de-la-place-de-lingenieur-civil-dans-lindustrialisation-de-la-rdc/
Despite the distractions caused by fabricated rebellions in Eastern Congo that the government must confront head on, the reconstruction of the nation needs to proceed. The reconstruction or actually the construction of DR Congo urgently requires, among other actors, good quality engineers and scientists in a variety of fieds and in high numbers. Taking advantage of the massive investments pouring in, the country should primarily count on the internal supply of engineers and also on the diaspora where a number of practicing engineers/scientists and scholars live. A database of those should be established and maintained.
When looking at the current numbers first, the country is barely producing enough engineers to address the demands in mining, construction, transportation, telecoms, water...to name a few sectors. How can this vast country undertake the major challenge of reconstruction with so few key actors?
The two major engineering schools in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi barely produce 40 senior engineers (6 years degree) per year in the traditional fields of Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Chemical, Material and Mining. Adding about five schools training intermediate (3-4 years) engineers in those same areas, the country barely hits the level of 200 engineers per year. Diversification of the engineering fields to include more vital needs is also urgently required as well as the increase of the number of engineers produced. It would be normal to expect an output of about 5000 engineers or more per year in a country the size of Congo.
Alongside the quantity, the nation needs to stress on the quality of its engineering graduates by updating the curricula and also recycling the engineers by exposing them to advanced technologies. It is a good trend to see the emergence of Excellence Centers like the recently opened Chinese IT Huawey that will train and update telecom personnel to address the growing needs in this area. More of these are vey much needed in various fields. Vital needs including rail transportation, naval construction, food processing industry etc...are absent from the curriculum. The existing orientations are pretty much still reflecting the colonial legacy and need to be revamped to respond to the challenges posed by the rebuilding of the nation. With the nation being an easy target of so many looters and predators, authorities must integrate engineering defense systems, at the very least to ensure territory surveillance.
When more engineering schools are needed, more faculty will also be required and policies must be in place to fill these gaps. The country still very much relies on old cooperation agreements to train very few engineering faculty abroad or in "sandwich programs", part abroad and part locally. In this area, it seems Lubumbashi is doing much better than Kinshasa where the training of replacement faculty is lagging and no incentives are in place to recall the alumnae throughout the world.
Bold actions are needed to train more engineering teaching personnel. Solely Engineering and Technology Universities (in the model of the German Technical University system) need to be created to train high level graduate engineering students (PhD/MSc) at first, with faculty recruited from the various existing engineering schools in the Congo but also abroad. It is good practice to begin with one such Engineering University in Kinshasa or Lubumbashi. Training PhDs in separate schools will spread thin the effort with little results to show. A new kind of cooperation should be geared towards the acquistion of advanced lab equipment and facilities for brand new engineering schools and for the upgrade of existing schools while ensuring connection to the world.
With so few advanced engineering personnel and actors, the country will be unable to take the major leap needed for its take-off in order to place itself in the 'emerging nations club' orbit any time soon.
[1] http://radiookapi.net/emissions-audio/2012/06/05/antoine-mesu-parle-de-la-place-de-lingenieur-civil-dans-lindustrialisation-de-la-rdc/
Monday, June 4, 2012
On Dodd-Franck
Many things are being said regarding section 1502 of the controversial Dodd-Franck financial law covering conflict-minerals in Central Africa. Opponents of the law, citing the loss of business, call for the law to be revoked by US Congress. Supporters, on the other hand, argue the law is needed to dampen rebellions and unrest in Eastern Congo due to illicit mining trade. In the following, I add a voice to those advocating for the law to be upheld. DRCongo needs everything, including Dodd-Franck, that helps stabilize the postconflict situation, in order to focus solely on development issues.
1.In as much as Dodd-Franck helps dry-up the resources of armed groups, and weaken their ability to resupply in weapons to oppose the national army in Congo, every effort should be undertaken to uphold the law.
2.It is with full knowledge of this reality that the Congolese Conference of Catholic Bishops(CENCO) has dispatched its President to Washington DC, to make the people's voice heard regarding the benefits of the section of the law pertaining to conflict minerals in the Congo.
3.Bad business in the Eastern Congo, in fuelling war, is also an enemy of peace and should be defeated alongside with the army groups. Being a bate and an incentive for numerous and increasing armed groups populating Eastern Congo, conflict mineral must be considered as a serious threat to Congo stability and not be underestimated or given a back seat.
4. It is unfortunate that some buyers interpret the law as an embargo to all the minerals coming from Eastern Congo while the law only calls for a supply chain audit. This would ensure the mineral extracted is not fuelling rebellions and wars in the region and paricularly in the Congo.
5.With that said, everybody in the Congo understands that urgent actions are required for nation building, to strengthen security and particularly the military.
6.These efforts are underway with the training of special forces batallions (namely by Belgium, US, China to name a few). The special forces have been instrumental in routing the rebels in their most recent adventures in the Kivu, confining them to a small sector alongside the Rwandan and Ugandan borders.
7.Consultations are in an advanced stage with Russia to provide the nation with adequate air power and increase its ability to protect its territory against predators and looters and their sponsors in neighboring countries.
8.A key aspect of the national integration in addition to the military is the infrastructure. Congo 9 Bn$ deal with China was a step in the right direction in providing the country with much needed infrastructure.
9.The deal was blocked, not by the parliament,but by enemies of the country including World Bank and IMF who would prefer to continue to provide loans and charity to slow down the Congo and maintain dependency.
10.In a word or in thousands of words, the country does need to strengthen governing institutions, military and economy for the well being of its population and Africa based on DRC's position and potential.
11.All efforts going in this direction must be upheld including the fight against illicit mineral trading and conflict mineral in Eastern Congo.
1.In as much as Dodd-Franck helps dry-up the resources of armed groups, and weaken their ability to resupply in weapons to oppose the national army in Congo, every effort should be undertaken to uphold the law.
2.It is with full knowledge of this reality that the Congolese Conference of Catholic Bishops(CENCO) has dispatched its President to Washington DC, to make the people's voice heard regarding the benefits of the section of the law pertaining to conflict minerals in the Congo.
3.Bad business in the Eastern Congo, in fuelling war, is also an enemy of peace and should be defeated alongside with the army groups. Being a bate and an incentive for numerous and increasing armed groups populating Eastern Congo, conflict mineral must be considered as a serious threat to Congo stability and not be underestimated or given a back seat.
4. It is unfortunate that some buyers interpret the law as an embargo to all the minerals coming from Eastern Congo while the law only calls for a supply chain audit. This would ensure the mineral extracted is not fuelling rebellions and wars in the region and paricularly in the Congo.
5.With that said, everybody in the Congo understands that urgent actions are required for nation building, to strengthen security and particularly the military.
6.These efforts are underway with the training of special forces batallions (namely by Belgium, US, China to name a few). The special forces have been instrumental in routing the rebels in their most recent adventures in the Kivu, confining them to a small sector alongside the Rwandan and Ugandan borders.
7.Consultations are in an advanced stage with Russia to provide the nation with adequate air power and increase its ability to protect its territory against predators and looters and their sponsors in neighboring countries.
8.A key aspect of the national integration in addition to the military is the infrastructure. Congo 9 Bn$ deal with China was a step in the right direction in providing the country with much needed infrastructure.
9.The deal was blocked, not by the parliament,but by enemies of the country including World Bank and IMF who would prefer to continue to provide loans and charity to slow down the Congo and maintain dependency.
10.In a word or in thousands of words, the country does need to strengthen governing institutions, military and economy for the well being of its population and Africa based on DRC's position and potential.
11.All efforts going in this direction must be upheld including the fight against illicit mineral trading and conflict mineral in Eastern Congo.
Congo Kitoko
Congo kitoko or beautiful Congo(in Lingala and Kikongo languages) will be sharing thoughts about the Democratic Republic of Congo.
I teach Engineering at College level and also have a passion for humanitarianism, for world people and their cultures.
I look forward a great nation of DR Congo in Central Africa leaving in peace with its neighbors and with its hundreds of tribes/etnics, all struggling to make a living.
I teach Engineering at College level and also have a passion for humanitarianism, for world people and their cultures.
I look forward a great nation of DR Congo in Central Africa leaving in peace with its neighbors and with its hundreds of tribes/etnics, all struggling to make a living.
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