Escalating war in Congo

Violence has been escalating in the eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), in central Africa. Foreign Policy writes that Goma, “one of Congo’s biggest eastern cities fell to a powerful rebel force on Tuesday, Nov. 20, in a war that may redefine the region but has produced little political action by the United Nations, the United States, and international powers that heavily support neighboring governments — notably Rwanda, a Western darling and aid recipient — that are backing the violence, according to U.N. experts.” The website and radio show On Point with Tom Ashbrook has a good summary of the situation.

Congolese human rights activist, pastor, and physician Dr. Denis Mukwege is now in exile after an assassination attempt in October 2012. The feminist playwright Eve Ensler writes about Mukwege as her hero in The Guardian. Listen to or read Mukwege’s brief September 25, 2012, speech to the United Nations here. And listen to Mukwege’s post-assassination-attempt message to his staff in Congo, encouraging them to overcome hatred with love.