In a financial crisis such as the one we all are experiencing today, things may seem a little uncertain, more so for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo who have been in crisis for more than a decade and whose suffering has been immeasurable. But we shouldn't forget that the Congolese people are still hopeful and deserve our attention and our voice so that they can have peace and prosperity for themselves and their country. Unfortunately this month has been desastrous for the Congolese people, the crisis in the DRC has worsened: In Kivus, CNDP (National Congress for the Defense of the People) of General Nkunda has been fighting the Congolese national army, displacing local population and now it is threatening to overthrow the elected Government in Kinshasa. The FDLR (Democratic for the Liberation of Rwanda), a Rwandan militia, continues to kill and terrorize Congolese people without consequences; they now have a police Force which collects taxes and continues to enslave women and children. In Ituri, The LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) a Ugandan Militia has raided several towns along the Border between the DRC and Sudan, killing men, kidnapping women and children from schools. This month, we have seen a new Militia group, FPJC (Front Congolais pour la Justice Au Congo) emerged in the province of Ituri, threatening even more the peace process that was signed early this year.
The situation in DRC is of great concern for peace in the Great Lakes Regions. Yesterday, President George Bush had to sign a continuation of National Emergency with respect to the situation in DR Congo (See the letter below). And today more than ever, women and children of DRC need your appeal to the policy makers so that they can continue hoping for peace and stability. I urge you to contact your representatives and insist that the United States of America commit even more to the “Goma Peace Accord”; urge US congress to pass and implement the “International Violence against Women Act” and “Conflict Coltan and Cassiterate Act” that could end the conflict in Eastern Congo. Please join our effort by becoming an active member of CGA, participating at "Break the Silence Congo Week event that currently taking place all over the World and/or by donating a small contribution to our cause at www.congoglobalaction.org.
Notice: Continuation Of The National Emergency With Respect To The Situation In Or In Relation To The Democratic Republic Of The Congo
On October 27, 2006, by Executive Order 13413, I declared a national emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706), ordered related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in that country. I took this action to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been marked by widespread violence and atrocities that continue to threaten regional stability.
Because this situation continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on October 27, 2006, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond October 27, 2008. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13413.
This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
October 22, 2008.
Call your representative - it's time we made this war history and, for the first time, allow the Congolese people to truly control and govern themselves. The DRC is a political mess - but we (the US) helped make it putting Mobutu on the throne & with our inaction in Rwanda and we must, MUST, MUST respond and help bring stability to this country.
