11/7/08

Rwanda: Bloody Shame That Ours Aren't as Uplifting


The New Times (Kigali)
 

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Sunny Ntayombya
Kigali

I woke up, Wednesday, bleary eyed and all, at exactly five o'clock in the afternoon but with a smile on my face. I was suffering from the Obama induced post-election hangover.

I'd been up the entire night, watching the tallies of each and every state as I bit my nails to the quick, having darkre of the Florida 2000 (where the Republicans 'stole' the elections) debacle.

But this year, we aren't to be denied; Sen. McCain gets to take his 'maverick' act back to the Senate while Mrs. Palin gets to shoot Moose for supper up in Alaska, while a young, black family gets to call the White House home for the next four years.

I'd been following the travails of young Obama since the first Primaries (all the while cursing the phenomena of time zones that forced me to be up till six in the morning). I felt elated by his win in the Iowa Caucuses and then cursed as he lost New Hampshire because of a certain woman's 'dark arts'.

Then for the proceeding months, I became Obama-maniac, reading each and everything that I could put my hands on; all the while snarling at each and every trick that the Clinton and GOP unleashed on, 'That One. Seriously, I think that if the election had been postponed for another month, I'd have become a nervous wreck.

When CNN declared him President-elect, I couldn't believe that victory was ours. I started having morbid thoughts; I saw that huge crowd that had come to celebrate his victory in Chicago and, instead of a happy crowd, I saw instead a haven of potential assassins.

My imagination was playing a mélange of scenes from the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and JFK. But alls well that ends well, he got through his speech without mishap, I got one last dose of "Yes We Can", and I got to bed at 8am.

I woke up to radio reports that there was an impromptu fete at the American Embassy in Kigali and its environs as people celebrated the Obama victory.

We should, in retrospect, ask ourselves this question; "what was it is about this man and this campaign that made even the most apolitical person pick a side?"

I'd hate to think it was because of his colour because that would bemean everything that he has come to stand for. I think it was because of what he symbolises; youth, idealism and opportunity.

These three things made even the most cynical of us believers. I've not been one to get excited by elections of any sort, in any country, including ours.

It's because these affairs have, more often than not, been dour and totally lacking in new ideas. Our politicians don't seem to be addressing audiences they respect but rather often seem to be talking down to us. Mr.Obama put it quite eloquently when he stated that this election "wasn't about him but about you".

He verbalized something that many politicians have failed to understand-that the only reason they are where they are is to be of service to the people. Of course, if you're a Robert Mugabe you don't give two hoots about serving the people but I'm not talking about him and others of his ilk.

You know, I'm not really a fan of over-aged politicians dictating the future of a young nation, but when I look around the African continent, I see grizzled old men refusing to collect their pension cheque.

As I continue scanning the African political landscape I see people using all manners of Machiavellian tactics to get just 'one more term' (not a hint of idealism in these folks, hell no) and I see nepotism and corruption. Lets be honest here; despite Obama's political skills, I couldn't see him becoming even a Mayor in most African nations.

Relevant Links

Because he stands for all the things our own politicians never seem to aspire for, he keeps me up all night; because our politicians rarely take me to the heights they act like Valium. But not all's lost; they have four years to learn from Obama.






--
Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
Procurement Consultant
Gsm:   +250-08470205
Home: +250-55014140
P.O. Box 3867
Kigali - RWANDA
East AFRICA
Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
Skype ID: kayisa66

: Conditions congolaises à Naïrobi 2

Cet article est un amalgame et utilise des techniques connues..

On assène des contre-vérités de manière tonitruante de telle sorte que cela finit par devenir, le désir du peuple et la réflexion d'expert...

Dans le désordre, pourquoi les véhicules de la Monuc ne sont pas assurés en RDC?

Cela coule de source, si l'insolvabilité est la caractéristique commune aux institutions du secteur monétaire, il n'est que normal que des solutions appropriées doivent suppléer..

La crainte de déplacement de population est-elle justifiée?

Dans ces écrits, je ne vois pas ou est mentionné, les populations Kongolaises qui ont trouvé refuge au Rwanda et dans la sous-région?

Sont-elles moins Kongolaises à cause de leur physionomie?

Il y'a eu des violation grave contre des populations au Kivu, au vu et au su de la Monuc et de tous ces organismes, Human Rights Watch et consort..

l'hecatombe de Katumba..

Le Droit du sol n'est pas un instrument réservé à certains Kongolais, tout Kongolais peut l'invoquer sur tout le territoire..

Le gouvernement de la RDC a montré les limites de son professionnalisme dans la crise du Kivu.

Il joue au Pompier Pyromane, la présence vérifiée de Commandos Angolais et autres  Zimbabweens, est je suppose, la solution?

La sonnette d'alarme a été tirée à plusieurs reprises sur le rapprochement entre le Gouvernement de la RDC et les Forces Négatives.

La position de la France est plus qu'ambiguë, d'un coté, elle fait des effets de manche en annonçant des chiffres pour l'Aide Alimentaire aux populations meurtries, de l'autre, elle soutient, arme, entraîne, ces mêmes forces, qui ont une part de responsabilités criante dans les événement de 1994 au Rwanda.

Il y'a eu l'époque de la Grande nationalité, la petite et la douteuse..

Je doute que les motivations du gouvernement de la RDC soient altruistes.

Le premier principe en Droit est : pas d'intérêt, pas d'action.

Le général Nkunda a été rendu responsable de tous les couacs des programmes du Gouvernement de la RDC..

Les cinq chantiers? Ce n'est pas de notre faute, tout l'effort financier est focalisé au front de l'Est..

Cette appellation de Front, le massacre des partisans de Bundu dia Kongo, était-ce aussi un autre Front?

Finie la recréation disait le Président Kabila, je le laisse seul juge..
 

 





 


 
 
Révoltez-vous massivement peuple Congolais
si à "Naïrobi 2", la RDC cède une zone tampon à Kagamé
 
 
Objet : Esquisse des conditions obligatoires pour Naïrobi 2
 
Copies : Au Saint Père le Pape Benoît XVI ;
          À Sa Majesté la Reine Élisabeth II du Royaume-Uni ;
          Au Roi Albert II de Belgique ;
          Au Président George Bush des États-Unis d'Amérique ;
          Au Président Nicolas Sarkozy de France ; 
          Au Président Shimon Perez d'Israël ;
          Au Premier Ministre du Canada, le Très Honorable, Stephen Harper,
 
Préambule
 
  "Aujourd'hui, ce n'est plus un secret, tous ont conscience que la guerre au Congo est motivée par le désir d'extraire les matières premières, y compris les diamants, l'or, le colombo tantale (coltan), le niobium, le cobalt, le cuivre, l'uranium et le pétrole. Au Congo, l'exploitation minière par les multinationales occidentales se fait à un taux sans précédent et il est estimé que quelques 6 millions de dollars, uniquement en cobalt brut — un élément des superalliages essentiels aux industries nucléaires, chimiques, aérospatiales et de défenses — sortent chaque jour de la RDC. Toute analyse de la géopolitique au Congo nécessite une bonne compréhension du crime organisé perpétré au moyen des multinationales. Cela permet de mieux comprendre la raison pour laquelle le peuple congolais subit une guerre incessante depuis 1996."  Source : FOCUS SUR L'ACTUALITÉ "RD Congo: Sombre Dessous des Cartes…., le 30 octobre 2008.
 
Congolaises, Congolais,
Peuple du Vendredi Saint,
 
I.    Pas de zone tampon à l'intérieur du Congo pour le Rwanda
 
    Quelle est ce gouvernement qui travaille pour le bénéfice des États voisins et des rebelles à l'intérieur de ses propres frontières ?  Qu'est-ce que Joseph kabila a fait pour contraindre la rébellion à déposer les armes depuis qu'il est chef de l'État.  Les exodes des populations congolaises ne sont plus des phénomènes nouveaux, mais des récidives ad libitum des assaillants des armées illégales et criminelles sans statut ni mandat qui opèrent sur le sol congolais.  À toutes les victoires conquises par les FARDC, c'est le Président, Joseph Kabila, qui enlève le lustre du défilé de gloire de nos troupes et les rend aux ennemis.  Les forces du mal en RDC réucupèrent toujours les positions gagnées à l'ennemi à la simple colère de Kigali contre Kinshasa.  Il est présentement en train de se tramer une piste de résolution de conflit qui désavantagie la République Démocratique du Congo au profit du Rwanda.  Cette éventualité crédible n'est pas fausse, c'est le tendon d'Achille que l'Occident, par ses États directeurs, veut imposer comme voie de sortie des guerres au Nord-Kivu.  En d'autres mots, les populations déplacées, toutes, ne retrouveront pas sur leurs territoires d'origine, certaines devront être installées ailleurs, là où Kigali voudrait les voir déférer.
 
    Les zones tampon sont ces corridors que préparent lentement, mais sûrement la prochaine Conférence de Naïrobi 2.  En somme, le déménagement des populations du Kivu vers un nouvel établissement d'installation sociale.  L'exode qui a fait manchette ces jours derniers n'est pas un succédané subit, mais un mouvement de transhumance perpétuelle commencé depuis belle lurette au Nord-Kivu.  Toutefois, le déménagement spectaculaire des masses de ces derniers temps a débuté au mois d'août lorsque Laurent Nkundabatuare a violé l'entente de cessez-le feu de la Conférence de Goma du mois de janvier de l'année en cours.  À ces dernières Assises, l'Occident est venu en trombe par ses Ambassadeurs et ses ministres plénipotentiaires, ce personnel politique de Paris, de Washington, de Bruxelles, de Londres a fait un discours d'assurance aux populations en leur promettant une paix stable et définitive, car les problèmes militaires ne seront plus le centre de la suite des négiciations, car tout compte fait, la solution de brassage des troupes est l'alternative privilégiée de fin des effervescences. 
 
    "Non contrainte. Hier, le chef rebelle n'a pas caché le peu de considération qu'il porte aux troupes de l'ONU : les Casques bleus «sont incapables d'assurer la sécurité de la population de Goma, donc comment pourraient-ils m'interdire d'aller là-bas ? Ils ne m'en empêcheront pas, je peux aller partout au Congo», a-t-il déclaré. Plus tard dans la soirée, il menaçait d'entrer dans la ville. Source : Hinterland Lue dans Libération de Paris..., le 2 novembre 2008.
 
    Il est interdit, par patriotisme et par respect pour le peuple congolais, de parader à Naïrobi 2 comme des petits délinquants.  Les négociations n'ont pas de sens si c'est attitude qui va prévaloir.  Le Congo est agressé par le Rwanda et il n'y a rien à négocier, sinon qu'à faire pression à la Conférence afin que l'ONU reconnaisse que la RDC est attaquée sans cesse par le Dracula de Kigali.  Il faut que les Dirigeants congolais parviennent à faire valoir que ce ne sont pas eux qui ont le fardeau de la preuve pour démontrer que les tueurs des Congolais sont des mercenaires du Paul Kagamé, c'est à ce dernier d'admettre sa culpabilité sous la pression de la criminalistique de l'ONU contre les assassinats au Nord-Kivu.  La Délgation de la RDC doit absolument réussir à faire valoir cette exigence obligatoire.  Donc, il faut que Kinshasa évite de se faire malmener par le Rwanda et que l'Organisation des Nations-Unies en vienne à une décision qui condamne le régime de Kigali sans spéculer avec les argumentations fallacieuses qui sont loin d'être vrais.  En clair, il ne doit pas être question de créer une zone tampon entre le Rwanda et la RDC, le monde entier connaît aujourd'hui qui tue les Congolais.
 
    Les Congolais morts à plus de six millions sous les balles des armées rwandaise et ougandaise ne méritent pas que l'on se mette à marchander la paix de leur pays par des hésitations teintées de crainte et de tiédeur, le Gouvernement de Kinshasa doit être capable de parvenir à faire respecter les Congolais, c'est cela la mission de toute autorité publique qui assume ses responsabilités.  Les Délégués congolais à Naïrobi sont tenus à surveiller Joseph Kabila pour l'empêcher de signer la capitualtion pour acheter une paix moins cher au coup d'une cession de la zone tampon, cela s'appelle de la trahison.  Tous les Délégués présents à cette sanction débiles Naïrobi 2 auront eux aussi trahi la RDC.
 
II.    Joseph Kabila est l'obstacle à tout déblocage de la crise
 
    Naïrobi 2 c'est de la poudre aux yeux, la diplomatie n'existe pas dans le contentieux des guerres de rébellion en RDC, sinon les tueuries auraient déjà cessé.  Car, si la diplomatie existait, il y a longtemps que le Président Joseph Kabila aurait pu capitaliser sur cette possibilité par les ouvertures que lui donnent les opportunités de s'en prendre aux envahisseurs.  La dernière médiatisation du Nord-Kivu avec des populations jetées sur la route fut une de ces occasion que Kabila n'exploite pas.
 
    Tout ce que les Congolais savent avec certitude, c'est que Joseph Kabila n'appuie pas l'armée congolaise, mais s'engage du côté de Kigali sans cesse.  Au cours des offensives des FARDC, il envoie des messages à Paul Kagamé qui prend soin de communiquer la réalité du terrain à Nkundabatuare, lequel reçoit une assistance en armes et en munitions très vite.  La connivence netre Paul Kagamé et Joseph Kabila pour détruire la RDC, c'est leur association des malfaiteurs organisées pour vendre les richesses congolaises aux pays étrangers.  Sérions-nous en droit de demander vers qui va l'argent que les compagnies installées en RDC sans l'aval de la population s'aquittent en diverses taxes des produits extorqués.  La population congolaise à qui appartient toutes ces richesses est de plus en plus pauvre et maltraité.  Pourtant, le salaire du Président de la RDC est le plus élevé de tous les chefs d'État de la planète.
 
    Au-delà de cette parenthèses, il y a une vérité incontournable avec tous ces mensonges.  Les Congolais ne connaissent pas Joseph Kabila, de quelle façon auraient-il pu l'élire ?  Les élections étaient truquées par les pays occidentaux commenditaires qui avaient tout intérêt à avoir un personnage sans formation comme Président pour pouvoir le manipuler à leur guise.  Joseph Kabila ne communique pas avec son peuple parce qu'il ne connaît pas la langue du peuple, seul le Kinyarwanda qu'il parlait chez Kagamé avec un peu d'anglais appris en Tanzanie.
 
    Joseph Kabila n'a aucune préparation pour assumer la chose publique ni pour manager la gestion des affaires de l'État.  Kabila ne connaissait même pas la RDC au moement où il a été élu, il ne connaît pas l'hsitoire ni la culture des Congolais et ne fait pas d'efforts pour aimer le peuple qui le garde au pouvoir, le rétribue grassement.  Ce Président est protégé par des forces armées extérieures et étrangères.  le cercle du pouvoir est une fourmilière des Tanzaniens, des Zimbabwéen et d'autres visiteurs dont la mission auprès de ce monsieur est d'éteindre toutes les velléités de révolte de la cour et du peuple.  En somme, ils sont là pour appréhender toute insurrection pressentie.  Joseph Kabila n'a pas admis d'opposition dirigée par ses adversiares.  Sur ce terrain, on peut se souvenir les dépenses tirées des sommes publiques que son gouvernement a mis en jeu pour faire arrêter à tout prix son rival, Jean-Peirre Bemba, élu comme lui dans le mêmes conditions de chantage contre les citoyens du Congo.  Quelle est ce régime que l'on clame comme étant une démocratie ?  N'est-ce pas là plutôt une dicatature pure et simple.  Joseph Kabila est l'obstacle à tout déblocage de la crise.  À bon entendeur salut là-dessus.
 
Congolaises, Congolais,
Peuple du Vendredi Saint,
 
III.    Le vade mecum des conditions de discussions
 
    Ce qui suit dans les détails ci-dessous constitue le conducteur de Naïrobi 2, Voici les poits capitaux :
 
Au plan politico-militaire
  1. Refuser fermement de négocier avec Laurent Nkundabatuare ;
  2. Identifier clairement l'auteur de la déstabilisation de la RDC comme étant paul Kagamé ;
  3. Obtenir les réponses sur le nombre des contingents rwandais et les hordes du CNDP qui opèrent criminellement au Nord-Kivu ;
  4. Exiger du Rwanda le respect absolu de la souveraineté de la RDC ;
  5. Autoriser la RDC de se prévaloir du droit de poursuite comme Kigali et Kampala le font constamment au Nod-Kivu et en Ituri, etc ...
Au Plan diplomatique et collaboration avec la MONUC
  1. La MONUC doit disposer sans contrainte du droit de recourir à l'Article 7 de la Charte des Nations-Unies, celui qui lui donne l'autorisation de s'engager dans les zones de tension avec les armes ;
  2. Prendre possession des zones d'exploitation et de contrebande des minies du Congo sous la coupole des groupes rebelles ;
  3. Faire cesser le harcèlement des FARDC par la MONUC qui les déméage des positions en position ;Cesser de prendre le parti des rebelles en accusant toujours les FARDC d'inconduite alors que le vrai responsable de ces conséquences, c'est celui qui provoque les attaques à partir desquelles tous les désordres deveinnent possibles ;
  4. Commencer à condamner le Rwanda en mettant fin aux fausses disculpation dont il jouit à toute occasion de ses récidives infractions criminelles ;
  5. Répondre aux questions qui expliquent pourquoi le Rwanda ne veut pas arrêter ss agressions et dans quel but il veut accéder à tout prix aux minerais de la RDC ;
  6. Obtenir des explications sur la raison qui fait que les autos de la MONUC sont assurés au Rwanda et non en RDC ; 
    Pour le reste, il va falloir que le Gouvernement de la RDC communique aux Congolais les décisions de ses prises de position sans tenir le peuple à distance.  En effet, la Nation doit connaître d'une manière exhaustive quelles sont les compagnies qui sont enregistrées dans l'exploitation minière en RDC et quelles sont leurs champs de concession par rapport à la superficie en km2 de zones sous leur pouvoir.  Par ailleurs, cette information doit être accompagnée de la localisation des villes et centres urbains ou ruraux qui définissent leurs mouvements dans les provinces congolaises afin qu'il devint possible que les Congolais sachent les compagnies aériennes de transport qui font le trafic dans le ciel de la RDC.
 
Congolaises, Congolais,
Peuple du Vendredi Saint,
 
IV.    La ménopause des Mensonges et des promesses de l'Occident en RDC
 
    L'Occident, de cette clique restreinte dénommée, Communauté internationale, la Troïka, soit ce groupe de consultation et du suivi sur la RDC, dans laquelle on revoit constamment et d'une manière réccurrente, la Belgique, la France, les États-Unis rencontre maintenant des embûches jonchées sur le boulevard de ses propres mensonges.  La prophylaxie des thérapies taillées en prêt-à-porter pour les Congolais est enlisée dans des culs de sac qui interpellent par l'imapsse la fatigue des astuces imaginées pour saborder la RDC.  Les concepts d'endomorphisme deversés à coup de chantage et des torts dirigés toujours vers un même pôle ne passent plus le cap des bluffs et des pièges tendus aux Rdéciens.  Les mensonges de l'Occident ont été pris en sandwiches par leurs propres promesses non-tenues, il appert maintenant aux yeux de la société civile internationale que les Conspirateurs sont ceux qui convoquent la RDC à un sommet à Naïrobi 2 pour tenter de trouver d'autres

    Le journaliste Peter Verlinden, de la VRT (la radio & télévision publique de la Belgique néerlandophone) a appris de sources diplomatiques à Bujumbura qu'au courant des semaines dernières, 600 soldats démobilisés de l'armée burundaise ont rejoint Laurent Nkunda pour combattre à ses côtés. Le ministre des affaires étrangères du Burundi a, toujours selon Peter Verlinden, confirmé cette information après une première investigation. Entre-temps, en toute discrétion, il a commencé à mettre sur place une commission d'enquête.  Source : VRT: Nkunda soutenu par 600 militaires démobilisés du Burundi.

    Ceci ne serait vrai que si on l'appuie ce paragrphe avec la version flamande ou neerlandaise originale :

    "De Congolese rebellenleider Laurent Nkunda krijgt niet alleen steun vanuit buurland Rwanda, maar ook vanuit Burundi. Dat heeft VRT-journalist Peter Verlinden vernomen in de Burundese hoofdstad Bujumbura." De 600 goed getrainde en goed uitgeruste Burundezen zijn ongetwijfeld een belangrijke versterking voor  Laurent Nkunda. Tot nu toe gingen de meeste  waarnemers ervan uit  dat hij kon beschikken over een 5.000-tal manschappen. Het was al bekend dat Nkunda, die naar eigen zeggen opkomt voor de belangen van de Congolese Tutsi's, kon rekenen op de steun van Rwanda, waar een Tutsi-regime aan de macht is.  Als het zo is dat ook de Burundese legertop - of toch een deel ervan -  bij het  conflict betrokken is, lijkt een uitbreiding van het conflict niet onwaarschijnlijk. Source : VTR, za 01/11/08, 22:00.

Congolaises, Congolais,
Peuple du Vendredi Saint,
 
    C'est au gouvernement de ne pas se rendre à Naïrobi 2 avec l'échine courbée.  Le peuple congolais doit surveiller Joseph Kabila, car il n'a pas le mandat de négocier pour des concessions en vue d'acheter la paix à vil prix.  Un peuple mûr se bat et se défend.  L'ONU, Washington, Bruxelles, Paris, Londres, Berlin ne sont pas avec la RDC et ne semblent pas vouloir voir finir la mort des Congolais mis en danger par les multiples l^cheté de Kinshasa face aux rebelles déversés au Congo par le Président rwandais et ougandais.  C'est à nous de nous défendre nous nous-même.  Ce pargraphe ci-dessous en dit long :

    "Car au-delà de ce beau prétexte des Interahamwe, des for­ces négatives, il se cache bien quelque chose de plus dangereux. Sinon, on ne saurait comprendre cette répétition du même scénario pour faire perdurer la guerre, déboulonner des régimes en place sans que rien ne change en faveur de la République démocratique du Congo. Bien au contraire, l'on assiste lentement et sûrement à la balkanisation du pays, si pas le morcellement ou le détachement dans un premier temps, d'une vaste portion du territoire riche du Congo. Allant du grand Kivu jusqu'en Ituri en englobant une bonne partie de Beni. Un « complot-programme qui bénéficierait de l'appui des multinationales, lesquelles le font exécuter par Etats interpo­sés, mais sélectionnés."  Source : (SL/Milor/GW/Yes), Le Potentiel, reçu de Thenday Tshis. 

    Mon intention dans ce vade mecum consiste à faire prendre conscience la Délégation congolaise qui prend part aux travaux de Naïrobi 2 d'être alerte, prudent et ferme.  Depuis la chute de l'ancien régime, les Officiels congolais l'habitude ne dire que Oui, Oui à toute pression venant de l'extérieur même quand ils ont raison.  Le parlement ne dit que Oui et Oui. Joseph Kabila ne dit que Oui et Oui à la MONUC au point de sacrifier lamentablement la vie des soldats de la RDC.  Lorsqu'on lui dit, enlève tes troupes ici, il obtempère.  La dernière obédience en date de cette faiblesse c'est à Tongo, la MONUC a dit à Kabila de retourner les FARDC dans leurs positions, l'ordre fut exécuté et les soldats ont été massacré par Laurent Nkundabatuare. 
 
    La dernière défaite des FARDC est résultante de cette attitude.  Ainsi, il ne faut pas qu'à Naïrobi 2, le Président de la RDC livre le pays à son supérieur hiérarchique Paul Kagamé.  Ce méchant a déjà trop transigé et il a toujours gagné alors que c'est lui le tueur, le massacreur des masses en RDC.  Peuple de la RDC, soyons vigilant et refusons pour des bons des injonctions des comploteurs qui se paient sur notre décès.
 
Vive la République Démocratique du Congo,
Vive le Peuple Congolais,
Vive les femmes congolaises courageuses, belles et saintes
Vive les héros nationaux visibles et invisibles,
Vive la progéniture du Peuple du Vendredi Saint.
 
Djamba Yohé,
Gaston-Marie,
Le Congolais de l'Atlantique Nord.
Ottawa, le 5 novembre 2008,
Canada.
 





--
Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
Procurement Consultant
Gsm:   +250-08470205
Home: +250-55014140
P.O. Box 3867
Kigali - RWANDA
East AFRICA
Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
Skype ID: kayisa66

11/6/08

Zimbabwe, Angola and Rwanda caught up in a wider conflict in DR Congo


Congo's warring rivals traded accusations Tuesday that Angola, Zimbabwe and Rwanda are mobilizing forces to fight in Congo, as the UN Secretary General prepares to fly into this besieged city to assess weeks of fighting that has displaced a quarter million people.

The accusations of foreign involvement, reminiscent of a disastrous 1998-2002 war that drew in eight African nations, stoked fears of a wider conflict in this mineral-rich nation.

The fighting has forced tens of thousands of refugees to struggle through the countryside with what belongings they can carry. Tropical rainstorms, which drench eastern Congo every day, add to their misery.

On Tuesday, downpours sent refugees lucky enough to have shelter rushing to tents and huts made of woven banana leaves, while others huddled under plastic sheeting as they trudged through the thick red mud.

In Kibati, a camp for the displaced just north of Goma, aid workers from Los Angeles-based International Medical Corps gave water and high-energy biscuits to thousands of hungry children lined up in the searing heat.

Outside the distribution center, thousands of children who had not received the tokens needed to receive food shoved and pushed, holding their hands out in supplication, eyes wide with desperation.

"The people here don't have food and they are hungry," said Oxfam's Rebecca Wynn. "Some people are going into the banana fields around the camp, which is very dangerous because there are drunk soldiers around. They're risking their lives, but they are hungry and desperate."

Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito arrived in Goma just before dusk Tuesday with half his Cabinet and met with U.N. envoy Alan Doss and U.N. peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy as well as local officials. He planned to meet with refugees Wednesday to assess the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Despite a week-old cease-fire, rebel leader Laurent Nkunda's Rwandan-backed rebels vowed insurgents would march on the capital, Kinshasa, after the government refused Nkunda's demand for direct talks.

"If they won't negotiate with us, then they leave us little choice," rebel spokesman Bertrand Bisimwa said. "We will start fighting again and we will continue until we take Kinshasa."

Communications Minister Lambert Mende said President Joseph Kabila's administration was "open for dialogue" with all rebel and militia groups in the region - but would not meet Nkunda's group alone.

The Congo government's first priority is to "normalize our relations with all our neighbours, above all Rwanda," Mende added.

Suggestions that other African nations are being drawn into the conflict have fuelled fears of a wider conflict, adding urgency to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's attempts to bring Kabila and Rwandan President Paul Kagame together for talks. Kagame is believed to wield strong influence over the Tutsi-led rebels.

A U.N. official said Ban was considering leaving Wednesday for an expected African Union summit meeting Thursday on the Congo crisis in Nairobi, Kenya, to be attended by Kagame and Kabila. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made.

The rebels on Tuesday accused close Congo ally Angola and Zimbabwe of mobilizing to back government forces against the Tutsi fighters, while the government - backed by reports from U.N. peacekeepers - has said Rwanda is helping the insurgents.

The groundwork "is being laid for a generalized war in the region ... foreign troops (are) preparing to make war against us," rebel spokesman Bisimwa told The Associated Press.

Zimbabwe has strongly denied any military involvement, while Angola did not comment.

The conflict in eastern Congo can be traced to festering ethnic hatreds left over from the 1994 Rwandan genocide that killed a half-million Tutsis and sent more than a million refugees spilling across the border.

Rwanda invaded Congo twice in the 1990s to hunt down Hutu militiamen who fled there after taking part in the mass slaughter.

The 1998-2002 war ripped Congo into rival fiefdoms, with rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda controlling vast swaths of territory rich in coffee, gold and tin. Angola and Zimbabwe sent tanks and fighter planes to back Congo's government in exchange for access to lucrative diamond and copper mines to the south and west.

Though Rwanda has denied any military involvement in the latest fighting, the U.N. says Uruguayan peacekeepers saw Rwandan artillery fire into Congo last week as Nkunda's forces advanced. Uruguayan army chief Gen. Jorge Rosales said intelligence reports indicated Rwandan troops were already "integrated in the rebel forces."

The rebels, meanwhile, claimed Tuesday that some Angolan troops were in Bukavu, south of Goma. They said 550 Angolan commandos were in Goma and others were in the central city of Kisangani. It was impossible to verify the claims.

Further complicating matters were the nearly two dozen small militia groups operating in Congo's lawless east, which the government and U.N. peacekeepers have struggled to secure for years.

Fighting erupted Tuesday between one of these, the pro-government Mai Mai, and the rebels north of Goma, U.N. spokeswoman Sylvie van den Wildenberg said. Uruguayan and Indian peacekeepers were caught in the crossfire at Kiwanja, but there were no reports of casualties.

At the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, meanwhile, prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Tuesday he was monitoring reports of war crimes in the Congo, including murders, rapes, attacks on civilians and looting. The perpetrators "will not go unpunished," he said.

Ross Mountain, the U.N. humanitarian envoy to Congo, told the AP the U.N. mission has pulled peacekeepers out of other trouble spots in Congo and has concentrated 92 percent of its 17,000-force in the east.

But at only one peacekeeper for every 10,000 civilians, the force was vastly unmanned, he said, noting that the Kosovo mission had 46,000 U.N. troops for an area 200 times smaller.

Neil Campbell of the Brussels-based independent think tank, International Crisis Group, said diplomatic efforts must be swift.

"The worst case scenario would be regional escalation with Rwanda getting heavily involved," Campbell said. "And that's something that we want to avoid at all costs."

In Kiwanja on Tuesday, AP reporters watched hundreds trudging home from refugee camps they said they were forced to leave by Nkunda's rebels.

U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said Nkunda's rebels blocked at least 100 refugee families attempting to return to Tongo, a village on the edge of the Virunga National Park that shelters endangered mountain guerrillas. Montas said the refugees were forced to sleep beside the road with no shelter.

Associated Press writers Michelle Faul reported from Goma and Todd Putman from Dakar, Senegal. AP writers Anita Powell in Goma, Eddy Isango in Kinshasa, Donna Bryson in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Louise Watt in London contributed to this report.





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Rwanda: 'Yellow World' Hits 1 Million Subscribers


The New Times (Kigali)
 

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Kezio-Musoke David And Kabona Esiara
Kigali

Aphrodise Sebahinde bought his MTN line from Kabarondo on the 21st of October just after the mobile telecom company had newly constructed a mast in Rukara.

Over 80 percent of the country has access to mobile phone and Internet services enabled by over 200 masts located across the country.

MTN Rwanda on Monday afternoon announced the registration of its one millionth mobile subscriber.

At an unveiling ceremony of Aphrodise Sebahinde the one millionth subscriber, MTN Rwanda's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Themba Khumalo said the company's mobile and Internet services can now be accessed by 80 percent of the country.

Khumalo said that the achievement comes after the company installed 200 masts across the country. He added that reducing call tariff rates had also attracted more Rwandans to subscribe to the MTN network.

Local calls were in the recent past reduced by 35 percent while international calls reduced by 60 percent respectively.

According to a statement issued by MTN in the past 10 years MTN Rwanda has invested over 80b Rwf to build and upgrade infrastructure in Rwanda.

Sebahinde a famer hailing from Kayonza District purchased his SIM card from Kabarondo on the 21st of October just after MTN had newly constructed a mast in Rukara.

In recognition of this historic and significant milestone, MTN rewarded Sebahinde who is a farmer with one exotic cow, a grass cutting machine and pumping spray machine to boost his farm.

In addition Mr. Sebahinde who has 4 young daughters also gets a new house, monthly airtime for life, a pedal bicycle and array of scholastic materials for his daughters.

Sebahinde was introduced to the public at the Rukara town centre in presence of the Eastern Province Governor Dr Eprahim Kabaija, and senior district officials.

MTN also officially commissioned the mast at Rukara that has enabled network coverage to the area for the first time

MTN Rwanda's achievement also comes days after the South African based MTN Group announced that its Group's subscriber base across its 21 operations in Africa and the Middle East had increased to 80,736,000 as of 30 September 2008.

According to an MTN Group statement made available to the New Times the group's South and East Africa (SEA) region in which MTN Rwanda is subscribed to, contributed 28 percent of the total subscribers while West and Central Africa (WECA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions contributed 44 percent and 28 percent respectively.

According to the group statement as of June 2008 to September 2008, the quarter under review, Rwanda's subscriber base grew by 18 percent.

Rwanda contributes 4 percent of the SEA region overall subscribers which includes South Africa, Uganda, Swaziland, Zambia and Mascom - Botswana.

MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Phuthuma Nhleko, said, "We are satisfied with the subscriber growth across our operations. As competition increases, MTN continues to explore growth opportunities."



MTN Rwandacell works with over 20,000 people engaged in the selling and distribution of airtime and public access like Tuvugane and Telimbere and they in turn contribute to the development of Rwanda.




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French officers sue over genocide report

 

 

Ten officers who served on a French military mission to Rwanda in 1994 were named in an August report as having had a role in the country's genocide. The 10 filed a slander lawsuit on Tuesday against the Rwandan government.


Ten senior French officers filed suit against Rwanda for slander on Tuesday after a justice minister's report accused them of taking part in the 1994 genocide.
   
The five generals and five colonels served in Operation Turquoise, a French military mission to Rwanda in 1994 that has been marred by controversy over allegations that it helped Hutu genocide perpetrators.
   
The 10 including General Jean-Claude Lafourcade who commanded Operation Turquoise were named in a report released in August by Justice Minister Tharcisse Karugarama on France's alleged role in the genocide.
   
"These serious and unfounded accusations could not be left without a response," said Lafourcade in a statement.
   
"This is why 10 officers whose honour has been tarnished have decided to launch legal proceedings to counter these accusations in the courts of our country," he said.
   
The officers have filed suit for slander in a Paris court, saying the report accused them of "having fully taken charge of the genocidal campaign" through Operation Turquoise, according to Lafourcade.
   
The report alleges that France was aware of preparations for the genocide, contributed to planning the massacres and actively took part in the killing.
   
It names 13 senior politicians and 20 military officials as responsible and raises the prospect of Rwandan legal action against them.
   
Following its release on August 5, France rejected the allegations as "unacceptable".
   
Defence Minister Herve Morin said French soldiers had nothing to be ashamed of from their service in Rwanda.
   
At least 800,000 people died, mainly minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus, during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, according to the United Nations.



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Rwanda: We never shot back at DR Congo

Kigali (Rwanda) - Rwanda's Military Spokesman Maj. Jill Rutaremara, has strongly refuted, allegations made by the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo (MONUC), that the Rwanda Defence Forces, (RDF), fired heavy artillery shells at DR Congo territory last week.

By The New Times (Rwanda) | 11.05.2008

MONUC claimed that Rwanda fired tank shells and other heavy artillery across the border into the DR Congo just before government forces (FARDC) were routed out of the provincial capital Goma by rebels of the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP).

"Rwanda has not made any attempt to shoot at the DR Congo; it is the Congolese army that shot at the Rwandan territory," explained Maj.Rutaremara.

The allegation of Rwanda shooting at the DR Congo territory comes days after FARDC artillery fire landed on Rwandan territory.

At least seven shells landed in Kabuhanga near Petite Barriere and Kamahoro, where Rwandan residents immediately evacuated to safer areas.

According to Rutaremara, after the DR Congo army pointed their guns towards Rwanda, the government immediately informed the former about the shootings and FARDC immediately brought it to an end and that Rwanda never reacted by shooting back.

The allegations of Rwanda shooting at the Congolese territory were made Monday by the MONUC spokesperson Sylvie van den Wildenberg .

She alleged that Uruguayan peacekeepers saw Rwandan tanks and other heavy artillery fire into DR Congo.



Source: http://www.newtimes.co.rw/





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Egypt's Rwanda World Cup qualifier postponed

By Sherif Tarek


CAIRO: World governing body FIFA has rescheduled Egypt's World Cup qualifier against Rwanda for June 10.

A fax was sent to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) by FIFA on Tuesday, announcing the final date of the pivotal fixture.

The match was initially expected to be held on either June 4 or 5, which would have been more convenient for the Pharaohs.

The six-time African champions are taking part in the Confederations Cup from June 14-28, and facing Algeria on June 6 of the same month in another qualifier.

Egypt assistant coach Shawki Gharib told FilGoal.com the technical staff is going to set a plan for their consecutive commitments.

The Pharaohs start their World cup qualifiers on the March 28 when they take on Zambia in Cairo.






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Guatemala: The Kabiles as Peacekeepers in the Congo

 
'Guatemala: The Kabiles as Peacekeepers in the Congo'
by Renata Avila

The Kabiles are soldiers in the Guatemalan Army that undergo a specialized, yet controversial training  at a school in the northern part of the country, nicknamed "Hell".  Many Guatemalans reject the abusive training that the Kabiles receive, which some say, closely resembles self-inflicted torture. It is often difficult to fathom why such methods are necessary, as described by blogger Statchka [es] when he details "Black Week of a Kabil". He explains that they are even forced to drink animals blood to survive.

One point of their Decalogue had been: "The Kaibil is a killing machine."  In the past, many of the soldiers have been involved in counter-insurgency operations, but also some have been accused of human-rights violations, but now they are mainly involved with anti-crime duties. In addition, the Kabiles have also been sent as Peacekeepers in the Congo, where 72 Guatemalans are currently on the front line in the city of Goma.

Due to their training instructions, Patrick from GNS Blog pointed out, such a mandate of Peace seems in conflict with their motto:



After all, the infamous Kaibil creed of: "If I go forward, follow me. If I stop, urge me on. If I turn back, kill me", seems to kind of jar with the traditional peacekeeper approach.



An admirer of the Kabiles, Perspectiva Militar [es], who is also a member of the Guatemalan Army detailed the training that takes place before the mission in the Congo or wherever else they might go. He explained the process of sending the Kaibiles to the Special UN Forces and how they say goodbye to their families, on his blog post Kaibiles to the Congo, Africa [es].  Here they have faced dangers, as in 2006, 8 of them died in an armed operations in the Congo [es].

Many wonder why members of the Guatemalan army, who have historically had a poor reputation in the area of human rights, are now being considered for the role of peacekeepers. As the situation in the Congo is going from bad to worse,  where human rights abuses like rape has been used as a weapon, the Kabiles are still being sent to the front line.  The Kabiles come from a country that face a similar war-like setting, where women suffer the consequences of past and present conflicts.  However,  Journalist  Allan Nairn is optimistic about the peacekeeping mission and pointed out on his blog  that the new surroundings can alter behaviour, and it differs greatly from political killings:



The other night a Mayan survivor remarked that there are Kaibiles in the Congo. They're a special unit of US-trained Guatemalan troops officially called "The Messengers of Death," but he noted that recently eight of them were ambushed and died themselves in that faraway land.

The poor Kaibil killers must not have known what hit them, since, on the road, away from home, they were in the Congo under actual legal constraint, as peacekeeping troops of the United Nations. It's a similar story with Indonesian troops, now deployed as UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.  Back home, unbound by law, they kill civilians, but, away -- where that would cause problems -- such behavior is banned, and, generally, despite their past record, they don't go around murdering people (rape is another matter; its a problem of men in armies most everywhere, and UN troop assignments vary: In Haiti, it has included repression).

It's not the man, its the mission. Political killers are not killing machines. They are human components of killing machines, and if the machine setting is switched from "kill" to "don't kill," as trained people, they do tend to comply.



But why are members of the Guatemalan Army in the Congo? Albedrío [es] may have the answer:

El tema de fondo es que los soldados guatemaltecos están siendo utilizados para ir a las zonas de mas peligro porque, de acuerdo con múltiples fuentes de información, se les considera con experiencia y baratos, como sus homólogos salvadoreños. En pocas palabras, en la actualidad Guatemala exporta soldados cuasi mercenarios para las guerras que los países beneficiarios de la explotación de las riquezas naturales no quieren asumir. Los beneficios si, los costos humanos y políticos no.



The underlying issue is that Guatemalan soldiers are being used to go the most dangerous areas because, according to multiple sources of information, they are considered to be experienced and cheap, like their Salvadoran counterparts.  In other words, Guatemala exports quasi-mercenary soldiers for wars that countries that are benefiting from the exploitation of natural resources do not want to take on.  The benefits yes, the human and political costs, no.


 


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RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

L'ONU envoie ses blindés pour stopper les rebelles


"Leur mission est d'arrêter l'offensive" rebelle, "avec ordre de tirer si nécessaire", selon un porte-parole de la mission de l'ONU en République démocratique du Congo. L'ONU accuse les rebelles d'avoir pris deux nouvelles localités en dépit du cessez-le-feu.

Un blindé de la mission des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (Monuc) (Reuters)

Un blindé de la mission des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (Monuc) (Reuters)

L'ONU a envoyé ses blindés pour tenter de stopper les rebelles de Laurent Nkunda dans la région du Nord-Kivu, à l'est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC), a annoncé jeudi 6 novembre un porte-parole de la Mission des Nations unies en RDC (Monuc).  Les blindés ont été envoyés vers une localité tombée le jour même aux mains de la rébellion, a précisé le porte-parole.

La mission de l'ONU a ordre de tirer

D'après la mission onusienne, les combattants du CNDP (Congrès national pour la défense du peuple) ont pris jeudi le contrôle de Nyanzale, localité à 80 km au nord-ouest de Goma (capitale de la province du Nord-Kivu) qui abritait l'état-major de la 15e brigade de l'armée loyaliste.
Les rebelles se seraient également emparés de la localité voisine de Kikuku, à 9 km plus au nord, où "des blindés de la Monuc ont été envoyés", a déclaré à l'AFP à Kinshasa un porte-parole militaire de la mission, le lieutenant-colonel Jean-Paul Dietrich.
"Leur mission est d'arrêter l'offensive" rebelle. "Ces engins blindés ont été envoyés pour arrêter l'avancée des troupes de la rébellion, avec ordre de tirer si nécessaire", a-t-il précisé.
"Au moment où je vous parle, j'ignore si ces blindés ont ouvert le feu", a-t-il ajouté.
La Monuc dispose d'une base avancée aux environs de Nyanzale, autour de laquelle de nombreux déplacés ont trouvé refuge, selon le porte-parole.

Un cessez-le-feu maintenu

Le chef rebelle Laurent Nkunda avait pourtant annoncé, mercredi, le maintien du cessez-le-feu entré en vigueur il y a une semaine dans la région de Goma, en dépit d'affrontements signalés plus au nord pour la deuxième journée consécutive.
Un peu plus tôt, un porte-parole des rebelles avait accusé les forces gouvernementales de RDC d'avoir rompu la trêve en attaquant des positions de la guérilla à Kiwanja, près de Rutshuru, 70 km au nord de Goma.
Mais un porte-parole de la Monuc (Mission des Nations unies au Congo) a déclaré ne pas penser que des troupes gouvernementales aient pris part mercredi aux combats à Kiwanja, qui font suite à d'autres, mardi dans le même secteur.

Des milliers de civils en fuite


Une colonne de plusieurs milliers de civils qui disent fuir les attaques de miliciens Maï-Maï pro-gouvernementaux s'est formée entre Kiwanja et Rutshuru.
L'offensive menée la semaine dernière dans ce secteur par les rebelles tutsis du général Nkunda avait provoqué l'exode de dizaines de milliers de civils.
Des coopérants humanitaires cherchant à localiser et aider des milliers de civils déplacés par les combats, dans la région de Rutshuru, ont dit avoir été contraints de suspendre leurs opérations en raison des hostilités.

Sommet des chefs d'Etat de l'Afrique des Grands lacs

Par ailleurs, le Kenya a annoncé mercredi qu'un sommet des chefs d'Etat de l'Afrique des Grands lacs, auquel prendront part les présidents de RDC et du Rwanda, Joseph Kabila et Paul Kagamé, se tiendrait vendredi à Nairobi.
A New York, le secrétaire général de l'Onu, Ban Ki-moon, a annoncé à des journalistes qu'il assisterait à ce sommet pour exhorter le chef de l'Etat congolais à dialoguer avec le général Nkunda et à tous ceux qui pourraient contribuer à désamorcer la crise.

Les origines du conflit remontent au génocide rwandais


Kinshasa et Kigali s'accusent mutuellement de soutenir la guérilla ou des milices dans l'est de la RDC, dont les origines du conflit remontent au génocide rwandais de 1994.
Un porte-parole des rebelles de Nkunda, Bertrand Bisimwa, a affirmé que des hommes de la milice Maï-Maï pro-gouvernementale Pareco et des rebelles hutus rwandais anti-tutsis avaient participé aux combats de Kiwanja, aux côtés de soldats de l'armée régulière de RDC.
Près de Kibati, au nord de Goma, l'armée de RDC a renforcé ses positions sur le front avec l'arrivée de camions transportant des mitrailleuses et des munitions, ont rapporté des témoins.
Laurent Nkunda, qui appartient à la minorité tutsie de RDC et exige l'avènement d'un meilleur gouvernement pour le pays, a menacé mardi de porter la guerre jusque dans la capitale Kinshasa si le gouvernement n'accepte pas de discuter avec lui. (Avec Reuters et AFP)





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11/5/08

: Obama Sweeps Victory!! His Acceptance Speech

YES WE CAN



A big congs to those who supported Obama ("We need change...., Yes we
can......) Indeed he has made history.

In Kenya President Kibaki has given Thursday as a public holiday to celebrate Obama's victory. Many Ugandans and Nigerian have started floating in Nairobi for victory celebrations.

You are welcome to join us.

Below is his acceptance speech.

Blessings.

Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama-as prepared for delivery
Election Night
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Chicago, Illinois


If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place
where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our
founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our
democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches
in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours
and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because
they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could
be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and
Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight,
disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world
that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we
are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many
to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put
their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope
of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on
this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to
America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought
long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder
for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that
most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the
service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him
and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to
working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from
his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets
of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice
President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of
my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and
the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama.
Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new
puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no
longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family
that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to
them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod,
and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics -
you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've
sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to -
it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start
with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in
the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and
the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings
they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this
cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of
their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for
jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young
people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the
doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who
volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries
later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has
not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't
do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the
task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the
challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -
two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking
up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their
lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after
their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or
pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new
energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and
threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get
there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more
hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as
a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree
with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that
government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with
you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when
we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking
this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and
twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by
calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on
this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is
only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if
we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and
responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and
look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if
this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a
thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we
rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and
pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.
Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the
banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on
the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity.
Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a
great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and
determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As
Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not
enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not
break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I
have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices,
I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from
parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the
forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our
destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To
those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who
seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have
wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved
once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the
might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring
power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding
hope.

For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our
union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope
for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for
generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who
cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who
stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one
thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no
cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't
vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the colour
of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in
America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the
times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with
that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed,
she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.
Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land,
she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new
sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she
was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was
saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a
bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We
Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was
connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this
election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because
after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of
hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so
much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children
should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky
to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What
progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is
our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity
for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to
reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that
out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we
are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't,
we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a
people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United
States of America and Africa tooooooo




Phil. 4:13 "I can do all things through  Jesus Christ who strengthens  me."


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Subject: THE DREAM BECAME A REALITY

 

Absolutely beautiful!

 

 

Rosa Parks SAT so that Martin Luther King could walk.Martin Luther King WALKED so that Barack Obama could Run.Barack Run so that OUR kids can FLY.

 

And as the kids begin to fly, Barack can be the wind beneath their wings, Martin Luther can SIT back and watch and Rosa Parks can RISE to sainthood :)

 

 


 

 



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Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
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