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 | CENTRAL AFRICAN CRISIS November 15, 1996 |
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James Bishop, Disaster Response Director for InterAction, answers your questions.
NewsHour Backgrounders
A map of the region of Central Africa affected by the crisis.
Nov. 11, 1996:
Two experts discuss the latest news from Zaire.
Nov. 7, 1996:
An ITN report on the crisis in Eastern Zaire.
Oct. 15, 1996:
Warren Christopher discusses his trip to Africa, and his views on the crisis in Zaire.
Aug. 20, 1996:
An Online Forum with BBC journalist Feargal Keane on the unrest in Burundi, Rwanda and Zaire.
July 24, 1996:
South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki discusses the unrest in Rwanda and Zaire, amongst other topics.
March 28, 1996:
Geraldine Sicola, director of Catholic Relief Services' emergency coordination unit, talks about the unraveling situation in Burundi.
Jan. 30, 1996:
U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Madeleine Albright discusses the deteriorating situation in Burundi.
Dec. 4, 1995:
Jimmy Carter discusses African topics, including his efforts to stabilize the situations in Burundi and Rwanda.
Complete NewsHour coverage of events in Africa.
OUTSIDE LINKS
Africa News Service, a non-profit media organization has regularly updated links on Zaire, and other African nations.
There is a crisis in Zaire that has claimed the lives of 13,000 people in the last few weeks, with hundreds of thousands more at risk. These figures come from aid groups who are being overwhelmed along the Zaire-Rwanda border by the demands of over 1.2 million refugees. The United Nations World Food Program estimates that if massive international intervention doesn't take place immediately, up to 80,000 children under three years of age, the most susceptible to hunger and disease, will die in the next month.
The crisis has its roots in the massacre of 800,000 Rwandan Tutsis in 1994 by their Hutu dominated government. Following the overthrow of that government by Tutsi rebels, over 1 million Hutus, including the leaders of the massacre, fled to Zaire where they have remained in camps along the Rwandan border. Sporadic attacks have escalated back and forth over the border in recent months. Then, in October, the Zairian government ordered the expulsion of all ethnic Tutsis from it's border, in an apparent sign of support to the Hutus. The ensuing confusion came to a head when the Rwandan army invaded Zaire to protect Tutsis from Zaire's army. At present, Rwanda declared a three week cease-fire in Eastern Zaire to allow aid to reach the refugees. But Western nations remain standing idly by.
It was last January that the U.N. Secretary General recommended that Peace Keepers be sent into Zaire. Today, a Spanish government spokesman said that the extent of the disaster now means that international action is inevitable: "But it will be too late anyhow."
After much thought, a peace keeping force, led by Canada and bolstered with up to 5,000 U.S. troops and U.S. logistical support, is being dispatched to the region for a maximum of four months and a mandate that only includes getting aid to the refugees.
Will the presence of U.S. troops be enough to cool the chaos?
At issue as well is the stability of the nation of Zaire, led by an aging and ailing dictator, experiencing a moribund economy fueled by a corrupt government and a undisciplined army, this country of over 200 tribal groups, the size of 1/4 of the United States, could well split apart, spreading turmoil across Africa.
Our Forum asked: What needs to be done in the immediate future? What is America's role in this crisis? Or is this strictly an African problem that is best solved by African nations? What can be done to prevent future disasters such as this one? Would some sort of consistent foreign policy toward Africa by Western nations help to prevent the constant string of disasters that seem to happen there?
Our Forum guests are James Bishop and Chris Cushing. Mr. Cushing CARE's regional co-ordinator for the emergency in Zaire. He is presently in Central Africa. Mr. Bishop directs disaster response and refugee programs for InterAction, the nation's largest coalition of humanitarian aid agencies. He is the former U.S. Ambassador to Niger, Liberia and Somalia.
To learn more about this issue from a CARE representative who is presently in Rwanda, send e-mail to Wendy Driscoll at driscoll@care.org - She will be be able to reply when she returns to the U.S. in early December. Mr. Bishop answered questions on:
Additional Comments
- Will troops improve the chances of the refugees?
- Are the basic problems of Africa being overlooked?
- Did Western countries' foreign policies help provoke the situation?
- What is the role of Asian countries in helping Africa?
- Should we bail out the government which caused the famine?
- What should be done to help the refugees?
- Has race or economics slowed Western response?
- What can the ordinary person do?
- Would repatriation help the situation in Zaire?
- Will the U.S. and the Europeans have the same interests in Rwanda?
- What is the feeling in Zaire about the arrival of U.S. troops?
A question from Duke Bradford of Indianapolis, IN
Now that Canada, commendably, has decided to lead a U.N. humanitarian force, and the U.S. has joined in, what chances do you give the refugees?
James Bishop responds
As you know there have been dramatic developments today, and tens of thousands of refugees have returned home. However, hundreds of thousands remain far from help and those who held them hostage are still armed and at large. An international intervention force is still needed. Its arrival should facilitate the access of the humanitarian community to the hundreds of thousands of victims of this long-standing crisis who remain in urgent need of assistance.
Chris Cushing responds
A question from Mark Ford of East Fallowfield, PAIn his later years, when asked his opinion of the problems facing the African continent, Richard Nixon's reply was "...hopeless." We see replay after replay of this scenario...how are these "band aids" we keep placing upon the hemorrhaging African society going to help in the long term? When are the basic problems of overpopulation, disease and programs to show Africans how to be self-supportive going to be addressed and how might they be addressed with some permanency?
James Bishop responds
There are success stories as well as disasters in Africa. Growth rates have gone up in many countries and morality has declined. Africa's emergence from poverty and recurrent crisis requires greater public and private investment in physical and social capital, debt relief, lowering of trade barriers, and more responsible leadership. It is not a hopeless task. Former "basket cases" are prosperous stable societies in Europe, East Asia ans South America. That evolution can take place in Africa too. But it will take longer in a continent which must play catch up ball to overcome technological lags, a difficult geography and a colonial heritage.
Chris Cushing responds
A question from Alfred J. Verstreken of Santa Barbara, CAInstead of wondering if this is strictly an African problem or if some consistent foreign policy could help prevent it, shouldn't we be asking ourselves if it isn't our consistent foreign policy which has caused it?
Isn't it the "Western" activity in Africa which enabled wars and genocide on the current scale, and didn't American foreign policy discourage democracy on the continent?
James Bishop responds
There has been ethnic conflict in Africa (and in most of the world) throughout history. It did not originate in Africa during the colonial period. In fact, colonialism kept the lid on. Until the 1990s encouraging democracy in Africa was not a high U.S. priority, because democracy's prospects appeared bleak. However, as Africans have shown more interest in democracy, the U.S. has been the external power which has done most to sustain this momentum.
Chris Cushing responds
A question from J. Chou of Fullerton, CAThere has always been discussion among Western nations, as to how to handle the seemingly myriad of problems in some of the African nations. It is rare to hear any discussion involving Asian nations, who in every right have interests in Africa, whether economic or humanitarian. Has there been any effort to consult with Asian nations for humanitarian or even military aid for the troubled nations in Africa?
James Bishop responds
During the cold war China took a serious interest in Africa, primarily to gain allies in its struggles with the West and with the USSR. Both North and South Korea also sought advantage in Africa. The USG encouraged Japanese interest, which first was motivated by commercial ambitions and more recently has had a humanitarian aspect. Today, Japanese assistance to the nations of Africa exceeds that of the United States.
Chris Cushing responds
A question from Walter Rynkiewicz of Danbury, CTThe famine in Africa seems to be governmentally inspired- Why should we bail out governments that seem to be bent on starving out their own (minorities)(oppressed majorities)?
We should learn from Somalia--sometimes do gooders are not appreciated.
James Bishop responds
I am not sure what famine you have in mind. There are food shortages in a few countries caught up in war, e.g. Liberia. No one should bail out the Liberian government. It should be replaced as soon as possible. But the Liberians should not be allowed to die while that transformation takes place.
Chris Cushing responds
A question from Phyllis Peres of College Park, MDIn your opinion what must be done to meet the needs of the many refugees who are fleeing internal strife in Rwanda and now face imminent starvation in Zaire in the refugee camps and the mountains?
James Bishop responds
It is safe for the refugees to return to Rwanda, except those who face prosecution as a result of their participation in the genocide which took place there in 1994. The international community should facilitate that return, as it is doing now. More pro-active measures may be required to reach those too sick or weak to reach the border on their own. These measures may include protection from armed elements preying on them. Thus there remains a need for an international intervention force.
Chris Cushing responds
A question from Paul Hutcheson of Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaDo you think that North American and European nations would quicker to respond if these folks had the "right" color skin? Do you think that the 'West" would pay more attention if they saw the opportunity to make money?
James Bishop responds
People tend to respond more rapidly and generously to the needs of those with whom they identify most closely, e.g. the Irish to problems in Ireland, people from the Middle East to the needs of that region. The conditions of slavery broke the bonds between Africans and African-Americans, so there is not the same pressure to help Africans as there is to help other ethnic groups with ties to people in the U.S.
Chris Cushing responds
A question from Bruce Hanson of Fresno, CAAmericans are normally extremely generous when it comes to helping those around us who have suffered a tragedy, on an individual level. But, somehow many American's attitudes change when it comes to doing the equivalent on a national level. The question should be: Can we do anything? If so, how? What can the "ordinary" person do? Can we do any- thing, as individuals, to help?
James Bishop responds
Thousands of Americans work overseas providing personal care to disaster victims. Millions of Americans contribute to the dozens of American organizations which conduct this work. We will be happy to send you a list of American organizations aiding victims of this and other crises.
Chris Cushing responds
A question from Michael Wells of Columbus, OHWhat would be the possible effect of moving the remaining refugee camps across the border into Rwanda? I realize they would need constant protection there, but it seems that they need protection where they are. Would it do anything to calm Zaire?
James Bishop responds
Under international law it is illegal to force genuine refugees to return to the country from which they fled. As you can see, many of the Rwandan refugees are returning on their own. We should know soon how many are not going to return and will need to be resettled elsewhere.
Chris Cushing responds
Sent to James Bishop onlyA question from JL Peni of Paris, France
Since USA mostly supports the Tutsi Rwandese government and Europeans countries mostly support the Hutus, do you believe the international humanitarian force may have a coherent attitude in case of real fighting?
James Bishop responds
There has been real fighting. Hopefully it is winding down with the retreat of the armed Hutus from the border area. Most of the participants in the prospective force are neutral, including the U.S., the Canadians and the British.
Sent to Chris Cushing (in Zaire) onlyA question from Phil Wright of Concord, MA
What is the feeling of the people and governments of Eastern Zaire and Rwanda about the impending arrival of foreign and U.S. troops?
Chris Cushing responds
Allan de Vera of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Mr. Bishop,
You are the head of an NGO that organizes relief aid to disaster area around the world. In your opinion, should the USA take a moral stand and assist the peoples of ZAIRE? If so, why does the USA need to follow the Canadian lead? The U.S. is a preeminent power in the world and must take a leadership role in crises of this nature.
The U.S. is not the world's policeman and it certainly has no obligation to make action regarding this crisis, however, part of being a preeminent power, the U.S. must take some sort of leadership role where it cannot allow a peoples to disappear. In essence the U.S. cannot turn its head on the massacre of these peoples.
Organizations like yours, must also take a stand and push its administrators to commit some assistance to these people who seek help. The U.S. cannot and should not take an isolationist stand! If the world's greatest power has no will to assist, then humans will evolve into an uncaring and ungiving race. We are not animals, we must assist our neighbors who seek help!
Frank Miller of Loomis, CASome African nations, notably Rwanda and Zaire at present, are not able to govern themselves to even minimal humanitarian standards. Our choices are extremely limited from the outside. It is unthinkable that we consider imposing some form of government on them. That would be a return to the pattern of colonialism and there is no clear way out of that course of action.
The leaders of these nations have shown no sensitivity to the suffering of the innocent people. We can expect aid that we send is going to be wasted in the black market. It is an awful fact that no matter how much help we put into the area those leaders, and would be leaders will be preparing for more battles and more suffering of the innocent population after we leave.
It is important that America recognize we cannot cure the ills of these countries. We cannot insure a stable government there without becoming oppressors ourselves. The people of these countries must find their own way to some form of stability that suits them. This may take generations and the loss of untold number of innocent lives. We cannot impose a stable government based upon the will of the people when there is no will or hope in their hearts.
Our humanitarian work will be a temporary Band-Aid on the cancer eating at their social order. In the long run we must let the disease take its course. Help with Band-Aids from time to time but do not attempt a cure to the problems. The people must rise up under their own power and indignation to throw out the corrupt and selfish leaders. We cannot do that job for them.
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