Then, after communism fell, both countries became snarled in enervating civil conflicts that robbed them of their central governments, turned millions of their citizens into refugees and left the rest scrambling to survive. Mobutu never really had to come to terms with his compatriots or deal with the issues facing his country. Meanwhile, in Burundi, Hutu rebels who are battling that central African country's Tutsi-led military government have kept their insurgency alive by procuring thousands of weapons from neighboring countries and European nations, Austin said. Austin said that former communist countries such as Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Albania have been especially active in selling weapons to African rebel movements, primarily small arms such as assault rifles, grenades and light artillery. The continuing insurgencies on the continent have led to heavy losses of civilian lives.
Analysts say civilians trapped in rebel-held territory find themselves most vulnerable.
They are basically invisible. Analysts say one reason that few governments brought to power by rebellions in Africa have brought stability to their countries is that the scale of misery among civilians is often so high that the new rulers cannot win popular backing. Of recent rebel movements, only Uganda, Ethiopia and Eritrea have established long-term stability after their victories. But even Uganda, blessed with economic and political stability since President Yoweri Museveni won power in 1986, faces a rebel movement that has terrorized its northern region for three years. The group, known as the Lord's Resistance Army, espouses no clear political agenda and is notorious for its brutality.