Here in the Democratic Republic of Congo, struggling to emerge from 3 years of civil war and foreign meddling, the other daily fare is confusion. New figures released last month by the International Rescue Committee show that close to 3 million Congolese lost their lives between 1998 and 2000. Many perished in the wars being fought out on Congolese territory between the various countries and rebel groups, but the vast majority, according to the report, died of starvation, disease and deprivation. And hundreds of thousands of families have been displaced by either warring militaries or ethnic fighting. In the capital the food markets are half empty.
Manufacturing is down to almost nil.
No investment is coming in. Beggars and orphans roam the streets. The bus system has broken down due to fuel shortages. What is really needed here,' he continues, 'is not aid but peace. The Congolese do not want to be beggars.