Thoughts on Hillary Clinton's Visit at HEAL Africa Yesterday (blog)
The DRC was an ally of the
US during the Cold War; when it ended, the West turned their backs and left the
country to Mobutu’s regime and whoever else was going to exploit Congo’s riches
and wage war on its soil. The conflict in destabilized the whole region and is
threatening to do so again. Despite of its mineral riches, the DRC itself is of
no significant economic interest to the US. But with the new AGOA ready to go,
the US needs stability in the region in order to secure its economic interest.
At the same time her concern with the problem of sexual violence and gender
based violence in Eastern DRC fits her track record as a formidable advocate for
women’s rights. She delivered a speech that addressed the underlying problems
with an unusual amount of openness. She spoke about the strength and
perseverance of the Congolese people, citing the Congolese proverb ‘no matter
how long the night, the day is sure to come’. Her words touched my heart, but my
feelings were mixed.
After all, everything
seemed to be centered on her announcement of a 17 M$ aid package that will be
administered through USAID. Much needed and appreciated funds – but
wait a minute. HEAL Africa, the local organization that was hosting the event,
has a hospital with 7 years of experience in treating survivors of sexual
violence. However, we learned only through the speech of our honored visitor
that USAID is planning to construct a hospital to do the same work, in the same
city. And even though Clinton claimed that funds would be distributed to local
NGOs, we found out shortly afterwards that the lion’s share would go to the
International Rescue Committee.
I don’t believe Clinton
had been well-informed on the dynamics of aid in Eastern DRC, though it is
certainly no secret that aid is a cut-throat business. Competition for funding,
attention and prestige is huge. As a result, cooperation between of GOs and NGOs
is lacking or poorly coordinated. Communication needs to be improved, and new
initiatives need to be matched with what is already being done. What we saw
happen yesterday was the opposite.
In the end, it was the
roundtable that rocked the house. Activists like Esther Ntoto, Christine
Schuler-Dreschyver and Chouchou Namegabe made passionate claims for freedom of
speech, education for all and the need to get the Congolese army under control.
They were applauded for their criticism of an international community that comes
here in great numbers and drives up the cost of living with their abundant aid
money (yes I am a part of those), yet fails to protect and often leaves local
NGOs with only as much as a business card.
The Secretary replied that
Congo’s future is up to the Congolese, a variation of the statements made by
Obama during his last visit to Africa. She promised she would leave more than
only a business card, but that she also does not have a magic wand. Of course
she doesn’t – none of us do. But the reactions of my Congolese colleagues have
shown me how desperate they all are for change and how much they wish that
someone, somewhere, may be able to bring it in one miraculous sweep. Some of
them believe that Clinton’s visit is the beginning of the end of the war. I only
wish this was true.
—
Desirée Zwanck, Gender Advisor
HEAL
healafrica.org/cms
scpgrandslacs.org