Congo is a
presidential republic which means they have a president. As I use my travel
guide, I read that in 1996, Laurent-Désiré Kabila was leader of the ADFL (Alliance
of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire) and he started the
first Congo war, against Mobutu. In 1997 he succeeds and Mobutu flees in exile
after which Kabila proclaimes himself president.
He is head of state as
well as head of government. In 2006 there are free democratic elections for the
first time in 40 years and more than 70% of the people actually vote. Kabila wins
with 44.8% against Bemba but there has to be a second round because of clashes
between militias loyal to the two candidates. Kabila wins again in the second
round, this time with 58% and he is inaugurated in December 2006, to a
five-year term.
However, when I skip the page I see that in January of
2001, Kabila is shot by one of his own bodyguards in a failed coup attempt. His
son Joseph Kabila takes over and becomes the new president. He starts
negotiating with several warring parties and the community and this results in
December of 2002 in a peace agreement and a transitional government under the
leadership of Joseph Kabila.
We hear from a local resident
that for the moment, the situation in Congo is still bad. He says that there
are over 6 million deaths caused by war, famine, poverty and disease since the
90’s. This is very weird, as I read that Congo has a lot of natural wealth like
gold, diamonds, uranium and other minerals. But that is the economic side of
Congo and if you are interested you have to read Roselinde’s blog.
Our trip is almost over
but we still have 2 countries to go, so see you next time.
Julie xXx
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten