Democratic Republic of Congo

“You want me to tell you what my husband thinks?!”

Sophie Team Observers — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:02:56 +0200

Hillary Clinton snapped at a Congolese student on Monday after he asked her what her husband thought about an international matter.

On her first visit to Africa, Clinton made a stop in The Democratic Republic of Congo to highlight sexual abuse and corruption in the country. During a question and answer session at a university in Kinshasa on Monday, one student asked about former president Bill Clinton's view on Chinese contracts in Africa. Here's Clinton's response:

It later emerged that the student had wanted to know what President Obama thought about the issue, and that the translator had made a mistake. Too late - Clinton had already moved on to the next question.

Only a week ago Bill Clinton stole his wife's spotlight after negotiating the release of two US journalists on a secret mission to North Korea. Although the secretary of state applauded the work, she did add that it had nothing to do with her own business.

A worthy reaction? Tell us what you think.

Coltan, the 'blood mineral' of Congo

Team Observers — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:42:22 +0100

Photo from GeSI.

A mineral that's used to make mobile phones is helping to finance the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, say NGOs.

Since 25 October, war has been raging once again in Congo. Under direction of Tutsi leader and former member of the Rwandan Patriotic Front Laurent Nkunda, soldiers have once again picked up their guns to fight the Congolese Army. Our Observers take the opportunity to consider the responsibilities of mobile phone manufacturers in the war.

According to Carina Tertsakian of the NGO Global Witness, and Colette Braeckman, a specialist on Africa, it's time to investigate the trafficking of coltan, a mineral which they say is extracted in the east of the country through exploitation, and which partly finances the rebels, along with the equally deplorable gold and cassiterite (tin oxide) trades. After Liberia's "blood diamond", here's the blood mineral of Congo.

Thanks to our italian Observers Alberto Celani who alerted us to this story.

Master Kipoy will see to your haemorrhoids now...

Sophie Team Observers — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:34:38 +0200

We've all been handed a leaflet at the metro exit promising that a visit to the African witch doctor will cure you of any kind of cancer or bring your wife back. Our Observer in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, tells us about these mini miracles in his homeland.