UNION
POUR LA DÉMOCRATIE
ET LE PROGRÈS SOCIAL

L'Union de la Diaspora Congolaise du Canada

Plateforme des concertations et des refléxions pour Congolais de toutes tendances

September 23, 1993

His Excellency Mr. N. Mandela
President of the Republic of South Africa

His Excellency Mr. the President:

We, of the Congolese Community residing in Canada, are writing to you relative to the present aggression of the Congo by Rwanda and Uganda, and would like to obtain your efficient involvement in the condemnation of these countries and the withdrawal of their military troops fighting in Congo.

Mr. the President, in your qualities of President of the non-aligned countries, President of the Republic of South Africa and one of of the most prominent political world leaders, you are certainly one of the most concerned with the world peace, especially the safety in the Sub-sahara african region. We understand that your position inviting the parties in the Congo crisis to negociate, with you assumption that the the Congo crisis is mainly political, is intended to restore peace in the region and partivularly in the Congo, as this is needed for the reconstruction and the development of this country, getting out of al long predatory dictatorship. Although you initiative in favor of negotiation between Congolese political fractions (both armed opposition and the traditional non-violent opposition and the new power) is a necessity for a consititutional framework, necessary for peaceful transition, such a national round table would be internal; not including Uganda and Rwanda, the visible aggressive forces presently fighting in the Congo.

a.. The aggression the Congo has been victim of since August 2, 1998, on behalf of Rwanda and Uganda has been confirmed by the last August Commission of the African Foreign Affairs Ministers who were sent to the conflict site for investigation. On August 25, Mr. Gédéon Kayinamura, the Rwanda ambassador with the United Nations, declared that Rwanda would have to intervene officially, implying that their intervention so far had been unofficial. The French Minister of Cooperation was one of the first Sate officials who declared in August that the Rwanda and Uganda troops were effectively fighting in the Congo. Mr. Eriya Kategayo, the Uganda Foreign Affairs Minister also admitted the presence of his country troops in the Congo, on August 25. This presence has been alos recognized by Mr. Museveni, the Uganda President recently for Uganda security reasons. The most evidence of Rwanda and Uganda soldiers made prisoners in Kinshasa lifts out any dout as the original attack from these countries. This aggression is, of course, a violation of both the Congo territorial integrity and the Congo people right to live peacefully within their home country. By their aggressive attitude, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, who also joined, have violated U.N. and AOU charters. As you certainly know, numerous acts of genocide have been committed by these troops, both in the eastern and the western parts of the country. Despite the public awareness about this aggression with its criminal consequences, no official condemnatin has arisen from the international community. Instead, propaganda is being highly made on the rebellion aspect of the crisis. There is, of course an evident presence of Congolese nationals, civil and military, mainly Mobutu's former officials and allies, in the side of the aggressors. But these latter are being used by the aggressing countries to legitimate the version of a rebellion against Kabila's personal governing system. This has brought up the Congo Governement to file a suit with the Security Council of the United Nations against Uganda and Rwanda. The outcome of this file with the Security Council will be determinant for lasting peace in this african region.

Mr. the President, we do believe that without any sanctions against the violators of the international rules with regard to the aggression against the Congo, no efficient sollution will be reached in this crisis. It is essential that the offenders be dissuaded from provoking other States in the future. Mr. the President, it is also your responsibility to exert a strong pressure for the Congo right to international justice to be recognized with regard to the aggression it is victim on behalf of Uganda and Rwanda, and to prevent the perpetration of violence and violation of international rules on behalf of the aggressin countries, if lasting peace should be sought. The outcome of your involvement in the first time, is expected to be the condemnation of the aggressing countries and the withdrawal of their troops from the Congo territory. The retrait of these troops from the Congo should be regarded by the international community as a must, not subjective to any condition. Your acting otherwise would not be perceived as objective nor constructive by the Congolese People and the african community aware of the Great Lakes geo-political issue and the aggressive countries minority Leaders' pretention to extend their power over the sub-sahara region.

For your information, please, fing hereattached, as reproduced by the UDC newletter, a copy of a letter sent to P. Kagame, the Rwand defense Minister, by Dr. Ndahiro, a counselor to chaiman of the Tutsi International Power Organization (TIP}. the content of the letter out speaks.

Mr. the President, we, congolese people, do believe that a process of democratization allowing associative and political life to resume and sustain the democratic process and culture, is essential for the development of the Congo in the liberal economy era. A negociatioon between the Congolese political forces to implement a democratic framework for the transition is the expectation of all of us. It is such a negociation that E. Tshisekedi, the Leader of the democratic movement has called for. We strongly believe that only a profound democratic system, allowing public participation will help develop our country, preserve the rights of minorities without frustrating the majority. Any inflluence you may exert for the Congo political authority to allow such democratic space should be encouraged and welcome. Such internal dialogue between the Congo opposition, the civil society and the political authority should not include Uganda and Rwanda, who should be invited or forced to withdraw their troops from the Congo. The outcome of such a dialogue is expected to be a collective agreement in the ways to lead the transition, organize the general elections and an agreement on the constitutional project to submit to a referendum.

We remain Yours,

For the Committee of UDCC in Ottawa

Marc Kapend

Representative