BEN AFFLECK & CINDY MCCAIN PLAIDENT POUR LA CAUSE DES CONGOLAIS AU CAPITOL

Of course we believe that the conflict there is about more than conflict minerals, but let’s take a look at the broader agenda, and how it is compromised by a mafia-like economy there. Now everyone wants to reform for example the military, however the military officer core is the primary beneficiary of mining in the country. President Kabila stays in power by allowing these officers free reign to make as much money as they can in creating the rule of law throughout the Eastern third of the country.

Number two, everyone wants to reform the justice system, of course, however the military and civilian beneficiaries in the government of this conflict mineral trade, do not want a strong efficient government. The rule of law will subvert this illegal economy and the money now going into their pockets will go to the treasury, and that’s simply unacceptable to this mafia.

The third thing I want to bring is everyone of course wants to stop the FDLR and the other militias; however they sustain themselves through mineral profits and everyone knows that, and often trade increasingly with the military itself, the Congolese military.

Fourth, everyone wants clean elections, however who in power would give up this gravy train, you loose and you’re out, It’s win or take all, they can’t take that chance and they’ll fix it

So everyone supports peace agreement, no question, however even the peace deals in Congo can make matters worse if we don’t deal with the economic fuel for war. One and a half million Congolese people have been displaced since President Kagame and Kabila signed their peace agreement a year and a half ago, that’s a tragic record