The House of Commons Debate on Cameroon and Zimbabwe: Part 2

Louis Egbe Mbua (Originally published, in four parts, 7 May 2008, in Living Lights)

These debates took place in the British House of Commons, Westminster, London,  on the 22 April 2008 in Committee Room 15.  An eye-witness account.

Ms Tanje, the Cameroonian activist, had just finished her eloquently crafted speech when a familiar ding dong sound broke the controlled applause that went after the well intentioned delivery. As I studied the harmonics of the sound with keen interest, it dawned on me that we had reached the top of the hour; and so Big Ben was striking. It struck seven times immediately after which Hon. Corbyn MP began his speech on Elections and Democracy in Africa.

The Hon. Legislator began with his experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR) formerly known as Zaire: that during the election campaign, there was not the slightest of hints or mentioning of future policies by any of the leading politicians in the campaign trail. This was strange to him as the long civil strife in that country had devastated Goma; where he made his observations.

At least, he had expected a politician to come up with reasonably sound ideas of rehabilitation as a policy; and platform for his elections. Unfortunately for the African people, no policy was forth coming for the forgotten African poor. To add to this great political and social misfortune, the war in Zaire had killed at least 3- 5 million people since it began in the 1990s when Mobutu was driven out from power. The amount of people killed was far greater than those killed in the Iran-Iraq war in the late 1970s and early 1980s; and the present day Iraqi insurgency war against America in Iraq; all put together.

He also lamented the lack of sustained reports on important and devastating news that are emanating from the African continent. He furnished these regrets with illustrations about the plane crash that occurred in Goma, DCR. The doomed aircraft had arrived Goma; at an airport whose runway was merely partly tarred and partly bare earth or the tar had worn off leaving huge holes on the runway; thus making landing and taking off uneven and consequently dangerous. As the aircraft approached, one of its wheels came off on landing leading to the disaster. Eighty people died from this unfortunate accident. This, according the Hon Corbyn, was an important event that needed international news attention so that the world might be aware of the dangerous and appalling conditions the people of DCR are subjected to; and that there should have been an internationally-led investigation as to the cause of this crash and recommended solutions availed. However, the plane accident was reported by the CNN for just a single day; and the news was dropped the next day.

This was not appreciated giving that the Congo is one of the richest countries, in terms of natural resources, in the world-- Diamonds, Cobalt and Gold. In the hinterlands and the forests of Congo, away from the coast, are rare unexploited hardwoods found nowhere in the world. All kinds of peoples of this world have been made rich by the DCR from inside and outside the country -- foreigners, the Congolese elite, Europeans; Asians have all been made very rich by the DCR. Yet in this rich country, the politicians have neglected their responsibility as to why they have been elected to power due to unaccountability and heartless neglect of the masses who are in danger of extinction due to grinding poverty, illiteracy, death and disease. Half the children of DCR have no school to attend or are not attending due to desperate circumstances. As many children as one may conceive, in such harsh and politically uncaring environment, are orphaned. As the politicians do not take any responsibilities, Police officers are not paid; leading to bribery and consequently abuse of powers by the Police and Civil servants.

Further, in Africa, democratic powers have been usurped by China and Big Companies as a result of unaccountable African politicians who have refused to take their responsibility to perform their duties as democratically elected officials at the highest levels.

He concluded with a powerful speech which he gave later; after the first speech. On accountability, therefore, he arrived at the irrefutable conclusion that most African politicians are a law onto themselves in Africa; and that this is against democratic principles. Corruption, kick backs and neglect of duties have allowed them to get away with lawless actions with impunity. Unless we build democratic institutions that can hold leaders into account for their actions Africans will be doomed. Thus democracy does not mean fair elections alone; but that those elected are punished according to the law if they are found to have committed a serious crime as no one can be above the law. This necessitates, also, that there should be an independence of judiciary and freedom of speech for all African citizens. In these settings, therefore, we can hold corrupt and incompetent politicians accountable but allowing and encouraging only the competent and the near flawless characters to prevail in leadership and politics. We also need powerful democratic institutions that will prevent or stand before these powerful organisations, corrupt politicians and other exploitative nations from stealing the wealth of Africa while the people suffer from abject poverty in riches. Furthermore, these democratic institutions would be able to negotiate with these powerful organisations and companies to obtain a fair deal for the people.

Author's Comments:

Hon Corbny's speech is a powerful voice against foreign exploitation, corruption, violence and graft in Africa that are inflicting untold suffering, indignation and indignity among Africans, their friends and the world. Post-Independence African leaders have woefully failed their people; and are further leading their own people to abysmal ruin and possibly inevitable extinction.

Hon. Corbyn's citation of China is very intriguing. It must be noted here that China has a history of brutal and forceful expansionism so as to accommodate her people as a result of her huge population; and also as a result of her cunningly disguised ambitions to attain international superpowerdom. In October 1950, China invaded and annexed Tibet that had been independent since the 13th century; for prestigious purposes bent on adding on to Mao's communist vision of a powerful and expanded China. They continue to occupy Tibet despite international outcry for the prevalence of international justice; and Tibetan protests which are brutally put down by crack Chinese troops from Beijing.

China and India are also locked in a hot border dispute after China illegally occupied Arunachal Pradesh, an entire state in India. A border war with India found India defeated and humiliated and later gave up the fight. China still occupies the Indian State. Again in the 1950s, China attacked Aksai Chin near the Everest Mountain range in India, a region that borders Tibet and India. They have not given it up.

The romance between Africa and China is a dangerous game that may end up in tears; with Africa being re-colonised by China, a second time, after the regrettably unconsultative Berlin Conference. There have been recent reports in the Cameroons fishing waters in Victoria and Bakassi; whereby Chinese fishermen are brutally overfishing with trawlers, consequently forcing local African fishermen out of business; at the same time depleting fish stocks. While one should support bilateral agreements and fair trade between Africa and China, only the most tellingly uninformed and hopelessly desperate would want to surrender their Independence as a result of small fish and biscuits offered by China in return for the huge natural resources; and a potential emergence of a powerful, politically resourceful and economically viable Africa.

According John Swain, in an article, "China's New Frontier" in Sunday Times Magazine, February 10, 2008, an interview with a Chinese scientist revealed this answer: "We sic[in China] have 600 rivers, 400 of which have been killed by pollution. We will have to send 300 million people to Africa before we begin the end of our problems". One should be in support of people emigrating and contributing to the world. However, planning to send or export 300 million people to another man's land looks like a colonial Coup D’état. Africa's population is about 500 million; meaning that the Chinese will then make up almost half of the resultant 800 million overnight.

One is in support of Chinese enterprise and her determination to share technology and knowledge with Africans. On the other hand, one should be reminded of Sun-Tzu (Master Sun) who wrote the monumental philosophy on "The Art of War". On Strategy, Master Sun wrote:

In War,
Better take
A state
Intact
Than destroy it
Ultimate excellence lies
Not in winning
Every battle
But in defeating the enemy
Without ever fighting..
When far appear near
When near appear far....
Lure with bait;
Strike with chaos
Attack
Where he is
Unprepared
Appear where
You are unexpected
This is victory in warfare
It cannot be divulged in advance.

Comments

[damike]

Africa watch your back

[Oyez]

Africa is not watching its back, because rulers are so busy begging for crumbs instead of managing the gold in their backyards. There is a clear Chinese plan to colonize Africa and this is the time to bring it to a halt, not later. If they succeed in transplanting just 50- 100 million people, our goose is cooked. As the man says, look at Tibet. Look at the Wighurs(sic), an ethnic minority people who recently rioted against Chinese Han infiltration and domination. Look even at Taiwan that it wants to take by force. Paul Biya lacks the stones to tell the Chinese to get off the waters of Bakassi. Maybe he has a private agreement with China. Paul Biya himself needs to leave to let us to manage their own resources and territory.

[Takag]

This is the height of hypocrisy. The British now want to be the defenders of Africa's poor.Who could have thought about this. And when did they start to be so concerned about the Africans?.Are they not the same people who sold Africans into slavery and later colonized them to kill and loot and murder and exploit. Now i have to believe that the British are a force of good and china which has build more roads and schools and hospitals than all the west put together is bad. Stop deceiving yourselves, we Africans, we know who the enemy is. Britain in particular and the west in general are not our friend.

[john]

since the British are so worried about the Africa's poor. let us see what the British have done for the African and compare it with what the Chinese have done.

Britain
-Sold Africans into slavery in the Americas
China
-Never sold Africans into any slavery
Britain
-Colonized Africans, killed and murdered Africans intellectuals
China
-Never colonized ,killed or murdered African people
Britain
-Exploited African natural and Human resources during colonization
China
-Bought and invested in Africans and Africa
Britain
-With the help of the world bank and IMF is doing everything to stop Africa from growing economically
China
-With China, Africa has obtained it's highest economic growth ever.
Britain
-Preventing African goods into the world market
China
-The highest importer of African goods
Britain
-Preventing investment the will benefit Africans
China
-Investing greatly in Africa
Britain
-Never built anything in Africa
China
-Building roads,hospitals, stadiums, telecommunication systems,School etc
Britain
-British are known worldwide as hypocrites, lairs, deceivers and cynics
China
-Chinese are known for their handwork, honest and brotherhood mentality.

We can go all night long comparing these two and how ever you compare them, we will come to the conclusion that the Britain is a force of evil in the world and the Chinese a force of good. SO, AFRICAN SHOULD WATCH THEIR BACKS AGAINST THE ETERNALLY AND INHERENTLY EVIL BRITISH.

[Ma Mary]

We need to think and be smart. At the end of the day no one else will take care of us but us. The British agenda is well known. What is the agenda of Peoples Republic of China? May be it is benign. May be we are like the kid being tempted with ice cream and candy by a potential abuser. Anger against the British record should not blind us about anything.

[Lasoka]

Well said Ma Mary. No matter what we do, its us that will at the end take care of business. No body will look after our interest. The British and Chinese have competing interest in In africa, each looking out for themselves. Lets now be fooled. China doesnt love us more than the British. They are just using a better way to outsmart the British.

[NNOKO MBOH JOHNSON]

the British envy Chinas industrial growth and they fear the fact that China is becoming the worlds super power,because of its economic power.No matter how we look at it the repercussions of China colonising Africa or Cameroon will never be AS ravaging and damaging than the British colonialism.Its Chinas turn to turn the tides,whether the West like it or not ,china shall thrive...such is life

[Ras Tuge]

The British and the French in Africa is strikingly synonymous to a Kindergarten of helpless children that has been assailed by two notorious and rampaging paedophiles.

Historically, the criminal British and their murderous Anglo-Saxon forebears have obliterated with impunity, the beautiful aspirations of some of the poorest people on earth, notably the daunted and exceptionally miserable cowards of Africa.

Nobody can touch the immensity and wickedness of the crimes that Her Majesty's merciless Queendom has shamefully perpetuated in their frantic quest to annihilate Africa and its people thanks to their utterly misguided expansionism.

Now, with guiltiness resting on their pitiful consciences, the same British are shockingly suggesting that democratic powers in Africa are being usurped by the Chinese and Big companies! Quite fascinating indeed. Ironically nonetheless, the so-called Big companies are mostly western, notably French, British or American!

China has not even been in Africa for an inch close to the length of time that these western imperialist hypocrites annexed, and imposed their vicious and selfish will on the exceptionally endowed continent of Africa.

Moreover, since the criminal Berlin conference of 1884, Africa has been asphyxiated by the callous grip of western cheats, not to mention the dreary centuries of slavery. But rather than indemnify, and make reparations to a continent that has suffered untold atrocities as a result of western kleptomania, they chosed to be neglectful of Africa's travails, a situation which they caused. Utter madness!

Frankly, there's such a sorrowful absurdity when Britain of all countries chooses to point an accusing finger at someone else when the biggest burden about Africa's plight rests on the shoulders of that controversial Queendom of rats, and her cousin in crime France.

Just one glance at the British policy in a place like Hongkong is enough to disqualify any bogus British so-called goodwill claims for Africa. My trip to Macau last february truly testified that Africa has no place in the minds of these western hypocrites.

In Macau, i witnessed injustice at its peak, with scores of mighty western hotels, and companies pervading the tiny country. Macau is simply vibrant, with an economy that is booming owing mostly to western investment.

It is blatantly obvious that the British are seasoned liars that have never had any good intentions for Africa. Therefore, this whole episode is a silly attempt for the Queendom to gain very cheap publicity, while shamelessly disguising as a wolf in the clothing of a meek sheep.

I am just as wary of the Chinese, but i know that in this our time, no sleek Chinaman can fuck with me. If the Chinese are coming to Africa with treachery in mind, well, they'll not get even the slightest chance! Africa is not what it used to be, and the lacklustre leaders with parochial vision shall soon make way for more fiery visionaries of our time.

No, the British can't trick me!

[Kelvin Ross]

Whether the British or the Chinese or who ever, the plain truth is that the future of Afica lies in the hands of Africans themselves. If you make yourself a banana monkeys will be to glad to have a feast. But make no mistake, the dark side of history awaits these tyrants and sell out who parade the corridors of power in Africa calling themselves African leaders, but have sold their conscienes to the devil.

They and their offsprings shall pay for it!

[Ma Mary]

500 million Africans with antagonistic interests can be no match for 300 million Chinese with a common purpose. Regardless of the British record, a parliament (House of Commons) is a place where truth is sometimes spoken, although the British government will still go out and continue to commit crimes around the world. I will not be too quick to dismiss the arguments of an individual parliamentarian without analysis. William Wilberforce a parliamentarian spent years, taking insults from fellow parliamentarians arguing for the abolition of the slave trade and did not waver until the slave trade was abolished. I wished we all had similar conviction about something that concerns us, took action and stuck to it in the same fashion.

[Asafor valentine]

I read through the comments, good and positive comments but no solutions to our problems,what is the way forward my dear brothers? We must sacrifice,lets go on the streets and say no the our leaders.

[Ras Tuge]

Ma Mary,

first of all, you just can't talk of antagonistic interest without examining the causative factor in this unfortunate African plight. This is not the first time, but hopefully it would be the last time that i am advising you to work from facts to principle. A disease can hardly be cured in the midst of a deficient prognosis.

Now that we know the bitter truth about what actually went wrong, and how our cowards of forebears were utterly incapacited by western treachery, we stand twice as good a chance of taking Africa out of the gutter of British and French excrement.

There will not be an iota of extortionist antagonism when Africans get sanctified into believing in themselves as the only reliable route to putting their embattled continent in the limelight.

Once that is achieved, and with ubiquitous sensitization campaigns across the continent, not even the western criminals and China combined can muster the courage to attempt yet another miscalculated invasion, or any misconceived scramble for Africa.

Valentine, well, yea...unfortunately the price for Africa shall be paid in copious amounts of precious blood and begging tears. Emancipation is the key word! Africans must understand the power of volatility, and when push comes to shove, all African children shall join the ecstatic chorus of the irate souls, and deservedly so.

[Ras Tuge]

Dedication to Africa by Ijahman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMq5FRV3Eb0

[Danny Boy]

Ras Tuge et al,

please, please, stop tearing yourselves apart! There was never such a House of Commons debate on the plight of Cameroon and Zimbabwe! Jeremy Corbyn and his attention seeking leftists of the Labour Party could well have had this debate in his Islington constituency! That a room in Westminster was made available to them does not permit Dr. Mbua to use such a catchy heading for this irrelevance!
This is deceipt, simple.

[rizik]

MJPC blames the Congolese Government for Deteriorating Situation in East Congo

"There is no excuse for missing to pay salaries to soldiers in lawless eastern Congo for six months"

Following the deteriorating situation in east Congo, the MJPC called for the Congolese Government to pay the salaries of thousands of soldiers who have not been paid for over six months in east Congo, take swift action to enforce the International Criminal Court's (ICC) warrant against Bosco Ntaganda and to hold accountable perpetrators of sexual violence against women for their acts.

"Faillng to hold accountable individuals who commit war crimes and crimes against humunity continues to be the leading cause of widespread and systematic sexual violence acts against girls and women in the easten Congo" said Makuba Sekombo, Community Affairs Director of
the Mobilization for Justice and Peace in the DR Congo (MJPC). Mr. Sekombo again criticized the government of Congo for not only the continuing failure to protect women and young girls from sexual violence, but also for "encouraging conditions that create opportunities for sexual violence to occur". "There is no excuse for missing to pay salaries to soldiers in lawless eastern Congo for six months" said Sekombo.

The MJPC has also renewed its call for the Congolese government to take urgent needed action to end human rights abuses in east Congo, hold perpetrators accountable and ensure reparation for the victims of sexual violence. The MJPC has been urging the Congolese government to compensate the victims of sexual violence in order to also help combat impunity in eastern part of Congo where sexual violence against women and children has been widely used as weapon of war for more than decade.MJPC online petition calling for for help to put pressure on Congolese Government to compensate victims of sexual siolence in Eastern DRC can be signed at http://www.gopetition.com.au/online/26180.html

MJPC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to working to add a voice in the promotion of justice and peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular in the East where thousands of innocent civilians, including children and women continue to be victims of massive human rights violations while the armed groups responsible for these crimes remain unpunished.

For more information on MJPC and the activities, visit the web site http://www.mjpcongo.org. E-mail: [email protected] or call Makuba Sekombo at 1 408 806 3644

[Atsebom Forminyen]

I traveled more than a hundred miles from the West Midlands to London to attend this so called House of Commons debate on Cameroon and Zimbawe, only to be totally dismayed by the trend of arguments/ discussions that totally lacked any substance in the field of Deomocracy and Human Rights.The Hon. gentile man made a short sppeech about plane crashes in Congo and news coverage and left to debate and vote in on important matters concerning the UK and her Majesty interests, while we were left behind to talk on trivial issues of granting political immunity to African thugs, so that they can leave power without fear of prosecution. As a human rights activist, and student of history, i have never been so shocked by how naive the so called opinion shapers can be. Tell a robber or murderer that he or she will not be called to be accountable for crimes committed, then be sure that it will not happen again. This is Justice of the weak minded and even family disputes can not be resolved in such a style.
Obama have abudantly given some clarity. The present and future of the African continent and the world lies with those who are willing to take risks and defeat fear of the unknown.

[slomo]

dont you guys sit four million miles away and say things you dont know, who says the chinese are better, yes they built the ngousso hospital, the multi sport dome and ors, do you know the compensation or the consideration they wd get for that? ha, be it cynical and hypocratical british or the flat-faced urgly chinese, they are two sides of the same coin. AFRICA SOLUTION LIES IN THE HANDS OF AFRICA. in so far as we dont change the way we think and look at our various nations,its system of governance, nothing wd ever change.

[CUNNINGHAMLoretta33]

Some time before, I really needed to buy a good car for my business but I did not earn enough cash and couldn't purchase anything. Thank heaven my mother proposed to try to take the loans at reliable bank. Therefore, I acted that and used to be happy with my sba loan.

[home loans]

I opine that to receive the mortgage loans from creditors you ought to have a great motivation. However, one time I have received a small business loan, because I wanted to buy a house.