The Democratic Republic of Congo, the
most undemocratic, the poorest of the poor among the African nations. Formerly
known as Zaire, this African state could be doing much better, considering it
has vast mineral resources (diamonds, gold, copper, tantalum), yet continues to
remain in abject poverty.
It was a Belgian colony and gained
independence in 1965. Even after independence, the country was being bled by
its rulers and Zaire became a "kleptocracy"
as President Mobutu and his associates embezzled
government funds.
The country and its capital
Kinshasa, are probably well known as host of the infamous "Rumble in the
Jungle" world title heavyweight boxing bout between Muhammad Ali and
George Foreman in October 1974.
Congo fell into a bloody conflict
with Rwanda, its neighbor on its eastern border, when the genocide began to
bleed mercilessly between the two nations in 1994. It was described by some as "Africa's
First World War", an estimated five million people perished in that war.
Why then, would Anjan Sundaram give
up his Yale education, a job opportunity with promises of a secure future to visit
this country as a journalist?
He covers the war as a “Stringer”
with AP and his journey takes you inside homes, families facing poverty, hunger
and the basic fight for survival as the war ravages on. His book, takes you far
into the Congo basin, his narrative flows with the river.
His writing is honest and realistic.
As you travel with his writing, you
understand the people he lives with, his need to know, to be there and how he
finds love, celebration of life and simple joys amidst all the hunger and suffering.
to know more about life and the Congo way of living.
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