"The current situation in Congo shows that bringing democracy and justice to war-torn countries is often more meaningful for the givers than for the recipients. Holding elections and prosecuting perpetrators of mass crimes are laudable goals. However, more fundamental change—addressing problems of citizenship, ethnicity, land ownership, the theft of natural resources, and the weapons trade—is required before peace is possible and political and judicial institutions can operate effectively. The population that rebuilt Goma out of the same volcanic rock that destroyed it displayed the resilience and ingenuity of the Congolese people. As long as Congo, Africa, and the international community fail to confront the sources of conflict, however, that creativity will serve only to rebuild again and again what has been destroyed, rather than to construct a new and vibrant nation."
-Excerpt from "In the Shadow of the Volcano: Democracy and Justice in Congo," by Phil Clark. Dissent, Winter 2007
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