The First Congo War

Perhaps it is only a function of a weak and feeble mind
that we may often attempt to integrate a single horrific event
into a historical mishmash of individual tales of epic proportion.

And deep in the heart of the Congo,
we might find the greatest example.
It is Hundu against Tutsi, Nande against Hutu,
and Hundu, Nande and Nyange against the Banyamelenge

But what is the cause of such horror and strife?

Historical animosities, bad blood and ethnic hatred, no doubt.

In fact, the combined estimates of the total number of casualties
from the conflicts that came before, during and after the First Congo War
may have approached the ten million mark. This is for a conflict that was conducted
with weaponry that was comparatively underdeveloped by modern-day standards.
But perhaps more alarming were the ghastly episodes of sexual assault
that were perpetrated upon countless defenseless women and children. These assaults
have left an indelible image upon a huge number of people around the globe and only seem to
have added to an embarrassing list of highly atrocious acts that continue to desecrate the
great sanctity of the human soul.

Mind boggling you might say?

But it may be equally disturbing to learn that the First Congo
War was precipitated by the great Rwandan Genocide. In response
to the widespread killing, a mass migration of Rwandan Tutsi's and Tutsi sympathizers
were slaughtered by the neighboring Hutu as they crossed the neighboring border. The genocide was finally ended as the government in eastern Zaire was overthrown by the Rwandan Patriotic Front.
In total, the Rwandan genocide led to the deaths of 500,000 to 1,000,000 Tutsi's in a brief one hundred day period.

In response to these bloodcurdling deaths, a destabilized region set the stage for the Banyamelenge Rebellion, a major source of conflict in the hostilities. This rebellion was sparked by an initial outbreak in gunfire between Rwandan Tutsi's who had fled their homes and the Zairian Green Berets. As former victims
of the Rwandan genocide, the Tutsi's attempted to establish a safe haven just across the Rwandan border.
Their efforts were thwarted however, as battles with the rival Hutus were supported by Zairian's who
had been dissatisfied with dictatorial elements in the chaotic eastern front region. In the end, deposed
Rawandan Tutsi's, Zairian Tutsi's and the Rwandan Patriotic Front combined forces to overthrow the East Zairian regional government.

Quite tragically however, the nature and significance of the First Congo War may only be understood in relation to the horrid violence that occurred
in what has typically been called, the Second Congo War. Estimates of the total number of casualties are generally believed to be around 5.4 million people.
Some people claim that the calamities generated by this war may be equal to or may even surpass the legacy
of horror that was caused by the Two Great World Wars of the 20th century. In total eight African countries were combatants in the Second Congo War.

Gerald Marchewka is an American freelance writer currently visiting Budapest, Hungary. Gerald''s recent book "Straight from the Heaven's: Li Bai's Poetry in Retrospect" featuring the Illustrations of Seb Fowler is now available at Lulu.com Questions about Gerald's projects may be referred to geraldmarchewka@yahoo.com

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