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Le 12/08/2009 FRENCH
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Uvira Remains a Strategic City
in Congo
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By Amedé KYUBWA, M.A, M.P.A
It is no coincidence that the territory of Uvira is used as a
launching site for armed conflicts in Congo
It is true that time changes, but no one should really forget that armed conflict which tragically claimed
the lives of more than 5 million people in DRC have all begun in the territory of Uvira before
spreading to the rest the country. It is no coincidence that this territory is used as a launching site for
armed conflict in Congo.
Without mentioning its people or exaggerating, the territory of Uvira is not like any other territory in
the Democratic Republic of Congo. The only city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, somewhat
similar to Uvira is Kinshasa, the capital of the Great Congo, but it is not at all similar to Uvira. No
doubt you are surprised to hear someone can compare the city of Kinshasa with a very small city of
Uvira, but you quickly understand why this comparison has its reason. You will also understand that a
game is like suicide when Kinshasa forget this strategic city in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC).
As you know, Kinshasa is located near one capital (Brazzaville), while Uvira is located near two
capitals. Bujumbura, Burundi's capital Kigali and the Rwandan capital, are both located at a short
distance from Uvira to the extent that one can easily work dayly in both capitals, while living in
Uvira. It is also interesting to note that in addition to being located on a very short distance from
these two capitals, Uvira has access to Zambia and Tanzania through Lake Tanganyika and Uganda
is at a distance of a few hours of driving. Although this does not explain anything, it brings some light
on why people use Uvira as launching site for their rebellions in Congo.
Since the end of the Mobutu regime, it is becoming perfectly clear that one can not talk about Uvira
without mentioning an important village near the town of Uvira. This village is Lemera. It is also the
headquarters of the Collectivity Chieftaincy of Bafuliru. While the Congolese people remain divided
on the question of whether the use of force to overthrow the dictatorial regime of President Mobutu
was really justified because of hidden interests of those who were behind the plan, something they
can all remember is that the war has begun in the territory of Uvira in the village "Lemera. At that
time, for many, this was probably their first time to hear the name of Lemera.
Later, the name of Lemera became famous not because its known as the birthplace of the ADFL
(Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo) or sometimes (Alliance of Democratic
Forces for the Liberation of Congo Zaire), but because of some hidden contracts that were signed at
the Lemera Hospital between Laurent Kabila and his Rwandan sponsors at the launch of the war. As
a reminder, the ADFL was the coalition that brought Kabila to power. It was composed, by the Party
for People's Revolution (PRP) Led by Laurent Kabila, the (CNRD) National Council of Resistance for
Democracy of Andre Kissasse Ngandu, the Revolutionary Movement for the Liberation of Zaire of
Anselme Masasu Nindaga, and the Democratic Peoples' Alliance of Deogratias Bugera. One must
also remember that the official ceremony to launch the ADFL launch was organized inside the
Hospital of Lemera. This cost the lives of a great deal of people and the hospital was completely
destroyed after being looted by the ADFL (rebels of the time). Although some of the people who
represented their political parties during this celebration are no longer in power or in this life, it is still
sad to note that the Hospital of Lemera remains destroyed so far, despite the attempts of local use
a few buildings remaining.

It is unfortunately noted that the Congolese government has not yet taken steps to rehabilitate the
hospital. It raises questions of whether President Joseph Kabila does not remember that it is in this
Lemera Hospital where his father had started AFDL using it as a launching site of the war that the
led to power. How can he forget so quickly Uvira in general and the Hospital of Lemera in particular?
But it will be recalled even rumors that the famous ship Kamanyola of Mobutu was renamed Lemera
by Kabila, shortly after taking power. Although it is unclear at this time if the current President Kabila
had also attended the launching ceremonies of the war's Hospital Lemera, it is quite logical to say
that he came to power because of circumstances created in Lemera. For some political analysts, the
violation by Kabila (father) of the said contracts signed in the hospital by his own hand was the real
cause of the second war, which created the conditions for the mysterious circumstances of his
assassination in 2001.

It's a good thing the Congolese reconstruction program called "5 chantiers" advocated by the
President included the construction of hospitals. But it should be noted that the Rehabilitation of
Lemera Hospital is not even on the list. The need to reconstruct this hospital is not a development
issue but a moral responsibility of the Congolese government. Before being used as a launching site
of the war, Lemera was well known because of the same hospital, which was modern. It was built
and supported financially by the Swedish Pentecostal Missionnairies.

It is true that there are many things destroyed everywhere during these multiple armed conflicts in
Congo, but the willful negligence of rebuilding a hospital they destoyed them selves is something
that nobody would imagined. Also the fact that the hospita of Lemera was the only hospital that has
served nearly 50 villages at that time, would have warranted some type of emergency, if not a sense
of moral obligation rehabilitate the hospital as soon as possible. There are just a lot of people in
about 50 villages that desperately need this hospital, unfortunately, they have nowhere to go, but
condomned to die quietly in their villages. The rehabilitation of this hospital is one of those little things
that the Government can easily do to make a significant impact in this strategic territory of Uvira. This
is because the hospital used to serve the needs of the entire territory of Uvira before its destruction.
One can even say to forget the Hospital of Lemera is to forget the whole territory of Uvira.

Admittedly, because of the very important geostrategic position of Uvira, the risk of being used as a
launching site to destabilize Congo are still there. However, the government can do something to
prevent this from happening again in Uvira. It is high time for President Kabila to show he
understands the threat that can easily be transformed into an opportunity for harm if it is
mismanaged. Logically, Uvira, despite being a small territory, it can be affirmed that its geo-strategic
importance far outweighs all other territories of the Congo. If it were not so, it would not have been
used repeatedly as a launching site of rebellions in Congo.
 Amédé KYUBWA, MA, MPA, is the Executive Director of MJPC, a nonprofit organization that
promotes peace and justice in the DRC through actions aimed at fighting against impunity, sexual
violence and other serious violations of human rights in DRC. The MJPC also advocates peaceful
resolution of conflicts (non-violent approach to conflict)

For more information about MJPC and its activitts,

please visit
http://www.mjpcongo.org ;
or akyubwa@mjpcongo.org

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