Life in Congo through a journalist's lens
Authored By Wion Web Desk
Published: Feb 05, 2018, 02:07 IST | Updated: Feb 05, 2018, 02:07 IST
It is unimaginable that a place which witnessed genocide is being considered safe and beautiful. Whatever the reasons, Rwanda with all its history of violence has turned out to be a pretty manicured country
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Orphanage in Congo
WION senior correspondent Kartikeya Sharma visited an orphanage in Congo during his trip.
Congo continues to suffer from the curse of resources. Despite abundant resources, people have not benefitted. Loyalties are divided on tribal identities and roads are considered dangerous as they can unite people and make a nation out of multiple tribes and may even prevent economic plunder.
Congo continues to suffer from the curse of resources. Despite abundant resources, people have not benefitted. Loyalties are divided on tribal identities and roads are considered dangerous as they can unite people and make a nation out of multiple tribes and may even prevent economic plunder.
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Wooden Cycle 'Chikru'
Few roads have been built in last three years but vast areas of Congo are unconnected. Taxis run on two-wheelers and their areas where it takes 2 days to cover 250 kilometres.
Hundreds of young men are seen sitting ideally on the roadsides, a clear sign that jobs are few.
Hundreds of young men are seen sitting ideally on the roadsides, a clear sign that jobs are few.
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Blue helmets
The Indian military is in charge of 15 odd bases in Congo down from 21 because of the budget cut made by the UN. For this reason, a battalion had to be sent back last year which reduced the number of Indian troops around 3000 from 3700. Every penny is paid by the UN, while countries make contribution to the UN Peace Keeping Mission depending upon availability of the troops.
To achieve the aim of stabilisation, it became imperative for the security force to demonstrate its firepower and mobility to send the message that despite its absence it can act quickly to teach a lesson to the lawbreakers. Indian Army covers an area which roughly equals the size of Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in Congo. It statistically boils down to one person per 200 sq km.
To achieve the aim of stabilisation, it became imperative for the security force to demonstrate its firepower and mobility to send the message that despite its absence it can act quickly to teach a lesson to the lawbreakers. Indian Army covers an area which roughly equals the size of Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in Congo. It statistically boils down to one person per 200 sq km.
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UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo
More than 2600 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in DR Congo under the UN Peacekeeping Mission called MONUSCO. It is the largest and most complex UN Peacekeeping Mission.
The Indian Brigade is deployed in the most unstable province, North Kivu covering an area of 43700 square kilometers with 948 villages and 42 camps for the 1,80,000 internally displaced people. Indian troops conduct 2300 patrols per month to ensure the protection of civilians; the main mandate of MONUSCO.
The Indian Brigade is deployed in the most unstable province, North Kivu covering an area of 43700 square kilometers with 948 villages and 42 camps for the 1,80,000 internally displaced people. Indian troops conduct 2300 patrols per month to ensure the protection of civilians; the main mandate of MONUSCO.
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Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift.
The beautiful houses dotting lake Kivu are the main attractions which gave away to poor housing areas in Congo.
The beautiful houses dotting lake Kivu are the main attractions which gave away to poor housing areas in Congo.