Albright Takes African Dilemma By Horns On Congo Visit Outburst By Leader Of Vital, Troubled Nation Is Sign Of Fragile Relationship
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright came face to face with the promise and the problems of Africa on Friday when Congolese President Laurent Kabila lashed out against his political opponents in this very rich and very troubled country.
Albright had just finished making the case for U.S. support for Kabila’s efforts to transform Congo, formerly Zaire, from a downtrodden dictatorship into functioning state that provides for its citizens.
But asked a question about activists arrested for holding a political conference - to which Kabila’s own party was invited - Kabila blasted the leader, Z’Ahidi Ngoma.
The Congolese leader said Ngoma drafted pamphlets that incited violence.
“They will go to jail if they incite people,” an agitated Kabila declared. “Vive la democratie!”
Albright hurriedly distanced herself from the remarks of Kabila, who has made no secret of his practice of curbing free expression in favor of political stability. State Department spokesman James Rubin said Kabila’s statement contradicted the message Albright delivered to him mere minutes earlier.
“Obviously, every government has the right to counter those who would incite violence,” Rubin told reporters. “But basic to freedom of speech and freedom of association is the right of individuals to state their views freely and openly to others.”
The uncomfortable exchange throws a harsh light on Albright’s newly unveiled Africa strategy of engaging the continent’s leaders. It shows the awkwardness of her bet that U.S. influence - “a little bit of coaching and hand-holding,” a U.S. official said Friday - can make a significant difference.
Kabila is the most important test of a policy that resembles, in important ways, the Clinton administration’s opening to authoritarian China. In both places, the administration decided poor performance on human rights would not derail cooperation.
The future of the Congo, Albright believes, is the key to the future of much of Africa. The country of 47 million, renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo, is rich in diamonds, copper, timber and cobalt. It is also bounded by nine variously vulnerable countries.
On every front - political, economic, social - Congo has a long way to go.
Kabila swept into power in May with the backing of Rwanda, Angola and Uganda, toppling a corrupt dictatorship run for 32 years by Mobutu Sese Seko, a longtime U.S. client. Mobutu fled into exile with his stolen billions and died of cancer in September.
The coalition that now governs Kinshasa was ill-prepared. Its disparate leadership had not worked together. Most have no experience in running a shop or a village, much less a country.
Albright announced a series of projects that would cost $35-$40 million, including rebuilding the Black River Bridge, which links the country’s eastern and western parts. But Congress must approve the spending, and Kabila’s quashing of political dissent has made enemies in the House and Senate.