Kleptocracy

The word of the day is: Kleptocracy, which means Rule by Thieves. What nation in the West or the East, and in the undeveloped parts of the world, is not a Kleptocracy? Think about it...

A famous Kleptocracy is the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the richest countries in the world with its deposits of gold, diamonds, minerals and other resources. But its population is one of the poorest. Ever since the 1860's resources have been taken out of the country, instead of benefiting the people living there.

The colonial era was followed by three decades of dictatorship and misgovernment. Then came the civil war that left the country in ruins, with a demolished infrastructure. Today the tradition of exploitation, that was started by colonial powers, is maintained by armed groups with large resources.

The war and conflicts in Congo are the most blood-stained since the Second World War. Almost four million people have died. Still about 1300 people die each day from diseases and malnutrition, as a result of the war. More than two million people have fled their homes and are internally displaced.

As related on Wikipedia: "Joseph-Désiré Mobutu overthrew Kasavubu in a 1965 Central Intelligence Agency-backed coup d'état. He had the support of the US because of his staunch opposition to Communism, which would presumably make him a roadblock to Communist schemes in Africa. It is also argued that the Western support for Mobutu was also related to his allowing businesses to export the many natural resources of Zaire (as it was then called) without worrying about environmental, labor, or other regulations that protect against corruption and abuse."

Now finally there seems to be a little light ahead, but the damage the West has done will take decades to clear up. The war in Iraq is nothing compared to the sufferings of the people in The Democratic (what a joke) Republic of Congo... or don't you care because they're just Niggers?

© deviadah