Coup d’état attempt, true or false?

By Gael Masengi

The South African police have arrested 19 alleged suspected Congolese whom they call “rebels” on suspicion of running an illegal military operation, the raid conducted by a special division of SAPS in the early hours of Tuesday came as result of “months long investigation” by the crime intelligent unit, police said.

  

A supporter holds DR. Congo flag outside the court in Pretoria

The National Prosecuting Authority of SA (NPA) accuses the group of plotting to topple the current Congolese government, alleging that the band has offered mineral rights in exchange of weapons and assistance from [South African] mercenaries in overthrowing Joseph Kabila. Among the 19 suspects, the NPA said a man simply identified as James Kazongo is believed to have US citizenship, a claim confirmed by the United States Embassy spokesperson.  Belonging to an unheard organization called the “Union of Nationalists of Renewal”, the men allegedly sent a wish list asking for machine guns, radio, grenades and even surface-to-air missiles and arranged for a training camp, prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told magistrate judge at a court hearing in Pretoria. Abrahams alleged that the plot apparently led by a man who claims to be the eldest son of Congo’s assassinated President Laurent Kabila posed a “serious danger” to the stability of a nation long engulf by conflict. The men wanted to “wage a full-scale war” in mineral-rich eastern Congo, Abrahams said, that the accused was planning to tack back the DRC by coup and conventional warfare.  

While the African Union Commission chairwoman, South Africa’s Dr. Nkosazana-Dlamini Zuma welcomed the arrest of alleged would-be putschists, saying that “According to the AU principles, we do not tolerate unconstitutional change of government. We do not tolerate coups. People must get to government through a democratic process of election.” However on social networks the majority of South African public seem to think it is comprehensible for a frustrated people to do whatever it takes to unseat an oppressive regime, arguing that if true this movement can be related to MK (umkhonto we Sizwe) an armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC) which fought against the Apartheid government.

Several members of Congolese community in Johannesburg Gael-On-Media approached for comments downplayed the entire claims as false calling it “baseless” and “vague”; unanimously they say it is undoubtedly a witch hunt the ANC-led government have been conducting against Congolese of opposition factions exiled in South Africa since the controversial 2011 presidential elections. A feeling also echoed by a military expert, who asked not to be named, he thinks it is a propaganda which Zuma’s government has orchestrated in bid to silence anti-Kabila activists operating in his soil. He went on to compare the scenario to the 2004 Equatorial Guinea coup d’état (a.k.a. the Wonga Coup) attempt which was planned in South Africa with the help of big oil firms and numerous European governments in order to replace president Teodoro Obiang Nguema with exiled opposition politician Severo Moto, the military intel said details are sketchy. “Unlike the Wonga coup which you had all the incriminating proof that really was intended to do the job,” he said “here the authority is changing versions and lacking concrete proof, after linking them to M23, then retract the claim, this is a cheap bulls*#t propaganda which is going to back fire at them”. The alleged suspects have all denied any ties whatsoever with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebellion as the NPA earlier alleged. 

“Those people are not rebels as the [SA] government is painting them”, said an angry Congolese outside court in Pretoria “Among them, they are next door young men whom I know personally; they wouldn’t even kill a cat!”

Congolese protester outside a Johannesburg court

“This isn’t the first time we are being targeted by Zuma’s people who are determined to shut us up,” said another Congolese on Thursday’s hearing “precisely a year ago 200 of our people were beaten then illegally arrested by Zuma’s private army [SAPS] on a trumped-up charges for denouncing South Africa’s involvement on vote rigging in the DRC.” 

 

Much details of the raid remain unclear; though the police said the 19 men were arrested in northern province of Limpompo while they were en route to what they believed would be a paramilitary training camp to prepare for their armed attack in the Congo, said the NPA. Their cover, Abrahams said, was to pretend to be training as game rangers to fight the unchecked poaching of rhinos in South Africa.

The men will be tried under South Africa’s Foreign Military Assistance act, which bars people from plotting coups or mercenary activities in foreign nations. The 19 suspects are scheduled to appear in court on February 14^th on bail hearing.  

                              

                              Gael-On-Media is following closely this story and will bring you more as it happens.   

Security boosted at DRC-Niger game

By Gael Masengi

Congolese fans

As requested by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to the Local Organising Committee, the needs of a safe and secured Africa Cup of Nations 2013 have seemingly been met. The continental football governing body, CAF had expressed worries over security at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium after two Congolese fans ran onto the pitch during a skilled group B encounter between Ghana and the DRC last Sunday.

“At the 55^th minute, a Congolese spectator managed to enter the field of play,” said the confederation in a statement released this past Tuesday on its website, “The same incident was repeated at the 65^th minute when another Congolese fan entered and ran in the field of play.”

CAF’s disciplinary board then decided to address a warning letter to the L.O.C in demand of a much secured Port Elisabeth based group B home turf and cautioning as well the Democratic republic of Congo following their fans’ hooliganism behaviour.

According to eye-witnesses present that day at the stadium, one told Gael-On-Media that one of the two fans who ran onto the pitch was carrying a poster bearing the face of popular Congolese politician Etienne Tshisekedi. Tshi-Tshi as commonly known by his countless supporters lost the controversial 2011 presidential election to Joseph Kabila, subsequently declared himself as the legitimate winner. 

Asked if he may know why the exciting fan did enter the pitch; “I guess he was thrilled as anybody else, from 2-null to 2-2” he said

“You didn’t get to see it on TV because it clearly was censured” said another Congolese fan “on our side; we came to support the national team but also to show our frustration to the world against that man in power, the incompetent imposter you call Joseph Kabila”

The law-breaking fan was escorted out of the field of play after tumbling on slippery grass and briefly detained to a nearby local police station; he is yet to appear in court.

A significant presence of orange-wearing security stewards could be observed throughout the misfortunate draw game against a not-so-easy Niger side, keeping a watchful eye on strong Congolese crowd. The DRC will face Mali on Monday in their last group match at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the coastal city of Durban.

Flag Up! For AFCON

By Gael Masengi

As the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2013 draw near, yes as you all can expect, passionate African soccer fan’s adrenaline is rushing even faster every day leading to the continental soccer showcase in Africa’s economic power-house, South Africa.

Housing diverse African nationals than anywhere within the black continent, city of Johannesburg has been transformed into a circus of various African fans cheering for their respective team. Carnivals around the streets have become a common scene you will see by turning every corner of any avenue, owing that to a larger presence of African migrants in the city of gold.

As admitted Kofi Nkwameh of Ghana “I’m happy that the African Cup of Nations is being hosted here in South Africa” said the 40 years-old wrapped in a Ghanaian flag “because we, the fans are already here in large number. The government don’t really have to fly supporters from home and I’m confident the Black Stars will win their first tough game” referring to their clash against the Leopards, Democratic Republic of Congo’s comebackers. A feeling Mohamed of Algeria also shares “This Afcon will really be an African rendezvous rather than just a soccer tournament"

An Ethiopian retail shop owner I talk to recently in downtown Johannesburg told me that, sales of soccer merchandises have skyrocketed these days and he was happy.

“Unlike previous host nations where we heard reports of slow sale or nothing at all of participating nations’ soccer jerseys or flags, here things are different”, said a smiling Biruk Biniyam “In fact it is the opposite here, we have observed that other country’s soccer products are going faster than the host nation’s, specially flags are by far the most sold item, by the way your country’s [DRC] flag is the most sold around here”.

Congolese flag

Surprisingly, while the remaining national teams’ flags are being sold at average price of R25 ($2.96), the 7 years-old reinstated Congolese flag isn’t just the most sought after. It costs R10 (at about a dollar and quarter) more than others, amazed yet curious about Biruk’s unsteady prices, I asked him to know why the tri-coloured flag was a little expensive, “eish! I guess it is due to high demand…” he said “it’s not only me, you can ask in all the shops within this mall or even outside you’ll confirm what I’m saying”. I didn’t have to go around and ask. My last night tour of Johannesburg did indeed confirm what the somehow dodgy businessman claimed; the yellow and red horizontally striped blue flag could be seen hanging in large number all over Congolese nationals’ businesses from south, central to north Johannesburg.

Asked if the merchandises sold in his shop are in compliance with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations, he responded, “No comments, Mr Gael”

South Africa, which hosted the tournament once before in 1996 will kick-off their campaign in the opening match of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations against an unpredictable Cape Verde side at the majestic Soccer City Stadium in Soweto on January 19^th.

Congo-made Canadian film gets Oscar’s nomination.

By Gael Masengi, Saturday 12 January 2013

On Thursday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced the list of Oscar nominees in Los Angeles and guess what... an unknown “Made in Congo” film made the short list in line to win the Best Foreign Language Foreign category comes February 24^th.

Written and directed by the Canadian Kim Nguyen, “War Witch” or Rebelle (as better known by its original French title) tells the story of Komona (portrayed by Rachel Mwanza), a young girl whose life is anything but normal. Kidnapped by African rebels at the age of 12, Komona was forced at gunpoint to slaughter her own parents and fight as a child soldier against the government in the jungles. But Komona was no ordinary soldier. Due to her ability to see gray ghosts in the trees that warn her of approaching enemies, she was deemed a sorceress and bestowed the title of War Witch by the supreme leader of the rebels, Great Tiger. War Witch exudes visceral energy and emotional power as Komona’s journey ultimately finds her in love with a fellow child soldier named Magician (Serge Kanyinda), but pregnant with another man’s child. Saddled with the reality that a life of normalcy is forever beyond her grasp, Komona must find a way to resolve the actions of her past. 

While no existing country or city is mentioned in the movie, viewers however can clearly identify the plot with the on-going situation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where the film was primarily shot in Lingala (widely spoken language of the DRC) and French with a cast of mainly Congolese actors and actresses.  With a notable recent success of another made-in-DRC film, namely Viva Riva (best director, best supporting actor and actress, best cinematography and best production design at the African Academy Awards) and first time actors such as Pasha “Bay” Mukuna and Rachel Mwanza gaining world-wide recognition for their unforgettable stellar performances, it is safe to say that the DRC is also one of Africa’s pool of talented actors and actresses but as you all will agree with me, the country’s economic situation or total unwillingness by a corrupted government  to invest in developing the motion arts industry makes it difficult to discover  such gifted individuals shouldn’t be for  foreign investment. 

 

Oscar statue

War Witch or Rebelle did already enjoy major success at last year’s mainstream film festivals around the world, winning best actress at the Tribeca and a Silver Bear in the same category at the Berlin Film Festival for the Congolese rising teen star, Rachel Mwanza. The film is Canada’s entry to the Oscars and will not in any way represent the Democratic Republic of Congo as many might think, it is up against Austria’s “Amour”, Chile’s “No”, Denmark’s “A Royal Affair” and Norway’s “Kon-Tiki” leaving out the much anticipated France’s “The Intouchables”.

 Amongst the remarkable big-timers at this year’s prestigious awards is The Life of Pi, a sci-fi blockbuster which comes second with eleven nominations after the American drama Lincoln scoring in twelve categories (which include best picture, best director, best actor for Daniel Day Lewis, and film editing). Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie focusses on the last four months leading to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Winners of the 85^th Academy Awards will be announced on February 24^th at the Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, Seth MacFarlane, the creator of hit-comedy animation Family Guy is lined up to host the ceremony. 

                                                                                                                  War Witch synopsis by Tribeca 

Entertainment: CPJ on the trail of Koffi!

By Staff Reporters, Tuesday January 1, 2013

The New York based Committee to Protect Journalist have asked the Zambian authorities to thoroughly investigate the Congolese song-bird Koffi Olomide for allegations of assault against a freelance photojournalist on New Year’s eve concert in Lusaka.

According to eyewitnesses on the scene, the multi-award winning artist, Koffi attacked Jean Ndayisenga at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel as the 44 years-old photographer tried to snap a picture of him, Ndayisenga a Rwandan refugee in Zambia said, he was surprised that the musician of international status like Olomide could behave in such way, “He kicked me in the face and my flash even got damaged. There a lot of people and they saw what happened” explained the paparazzo. 

He was admitted to a local hospital and later reported to the nearest police station, news report said. Police confirmed that a case was opened against the 58 years-old artist but stopped short of details however the cops admitted that the matter had been transferred to Lusaka Central Prison and they were investigating. In a statement, the media watch-dog condemns the violent attack against the paparazzi.

  

“A photographer should not be subjected to assault while covering a musical performance,” said Tom Rhodes, CPJ East Africa consultant. “We urge authorities to investigate this reported attack and bring appropriate charges.”

Olomide who have faced similar charges back in his native, the Democratic Republic of Congo arrived in Zambia to perform three shows, two in the capital Lusaka, one in Kitwe.