The Belgian Congo policy: quod non?

KINSHASA - In July 2009, the American magazine Foreign Policy published its annual list of failed nation-states. The Democratic Republic of Congo occupied fifth place, after notoriously dysfunctional states like Somalia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Chad, and ahead of war-torn countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. This performance was particularly depressing, given the high hopes that surrounded the presidential election of 2006, the first democratic ballot since the country gained independence in 1960. In fact, a few years into the new administration, the country seems to be doing even worse, despite its immense natural resources.

BUKAVU - Finding out who they are is the aim of this documentary project. News reports suggest that genuine Mayi-Mayi militias are operating. In reality, however, the Mayi-Mayi are said to be nothing more than a hard core of poorly armed civilians. Nevertheless, they would make life extremely difficult for the occupying forces.

GOMA - After 25 years of blue helmets' presence in eastern Congo, 2024 was supposed to be the year of departure. But as the UN peacekeeping mission deploys the retreat, M23 rebels keep advancing.