Discrepencies between democratic ideals and realities

Dear Mr President,   Recent studies found that the US government played a major role in former democratically elected Prime Minister Patrice Emery Lumumba’s assassination. But while Lumumba’s death is belittled by the US government despite the great loss to the Congolese nation and Africa, there is another dimension that is often overlooked. The loss of Lumumba meant that the country slipped away from its democratic path just a few months after 80 years of autocratic rule.   I grew up in the Congo and from the information I have gathered, many people still think that if Lumumba was not killed, democratic ideals could have prevailed and their lives could have been better today. But Congolese people are not the only ones to resent Lumumba’s disapperance. Recently, we had discussions with African diplomats at the World Trade Organization in Geneva. They told us that they still regret Lumumba’s death because under his leadership, Congo could have emerged as a democratic and economic power and so play a leading role in Africa.   The US can no longer close its eyes to what has been happening in the Congo over the past 50 years. As you pointed out during your speech in Accra “The 21st century will be shapped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra as well”. And by Accra, I can understand the whole of Africa. If the US can help the Congo restaure long lasting peace and stability, the entire continent and even the whole world will experience peace and stability too. And it is only then will the issue of poverty be addressed effectively. Africa believes in your ‘Yes We Can’ too! In one of my songs titled “Let’s Make Poverty History”, I sang: …Barack Obama Symbole of unity [Unity is] Source of strength For defeating poverty…   The Congo has been a long-time US trade partner. I think that through special trade agreements and bilateral cooperation, the US can work together with the DRC government and private sector in order to develop, innovate, and integrate the Congolese market into the global market by investing in areas where the Congo lacks expertise, skills and knowledge.  Yes, it can still be done.   US writer John Davenport once wrote that in months or even years to come, the challenge for the West will be to address things wherever possible. Professor Adam Hoschild, the author of King Leopold’s Ghost, wrote to me and said that no country has ever suffered like the Congo. Clearly, Congo is a special case and therefore needs special solutions. Has that time come for the US to help Congolese people forget about Lumumba’s disappearance as the country has entered into the next half- century of its independence?   Sincerely yours, Eddy Letsoalo