Bunia: A vibrant city of Eastern Congo (an aerial view) 1

Bunia is a vibrant city of Ituri Province, DR Congo. I am privileged as I got many times the opportunity to travel the area by UN helicopter at the time of security reconnaissance in respect of militia activities, civil protection or sometimes just to introduce the area from bird’s eye view to several UN officials. My Contingent Commander was also an important part of this type of activities; and I had to accompany my commander as the part of my job. Contingent commander tried to point all the important places, FARDC camps, camps of militia, our COB (Company Operation Base) and TOB (Temporary Operation Base) from helicopter and explain the recent activities so that the visitors can be up to date or aware of our works and at the same time they would be briefed about the overall situation in our area of responsibility (AoR).

The Ethnic Conflict of Eastern Congo

The Eastern part of DR Congo is unrest for decades. This part of the country, particularly, Eturi province is most vulnerable area in the whole Congo in terms of ethnic clash, several armed groups activities in mineral rich zones, looting conducted by various bandits groups who are taking chances of the absence of proper law and security order, raping, killing, abducting, hijacking and so on. Though the overall quantity of crimes has been decreased in the last few years, but still it is quite alarming. From the humanitarian ground, the region is considered full of dangers, civilian are insecure, women and children are passing the toughest time as usually as their unshakeable fates. The normal life of civilian is also being hampered  and  collapsed because of different sort of attacks, killing, looting etc. They are forced to pay them not only money, even they have to hand over their domestic animals e.g. cow, goat or hens whatever they belong to. Besides, being humiliated is a common occurrence for the innocent and helpless Congolese.

Quotes about Africa (2)

1)

“Some people talk of Africa being a continent cursed not blessed with minerals, but the real curse is the leaders and politicians of Africa”
― Peter Mutanda

2)

“Taking the continent as a whole, this religious tension may be responsible for the revival of the commonest racial feeling. Africa is divided into Black and White, and the names that are substituted- Africa south of the Sahara, Africa north of the Sahara- do not manage to hide this latent racism. Here, it is affirmed that White Africa has a thousand-year-old tradition of culture; that she is Mediterranean, that she is a continuation of Europe and that she shares in Graeco-Latin civilization. Black Africa is looked on as a region that is inert, brutal, uncivilized - in a word, savage.”
― Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth

3)

“African leaders should not turn the continent into a giant collector of donations and loans from wealthy nations—they must find other plausible means to help established their economic security so as to minimize poverty. This incoherent blunder on the mainland must be scrutinized.”
― Duop Chak Wuol

The Hospitality of Zambian People

If someone asks me which thing was the most fascinating and remarkable during my African tour, I, without any hesitation, will cite the hospitality of Zambian people. Though we confronted an obstacle to get visa as the Zambian govt. implemented a new rule just few weeks ago of our tour, however, later we could manage it and got permission to visit Zambia.
After crossing the Congo frontier, we entered Zambia: a peaceful and greenery country of the continent of Africa. We hired a taxi-cab to reach the nearest city for taking a bus for Livingstone city. The taxi driver was very polite and helpful. He had provided us a lot of information about Zambia which later made our journey quite easier in terms of getting hotel, knowing the price and some common customs of the territory. His tips helped us to avoid some unpleasant situations. We could commence an enjoyable journey thanks to an unknown but kind hearted person. It was really a nice starting.

Quotes about Africa - 1

1) 
“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
― Nelson Mandela
2) 
“You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.”
― Karen Blixen, Out of Africa