DR CONGO: VAVA TAMPA WRITES

by Simeon Nkola Matamba (Follow on Twitter)

One of the big questions that we as congolese have been asking ourselves is: why isn't our crisis being broadcasted? Unlike tragedies and strife in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria or even frequent gun shootings in the US that get large scale media coverage, the "Congo Crisis" is not a priority as it does not benefit from enough coverage and airtime on mainstream media channels. Nevertheless, it is one of the saddest tragedies in contemporary history. In 2012 congolese nationals demonstrated in the UK outside BBC premises to make their voice heard. They pointed that years of wars and painful stories were being swept under the carpets in prominent media houses. It has not changed since.

To tackle the issue of the lack of coverage concerning the Congo's ongoing crisis-a war that was started in 1998 and claimed the lives of at least 6,000,000 people, equating the jewish genocide by Hitler-many countrymen are taking the initiative to speak out. Capitalizing on the social media revolution, they finally emerge to raise awareness and spread the word. Not only about the dead, but they also showcase war crimes and atrocities the living are forced to undergo, such as rape.

One of them is Vava Tampa (Twitter: @VavaTampa), a congolese part time activist  based in the UK. He has had the privillege to pen down articles for CNN, Forbes and theguardian, in which he raises issues around war in Congo and explores avenues to solve the crisis.

Vava Tampa is the founder of "Save the Congo!, a campaign to bring about a Congo at peace with itself".

Vava Tampa adresses the fact that the Congo humanitarian crisis being the most tragic one deserves "extensive media coverage".

He mentions the use of rape as a weapon of war perpetrated by gangs fighting in Congo. Those gangs aim at accessing and controlling valuable natural resources to provide them for sale on the international market.

He emphasizes on Rwanda's complicity but also regrets a tepid leadership from congolese authorities.

He advocates for diplomatic efforts from the US in terms of level of influence and amount of political leverage. As a mediator, the US can help curb and put an end to violence through the comitment of Rwanda and Congo in the pursuit of the establishment of a long lasting-peace in the region.

The perspective of creating an international criminal court for crimes commited in the DRC is one of the many solutions he advances. It will serve hamper and stop the air of impunity, the oxygen that emboldens individuals with dark motives as they think they can always get away after quenching their inhumane and barbaric thirsts.

The questions that we have been asking ourselves concerning media coverage of the crisis can find an answer if many of us become proactive like Vava. To the voice of many waters the world will not be able to turn a deaf hear. Like the power of strong waves our actions following our words can offer the perspective of attaining peace. Choosing to play our respective little roles in the revolution is the only way any fair minded person can follow.