Congo Stories

November 15, 2018
Eye-opening reportage from an African nation that has been robbed and despoiled for centuries--but that is now finding paths of resistance.Human-rights activists Prendergast (co-author: The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa's Worst Human Rights Crimes, 2010, etc.) and Bafilemba, the latter a Congolese field researcher, begin with the story of a woman who was abducted by a local militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo, held captive for 15 months, and repeatedly raped as "the wife of everyone." She managed to escape, only to be brutalized again by invading Rwandan soldiers, and finally became a teacher and mentor "to countless Congolese women who have experienced physical and emotional trauma." Hers is a story that has been repeated again and again for centuries as Congolese rulers, for a price, have allowed outside powers to loot its resources, by which the nation should rightfully be one of the richest in the world. Instead, in recent history, it has been ruled by kleptocrats--currently Joseph Kabila, who "has subverted democratic processes and violently repressed independent and opposition voices in order to retain power indefinitely"--even as those outside interests remove astonishing quantities of what the authors enumerate as four "conflict minerals." These include tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold, as well as cobalt and diamonds, all things that enrich the developed world and make many of its modern technologies possible. Change is possible: The authors hold that Congo offers a case study not just in inequality and postcolonial exploitation but also in what can be done about them, including being sure that jewelers source their supplies responsibly and use "conflict-free artisanal gold from Congo in their jewelry lines." Gosling provides excellent images of daily life in Congo, while, in a postscript, Dave Eggers urges readers to find ways to support small-scale "local projects conceived and run by local residents," funding the people who most need help.No thoughtful reader of this book will look at his or her computer or cellphone the same way again.

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 15, 2018
Human-rights activist and best-selling author Prendergast (Not on Our Watch, 2007) continues his long quest to help end crimes against humanity in Africa. In this well-organized, vigorously informative, polyphonic, unnerving, and conscience-rousing presentation, he and researcher and activist Bafilemba trace the connection between natural resources exploitation and the violent conflicts destroying the lives of millions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here is the full rundown on blood diamonds and conflict minerals, including those used in the manufacture of cellphones and lithium batteries; the lethal collusion among multinational corporations, kleptocratic regimes, and brutal, drug cartel-like armed gangs committing atrocities, especially sexual violence. Prendergast creates a historical context, while Bafilemba provides vibrant profiles of Congolese upstanders, leaders of a growing resistance movement, many them survivors of heinous attacks, including 2018 Nobel Peace Prize co-winner Dr. Denis Mukwege. Actor Ryan Gosling describes his involvement, while his lively, warmhearted photographs celebrate Congolese resiliency. A thoughtfully assembled resource and a clarion call for readers to seek out ethically sourced goods and support efforts to bring justice and peace to this cruelly pillaged land.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)