Join efforts to help rescue DRC situation

The deterioration of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of the December 23 presidential and parliamentary election should be of concern to the country’s neighbours, Tanzania included.

Hope seems to be fast fading that the neighbouring country will finally enjoy peace, and relieve countries such as Tanzania of the burden of having to suffer the effects of a conflict spill-over.

By virtue of sharing borders with DR Congo, neighbours feel the pressure when all is not well in the resource-rich country. This is why we are saddened by the escalating violence and tension in Kinshasa, just a week ahead of a general election we all had hoped could be a turning point towards peace.

The latest setback is the burning of nearly 80 per cent of the equipment for staging the election in DR Congo’s capital, Kinshasa. Fire ripped through a warehouse where the election material was being kept, as violence flared just 10 days before the vote. Officials blamed the unfortunate incident on arson. But this was just the latest drama of an increasingly tense election campaign.

Yesterday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet denounced the violence targeting the opposition by DR Congo’s security forces. There are reports of excessive use of force, including live ammunition, by security forces against opposition rallies, the UN rights chief said in a statement.

We strongly believe that it is time the East African Community (EAC) – whose member states share borders with the DR Congo – and the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) – of which Tanzania is also a member -- took a common position to try and save the troubled nation. The African Union too, currently chaired by Rwanda, should not stand by and watch while the chance to restore nomalcy in DR Congo is washed away in preventable bloodbath.

Go our boys, go!

The nation is today rallying behind Simba SC and Mtibwa Sugar in the African Champions League and Confederation Cup, respectively. Simba SC are in action against Zambia’s Nkana FC, as Mtibwa Sugar date Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) of Uganda.

Soccer fans have every reason to be optimistic considering the impressive performance of the two Premier League clubs. Simba sailed through with an 8-1 goal aggregate against Mbabane Swallows of eSwatini, while Mtibwa Sugar reached the first round with a 5-0 aggregate versus Seychelles side, Northern Dynamo.

However, even as they ride on this wave of victory, the two teams need not relax. The task ahead is an uphill climb.

Nkana FC – which has won Zambia’s top flight league title 12 times – is an opponent you would not want to underestimate. Besides having 43 trophies in their bags, they were runners-up in the African Cup of Champions in 19190, making them the only Zambian team to ever reach the finals. KCCA also has a good history in the African Continental championships. The club has qualified for the competition several times.

Therefore, Simba and Mtibwa Sugar must tighten their boots. They have done it before. They can still do it.