If Fulbright program was opened to Burundi.

I was told that I was the first Humphrey Fellow from my country-Burundi-, since last 30 years. Some sources even say that it is the first time candidates came from Burundi - we are currently two-, through history. And I really feel like I’d stand up and advocate for my country to benefit this intellectual, educational, entrepreneurship even humanitarian, and so on, program and grant.

As a journalist, I thought that, some time, the reason may be the historical link with the francophone. That’s false. I even suspected the last years of war and genocides and other leadership lack, in Burundi. I selected some possible reasons-from my humble few knowledge-, and became more curious on its non-eligibility.

Clinton, Fulbright and Harriet Mayor

In fact, I knew Burundi was represented -and still- in different international institutions. Moreover, Burundi is on the front line in some countries in conflicts. I recalled Burundi being a model to its neighbors (in history) in some aspects such as education – many Rwandese and Congolese attended university studies in Burundi or, in last decades, Burundi faculties went to teach in those neighboring countries, even farther-; Burundi has also humble but real philanthropic, athletics’ personalities. The world heard about different personalities nominated for different international prizes, even the Nobel’s. What else? Yes, these last decades caused Burundians to flee their country and serve this world, elsewhere.

I thought Jeanne or Christine -to name a few- met with women of courage, for example.

With Derek A. Crider (AECOM)

I then thought that, as this year (2013-2014) Fulbright/Humphrey Fellowship, I had to rise up my little voice, and ask if I/anybody could contribute in telling / sharing how to open my country to this gorgeous program. I thought that would help in creating harmony and ameliorate humanity values, especially in that African Great Lakes Region. I dreamt it’s high time that small green color in that region was turning yellow. I mean, becoming beneficial to the Fulbright Grants, as it is all around Burundi.

I thought it’s really possible as the USA Government realized Burundi would be the real Heart of Africa.

Audace Machado

African Great Lakes, Still Avoiding the States' collapse

"There must be a document signed by all the parties in conflict, attesting to the end of the war and the so-called faction M23 to the east of the Congo", clarifies the Senator Russell D. Feingold.

The debate on the conflicts in the Great Lakes Region was hotly debated in the measure or, especially the Congolese and Rwandan -in addition to the other observers’ present- arguing on the facts and causes of these conflicts. Ambassador Johnnie Carson, senior advisor of the President Obama had reminded us of the obvious facts: "This region is one of the most troubled in the world, and worse, thousands of women and children have perished or are raped during the last decades, which cannot continue in these times, and in the eyes of the world.” No need to go over the issues of poverty arrogant that prevails there. 

 

Audace Machado

 

No rush, limiting the causes of this conflict, to the facts. In this conference-debate, there was a lot

more question of the crisis in the East of the Congo. "It has been seen that some veterans of the M23 are also members of the other rebel movements such the FDLR ".  By pointing out that, one of the Congolese Intellectuals based in Washington DC, informed several in the room. Russell, the Special Envoy of the USA in the Great Lakes Region, acquiesced. The senator then remarked that "in this conflict, the intention of the Monusco was more help to manage various issues related to insecurity, including the question of the FDLR even before the M23 was born".  Russell to add that he is very optimistic given the fact that the FDLR as rebels, has known of transformations: "Surely change of ideas and objectives, but still of structure, as of years ".  Senator Russell has added, however, that he is not naive, to the extent that the members of this movement are dispersed in the sub-region and are capable of committing other packages. As well, "if you are telling me that Mr. James Kabarebe has said to Steve McDonald that the FDLR is not a danger to the Rwanda, i would go, with reserves, understand that such an organization is different from the actions of its members, and that I think is what has meant to say JamesKabarebe ", added Senator Russell, speaking on the most probable roots of this conflict.

Never compromise on the causes of this conflict. A young Rwandese in the room would have very much liked to be long to recall that relations were good between Rwanda and the Congo before 1994, but the Senator Russell had been more far in his introduction: "I have been witnessing of the facts of the governance of Idi Amin in Uganda, of Mobutu and especially of the assassination of Lumumba, but still of these inhumanity in Rwanda and Burundi and almost at the same time." Those who have followed very well would have understood that the strategy proposed by Russell, first understand, this series of crises in the Great Lakes Region, is to project itself to the interconnection of events and on a regional plan. "I have surely not been understood in the first place when I proposed to colleagues that we follow closely the massacres in Darfur."  He insisted on this interconnection, avoiding answering to some "emotional” questions: "It is more that the time for Kinshasa to show its capacity to organize not only the administration of the territory, but also the election of 2016.” Here, it was just to introduce another discussion, as a take away. The real causes of this instability in the East of the Congo in particular and in the Great Lakes region in general. One Congolese has introduced himself saying that he had freshly arrived from the DRC to ask if "in the prospects for management of these conflicts, there was need to take account of the ethnic aspects".  Recalling that in this region, we cannot deny these identities and that people have and are still persecuted for their identities.  Russell smiled when he disclosed one of the discussions that he would have had with MATATA Mapon : "He will tell you that the DRC has more than 500 ethnic groups but only one cause problem."  When the DRC will be better organized, we will hear less of the words, kinds of “The west has just plunder Africa", or the "The Great Lakes are poor", etc.

A lasting  solution. " In Pretoria, I have been asked what is my great concern - after that the M23 has declared the end of the war -, and I have said that it would be that people think that this is really the end of these conflicts in the East of the DRC, and in the Great Lakes. Kinshasa must discuss with

its opponents." The special envoy to the Great Lakes Region to add, "In last July, I had a discussion with President Obama, the States Secretary Kerry and their team, and we have agreed that we must take the conflicts in the Great Lakes most seriously we ever did before." In addition to the financial support required by the Region, it must, on return, show itself responsible with regard to a different organization of a militarization of the whole country life.

Yes, did you read  «Dancing in the Glory of Monsters : The Collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa ». In the DRC for example, the natural resources are only one way of financing the war, and not a cause in itself. Otherwise, how do we explain the fact that armed men -even mentally- control various resources of income (?), understanding Stearns’ analysis. About Nkunda, Ntaganda, Makenga, Makanika, Bisimwa, etc., - again, to limit to the East part of Congo only-, "We will do everything to integrate the countries of the Region to be responsible and to work together for a lasting peace in this region. In addition, we should distinguish between the rebel groups holders even weapons, and those who commit crimes against humanity"; Senator Russell Feingold then gaveled as well his sales pitch.

 

 

Met Ketty Thought the Amish's

 

For my second time, I climbed the Mount Carmel. The first time was in 2010 in Haifa, and Saturday, Nov.09th, I saw that script on a road signal as I approached Pennsylvania. Whaou! The world is really small, did I tell myself. No, it probably has different meaning over here. It's like these people I was going to visit : The Amish. They are in some other States in America, and even in Canada, but it is said that the Pennsylvania may have a significance group. They came escaping                                                                                                                                              t

he persecution, and found shelter under  William Penn   : this is why they don't, originally wear bottomed cloth. This is why men don't have mustache. They just don't want to identify with those soldiers who persecuted them. A huge culture. I understood almost nothing as I watched Witness. It's too huge!

I then met that woman, Ketty...to tchat for a while, in private:

 

 

 

How many years have you taught this class?

• Actually I help people to understand how our community is organized in terms of education, I don’t teach since many years. I did just two years before I got married.

 What does differentiate Amish to other American citizens, in general?

• Just our sense of the family. Everything is around our family. What does life mean without a family?

 Do you have children?

• I have (laugh) 6 boys and the elder has found his own life in Indonesia…

 Is he a really Amish as he lives far from you?

• Oh, of course. We, we are Amish Mennonite, and we think that life can be different though we don’t encourage that…

 what do you mean, Mum ?

• ...that we are different people, and that everyone has also right to think life differently.

Really? Can I for example take a picture with you?

• Sure! Hurry up! (others were getting inside the class). By the way, you should read Ira Wagler…

"Grew up Amish"?

• Yeah! Do you know him?

I just bought it, I will read it. Do you read books?

• (looking in my eyes and laugh) Don’t tell me you think all these books are for pictures!

Thanks for the picture, mum.

• Of course! Where do you come gentleman?

From Burundi.

• (she pushed her head towards me like, …, I repeated...) I don’t know.

Really? Unfortunately for you, mum. It’s in Africa.

• To late! and...impossible to do like my son.

Why?

• Yes we travel, but we normally don’t take flight, so…

(Your attention please, Ms Fran said loudly ...)

 

Audace Machado