Heart of Diamonds

A Christmas Gift To Make A Difference In Africa

2011-12-03T06:44:00.000-05:00

Same Sky is an innovative program that supports African women living with HIV/AIDS by teaching them a skill and providing materials that help them earn a living. They are given a marketable skill and steady employment, essential factors when it comes to rebuilding lives and supporting their families.

The women are taught to crochet and make bracelets using hand-blown glass beads. The jewelry is sold online and at events around the world, with all net proceeds reinvested into the company to buy more materials and employ more women. It began with a partnership with Gahaya Links in Kigali, Rwanda, and expanded to Zambia in 2011.

If you're in Palm Beach on December 9, you can see what Same Sky does--and support the cause--at Badgley Mischka, 251 Worth Avenue. Same Sky founder Francine Lefrak, Michele Herbert, and Carolyn Grace will be there from 6 to 8 PM. Check the Same Sky website for events in your area or to order directly.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Film Explains How U.S. Supports Congo Rapists

2011-09-12T10:12:00.000-04:00

It's not news that the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to be ravaged by Rwanda, Uganda, and its own armed forces under the leadership of its president, Joseph Kabila. What has not been apparent, however, is the extent of U.S. complicity in the exploitation of the country.

Friends of the Congo released a short version of a feature-length film that fully explains the reasons behind U.S. support for the forces that are systematically raping Congo's resources. As the organization explains,

It locates the Congo crisis in a historical, social and political context. It unveils analysis and prescriptions by leading experts, practitioners, activists and intellectuals that are not normally available to the general public.

While the film contains some scenes of graphic intensity, it's a reasoned, well-researched, authoritative explanation of the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. Anyone with a conscience should view Crisis In The Congo: Uncovering The Truth.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

A Clear-Eyed Look At Congo Tragedy

2011-05-09T08:53:00.001-04:00

If you want to understand the tragedy that is the Democratic Republic of Congo, put aside the mythology and read Dancing In The Glory of Monsters. Jason Stearns has untangled the snarling mess that is the history of this sad nation.

As someone who's researched and written about the Congo myself, I found new insights into the interminable conflicts that have wracked the country for it's entire modern history. Stearns clearly delineates the players, putting them into context and showing how they interacted to make the Congo what it is today. He carefully explains the role of Rwanda's Paul Kagame and other outsiders in the turmoil, but also delineates the power hunger and shortcomings of the Congo's own leaders, including current President Joseph Kabila.

Most importantly, Stearns shows how there is no one single cause of the Congo's troubles. He calmly shows how tribal rivalries fuel the strife just as much as the struggle to control the country's mineral wealth. He explains how the internal politics of Zimbabwe, Uganda, Angola, and other countries in addition to Rwanda led to their deep involvement in the DRC's wars. While he rightfully deplores the epidemic of rape in the Congo, he puts it in context and doesn't dwell on it--not because it's not important, but because there's much more to the story.

I found it refreshing that Stearns resists the impulse to blame rapacious multinational corporations for much of anything except trying to find a way to do business in the Congo. He doesn't ignore the many shortcomings of most of the deals to exploit the Congo's riches, but correctly points out that most of them were struck by Congolese leaders eager to fund their own ambitions. He leaves the conspiracy theories to other, less informed writers.

Dancing In The Glory Of Monsters is an objective, clear-eyed look at one of the greatest ongoing tragedies in modern history.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Golf Fore Africa Raises Money For AIDS Relief

2011-04-29T16:52:00.000-04:00

I am a golfer as well as someone with a deep interest in Africa, so when I heard about Golf Fore Africa, I had to get on the bandwagon to spread the word about this excellent cause.

Betsy King, whose Hall of Fame career produced 36 LPGA tournament wins including six major championships, has dedicated her life to helping others in need. In 2007, King founded Golf Fore Africa to heighten awareness of the terrible plight of children who were orphaned as a result of the devastating AIDS pandemic that is so prevalent throughout much of the African continent. The year before, King had made a trip to Africa with the World Vision organization and was deeply affected by the suffering and desperate living conditions she encountered.

Golf Fore Africa is dedicated to bringing hope and support to African children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by AIDS. Funding is made available to a wide range of critical projects necessary to improve the quality of life, such as access to medical care, education, agricultural assistance and clean water resources.

On May 23rd, King will host a limited field event at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford, New York, to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the communities in Africa that her charity supports. King will be joined by an impressive list of active LPGA golfers including Jiyai Shin, who was No. 1 in the 2010 Rolex Rankings, Brittany Lincicome, Stacey Lewis, Katherine Hull and Azahara Munoz, LPGA rookie of the year in 2010.

The per person entry fee is $3,000, which includes breakfast, lunch and a clinic with Betsy and the LPGA pros. Each participant will have the opportunity to play with three different pros.
GlenArbor, designed by the legendary Gary Player, enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest private clubs in an area known for some of the country’s most historic and iconic golf clubs. GlenArbor welcomes the Golf Fore Africa intimate event, particularly as the club supports the improvement of educational and living opportunities for underprivileged children.

For more information regarding playing spots in this exceptional event for a worthwhile cause, please contact Debbie Quesada at (408) 284-5818 or debbie@golfforeafrica.org.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Free Tales Of Horror To Celebrate "Read An eBook Week"

2011-03-05T08:01:00.000-05:00

Like a concert violinist playing bluegrass fiddle, every writer needs to stretch his chops from time to time. I got the itch to write something different and timed the publication to celebrate "Read An eBook Week" March 6-12. It's a mini-collection of three short stories available FREE from Smashwords.com.

The genre? Horror

The title? "Blind Curve, Three Dark Tales by Dave Donelson"

The price? Free!

The tales....

Bad things happen in "The Alley," a tale told by a narrator who should know--he did some of them. Or did he? Only the victims can answer that question, and they're not talking.

Man's best friend offers the ultimate proof of his loyalty in "Bad Dog." The cute little canine doesn't care whether his master is a good man or an evil one, he simply obeys.

Benon Otema is not a criminal, he's just ambitious. A stalwart leader of his village, a successful merchant, a father and good provider, Benon should know better than to listen to tales told by a drunkard. But he does, and the story takes him to the "Blind Curve."

In addition to these three short stories, the book includes excerpts from two novels. Heart of Diamonds, a novel of scandal, love, and death in the Congo, is a thriller about diamond smuggling in the war-torn heart of Africa. Hunting Elf, a doggone Christmas story, is a comedic romp that's delightful reading any time of the year.

Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

The Tragic Anniversary of Patrice Lumumba's Assassination

2011-01-17T07:46:00.000-05:00

As we celebrate the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King today, we should also pause to reflect on the death of Patrice Lumumba, killed on this date 50 years ago. His assassination at the direction of the United States and Belgium is one of the blackest marks on America's conscience. It set into motion the virtual destruction of a nation that should be the beating heart of Africa.

Lumumba's death just months after his choice as the Democratic Republic of Congo's first freely-elected leader was akin to strangling the infant nation in its cradle. It led to the ascension of Mobutu Sese-Seko, who raped the Congo for 32 years with the monetary, military, and shameful public relations support of the U.S. government. The conflict that erupted when he was finally deposed has resulted in the deaths of millions of innocent people. Sadly, it's a conflict that continues to this day.

Adam Hochschild writes an incisive piece about the assassination of Patrice Lumumba in today's New York Times.

Tonight, Friends of the Congo is sponsoring events in Washington, New York, and Toronto. In New York, it's a screening of a fabulous film, Lumumba, at the Maysles Cinema in Harlem followed by a panel discussion. For information, call 212-582-6050 X221.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Amazon Reviewer Praises Realism In Heart Of Diamonds

2010-11-09T01:00:00.002-05:00

An Amazon reader recently posted this review of Heart Of Diamonds

Dave Donelson's Heart of Diamonds is a well-crafted, well-informed story of fictional, but highly likely events in the Congo. Donelson captures the government corruption that prevents the Congo (and all of Africa) from rising to the position among nations that this resource-rich country could attain were it not for the history of exploitation by outsiders. The story is exciting, you care what happens to the characters. The rape and amputations and exploitation of child soldiers and general brutalization of the people by the military and by rebel forces is drawn straight from current reality, as is the power of greed to make people do the most terrible and idiotic things.

My only complaint is this is another story of white people set in Africa. It would be more compelling were the main protagonists African, perhaps wealthy sons and daughters of the elite sent to the US for college who return to do exactly what Valerie and Jamie do in this story. This is a small quibble, however, Donelson can write best from a perspective that he truly understands and his readers are mostly westerners who can better relate to the characters than if they were Africans.

You should read this book for a great story, but also to get some understanding and realization of the terrible conditions that prevail in West Africa today.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Disaster Capitalism And The Congo

2010-11-08T11:18:00.000-05:00

What is Disaster Capitalism?

Find out Wednesday at the Brecht Forum when a panel of experts updates the current situation in Haiti, the Congo, Pakistan and New Orleans. The panel will also look at the intersectionality of the psychological, socio-political and economic implications created by these natural disasters. What patterns and trends have been generated over the course of the decade? What are the long-term psychological after-effects? Under these conditions, how are local leaders and groups organizing? In solidarity with the people, how do we consider, organize with, and fight for justice.

Featured speakers include Beverly Bell, Kambale Musavuli, Adaner Usmani, Tracie Washington, and Marguerite Laurent.

Where and when: Wednesday November 10 7:30 PM, The Brecht Forum, 451 West Street (Between Bank and Bethune-A,C,E, to 14th Street and 8th Avenune) 212-242-4201

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Joseph Mbangu Updates Congo Situation

2010-10-26T16:13:00.000-04:00

Congolese attorney Joseph Mbangu by interviewed recently by the UN's IRIN news service about the most recent developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The situation continues to deteriorate, and Joseph's comments are quite timely. Listen to the 10-minute interview here.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Breaking The Silence Programs For Congo Week, October 17-23

2010-10-04T17:44:00.000-04:00

Mark your calendar now for the third annual Breaking The Silence: Congo Week, October 17 – 23, 2010. Congo Week continues to grow rapidly as people throughout the globe utilize the occasion to articulate the challenges and potential that exists in the heart of Africa. Since Friends of the Congo launched Congo Week in 2008, over 50 countries and 200 university campuses and communities have participated in the global call for justice in solidarity with the people of Congo. Some Highlights of Congo Week III in October 2010 include:

• Congo in Harlem Film, Performance and Lecture Series, NY
• Marathon Run by the International Criminal Court Staff, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• DC Green Festival, Washington, DC
• Caravan from Kenya to South Kivu for the International Women's March, Nairobi
• Commemoration Ceremony of the Lives Lost in the Congo War, Kisangani
• Salaam Kivu Film Festival, Goma
• Congolese National Ballet Performance, Kinshasa

Your participation in Breaking the Silence is making a difference by making more people aware and engaged. Your actions, no matter how small, strengthen the resolve of people inside the Congo who fight day and night for peaceful and lasting change. Knowing that they have support throughout the globe makes a tremendous difference.

Key Organizers in Japan, Australia, Netherlands, Kenya, South Africa, Angola, Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, The United States and many other countries are joining with groups inside the Congo to call for justice. In the wake of a recently published United Nations Mapping Exercise Report about the mass atrocities committed in the Congo, your participation and support is even more critical. Over 200 Congolese organizations have issued the call for justice NOW! This is a growing global movement to bring an end to what is the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world and the deadliest conflict since World War II.

Kambale Musavuli, Student Coordinator for Friends of the Congo urged concerned groups and individuals to organize an event or activity for Congo Week on their campus, in their home, religious institution, community center or any other local venue. "This year we have a special initiative,' he says, "We are asking each organizing school or community to raise at least $100 to support the Friends of Congo global campaign. Organizers who raise the most funds will receive 10 autographed copies of Congolese superstar, Kanda Bongo Man's latest album "Non-Stop Feeling."

For more information, email: info@friendsofthecongo.org or phone: 202-584-6512

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Podioracket Explores Heart Of Diamonds

2010-04-15T06:23:00.005-04:00

The audio book edition of Heart Of Diamonds has drawn a whole new audience to the novel. It's also garnered some attention from devotees of the form. I was interviewed recently by the team at Podioracket.com, who wanted to know how the book came about and how it differed from my previous fiction. I also talked about the connection between American televangelist Pat Robertson and Mobutu Sese Seko, which gave me the idea for the novel.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Celebrating eBook Week

2010-03-07T01:00:00.001-05:00

As an author, I can attest that technology is a wonderful thing. I've published three books (so far) and every day seems to bring new ways to put them in front of an audience. One of the most exciting is in eBook editions, a format that's growing like crazy and reaching more and more people every day.

To celebrate eBook Week, March 7-13, I'm offering Heart Of Diamonds at half off the already-low eBook price at Smashwords.dom. This week only, the book will be available for your Sony Reader, Stanza, Palm, or just about any other device for just $4.98--a 50% discount. The special only applies to purchases through Smashwords.com.

Isn't technology wonderful?

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Heart Of Diamonds Now In Audio

2010-03-05T11:39:00.003-05:00

Now you can listen to the exciting story of Valerie Grey's struggle to reveal a diamond-smuggling scheme that threatens to plunge the Congo deeper into war--dragging the United States along with it. The production is complete and unabridged, too, with nearly eleven fast-paced hours of narration.

And best of all, it's free. You can download the entire novel to your iPod, computer, or any device that will play mp3 files at Podiobooks.com or iTunes at absolutely no cost (although there's a donation button if you're so inclined).

Heart Of Diamonds--now available in trade paperback, eBook, and audio book editions.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

More International Women's Day Events To Support Congo Women

2010-03-01T05:32:00.003-05:00

It is truly heartening to see the swell of support for the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Numerous events in celebration of International Women's Day (March 8) are dedicated to them as more and more people raise their voices in protest of the victimization of women in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Congo. I wrote recently about the day-long celebration of Congo women scheduled for Harlem for Sunday, March 7. Here are some other events to put on your calendar.

Friday, March 5, Run For Congo Women is sponsoring a concert fundraiser featuring singer/songwriter Jess King at Ella Lounge, 9 Avenue A (between 1st & 2nd st) in New York. All proceeds from the event will go to Women For Women International, an organization whose work on behalf of the women of the Congo I've supported heavily. Tickets for the concert, which starts at 7 PM, are $15 at the door or $12 in advance. You can make a reservation (or donation) at Paypal and then give your name at the door. Remember ALL proceeds will go to Women for Women International.

At noon on Monday, March 8, the place to be in New York will be the Brooklyn Bridge, where Women for Women International is holding a walk across the bridge and a rally to mirror those held that day on bridges all around the world, including one on a literal bridge between Rwanda and the DRC. The event will be filmed and featured in a viral video to be released following the campaign.

Another event of note is inspired by Half the Sky, the NY Times bestseller by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The event features musical performances, celebrity commentary, and the world premiere of “Woineshet,” a short film by Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei and Lisa Leone. It was captured live on February 11, 2010 in New York and is being rebroadcast to select theaters nationwide on March 4, 2010 at 7:30 PM (local time). While not specifically dedicated to women of the DRC, Kristof's long-running coverage of the war in Congo heavily informs the work. This event will benefit CARE International.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

International Women's Day In Harlem Dedicated To Congolese Women

2010-02-22T08:51:00.000-05:00

International Women's Day will be celebrated in many ways, but none more sincerely than the commemoration in Harlem on Sunday, March 7. The day is dedicated to the women of the Congo and features a day-long lineup of important events and inspiring performances.

11:00 AM Morning Church Service
Riverside Church, Clermont Ave. (between 120th & 122nd Streets)

2:00 PM Procession & Rally at Ndunga Public Art Project
Plaza of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, 163 W 125th Street

3:00 PM Conflict Resolution Workshops for youth and adults
Black River Studio, 345 Lenox Ave. (between 127th & 128th Streets)

6:30 PM Screening of "Lumo" the documentary film
Maysles Cinema, 343 Lenox Ave. (between 127th & 128th Streets)

8:00 PM Panel Discussion and Dialogue
Recording of Personal Statements and Testimonials

There will also be performances by LaBurga, Global Kids, Jumping For Justice Double Dutch Social Initiative, Kim Weston Moran, Linda H. Humes, Gloria Lowery Tyrrell, Garifuna Day Woen's Coalition, Drummers, and others.

The events are hosted by a long list of prominent organizations including Friends of the Congo and Ndunga Public Art Project. Space is limited, so please rsvp NPAP (718) 855-8616.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu

2010-02-20T06:58:00.007-05:00

"Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" should be repeated every hour on the hour by every school child all over the world until it becomes the mantra of all societies. It is Bantu for "A human is human because of other humans."

The simple but profound adage is the theme of Chinua Achebe's collection of essays, The Education of a British-Protected Child: Essays.It may also be the theme of his life's work, judging by the simple message it conveys about the importance of the communal aspirations of the peoples of Africa. He uses it several times in various essays in the book, but really drives the point home in the concluding paragraph of the last one, titled "Africa Is People."

"Our humanity is contingent on the humanity of our fellows. No person or group can be human alone. We rise above the animal together, or not at all. If we learned that lesson even this late in the day, we would have taken a truly millennial step forward."

Achebe, winner of the Man Booker International Prize and best known as the author of Things Fall Apart,one of the seminal works of African fiction, has a subtle, dry voice that makes each of these seventeen essays something to savor and linger over. He makes his points about racial stereotypes, African development, history, and politics, and the African-American diaspora, sometimes with humor, sometimes with biting directness, but always graciously and without rancor. You sense Achebe knows that to rail against injustice is futile; change must come through education achieved one cogent argument at a time.

While Achebe is a scholar, he is also a master storyteller. More often than not, he makes his points not with dry logical argument but with an exegetical tale about someone he's met or something that's happened to him. Those little narratives are much more illustrative than pure cant. In "Spelling Our Proper Name," he tells the story of Dom Afonso of Bukongo, for example, who negotiated with King John III of Portugal in 1526 as an equal. He then writes:

"Such stories as Dom Alfonso's encounter with Europe are not found in the history books we read in schools. If we knew them....young James Baldwin would not have felt a necessity to compare himself so adversely with peasants in a Swiss village. He would have known that his African ancestors did not sit through the millennia idly gazing into the horizon, waiting for European slavers to come and get them."

I found his exploration of the complex politics and history of Africa in "Africa's Tarnished Name" to be particularly thought-provoking. He also talks frequently about Joseph Conrad's purported racism, which has become an important theme in the deconstruction of Heart of Darkness. Some of these essays have been presented elsewhere, although they have been revised and updated since they were first published. Nothing in them is dated, however, and Achebe's insightful discussions with Langston Hughes and James Baldwin ring as true as his observations about the potent symbolism of Barack Obama's election as President of the United States.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Exciting New School For Congo

2010-02-11T14:04:00.005-05:00

Mark your calendar now for a special event March 1. That's when Studio MDA unveils the architectural model of the new school being built by the Georges Malaika Foundation in the village of Kalebuka in Katanga Province. The school is a big step forward for the foundation spearheaded by international model Noella Coursaris Musunka, who broke ground for it just last year.

The school is the first of many the foundation hopes to build to give Congolese girls a solid educational experience. Their dedication and "can-do" attitude has produced results, not just press releases, which is one big reason I support GMF.

Students of the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation conducted extensive research to develop a model for educational institutions when they visited the school site last year. Their plan holds great promise for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Education has suffered greatly in the nation as ongoing conflict in many regions drains the country's resources.

In addition to the unveiling of the school's model, attendees will hear Matthew Bishop, NY Bureau Chief for the Economist and Khaliah Ali, dedicated humanitarian and daughter of boxer Muhammad Ali.

The event will be Monday, March 1, from 6 to 8 pm at the James Cohan Gallery, 533 West 26th Street in Manhattan. For more information, contact GMF at rsvp@gmfafrica.org.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Heart Of Diamonds in New e-Book Editions

2010-01-08T15:57:00.003-05:00

What's your preferred reading device? You can now put the new edition of Heart of Diamonds on your Kindle, Sony Reader, Stanza, Palm, or just about any other e-Book reader with just a couple of clicks.

Check your favorite online bookseller, or go to Smashwords.com for a comprehensive listing of available versions. For the Kindle edition, visit Amazon.com.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Heart Of Diamonds Promotes Congo Aid Groups

2010-01-05T15:34:00.007-05:00

I happily started the new year with the release of the second edition of Heart of Diamonds. The revised edition corrects a few typos and slightly updates the text.

Most significantly, perhaps, the new edition recognizes four organizations whose work helps the people of the Congo. A couple of these organizations are large, the other two are small, but the work they all do contributes to the well-being of the citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

HEAL Africa

Women For Women International

Georges Malaika Foundation

Doctors Without Borders

The new edition of Heart of Diamonds is available from the publisher or Amazon.com. You can also find (or order it) from your favorite local bookseller. If in doubt, use the ISBN 9781449919924.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Banro Teams With Kinshasa To Rob Congo

2009-12-03T09:36:00.005-05:00

They won't begin opening the presents until Christmas 2011, but the shareholders of Canadian mining concern Banro received a whopping gift from the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo this year. It was final agreement allowing the company to develop gold mines worth some $13 billion in return for a token royalty of one percent of revenues. The agreement has to go down as one of the worst ever for the DRC, where the bankrupt government of a nation the size of Western Europe can't provide even basic services to its 65 million citizens.

Banro has been granted a 25 year license (with rights to renew for another 25 years) to develop four gold mining concessions on 2600 square kilometers of land along the Twangiza-Namoya gold belt in the South Kivu and Maniema provinces of the DRC. They also have the right to explore on another 3,100 sq km. The company crows that the four properties hold over 11 million ounces of gold, worth over $13 billion at current prices.

The most advanced of the four is Twangiza, a 1,164 sq km concession which Banro has owned under one agreement or another since 1996. The company expects to begin shipping gold from there in the fourth quarter of 2011. The other three concessions, Kanituga, Lagushwa,and Namoya, have been essentially inactive for over a decade.

The agreement with Joseph Kabila's government would be laughable if it weren't such a crime. The company is to pay a one percent royalty on revenues, which, if amortized over the 25 year term at current spot gold prices, will amount to a much-less-than-whopping $5 million per year. That's also assuming the company reports all revenue--a big assumption given the recent estimate by the DRC Senate that 80% of mineral exports from the eastern provinces of the country are never reported.

An additional four percent of net profits (after the company recoups its total investment) are to be funneled through Kinshasa for local development projects. The key term in the latter clause, of course, is "net profits" which will probably amount to zero if the company's accountants are even minimally competent.

What about taxes? Banro will pay none for a good long time. The agreement gives the company a ten-year tax holiday.

The final kicker is that the parastatal mining company Gecamines has no stake in the operation. Banro owns 100% of the equity in the concessions, so if the company decides to flip the deal to another operator, the DRC gets nothing.

So what does the DRC get in return? The company estimates that it has created approximately 1,300 jobs in the DRC in the last three years. It has also funded several schools, hospitals, water projects, and other humanitarian efforts. It is unclear how much of that is funded by royalties or other payments that are required under previous agreements.

I find it astounding that Kinshasa essentially gave away this lucrative mining concession. Many of the other deals I've examined have not been good ones--Freeport's Tenke project and the recent China copper-for-infrastructure deal come to mind--but the Banro concession is far beyond the pale. The company made a great deal for its shareholders at the expense of the people of the Congo. There are two parties to the contract, however, and the other one is the government of the DRC that agreed to it.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Sad Flip Side To China-Congo Deal

2009-12-02T07:51:00.001-05:00

I've taken a very cautious attitude toward the $6 billion deal between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo. My hesitation to endorse it has been based on the economics of the deal, which calls for Chinese companies to build infrastructure in the DRC in return for large copper concessions. This isn't a gift--the DRC is paying for those projects by not collecting royalties for the copper the Chinese will be mining. The projects will also be completed by Chinese companies, so the profits from the road building, etc., will go not to Congolese companies for further circulation through the DRC economy, either. Those objections aside, however, there is a positive flip side to the structure of the deal.

It actually lies in the way the DRC is paying for the infrastructure projects. Under a normal mining concession, the company, Chinese or otherwise, would pay royalties and fees into the national treasury based on the amount of material the mines produce. They would also pay taxes (albeit usually very small amounts) based on their profits. This cash is a significant source of revenue for the government. It is also a significant temptation.

There is no guarantee that the funds would be used by the DRC government to build roads, hospitals, or schools. There are no assurances that the funds used for military payrolls don't end up in the off-shore bank accounts of corrupt officers. It is almost as likely that the money will go for buying votes in the next election or vacations on the French Riviera for bureaucrats as for training nurses or maintaining roads so farmers can get their goods to market.

In other words, by keeping the Congolese people's share of the mining revenues out of the hands of the government, the deal accomplishes the quite worthwhile goal of rebuilding some of the infrastructure that was destroyed in the war and subsequent on-going conflict. That approach doesn't say much for the ability of the Congolese to govern themselves, but it puts trains back on the tracks.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Nitty-Gritty Of Congo - China Reconstruction Deal

2009-12-01T07:06:00.001-05:00

One of the more interesting chapters in Paul Collier's thought-provoking work, Wars, Guns, and Votes, discusses the economic effects of armed conflict and the nitty-gritty of post-conflict reconstruction. He talks not about the horrors of rape and the disruption of societal services, but the more mundane but no less disastrous destruction of infrastructure and, perhaps even more importantly, the collapse of industries like construction, which he explains is one of the hardest hit.

Collier points out that while aid agencies rush about setting up conferences on reconciliation and lining up financing for big construction projects in the post-conflict period, they overlook the fact that the civil conflict has most likely decimated the skilled labor force. In a normal economy, the construction industry is a key provider of jobs for unskilled youths who learn from the older workers who have been on the job for a while. When armed conflict disrupts that educational process, the capabilities of the labor force atrophies, creating an impediment to development.

The shortage of skilled labor creates a bottleneck that pushes up construction prices, further undermining government and donor efforts to rebuild the country. Many countries turn to outside contractors like the Chinese to rebuild their infrastructure. As Collier says:

"...the Chinese face no bottlenecks because they routinely bring in absolutely everything, including the entire workforce. But resorting to the Chinese throws out the main short-term benefit from the recovery of the construction sector, which is to generate jobs for young men"

Without those jobs, the young men don't learn the skills necessary to build their country over the long term. The lack of jobs also makes them more inclined to look for employment with rebel groups and armed gangs preying on the civilian population, thus further undermining the possibilities of peace during reconstruction. Collier continues:

"Post-conflict situations need squads of bricklayers, plumbers, welders, and so forth, who set about training young men. Unfortunately, it is too mundane for the development agencies to organize it. We need Bricklayers Without Borders."

Such drawbacks aren't necessarily inherent in development-for-minerals deals with the Chinese like the $6 billion deal the Democratic Republic of Congo is in the process of negotiating. If the deal follows the patterns of other Chinese projects in Africa, however, it is a likely side effect.

That is not to say that there are no advantages to the controversial DRC-China pact. I'll discuss one of the biggest tomorrow.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Provocative Reading On African Democracy

2009-11-29T08:00:00.002-05:00

I just finished one of the most thought-provoking books I've ever read. It's Wars, Guns, and Votes: Democracy in Dangerous Places

Paul Collier, professor of economics at Oxford and Director for the Center for the Study of African Economies, contends that our obsession with democracy as the be-all and end-all of governance for every nation in the world is a big mistake. He points out that voting is good but far from a panacea for developing countries who lack the social structure, legal systems, stability, and economic prospects to make the results of their elections work. Collier's contentions aren't based on guesswork, either, but rather on statistical studies that examine not our beliefs about developing countries but the reality of them.

I was particularly intrigued by his comments about the Democratic Republic of Congo, which provides numerous examples of the situations he explores. Here's one passage that neatly sums up the current status of the legitimate Congolese mining industry:

"Is democracy the key to peace in these societies?....The recent record is not entirely encouraging....

"Take the transitional government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Knowing that they had only three years in power before facing elections and the possible loss of office, ministers set about plundering the public purse. But the public purse was pretty small because tax revenue had withered away: as you will see, low taxation is part of the strategy of misgovernance. But plunder can extend beyond tax revenue. One strategy would be to borrow: saddle future citizens with liabilities and run off with the proceeds. Unfortunately for the new leaders of the DRC, this strategy was not feasible: President Mobutu had already used it to the hilt so that the country was beyond its neck in debt. No bank was going to lend.

"But there was an alternative. The Congo is mineral-rich. Much of these resources are unexploited because under President Mobutu it would have been folly for a company to incur investment necessary to sink a mine. The president was stuck in what economists call the time-consistency problem: because he could not bind himself from confiscating investments, no sane company would make them. But by the time of the transitional government the global boom in commodity prices had changed the calculus of risk: it was worth paying a little something for the exploitation rights that the transitional government could legally confer. And so the ministers of the transitional government of the DRC mortgaged the future of its citizens as surely as if they had issued debt, by selling off national assets at bargain prices. A few months ago I had lunch with one of the shrewd purchasers of these rights: a good lunch it was too. He became a little upset when I told him that the rights ought to be renegotiated."

While I found most of Collier's observations highly believable, I can't say the same for his proposed solutions, which I found mostly impractical or even totally impossible except in theory. Still, the solutions he proposes are like the rest of the work--very tasty food for thought.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

New Report From The Scene In Eastern Congo

2009-11-28T15:16:00.005-05:00

My associate Joseph Mbangu recently returned from a fascinating, productive trip to his native Congo. His observations are not only cogent but make good reading as well. Check them out at his new blog, The Congo Solution.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

CBS Overlooks How Congolese Criminals Fund FDLR

2009-11-28T15:05:00.007-05:00

The 60 Minutes report on how illicit gold mines support the FDLR was worthwhile and timely, but it barely grazed the surface of the issue. For another, more in-depth view of the way mineral exploitation is destroying the Congo, read the recent special report to the UN Security Council on MONUC's support of anti-FDLR military operations in North and South Kivu. The report bears close analysis on many issues. Most of the media coverage of the report excoriates (justly) that operation for its abject failure to defeat the FDLR (widely identified as remnants of the Rwandan Hutu genocidaires) while destroying the civilian communities it is supposed to protect.

What I found fascinating and even more damning, however, were the reported details of the convoluted relationships between the many groups profiting from the conflict. It should be noted that, while elements in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and other nearby countries are reaping the rewards of the continuing conflict, none of those profits would be possible without the substantial participation of Congolese elements in the illicit sale of minerals, arms, and even agricultural products.

I hope to comment on the report in several posts (and will post a link to the full report when I find one online), but let me begin with one section that demonstrates how pervasive the criminality really is. The authors of the report and MONUC both report that FDLR and various Mai Mai units have formed an alliance to exploit significant gold reserves in Lubero and Walikale territories. The operation is led by General Kakule Sikula Lafontaine, military commander of the Mai Mai alliance known as PARECO. The report says:

"...trading sources as well as a former Mai Mai leader interviewed by the Group reported that Gen. Lafontaine, who has several kinship ties to the Nande traders in Butembo, acts as an intermediary between the FDLR and many traders in Butembo, organizing the delivery of general goods to the FDLR in exchange for brokering gold deals."

The traders in question are Congolese also:

"The gold from Kasugho and Oninga is principally sold to Kahindo Muhiwa, Katina Kambale Mbayahi and Kambale Vikalwe, three Nande gold traders based in Butembo who the Group cited in its December 2008 report"

Their company is known as Glory Minerals, which was formed in 2008 and received approval from the Centre d’Expertise d’Evaluation et de Certification (CEEC) in Kinshasa to operate as an official gold exporting company. The investigators confirmed, however, that

"...Glory Minerals continues to source gold from FDLR-controlled areas."

The three Congolese businessmen are reported to travel regularly to Kampala and Dubai to sell the gold they've purchased from the FDLR. They deal largely with Indian businessmen based in Kampala who in turn sell the gold to the United Arab Emirates. The gold itself is smuggled to Kampala by road or by commercial flight to Entebbe and finally to Dubai.

This is but one example of the sad state of affairs outlined in the report, dated November 9, 2009, and known officially as the Final Report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It reveals many unfortunate facts, not the least of which is that crime knows no nationality. Until the government of the DRC enforces its own laws and moves against the indigenous criminals on its own soil, all the blockades, embargoes, and conflict mineral resolutions in the world aren't going to end the rape of the nation.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.