BBC NEWS: SARKOZY OUTLINES CONGO PEACE PLAN

The region around the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been plagued by rival militias for more than a decade.  On his visit to the African continent this week, French President Sarkozy suggested Kinshasa and its Great Lakes neighbours work together for mutual benefit.  Preparations for Sarkozy‘s visit were overshadowed by comments he made in January when he suggested that the Democratic Republic of the Congo share its mineral wealth with Rwanda as a way to end violence around the main eastern city of Goma, triggering uproar in the Congo.  Today Mr. Sarkozy also praised as “brave” the Congolese leader’s decision to invite Rwandan troops into his country in January for a five-week joint operation against rebel militias plaguing the neighbours’ border, a politically sensitive issue. 

People in Kinshasa interviewed by French radio seemed unimpressed by Mr Sarkozy’s visit.

One man said: “Here, we do not depend on France, we do not depend on Belgium, we depend on ourselves.”

Question to the Blogosphere:  What do you think should be the role of former-colonizers in the former colonies, especially in Africa?  What is unique about France in general and Nicolas Sarkozy in particular that could benefit or hurt efforts for peace in the war-torn region of the Congo?  Do you think sustainable peace is possible in the Demoratic Republic of the Congo?  If not, what factors prevent peace in the region?