Friday, November 14, 2008

Why Now?

No one seems to have a ready explanation for why General Nkunda restarted the war in late August, or what his long-term game plan might be. The Christian Science Monitor profiles Nkunda here. The BBC carries an interview with him here. Shashank Bengali of the McClatchy news chain has an entertaining appraisal here. Money quote:
Nkunda clearly has a great deal to answer for, and journalists need to continue to hold his feet to the fire. But he's achieved a great deal very, very quickly, and leaving him out of the diplomatic process, for now, seems to me to be a mistake. Congo is such a vacuum of authority that pretty much anyone with a few guns and a little savvy can claim territory - and often they do. But I've met my share of African rebel groups, and Nkunda's, in terms of leadership, organization and understanding the field of play, is one to be reckoned with.

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