A Crucial Moment for Zaire

As Mobutu Sese Seko’s waiting game draws to an end and the rebel forces of Laurent Kabila approach Kinshasa, the Zairian capital, a challenging task awaits Nelson Mandela, Africa’s paramount political leader, and Bill Richardson, the U.S. envoy seeking a settlement in the Central African country.

Mandela and Richardson, who have worked tirelessly to broker a deal that would spare Kinshasa a bloody occupation, now have to persuade Kabila that the immediate and long-term future of the country depends on his reaching a political understanding with the full range of political and social groups in Zaire.

Plainly, once the battle is won, the winner should not take all. The big country, which lost whatever cohesiveness it had when the cancer-stricken Mobutu virtually shifted the government to France, is in worse shape than ever. Animosities among the more than 400 ethnic groups in the region seem ready to flare up again. And there is rising fear that tribal and ethnic “cleansing” may occur once the rebels gain power.

It would be in Kabila’s self-interest--and the interest of the nation--for him to clearly state there is no room for revenge in Zaire and no wish to punish, deport or exclude any group. That is why the first task of a provisional government should be to enter into a participatory political arrangement that includes the spectrum of constituencies--churches, worker organizations and human rights groups as well as the formal political opposition. Kabila should engage all these in a political dialogue that traces a common path to the future.

To say that the country is in dire condition would be an understatement. Throughout decades of corrupt leadership, Zaire’s elite politicians have plundered its resources. But kleptocracy does not tell the whole story of the Mobutu reign. The dictator will also be remembered for failing to lead his people to a place in the global economy. There are hardly any factories that can either provide jobs for Zairians or sell goods to the world.

Nobody says it will be easy to suddenly create a nonbelligerent political environment, but with the voices of Mandela, Richardson and others there is at least hope. Their roles in Zaire’s reconstruction can foster international support.

One thing should be clear, though. All international aid should be conditioned on Kabila’s political behavior and the degree of respect he shows for human rights as the political transition in Zaire takes place.