Madam, - After 30 years of tyrannical rule under dictator Joseph Mobutu and the five years of civil war that followed, it would be gratifying to to be able to say the suffering of the Congolese has finally ended. Sadly, this is not the case.
Due to its vast natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo should be one of the wealthiest nations in Africa. Coal, gold, silver, copper, iron ore and gemstones can all be found in Congolese soil and these minerals could have been used to build a stable economy. Instead, Congo's riches have been ravaged by its neighbours and the country has been left in a state of dire poverty.
It is estimated that more than four million people were killed in the war for the country's riches, fought by factions from within DRC and invading forces from seven bordering countries. That is the equivalent of the entire population of Ireland being wiped out for the sake of some rocks.
Most of the deaths were due to malnutrition and disease because the country's healthcare system and infrastructure was devastated by years of neglect as a result of the fighting. Many regions are still without proper healthcare, a clean water supply or educational facilities. Goal has been working since 1994 to bring these necessities to DRC and remains committed to helping the Congolese build a better life.
The international community is not giving the Congo the attention it deserves. What should be considered the greatest tragedy the world has seen in the past five decades has been disregarded as just another chapter of Africa's dark history. It is up to the international community to make sure that the Congo's suffering becomes history also. - Yours, etc,
JOHN O'SHEA, Goal, PO Box 19, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.