Today in Goma, Eastern Congo Initiative hosted the largest delegation of U.S. Senators ever to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The delegation was led by Senators Lindsey Graham, the ranking Republican on the Appropriations subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations, and included Senators Saxby Chambliss, Roy Blunt, John Thune, Mike Johanns and John Barrasso.
In the wake of renewed violence in the region, ECI representatives hosted the Senate delegation at UN headquarters in Goma where they received a briefing from the head of the UN’s MONUSCO peacekeeping force, and discussed the roles that the U.S. and other UN Members States can play in the UN-sponsored Framework for Peace.
While in Goma, Senator Graham also sat down with ECI grantee Mutaani FM for an exclusive interview on his impressions from the visit and his hopes for the region:
“Institutions are important, but young people around the world are now saying we want better,” said Senator Graham. “I’ve seen it…all over the Mid-East, and now you see it here in Africa. You’re going to have to get organized politically. You’re going to have to not only talk about your problems, but try to get organized and pressure leaders to do more. Insist on elections.”
Excerpts from this interview are posted below, courtesy of Mutaani.