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Why football stars have DR Congo on their mind | Why football stars have DR Congo on their mind |
(3 days later) | |
Amid the big games over the festive period, Congolese football stars may well have their minds focussed on events back home. | Amid the big games over the festive period, Congolese football stars may well have their minds focussed on events back home. |
People in the vast country of the Democratic Republic of Congo are voting in crucial polls to replace 47-year-old President Joseph Kabila between Christmas and the New Year. | |
In the six decades since independence it has not had a peaceful transfer of power and 20 years ago what became known as Africa's World War was fought on Congolese soil. Insecurity and rebel groups still plague areas of the country. | In the six decades since independence it has not had a peaceful transfer of power and 20 years ago what became known as Africa's World War was fought on Congolese soil. Insecurity and rebel groups still plague areas of the country. |
"I feel sad not only because of the war, but the general situation in Congo. It's so sad to have a rich country and the people there being so poor. It's not normal," says Christian Kabasele, a defender with English Premier League side Watford. | "I feel sad not only because of the war, but the general situation in Congo. It's so sad to have a rich country and the people there being so poor. It's not normal," says Christian Kabasele, a defender with English Premier League side Watford. |
The footballer was born in Lubumbashi, the main city in a region rich in minerals that are used to produce many of the world's mobile phones and electric car batteries. | The footballer was born in Lubumbashi, the main city in a region rich in minerals that are used to produce many of the world's mobile phones and electric car batteries. |
"Money is not well distributed - only the politicians on top of the state, or those kinds of people, get the money. What is most painful for me is that it seems that not a lot of people in the world talk about this," he laments. | "Money is not well distributed - only the politicians on top of the state, or those kinds of people, get the money. What is most painful for me is that it seems that not a lot of people in the world talk about this," he laments. |
"It's like there is some problem in this country but we just don't care." | "It's like there is some problem in this country but we just don't care." |
The 27-year-old says he has not been back home since he was young. | The 27-year-old says he has not been back home since he was young. |
"I was a few months old and I don't have many memories. My parents thought the best way to have a better chance for my brother and I was to move to Belgium." | "I was a few months old and I don't have many memories. My parents thought the best way to have a better chance for my brother and I was to move to Belgium." |
More on DR Congo: | More on DR Congo: |
He is among a large Congolese diaspora, including other high-profile football players, who left the country for Europe over the last four decades fleeing political and economic instability. | He is among a large Congolese diaspora, including other high-profile football players, who left the country for Europe over the last four decades fleeing political and economic instability. |
They are hoping that the elections will usher in a new era of peace and development. | |
'Complex subject' | 'Complex subject' |
Some of the football stars who were born in Europe still see themselves as Congolese, including Benik Afobe, who plays for Stoke City in England. | Some of the football stars who were born in Europe still see themselves as Congolese, including Benik Afobe, who plays for Stoke City in England. |
"Since I was born my parents taught me Lingala, the Congolese language. I eat Congolese food. I have always felt Congolese in my heart and in my blood," says Afobe, who also plays as a DR Congo international. | "Since I was born my parents taught me Lingala, the Congolese language. I eat Congolese food. I have always felt Congolese in my heart and in my blood," says Afobe, who also plays as a DR Congo international. |
Belgium international and Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany, who was also born in the diaspora, agrees his connection to DR Congo is strong. | Belgium international and Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany, who was also born in the diaspora, agrees his connection to DR Congo is strong. |
"I have been to Congo many times, Kinshasa and Bukavu. It's my country. It feels close to my heart and everything I do. | "I have been to Congo many times, Kinshasa and Bukavu. It's my country. It feels close to my heart and everything I do. |
"Everything I represent is always a little bit for Congo and for Belgium. | "Everything I represent is always a little bit for Congo and for Belgium. |
"I want the country to move forward like every Congolese guy," said Kompany. | "I want the country to move forward like every Congolese guy," said Kompany. |
When asked about the political situation in the country, where more than 20,000 UN peacekeepers have been deployed for the last two decades, he says, "It's such a broad and complex subject." | When asked about the political situation in the country, where more than 20,000 UN peacekeepers have been deployed for the last two decades, he says, "It's such a broad and complex subject." |
For DR Congo to progress, he urges everyone - voters and politicians include - to think of future generations. | For DR Congo to progress, he urges everyone - voters and politicians include - to think of future generations. |
"All I can say is that the future is always the children. | "All I can say is that the future is always the children. |
"However much we support them is however much the country is going to get back and perhaps that's the key for Africa to look after our children." | "However much we support them is however much the country is going to get back and perhaps that's the key for Africa to look after our children." |
'We want peace' | 'We want peace' |
For Lomana LuaLua, who played for Portsmouth and Newcastle in the English Premier League at the height of his career, the solution is more fundamental. | For Lomana LuaLua, who played for Portsmouth and Newcastle in the English Premier League at the height of his career, the solution is more fundamental. |
"For Congolese people first of all we really owe it to our hearts to love one another," said LuaLua. | "For Congolese people first of all we really owe it to our hearts to love one another," said LuaLua. |
Premier League defender, Arthur Masuaku, agrees the situation back home is sobering. | Premier League defender, Arthur Masuaku, agrees the situation back home is sobering. |
"It's sad because I know for a fact that we are the richest country in the world, but when you go there, you see poverty everywhere," the French-born West Ham player says. | "It's sad because I know for a fact that we are the richest country in the world, but when you go there, you see poverty everywhere," the French-born West Ham player says. |
With the campaign to elect a successor to Mr Kabila already marred by deadly clashes, his only wish is "no war, just peace, that's it." | With the campaign to elect a successor to Mr Kabila already marred by deadly clashes, his only wish is "no war, just peace, that's it." |
For Kabasele, it time for voters to take the future into their hands. | For Kabasele, it time for voters to take the future into their hands. |
"They don't have to be afraid of what could be the consequences if they don't vote for this guy or that guy. | "They don't have to be afraid of what could be the consequences if they don't vote for this guy or that guy. |
"They need to have the courage. | "They need to have the courage. |
"They need to respect the final decision and not, like so many times [in the past], go on the streets and create some chaos. But first of all they need to vote with courage." | "They need to respect the final decision and not, like so many times [in the past], go on the streets and create some chaos. But first of all they need to vote with courage." |
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