Actor Ben Affleck urges US government to increase aid and diplomacy in DR Congo
The US government said actor Ben Affleck must do its part on the Congolese people who he said have continued to suffer because of the war in the late 1990s and early 200s.
Oscar-winning actor, Ben Affleck has called on to the United States government to step up aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo for failure to do so might result in unfathomable consequences.
According to The Agence France Presse, the actor warned US Congress that the failure of the American government to improve its assistance to and diplomatic relationship with the African country would result in rampant violence brought by ‘minerals trafficking plunge the country back into war’.
The actor, a staunch Africa advocate, acknowledged at the Congress hearing initiated by Congress's foreign affairs committee, the need of the US government for austerity given its economic situation brought by the previous administration. But he reiterated to expect a worse situation should it decided to neglect the needs of Congo.
“Austerity demands that we turn a blind eye to Congo, but it would be pennywise and pound foolish to allow the Democratic Republic of Congo to fall again,” Affleck was quoted by the Agence France Presse as telling the African affairs committee of the US House of Representative’ foreign affairs committee.
He added, “We have to take a hard look at our current commitment, and then we have to do more.”
Affleck noted AFP has founded the Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) advocacy group last year. Using his celebrity status, the actor is helping promote awareness of the ‘continuing violence in the central African country ravaged by 13 years of war’.
The issue on the continued US aid for Congo came following the proposals made by Republicans to cut on spending including foreign aid, now making a meager one percent of the total budget of the US government.
The actor and screenwriter insisted that US must not turn the blind eye for the Congolese people.
He said, "It doesn't unduly burden the deficit but it does add to the moral standing of our country... and it can ameliorate terrible suffering."
Congo, a central African country was embroiled with wars from 1998 to 2002 that which killed millions of people and continued to kill people, emphasized Affleck, who are victims of the ongoing conflict, hunger, or disease at an astounding rate of 45,000 a month’.