U.N. should stop exploitation of war-torn African nations

Congo in central Africa is rich in diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, coltan -- a natural alloy used to manufacture high-tech electronics -- and timber, but because the country has been wracked by civil unrest, that wealth has become the spoils of war.
As a result, a United Nations-appointed panel is urging the world organization to freeze the financial assets of the rebel movements and their leaders and to punish those countries that are supporting the rebels. But such action by the U.N. should not be confined to Congo. This is an opportunity to go after all those African leaders who have enriched themselves to the detriment of their countries and their people.
Most of Africa is in the throes of an economic meltdown, caused, in large part, by corrupt governments, unending tribal wars and the AIDS epidemic. Indeed, in the past 30 years, $300 billion in foreign assistance from the United States and other developed countries has been misspent. Thus, hunger is rampant, disease is spreading, schools are inadequate and the promises made at independence have been broken.
Criminal cartels: It is in this context that the report from the U.N.-appointed panel on the situation in Congo should be viewed. For example, the report contends that top military commanders in neighboring Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, who are backing various rebel movements, are helping to systematically exploit Congo's resources along with a number of companies, individuals and a growing international network of criminal cartels.
In addition to seeking a freeze of the rebel movements' assets, the panel is calling on the Security Council to immediately institute an embargo to halt the import or export of the minerals to or from Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
An arms embargo against rebel groups operating in Congo is also recommended.
The United Nations has an obligation to move quickly to stop the economic devastation of Congo and other African nations that have been at the mercy of ruthless, greedy leaders.
Swiss banks: The wealth that is being amassed by government officials -- hundreds of millions of dollars are socked away in banks in Switzerland -- should be improving the lives of the African people.
But as long as greed and personal enrichment are the rules by which the game is played, the innocent have little chance of surviving.
The AIDS epidemic is a clear illustration of what happens when the powerful refuse to address the needs of the masses and squander limited resources.
The rape of Congo must not be permitted to go unchallenged. All nations and individuals who have benefited from the civil war must be held to account.
The United Nations can no longer sit back and talk about an African solution to Africa's problems.