Dancing in the Glory of Monsters

Table of Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Acronyms

Introduction

PART I - PREWAR

Chapter 1 - THE LEGACY OF GENOCIDE

GISENYI, RWANDA, JULY 17, 1994

Chapter 2 - AIDING AND ABETTING

INERA REFUGEE CAMP, ZAIRE, OCTOBER 1994

Chapter 3 - A COUNTRY IN RUINS

KIGALI, RWANDA, JULY 1994–SEPTEMBER 1996

Chapter 4 - SIX DAYS

BUKAVU, ZAIRE, OCTOBER 8, 1996

Chapter 5 - ONION LAYERS

MUSHAKI, ZAIRE, AND KIGALI, RWANDA, OCTOBER 1993

Chapter 6 - MZEE

KIGALI, RWANDA, EARLY 1996; LUBUMBASHI, CONGO, 1960; FIZI, CONGO, 1965–1980

PART II - THE FIRST WAR

Chapter 7 - MANY WARS IN ONE

KIRINGYE, LWEBA, AND ABALA, ZAIRE, AUGUST–OCTOBER 1996

Chapter 8 - THE DOMINOES FALL

BUKAVU, ZAIRE, OCTOBER 1996

Chapter 9 - A THOUSAND MILES THROUGH THE JUNGLE

BUKAVU, ZAIRE, OCTOBER 1996

Chapter 10 - THIS IS HOW YOU FIGHT

BUKAVU AND LEMERA, ZAIRE, OCTOBER 1996

Chapter 11 - A WOUNDED LEOPARD

KINSHASA, ZAIRE, DECEMBER 1996

Chapter 12 - THE KING IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE KING

KINSHASA, CONGO, MAY 1997

PART III - THE SECOND WAR

Chapter 13 - ONE WAR TOO MANY

RUHENGERI, RWANDA, AND KINSHASA, CONGO, AUGUST 1998

Chapter 14 - THE REBEL PROFESSOR

KIGALI, RWANDA, AUGUST 1998

Chapter 15 - THE REBEL START-UP

GBADOLITE, CONGO, JULY 1999

Chapter 16 - CAIN AND ABEL

KISANGANI, CONGO, MAY 1999

Chapter 17 - SORCERERS’ APPRENTICES

EASTERN CONGO, JUNE 2000

Chapter 18 - THE ASSASSINATION OF MZEE

KINSHASA, CONGO, JANUARY 17, 2001

Chapter 19 - PAYING FOR THE WAR

GOMA, ZAIRE, NOVEMBER 1996

PART IV - NEITHER WAR NOR PEACE

Chapter 20 - THE BEARER OF EGGS

KINSHASA, CONGO, JANUARY 2001

Conclusion: The Congo, On Its Own Terms

Notes

Index

Copyright Page

For Lusungu

Acknowledgments

My thanks go to the many Congolese, Rwandans, Burundians, and Ugandans who helped me write this book and whose names appear in these pages. They were generous enough to sit with me for many hours and explain their experiences. Others I could not name so as not to get them in trouble—you know who you are,
asanteni
.

I owe a special debt to Kizito Mushizi, Raphael Wakenge, Christian Mukosa, and their families, whose warm support since I first arrived in Bukavu made me appreciate the complexities and beauty of their country. I am also grateful for the help provided by Remy Ngabo, Gandy Rugemintore, Balzac Buzera, Pascal Kambale, Willy Nindorera, Noel Atama, Adelar Mivumba, James Habyarimana, Soraya Aziz, Tshivu Ntite, Thomas Ntiratimana, Mvemba Dizolele, Thomas Luhaka, and Michel Losembe in understanding the shifting sands of Congolese politics and in opening doors for me.

My research relied heavily on the hospitality of friends and strangers. To several generations of dedicated journalists in Kinshasa, thanks for the couch, the conspiracies, and insider advice—especially the Reuters crew of Dinesh Mahtani, David Lewis and Joe Bavier, but also Franz Wild, Arnaud Zajtman, Thomas Fessy, and Michael Kavanagh. James Astill and Marcos Lorenzana were important companions through the early stages of the book, and Wim Verbeken, Eddie Kariisa, and Jean-Jacques Simon provided wonderful hospitality. Federico Borello, Louazna Khalouta, Matt Green, Djo Munga, and Johan Peleman were also often on hand to help me out with support and expert advice.

Great Lakes politics is a minefield of stereotypes and misinformation. I was fortunate to have experienced scholars and researchers to help me navigate, including David and Catharine Newbury, Herbert Weiss, Peter Rosenblum, Anneke van Woudenberg, and Ida Sawyer. My friends Serge Maheshe and Alison Des Forges saw me begin this project and encouraged me along, but, sadly, neither could see it finished. They will be sorely missed.

This was my first experience of writing and publishing a book. Many people helped me through the process. Thanks to my parents, my wife, and my brother for so patiently reading the various drafts and providing comments. Michela Wrong believed in this project from the beginning and provided moral and literary support, as did my agent, Robert Guinsler, and editor, Clive Priddle.

This book benefited from the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, whose generous fellowship allowed me to enjoy peace and quiet at the Bellagio Center for a month so I could make sense of my notes.

Acronyms