The stakes are high and the road ahead is long for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is why Sen. John McCain’s wife Cindy traveled to Washington on Tuesday morning to take part in an discussion about the war-torn region. The conference entitled “Voices from Congo: The Road Ahead” was co-sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy, actor Ben Affleck’s Eastern Congo Initiative (of which McCain is a founding member) and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, which hosted the event. The focus was on the future of the Congolese people and why Americans should get and stay involved.
“While the elections are indeed pivotal, we must also ensure that our long-term involvement in the country is based on coordinating an approach that maximizes our impact on a global, national and regional level,” Affleck told the audience in a recorded video message.
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During her introductory remarks, McCain, who donned a canary yellow suit, said that while she firmly believes that Congolese society is on a path to peace, she has witnessed firsthand the tragedy of genocide. “Today it is time to turn our attention to what I believe is the world’s most serious ongoing humanitarian crisis,” she told the audience.
“Strong individuals are working tirelessly every day to rebuild their communities despite terrible odds and intimidating obstacles. I am personally committed to women and children of the Congo who bare a disproportionate burden of the suffering resulting from the Congo,” she said.
Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., also delivered remarks, urging people not to buy minerals or products that fund the conflict in the Congo.
