Editor,If only Congolese could do a little soul searching and think through this just for a bit; alas they have for decades elected leaders but only to be given a helping hand by others whose record in Congolese affairs is despicable.

The hard, cold fact is that our brothers and sisters refuse to learn from their history and that of Africa in general.Vedaste Kambanda, Kigali--------------------------------------------Editor,I wish to react to Joseph Rwagatare’s very informative and intelligent article (Why Congo will never get it right, September 16). I had no idea that DRC is its sixth name. The country changes names like a chameleon changes its colours. Congolese people, especially leaders, must take the crucial step of believing that the country is theirs, then take ownership, and finally take responsibility of their failures as well as successes.To be a leader, you have to accept the challenges. Failures will be encountered, setbacks will be enormous, but success will finally come by keeping eyes on the ball.I think Rwanda should establish Leadership University to train our Congolese brethren. Now I wonder what name the next president of DRC will come up with.DRC belongs to the Congolese.Michael Rwiyamilira, US----------------------------------------------Editor,Dear Joseph, you are right. And, although I am an eternal optimist, I very much fear that the Congo, in whatever name, is doomed as a functioning state, never having been and thus without a collective memory to guide its people.I strongly believe the present leaders will preside over the inevitable final decomposition of King Leopold’s misbegotten creation.And that may not be such a bad thing after all, given the existing extreme dysfunctional arrangement which provides neither security nor the minimum essentials of life for the country’s long-suffering and opposed population.Breaking this gigantic entity into more manageable states might provide the necessary catalyst to enable Congo’s people to finally take charge of their affairs and destiny, wrestling it from foreign interests and their Kinshasa compradors.Mwene Kalinda