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By Daniel R. Brownlee
Although there are more than a dozen independent states lying along the eastern coastal area of the African continent, the region known as “East Africa” generally refers to the countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Zaire.
Culturally, the region varies from the Arabic traders of Zanzibar, to the nomadic Maasai herdsmen of Kenya. The political situation also varies from the relative stability of Kenya, to the total chaos in Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi. What these countries have in common are a tragic colonial past, crippling population growth and wide spread poverty.
East Africa was thrown into the media spotlight a few years ago after a plane carrying the heads of state of the Republics of Rwanda and Burundi was shot down by anti-government rebels. More than 500,000 civilians were massacred during the ethnic fighting that ensured between members of the rival Hutu and Tutsi populations. Tens of thousands more were maimed and raped, leaving the victims as outcasts in their own communities. Among the victims were dozens of foreigners, including missionaries and relief workers. After receiving a large sum of money from the international community, Marshal President Mobutu of Zaire allowed millions of refugees to spill into the Kivu provinces of Eastern Zaire.
The exodus caused further violence on all sides of the borders, this time with the assistance of renegade troops from Zaire, renowned for their uncontrolled violent activities and corruption. There were reports that the troops from Zaire, most of whom are poorly paid (if at all) were robbing refugees as they journeyed across the frontier.
In 1992 and 1993, the troops from Zaire rioted in the capital city of Kinshasa, after the currency with which they were paid (5 million Zaire notes) was declared “not legal tender” by the Prime Minister. Thousands of buildings, including several foreign owned manufacturing plants, were looted and burned down in the melee.
Recently, the entire nation has been taken over by anti-government rebels allegedly financed by the government of Rwanda. During the days just prior to press, Zaire is no longer. The new name of the country is the Democratic Republic of Congo.
After the riots of 1993, the Banque du Zaire enacted a currency reform, exchanging the old currency at the rate of three million Zaires to one Nouveau (New) Zaire. At that time, the exchange rate was 2,500,000 Zaires: US $1.00. At this writing, the current exchange rate for the Nouveau Zaire has already fallen to NZ 176,300: US $1.00. Also, since the New Zaire currency all reflects pictures of Mobutu and leadership has just changed hands, a new currency will undoubtedly be quickly introduced.
During the last few days, President Mobutu and his family have been ousted and his home has been looted. The new leader is Laurent Kabilaa gentlemen with a name that suggests European (French) roots. This recent turn of events suggests that Christian names may once again come into play in the near future. The old Mobutu campaign of “legitimization” of ordering that everyone use an African name could be thrown out. What could happen is that people will, at their election, be able to revert back to their old (or new) “Christian” names. If this occurs, the new nation will be a country of 45 million people who could each potentially have two identities. I think the implications are clear.
It is worthy to consider that when Laurent Kabila and his rebel followers moved into Kinshasa, essentially removing MOBUTU Sese Seko from power, he created a great opportunity for fraudsters. Even if we were to assume that Kabila’s intentions are pure, and that he was able to fill the other ousted government officials’ offices with saintly replacements, there are now hundreds of former officials (police, registrars, mayors, etc.) on the run. You can almost bet that they have taken their rubber stamps with them.
The effects of uncontrolled, or rather institutionalized, corruption is obvious to those who visit Zaire, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. From the moment of arrival, many visitors are advised that their visas are no longer valid, due to “new regulations. “They are then told that they must either “pay a fine,” or leave the country immediately. Officers from customs, airport police, and the military will likely demand that they be paid for their “services. “They may also invoke the privilege of pilfering one’s personal possessions, without shame or apologies. Travelers who elect to continue their journeys and venture into the streets may find themselves the victims of random shakedowns by “security personnel.”
In view of the current situation in much of East Africa, it should become obvious that the availability of bogus documents, including those “officially” issued, are easy to obtain. Even the most upstanding government officials and medical practitioners would find it difficult to resist a small cash payment in hard currency in exchange for a death certificate of an accident report. Documents coming from any country in this region, including Kenya, should be carefully scrutinized and, if economically feasible, investigated.
Remember, too, that it is always important to determine the currency being used for health care charges. Claims personnel should ascertain if a bill from Burundi reflects the cost of care in Burundian Francs or in US Dollars.
Since currency exchange rates fluctuate, updated tables should be available to anyone dealing on a regular basis with foreign medical bills. A good source is the full global listing appearing in each Monday’s issue of the Wall Street Journal. The information is also readily accessible on the Internet. (On CompuServe through the OAG online).
Daniel R. Brownlee is the Director of Operations of FIRST SERVICES, an investigative firm based in New York. As an international investigator for that firm, he has worked matters in over 40 countries covering the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Mr. Brownlee currently heads their Dallas, Texas, office and continues to investigate matters all over the world.
East African Statistics – Effective May, 1997
BURUNDI
Per Capita Income: US$700/year
Life Expectancy: 45 years
Exchange Rate: 350 Burundian Francs = US$1.00.
KENYA
Per Capita Income: US$1,200/year
Life expectancy: 62 years
Exchange Rate: 61.9 Kenyan Shillings = US$1.00
RWANDA
Per Capita Income: US$800/year
Life Expectancy: 46 years
Exchange Rate: 220 Rwandan Francs = US$1.00
TANZANIA
Per Capita Income: US$600/year
Life Expectancy: 55 years
Exchange Rate: 534 Tanzanian Shillings = US$1.00
UGANDA
Per Capita Income: US1,200/year
Life Expectancy: 54 years
Exchange Rate: 1004 Ugandan Shillings = US$1.00
ZAIRE
Per Capita Income: US$500/year
Life Expectancy: 54 years
Exchange Rate: 176,300 Nouveau Zaires = US$1.00
© Copyright 1997 Alikim Media