Blood in the Mobile Page #3

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I want to know about the connection between mining and the armed groups.

Im told it can be dangerous to ask too many questions here.

But I find some guys from MPC, Mining Processing Company-

-and I decide to get drunk whith them.

The next morning I wake up in the house of one of them.

Barman wont be interviewed, but last night he told me-

-that his employer owns the license for the mine, where I want to go.

He says that none of his colleagues want to be interviewed either.

But that afternoon he takes me to their office anyway.

My finger...Goma.

Thats where we are.

And the blue patches...

...are what they call exploration, or rather...

-exploitation permits-

-of the main tin and tungsten concessions.

Thes are a spill-over from the Belgian colonial mining days.

What can you tell me about the armed groups in this area?

Well, its actually quite dynamic. Weve done some exploration here.

The geologist moved in here. And suddenly they came out of the bush.

The main road from there to Lubutu-

-30 km, was controlled by the Simba. They took $30 for us to pass through.

And then therell obviously be the 85. brigade.

Theyll have blocks somewhere along this road.

Youll also have general Nkundas crowd around here.

Youll have the Interahamwes in the mountain here. They take taxes too.

Its really dynamic. They set up a place, maintain it and move off.

From Goma to the Bisie mine, where my finger is-

-were looking at about 170 kilometers by plane.

And Walikale, where...

Here is Walikale. Its about 130 kilometers by plane.

-And wheres Bisie?

-Up there.

Is it dangerous to go to Bisie as a film maker to make a film?

It depends on how drunk the people are. How much money they want.

The people from MPC hace waited two years to get access to Bisie-

-while different armed groups have been in control of the mine.

Right now Bisie is controlled by the Congolese army, FRDC.

According to the MPC the army is acting just like the armed groups.

-Colonel Sami is a prick.

-Listen, I can still hear you!

Come again. What were you saying?

We were just mentioning...Who do you believe in this country?

So tell me. Who should I believe?

-Us..Of course.

-What...? Who should I believe?

-Us.

-Why?

We personally havent got much to gain apart from our salary.

Were employed. Thats it.

Bernard from the UN press office calls me.

A massacre has occurred in the Bisie mine in Walikale.

Bernard works for the UN press office, but cant speak on behalf of the UN.

We agree I can come to his house, and hell talk to me as a private person.

Excuse me, sir. Is it the press or what?

-Yes, were from the press.

-Which press?

Thats not good, sir. Driver, swhitch the engine off.

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