Congo--Kinshasa
12-10-2006, 23:46
People's Palace, Kinshasa, Zaire
A leopard skin toque perched jauntily atop his head, wearing a crisply pressed, navy blue abacost, his hand firmly clutching his walking stick - which, according to government propaganda, was so heavy twenty normal men could not lift it - President Mobutu Sese Seko stepped forward to the podium, pausing dramatically before beginning his speech. Behind his thick spectacles, his eyes conveyed intensity and deep thought. Assembled before him were hundreds of MPR party faithfuls, each with a miniature lapel badge with his portrait pinned to their suit, were as silent, awe-filled, and attentive as if they were attending a sermon or a funeral. The spotlights beamed directly upon him, literally making him the center of attention. As the lights were slowly dimmed, immersing the room - except Mobutu - in a silent blanket of darkness, he began to speak into the microphone.
"Citizens of the Republic of Zaire," he said, "long ago has the radical zealousness with which we once pursued our revolution withered away. Whereas once every citizen exerted every iota of his time and energy toward the ideals of independence and authenticity, now a culture of moral decadence permeates the nation, and the revolutionary spirit of the people has given way to apathy, and at times, counterrevolutionary thought. Politicians, catering to their own selfish interests and turning to self-enrichment for their own expediency at the expense of the people, no longer devote themselves to the causes which we all once pursued in earnest. The scourge of deviationism within the party must be purged without delay. So many people - men, women, even children - have forgotten the original goals and ambitions of our revolution, that I feel urgent and drastic measures must be implemented. I therefore announce that, on this date, September 7, 2006, our Cultural Revolution will be inaugurated. We will bear many burdens, suffer many costs, and doubtless many will die, but as a single nation, united in the cause of independence and liberation of our people, we will bear these costs without complaint and without letting them divert our attention from the task at hand. Now, pay close attention, citizens, for I shall direct your attention to the goals I have outlined:
Total indepence of Zaire. All foreign agents and subversives whose purposes are contrast to our revolution, or who seek to dominate Zaire or her people, will be purged from this nation. Whether their intentions are well or ill, regardless of whether they don a cassock or a three-piece suit, anyone who might hinder our goals will have no place in Zaire.
A truly authentic, radical revolution, totally unique and conforming strictly to the traditions of our continent. This revolution will broadly reject ideologies which are imported from abroad and are thus not indigenous to this continent, whether the ideology in question is capitalism, corporatism, socialism, or communism. If we are to be independent in spirit and sovereignty, we must purify our revolution of any foreign influence. As sons and daughters of Africa, we will give our revolution a uniquely African flavor. We must be baptized anew as authentic Africans, and shun forever the cultures, ideologies, standards, etc. of both the West and East. In name, body, spirit, we will be Zairians. The bastardization of our proud culture must not continue.
Total economic independence for Zaire. No longer will the decadent foreign bourgeoise dominate our economy, our resources, our people. We must declare war on the bourgeoise, as well as on the followers of Marxism-Leninism, who seek to impose an ideology that is totalitarian and not conforming to the ideals and traditions of the African people.
Complete neutrality on the geopolitical stage. This includes complete non-interference in the affairs of other nations, and ensuring we are granted the same courtesy. We shall have no foreign friends, nor foreign enemies. The problems which the world faces will not concern us, nor will our problems concern the world.
The preservation of our young. The youth of Zaire are the leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, we must ensure they inherit our revolutionary zeal. Membership in the Youth of the Popular Movement of the Revolution shall be compulsory beginning at the age of six, and continuing until the age of sixteen, when they will henceforth acquire membership in the MPR. All educational institutions will be nationalized and adherence to state curricula will be vigorously enforced - deviationism and counterrevolutionary teachings will not be tolerated.
The involvement of every able-bodied Zairian in the revolution. Every able-bodied man, woman, and child, will be obliged to defend the revolution at all costs, to the death, if necessary. The MPR shall comprise all the people, and all the people shall comprise the MPR. In the desire to conform to the traditions of our continent, we resolve to group the energies of the citizens under the banner of a single national party, presided over by a single chief, who will rule benignly and justly for the benefit of all.
I therefore call upon you all to begin in earnest to carry out these goals, by taking up arms, if necessary. Never again shall deviationism from the revolution occur in this land. The revolution shall live long and burn brightly for all time!"
A leopard skin toque perched jauntily atop his head, wearing a crisply pressed, navy blue abacost, his hand firmly clutching his walking stick - which, according to government propaganda, was so heavy twenty normal men could not lift it - President Mobutu Sese Seko stepped forward to the podium, pausing dramatically before beginning his speech. Behind his thick spectacles, his eyes conveyed intensity and deep thought. Assembled before him were hundreds of MPR party faithfuls, each with a miniature lapel badge with his portrait pinned to their suit, were as silent, awe-filled, and attentive as if they were attending a sermon or a funeral. The spotlights beamed directly upon him, literally making him the center of attention. As the lights were slowly dimmed, immersing the room - except Mobutu - in a silent blanket of darkness, he began to speak into the microphone.
"Citizens of the Republic of Zaire," he said, "long ago has the radical zealousness with which we once pursued our revolution withered away. Whereas once every citizen exerted every iota of his time and energy toward the ideals of independence and authenticity, now a culture of moral decadence permeates the nation, and the revolutionary spirit of the people has given way to apathy, and at times, counterrevolutionary thought. Politicians, catering to their own selfish interests and turning to self-enrichment for their own expediency at the expense of the people, no longer devote themselves to the causes which we all once pursued in earnest. The scourge of deviationism within the party must be purged without delay. So many people - men, women, even children - have forgotten the original goals and ambitions of our revolution, that I feel urgent and drastic measures must be implemented. I therefore announce that, on this date, September 7, 2006, our Cultural Revolution will be inaugurated. We will bear many burdens, suffer many costs, and doubtless many will die, but as a single nation, united in the cause of independence and liberation of our people, we will bear these costs without complaint and without letting them divert our attention from the task at hand. Now, pay close attention, citizens, for I shall direct your attention to the goals I have outlined:
Total indepence of Zaire. All foreign agents and subversives whose purposes are contrast to our revolution, or who seek to dominate Zaire or her people, will be purged from this nation. Whether their intentions are well or ill, regardless of whether they don a cassock or a three-piece suit, anyone who might hinder our goals will have no place in Zaire.
A truly authentic, radical revolution, totally unique and conforming strictly to the traditions of our continent. This revolution will broadly reject ideologies which are imported from abroad and are thus not indigenous to this continent, whether the ideology in question is capitalism, corporatism, socialism, or communism. If we are to be independent in spirit and sovereignty, we must purify our revolution of any foreign influence. As sons and daughters of Africa, we will give our revolution a uniquely African flavor. We must be baptized anew as authentic Africans, and shun forever the cultures, ideologies, standards, etc. of both the West and East. In name, body, spirit, we will be Zairians. The bastardization of our proud culture must not continue.
Total economic independence for Zaire. No longer will the decadent foreign bourgeoise dominate our economy, our resources, our people. We must declare war on the bourgeoise, as well as on the followers of Marxism-Leninism, who seek to impose an ideology that is totalitarian and not conforming to the ideals and traditions of the African people.
Complete neutrality on the geopolitical stage. This includes complete non-interference in the affairs of other nations, and ensuring we are granted the same courtesy. We shall have no foreign friends, nor foreign enemies. The problems which the world faces will not concern us, nor will our problems concern the world.
The preservation of our young. The youth of Zaire are the leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, we must ensure they inherit our revolutionary zeal. Membership in the Youth of the Popular Movement of the Revolution shall be compulsory beginning at the age of six, and continuing until the age of sixteen, when they will henceforth acquire membership in the MPR. All educational institutions will be nationalized and adherence to state curricula will be vigorously enforced - deviationism and counterrevolutionary teachings will not be tolerated.
The involvement of every able-bodied Zairian in the revolution. Every able-bodied man, woman, and child, will be obliged to defend the revolution at all costs, to the death, if necessary. The MPR shall comprise all the people, and all the people shall comprise the MPR. In the desire to conform to the traditions of our continent, we resolve to group the energies of the citizens under the banner of a single national party, presided over by a single chief, who will rule benignly and justly for the benefit of all.
I therefore call upon you all to begin in earnest to carry out these goals, by taking up arms, if necessary. Never again shall deviationism from the revolution occur in this land. The revolution shall live long and burn brightly for all time!"