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Category: Organizing for Change in Congo
How you can join a worldwide movement for Congo
Kabila Regime Confronts the Power of the People and the Church
On February 23, 2018 February 23, 2018 By erasingbordersIn Catholic Church in RDC, Church of Christ of Congo, Organizing for Change in CongoLeave a comment
Priest and protestors January 21 in front of Congo Parliament Building Kinshasa
Pope Francis has called on the world's 1.2 billion Catholics to pray and fast for an end to the growing political instability and decades of conflict in Congo and the South Sudan. In his February 4 prayers on St. Peter's Square the Pope declared,"I invite all the faithful to a special day of prayer and fasting for peace on February 23, the Friday of the first week of Lent. We will offer it especially for the populations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and of South Sudan."
The date selected by the Pope precedes the third nationwide demonstration organized by Congo's Catholic Lay Committee to end the "dictatorship" of President Kabila. Anticipating a large turn out among Congo's 40 million Catholics for protests following worship on Sunday February 25, the Pope proclaimed, "Our heavenly Father always listens to his children who cry to him in sorrow and anguish, who 'heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.' (Psalm 147:3) I make a heartfelt appeal so that we also listen to this cry and, each one of us in his/her own conscience before God, ask ourselves, 'What can I do for peace?'
With the potential for violent repression by the Kabila regime of the demonstrators, the Pope also urged non-Catholics to join in prayers on Friday, the 23rd. "I also invite non-Catholic and non-Christian brothers and sisters to join us in this initiative in whatever ways they deem most appropriate".
Without pledging to join in the prayer vigil and fasting or the nationwide demonstrations, the leading voice of Congo's 26 million Protestants did respond to the Catholic-organized initiatives. The President of the Church of Christ of Congo (elected last August) Rev. André Bokondua Bo-Likabe addressed the nation's growing political conflict in opening the meeting of the unified Protestant Church's Executive Committee. "We are called Protestants because we always protest against what is unjust", averred the President, who appears to be taking his Church in a new direction in opposing the regime in power. Quoting from Proverbs 29 :2 Rev. Bokondua added, 'When those committed to justice are in the majority, the people rejoice ; when those who are evil dominate, the people groan." Reflecting on recent events in Congo, he summarized, "the situation of the Congolese people today is a collective groaning".
President Rev. André Bokundoa of the Church of Christ of Congo Ph. John Bompengo of Radio Okapi
The Kabila administration now faces the most serious threat to its seventeen year rule. Recognizing that his hold on power is weakening, President Kabila recently held his first ever extensive press conference, made a rambling two and a half hour defense of his rule, and named a new Minister of the Interior to take office five days before the demonstration on February 25. In another move to avoid the example of Mugabe in Zimbabwe and Zuma in South Africa in resigning, the President and administration officials have pledged that the election to replace Kabila will take place in December this year. But the regime's violation of the December 2016 Saint-Sylvestre agreement terms for organizing elections and the brutal treatment of protestors by security forces loyal to the regime has increased anger and opposition to the government.
Summarizing the administration's response to the two prior nationwide protests, the Catholic Lay Coordinating Committee has noted "the persistence of its arrogance, of its scorn and uncaring attitude. In brief", the Committee went on, "its categorical refusal to take into serious consideration the protests of an entire nation". The Committee speaks for the vast majority of Congolese in stating that the people desire "free, democratic elections organized in a transparent and inclusive manner but not fixed and rigged elections which will not bring peace either before or after the elections are held".
In what can be seen as an additional move by the Pope this month to strengthen the position of the Catholic Church in Congo, an assistant and successor to the Archbishop of Kinshasa Cardinal Monsengwo has been appointed by the Vatican. Twenty years younger than the current Archbishop, an outspoken, severe critic of the regime, the Archbishop of Mbandaka-Bikoro in Equator Province Fridolin Ambongo helped negotiate the Saint Sylvestre agreement with the administration. Archbishop Ambongo still serves as Vice President of Congo's Conference of Bishops which issued a statement last week defending the rights of peaceful protestors. The Bishops endorsed the struggle for "a lawful State in the Congo" and encouraged the population to "remain steadfast and vigilant in taking its destiny in its hands with prayer and initiatives to block peacefully all attempts to seize power by non democratic and unconstitutional means."
Congo Protestant Pastor Speaks Truth to Power
On January 26, 2018 January 27, 2018 By erasingbordersIn Catholic Church in RDC, Organizing for Change in Congo, Protestant Church in Congo2 Comments
Protestant Centennial Cathedral filled with the power elite to commemorate assassination of President Kabila's father 16 years ago. John Bompengo
On January 16, the highest officials of the government and members of President Kabila's family heard the pastor of the Protestant national cathedral in Kinshasa call for dramatic change in rule of the country . In a stunning reversal of the Church of Christ of Congo's (ECC's) prior support of the regime in power, Pastor Francois David Ekofo lamented the deplorable conditions and poverty in a nation so rich in natural resources. "I have the impression that the State does not really exist" Pastor Ekofo declared.
"What kind of country are we going to pass on to our children and our grand children?" the preacher asked those gathered to honor the memory of Laurent Désiré Kabila, the current President's father. "We must bequeath to our children a country in which the State is a reality, a State that is trustworthy, where everyone is equal under the law" the Protestant Bishop proclaimed. "We must bequeath to our children a rich country, a country producing enough food to feed its people. I recognize that there is need to import technology" he continued. "But to spend the limited foreign exchange we have to import what we must have to feed ourselves, that is unacceptable for the Congo."
The public criticism of the Kabila regime by a leader of the ECC's sixty plus Protestant denominations signals a stronger Protestant movement under new leadership. Pastor André Bokundoa of the Baptist churches was elected last August as President of the ECC following Rev. Pierre Marini Bodho who had held the post for twenty years. Marini followed the example of the Disciple Pastor Jean Bokeleale who as leader of the Protestant denominations founded during the early days of the colonial era benefited from his unwavering support of the Mobutu dictatorship. Both the Protestant Centennial Cathedral and the Protestant University of Congo were granted land in the capital's center by Mobutu. Like Bokeleale, Mobutu was a child of the Equator Province and saw the Protestant Christian minority as a force to counter the majority Catholic Church which emerged as the primary opposition to the dictator's rule.
The Sunday after Pastor Ekofo's sermon, Catholic priests in Kinshasa and in several provincial capitals led their parishoners and others into the streets to protest the extended delay in national elections. Since Kabila's five year term ended in December 2016, the administration has pursued a strategy described by critics as "glissage" or "slipsliding" to prolong administration control of the vast wealth flowing from foreign exploitation of the nation's resources. The UN reported at least five deaths at the hands of the regime's security forces in response to the January 21 demonstrations in Kinshasa. Among the over 200 arrests were a dozen priests according to one report.
Peaceful protestors, here in front of a UN peacekeepers' compound, were met by heavily armed regime security forces for the second time in less than a month
The Catholic Lay Coordinating Committee, headed by three notable Kinshasa based academics, noted that the number of parishes and members participating was larger than the December 31 demonstrations which also were met with bullets. The regime's response to the growing protest movement has been met by increasingly fiery condemnation by the Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Monsengwo. "How can someone kill men, women and children, young and old while they are singing hymns, carrying Bibles, rosaries and crucifix?" the leading voice of the opposition asked.
In a country where education, health and community development services are largely organized and carried out by Catholic and Protestant churches, and where the civil society institutions are relatively weak, it is not surprising that church leaders have assumed the role of spokespersons for the masses of people. That a high profile Protestant pastor in Kinshasa has joined in calling for regime change is another sign that the Kabila administration's hold on power is weakening. Impatience with the regime and its severe repression of dissent have resulted in more calls for immediate departure of the President and an interim government to take over and oversee preparations for the Presidential election.
Africans Rising Will Defend Human Rights In Congo
On December 28, 2017 December 28, 2017 By erasingbordersIn Congo and other African Nations, Organizing for Change in Congo2 Comments
Africans Rising movement by Sarah Walsh
The struggle in Congo for fair elections and a government which represents the will and desires of the people has gained a potentially powerful ally. Africans Rising is a new Pan-African movement formally launched on May 25, 2017, "African Liberation Day". In a conference nine months before the launch, two hundred seventy two activists from 44 African nations representing trade unions, people living with disabilities, parliamentarians, media organisations and faith-based groups approved the new organization's founding document the Kiliminjaro Declaration.
One of the founding principles of Africans Rising established by The Declaration is the following: "We are committed to a decentralised, citizen-owned future that will build support and solidarity for local struggles, empower local leadership and immerse our activists in grassroots work of building social movements from below and beyond borders." The first guiding principle reads, "Africa is a rich
Africans Rising Co-Coordinators Muhammed Lamin Saidykhan and Coumba Touré
continent. That wealth belongs to all our People, not to a narrow political and economic elite. We need to fight for economic development that is just and embraces social inclusion and environmental care."
The Kiliminjaro Declaration overall reads like a manifesto for political and economic change in Congo. Those who work and pray for creation of a just, democratic State dedicated to serving the Congolese people should welcome Africans Rising's solidarity with and support of activists for change in Congo. Among the co-conveners of the Arusha, Tanzania Conference which produced the Declaration, Kumi Naidoo, is the new chief executive for Amnesty International. In an article in The Guardian on the aims of Africans Rising Naidoo wrote, "We are building a movement that aims to finish the journey of true African liberation, for which so many people laid down their lives in the struggle against colonialism and since. We refuse to accept that all that blood was spilt for the difficult lives people live every day on the continent. The struggle continues!" Read the entire article at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/mar/26/
Among the resources prepared by Africans Rising for last year's Africa Liberation Day is the following prayer for Africa. Let us consider this prayer as an appeal to God and the divine within each of us :
O God of many names,
We call to you on behalf of our beloved Africa,
Mobilizing around a shared vision: a more peaceful, fair, and prosperous Africa,
Trusting your guidance, as it is through you alone that we can move mountains;
O God of all creation,
As citizens and descendents of Africa, help us as we strive for a better future,
A future absent of corruption and greed; a future of social inclusion, dignity for all, and sustainability of all creation,
A future worthy of leaving to our children and grandchildren;
O God of all humanity,
Heal the people of Africa from the wounds of slavery, racism, and colonization,
Raise new leaders with the moral courage to help put an end to autocracy, tyranny, tribalism, and neocolonialism,
Strengthen and guide those who are already working for a more just Africa;
O God who hears all languages,
As allies in the fight for justice, equality, and equity, let us seek the way of peace together,
Challenging those who work against your will of compassion and liberation for all,
And creating a vision of Africa as your love would have it.
Bob Dole and the Congo Cover-Up
On May 20, 2017 May 20, 2017 By erasingbordersIn Foreign Involvement in Congo, Organizing for Change in Congo, U.N. Congo Mission, U.S. Congo Relations, UncategorizedLeave a comment
Sen. Bob Dole endorsed Trump prior to the Republican Convention and was seated to the left of Donald Trump Jr. in Cleveland. After the election, Sen. Dole's lobbying led to the new President's controversial phone call with Taiwan's President.
Have you no shame Robert Dole? The former Senator from Kansas and ex contender for the U.S. Presidency Bob Dole has exposed himself as one of those mired in the swamp that Donald Trump pledged to drain in his campaign for President. As Trump himself reaches out to autocratic rulers in the Philippines, Turkey and Russia, Bob Dole just signed on to the budding campaign to improve the ties and the image of the Congo's Kabila government in Washington, D.C.
When his law and lobbying firm office in D.C. contracted with Mer Security and Communications of Israel to further the foreign policy aims of Mobutu's successor, it was Sen. Dole who signed the $500 k deal. Why the Congolese sought out an Israeli international security corporate power to gain influence and support in the U.S. is likely due to the moves under the Obama administration to penalize and pressure Congo's elite to hold presidential elections as called for by the country's constitution.
In a stunning reversal of the former administration's policies vis a vis the Congo, less than two weeks after his inauguration, Trump's administration had succeeded in getting both House and Senate to repeal the "Anti-Corruption" ruling of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as called for by the Cardin-Lugar Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank legislation . Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md) lamented the repeal vote in a statement noting that Section 1504 required "domestic and foreign oil, gas and mineral companies traded on U.S. stock exchanges to publish the payments they make to foreign governments". He went on to state, "Big Oil might have won the battle today, but I'm not done fighting the war against entrenched corruption that harms the American people's interests and leaves the world's poor trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty while their leaders prosper."
Congo's day laborers make a few dollars a day while Congo's elite reap payments from foreign mining corporations
The corruption in Congo and the "vicious cycle of poverty" there was specifically mentioned as the target in the discussions before passage of Section 1504. EXXON's then CEO and current Secretary of State Rex Tillerson were among the leading opponents of that congressional action back in 2010. With the quick repeal of the Cardin-Lugar "anti-corruption" measure, Congo's current leaders could expect further support of the status quo by the Trump administration. The threats by Trump's UN Ambassador Nikki Haley to curtail U.S. funding for the UN Congo peacekeeping mission can now more clearly be seen as a pretext for realizing the neoconservative desire to weaken the UN and jeopardize U.S. funding of the international body and not in any way intended to undermine Kabila's government. Haley's chief adviser at the UN, former Heritage Foundation staff member Stephen Groves, assisted the most extensive congressional investigation ever of the UN in what became known as the Iraq "oil for food scandal" in the late 1990's.
It is increasingly accepted that one of the UN's principal aims in Congo, the facilitating of a free and fair presidential election, is now being countered on multiple fronts by the country's ruling elite. In a blatant violation of the December 2016 agreement between the Kabila government and the opposition leadership, the current administration named a new Prime Minister on its own in April and thereby succeeded in further dividing the opposition's coalition. Weakening the resistance to Kabila's rule through naming of opponents to more than 50 cabinet level posts in the governing bureaucracy, violent repression of anti government demonstrations and the closing of non partisan and opposition media outlets outline the government's plan to prolong indefinitely preparations for the elections in what is widely referred to as the "glissement" (slipping away) strategy.
Following the 2017 death of leading opposition figure Etienne Tshisekedi and Kabila's naming of other opponents to government posts a la Mobutu, the President's maneuvers to delay elections has met with little parliamentary resistance.
With the signing of the huge $5.6 million contract with a term of December 8, 2016 to December 31, 2017, the ruling elite's campaign to gain international acceptance is seriously under way. In the contract, Mer Security pledges to "represent" Congo's government and advise on "U.S. policy and political concerns regarding African security issues". Replying to an inquiry from the U.S. Center for Public Integrity, Mer Security's CEO said in an email the firm was hired "to explore opportunities through which the U.S. government can support the DRC government in its efforts to bring peace, stability and prosperity to the Congolese people."
Sen. Dole, and his Alston & Bird firm, will not be alone in his work on behalf of close relations for Congo's elite with the current U.S. administration. Adnan Jalil who served as the Trump campaign's liaison with the House of Representatives in 2016 has already received $45,000 from Mer Security for his Congo lobbying. Other than his work for Trump and as staffer for Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-North Carolina), Jalil has no experience in Congo and no background with political issues there. He stated, "the Congolese people, their safety and human rights can only improve if the United States takes an active and engaging role in the largest country in Africa". In a deal that may be separate from the Mer Security agreement, the Kabila administration has also contracted with Cindy Courville, an Africa analyst for the Bush 2 administration, to "develop branding and public relations strategy" in the U.S. Her consulting firm will be paid $8000 per month under the contract terms.
"Beyond Vietnam 1967 to Congo 2016"
On May 1, 2016 May 1, 2016 By erasingbordersIn Contemporary Congo Politics, Organizing for Change in Congo, U.N. Congo Mission, U.S. Congo Relations5 Comments
Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Denis Mukwege has pioneered surgical treatment of gang rape victims in eastern Congo. He is the son of pastors in the Pentecostal Church.
On April 4, 1967 at Riverside Church in New York City, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King spoke out against the U.S. waging war on Vietnam. His "Beyond Vietnam" sermon will undoubtedly stand as a landmark speech in the history of the United States. Among the words of powerful prophecy we read,
"The war in Vietnam is but a symptom of a far deeper malady within the American spirit, and if we ignore this sobering reality [applause], and if we ignore this sobering reality, we will find ourselves organizing "clergy and laymen concerned" committees for the next generation. They will be concerned about Guatemala and Peru. They will be concerned about Thailand and Cambodia. They will be concerned about Mozambique and South Africa. We will be marching for these and a dozen other names and attending rallies without end unless there is a significant and profound change in American life and policy. [sustained applause] So such thoughts take us beyond Vietnam, but not beyond our calling as sons of the living God.
In 1957 a sensitive American official overseas said that it seemed to him that our nation was on the wrong side of a world revolution. During the past ten years we have seen emerge a pattern of suppression which has now justified the presence of U.S. military advisors in Venezuela. This need to maintain social stability for our investments accounts for the counterrevolutionary action of American forces in Guatemala. It tells why American helicopters are being used against guerrillas in Cambodia and why American napalm and Green Beret forces have already been active against rebels in Peru."
Today a peaceful revolution is under way in the Congo. This revolution prevented the regime in power from changing the constitution last year to extend the president's rule. Despite heightened repression of the opposition, demonstrations throughout the country this year have called on the government to prepare for the constitutionally- mandated presidential election. The response to these demonstrations has been arrests and attempts to silence Congolese citizens' calls for change and their defense of the right to a free and fair presidential election in 2016.
One of those speaking out for change is the renowned Congolese doctor and founder of the leading clinic treating victims of the violence in eastern Congo. In a March talk at the French cultural center in Kinshasa, Dr. Denis Mukwege declared that in an election year which also brings the end of the President's second term, "We have spoken too much of rape, of war and destruction; now is the time when we can also talk about development". In response, the government's spokesperson chastised the surgeon for "talking politics" and characterized his speech as "gross pandering" stating that he should focus on his medical work.
Within Congo, the government in power is attempting to silence even members of opposing political parties. In Equateur Province, the governor elected in March, M. Tony Patrick Bolamba, identifies himself as an "Independent", which apparently is cause for suspicion. Since his election, the ruling party has attempted to unseat him to no avail. Their latest accusation challenged the validity of the new governor's voter i.d. card. Such a trivial charge is another sign that the President's party has been intent on preserving his rule indefinitely. In a "mini-gathering" of the ruling party held in Mbandaka two years ago its Secretary General declared, "We must enable the party and its founder (President Kabila) to hold on to power".
What is the United States and other major foreign powers doing to support constitutionally-mandated change in Congo? What are the major powers doing to support the peaceful revolution under way now? Unfortunately, very little. Apart from statements calling for the election to be held, no action has been taken to bolster the people's calls for change.
The focus of the major powers remains pacifying eastern Congo. On March 30, the UN Security Council voted to maintain the UN's 20,000 member force for another year "to ensure an environment conducive to a free, fair, credible, inclusive, transparent, peaceful and timely electoral process." Investing in reducing the mayhem and horror wrought by multiple armed groups plundering eastern Congo does little to nothing to support the holding of elections and the peaceful revolution carried out by the people of the country. The primary obstacle to holding free and fair presidential elections is not the marauding bandits of eastern Congo; the primary obstacle is in Kinshasa where the current government will never have, as the Mobutu regime never had, the popular backing nor the will to pacify the eastern region of the vast country. The latest UN resolution defies the regime's desire to have the UN force reduced but does nothing to pressure the regime to prepare for the presidential election.
Why no sanctions on economic dealings of Congolese regime leaders as the U.S. has undertaken with respect to Venezuela? Why no withholding of aid to Congo by Belgium, France or the U.S.? Why no embargo imposed on Congolese exports? Maintaining UN troops in the East simply shores up the current regime's armed forces and their enforcement of the status quo and stands in opposition therefore to the peaceful revolution in embryo throughout the country.
As achieved in South Africa, as well as in all the former Portuguese colonies including Mozambique, free and fair presidential elections will some day be held in Congo. It is the will and the dream of the Congolese people since independence from Belgian rule in 1960. The questions now are how much longer must they wait and at what cost? How the United States responds to the people's organizing for change in Congo will have much to do with the answers to these questions.
Could it be that the U.S. embrace of political change in Congo will require profound change in the United States? Following the words quoted above from the "Beyond Vietnam" speech, the Baptist preacher declared,
"The words of the late John F. Kennedy come back to haunt us. Five years ago he said, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." [applause] Increasingly, by choice or by accident, this is the role our nation has taken, the role of those who make peaceful revolution impossible by refusing to give up the privileges and the pleasures that come from the immense profits of overseas investments. I am convinced that if we are to get on to the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin [applause], we must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered."
Nearly fifty years later, we are still a long way in the U.S. from making the shift to that "person-oriented society" Martin Luther King envisioned. Does this mean the people of Congo cannot count on their nation's leading benefactor, the U.S. government, to support them in their peaceful revolution? The answer to this question at this time has to be yes. Does this mean the Congolese should not count on friends in the U.S. to stand with them in their struggle for freedom? The answer to this question remains to be seen.
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The entire text of "Beyond Vietnam" can be found at the King archives' site: http://kingencyclopedia.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/multimediaentry/doc_beyond_vietnam/index.html
The March of the Christians in Congo
On February 17, 2016 February 17, 2016 By erasingbordersIn Catholic Church in RDC, Contemporary Congo Politics, Organizing for Change in Congo, Protestant Church in Congo, U.N. Congo MissionLeave a comment
The U.S. Jewish World Watch is calling for "targeted sanctions" on the leaders of the Kabila regime to apply pressure for a presidential election this year
On this day of February 16, in Congo, the "heart of Africa", the largest demonstration was organized in opposition to the dictator Mobutu Sese Soko in 1992. It was the first time Congolese Protestants and Catholics had come together on such a grand scale for any cause and it is known still in the country as the "March of the Christians". At least thirty persons, lay and clergypersons, were killed by troops and police during the non violent gatherings but it now marks the beginning of Mobutu's decline and eventual flight from Congo in 1997.
As recently as December it was expected among Congolese leaders of the church and civil society that the Catholic Church would again take the lead in organizing another mass demonstration in the capital Kinshasa on this day. Instead people are being urged to stay home away from school and work and thereby shut down the city in a call to the current ruler Joseph Kabila to hold the presidential elections as required this year by the nation's Constitution. It is being referred to as the "ville morte/dead city" protest and no one seems to know exactly why the Catholic Church continues its silence on this and any future mobilizations in support of the election.
Leading foreign political commentators on Congo agree that the Vatican has counseled Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo and other Church leaders to halt their former pointed and persistent calls for government action in organizing the elections. There may been have been a clue of a shift in Vatican oversight of Congolese Church leadership with two
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door prior to declaring the Holy Jubilee Year of Mercy at the cathedral in Bangui, Central African Republic, Nov. 29. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
developments toward the end of 2015.
The Church's delegate to a Dakar Conference on elections in sub Saharan Africa in December left the meeting protesting the anti incumbent character of the proceedings and the need for the Church to maintain its position of "neutrality". The second development took shape with Pope Francis' visits in Africa late in the year and the relative lack of attention paid to Congo, the country with more Catholics than any other on the continent.
In contrast with the Pope's prophetic critiques of economic and political elites while visiting Mexico this week, Pope Francis's response to African authoritarian rule and genocide was to declare in a late November visit to Bangui, Central African Republic the year 2016 as the Holy Jubilee Year of Mercy. Cardinal Monsengwo followed suit just before Christmas recapitulating the Pope's proclamation of Mercy at Kinsahsa's Cathedral and calling for prayers for the success of the elections in the coming year.
Three weeks ago, the veteran Belgian journalist/political scientist specializing in Congo Colette Braeckman quoted the Congolese Minister of the Interior's comment that "big marches were ruled out; Christians should limit themselves to praying." In Braeckman's view, there was no doubt of what was behind the Congolese Catholic Church's shift in position: "while there were "marches of Christians" originally planned for February 26 (sic!), there were directives from Rome instructing the Congolese Conference of Catholic Bishops (CENCO) to stay out of politics".
Meanwhile, there is little evidence of progress in the monumental task of organizing national elections in a vast country with impenetrable rain forests, abysmally poor roads and a history of chicanery and duplicity on the part of the regime in power. During a lull in the fighting in Eastern Congo, the Kabila administration has focused on arrest and silencing of the opposition to its rule rather than preparing for a transition in leadership. And at this time, the major powers historically involved in Congo, with the U.S. and the United Nations at the forefront, seem content to defer any pressure on behalf of the Congolese people's aspirations for democracy and self rule in exchange for a period of relative calm.
In the view of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to the Congo, the risk of violence surrounding the elections especially in eastern Congo is simply too great. "In the absence of agreement on the electoral process, political polarization has heightened tensions and contributed to an atmosphere of increased harassment and human rights violations" Maman Sidikou reported to the UN Security Council last month.
Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo has powerfully advocated for peaceful leadership change in Congo in the past. The US National Catholic Reporter touted him as a leading candidate to succeed Pope Benedict.
The weakness, if not fallacy, of this view emerges when one first considers that the eastern Congo has been at war almost continually since Indepdendence of the Congo in 1960. Secondly, the violence associated with "increased harassment and human rights violations" takes place in Kinshasa on the other side of the country and has always been caused by brutal state-sponsored repression of non violent resistance and protest. To associate or imply association of violence in Eastern Congo as stemming from the call for democratic elections in the country is completely misleading. The people's desire for a free and fair presidential election will be reflected in their peaceful participation in the "Dead City" general strike today in Kinshasa.
Whatever the outcome today, it is certain that it won't be long before the Congolese people's voice on behalf of their right to democratic self rule will be heard much louder and more clearly. It is also certain that their struggle for peace – with justice!- will be a non violent one following the example of the Lord of Mercy. The "March of the Christians" in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues.
Celebrating Women in Leadership
On August 22, 2012 August 22, 2012 By erasingbordersIn Congo Agriculture, Disciples of Christ, Organizing for Change in Congo, Photos of People in Congo, Women's MinistriesLeave a comment
150 Congo Disciples women began their gathering this month with a march from the headquarters chapel to the cathedral Mbandaka III church. The meetings' theme: "A wise woman takes action for development" (Prov 14:1) Photo by Nathan Weteto
Across Africa today, major change is taking place as a result of women in leadership. While Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's election and re-election in Liberia captures the headlines, it is grassroots women leading community development projects in rural and urban settings that signals significant change throughout Africa. In Liberia, the election of President Sirleaf followed in the footsteps of the hundreds of women who marched for a peaceful resolution to thirty years of civil war in the country. Elsewhere, it is often the women who lead in organizing the water projects, microcredit groups and agricultural programs that are saving communities from the ravages of climate change across the continent.
It is no different in Congo where the Disciples of Christ Community has made the education of women pastors a priority and recognized the traditions of patriarchy (polygamy among them) as a drag on the country's development. There is no more hopeful sign that God is indeed "making all things new" in Congo today than the emerging of women leaders in the Church and in Congolese civil society. This blog celebrates the work of four Disciples women and the contributions they are making to healthier, more peaceful and more prosperous communities.
But first here's a little history. A strong women's movement characterized the newly "autonomous" (African led and governed) Disciples "Communaute" of the 1960's. Led by Mama Leale the women of the disciples Mbandaka parishes met regularly to celebrate
1969 Disciples women outside Mbandaka III church including Mama Leale, l. of center woman in blue, and Mama Entombodji to her left.
and support each other's work in their respective parishes. Disciples President Rev. Dr. Paul Elonda (later Elonda Ifefe) involved the women in the women in a two year process of theological dialog on polygamy. As a result, Disciples called for monogamy as a requirement for pastors and church employees and defended the rights of women, and wives in particular, to assume active roles in the economy, civil society and church of the new nation
Revde. Christiane IKETE
Building on the legacy of strong women's leadership embodied by her predecessors, Revde. Christiane Ikete has in recent years served as Director of the Disciples Office of Women and Family. Mama Christiane has helped organize the micro credit groups among the women of several Mbandaka parishes and most recently in the rural posts of Monieka, Boende, and Boyeka. In the isolated, impoverished villages around Boyeka, initial distribution among 25 women of $2,159 after six months of loan activity provides a powerful incentive for organizing more micro credit groups.
Dedication festivities last year for the new Restaurant Entombodji
The sale of purses with cap made by Congolese Disciples women at the 2010 Women's Quadrennial helped fund the initial phase of the Restaurant Entombodji next to the Disciple headquarters in Mbandaka. Revde. Ikete envisions the Restaurant as providing training in food service and business management as well as tasty food for Mbandaka visitors and residents. Several small shops behind the headquarters have been leased to women entrepreneurs for years.
Revde. Janette Bafalanga
One of the first Mbandaka micro credit groups was organized at the dynamic Nouvelle Cite parish where Revde. Janette Bafalanga provided crucial leadership as Assistant Pastor in the parish. Women of the parish have also led in the parish's aid programs for orphans, in organizing a highly successful preschool and in participation in the literacy classes at Nouvelle Cite. (See https://lokoleyacongo.wordpress.com/?s=nouvelle+cite blog for more detail on the parish outreach programs)
In addition to her work at Nouvelle Cite, Mama Janette has also headed the Disciple headquarters' Outreach and Service Department ("Diakonie"). That Department's corn and manioc field on the outskirts of Mbandaka models for other parishes a profitable income generating project. Mama Janette in 2010 hoped to fund new fields and service projects through purchase of a mill to process others' produce as well as that of the Department's field. In 2011 Revde. Bafalanga became Senior Minister at Nouvelle Cite so the current status of the Diakonie projects is not known.
Revde. Madeline Bomboko
The first woman ordained by the Disciples in Congo, Revde. Bomboko, dared to reach out to women fleeing the catastrophic violence and mayhem in eastern Congo. Meeting one woman who had walked one thousand kms. to what she hoped was safety in Mbandaka was the genesis of her Woman to Woman Listening Ministry that served over 50 refugee women.
Although most of the women had returned home when I met Revde. Bomboko in 2010, she introduced me to a woman whose entire family had been killed in the warfare and who considers Mbandaka her only home now.
(For more of the story see https://lokoleyacongo.wordpress.com/2010/10/) The pain and suffering of Marie Sauve Vie and other refugee women had deeply touched Mama Madeline and the courageous openness and compassion of Mama Madeline's response recalls W.H. Auden's definition of Christian faith:
"To choose what is difficult to do all one's days and make it seem to be easy that is faith." (from For the Time Being )
We can celebrate that Revde. Bomboko now serves the Disciples parish next to the Mbandaka headquarters. And she remains a good friend to Marie Sauve Vie.
Revde. Antoinette Bailu
With an outstanding academic record behind her, 2010 graduate of the Theology Department of the Protestant University of Congo, Revde. Bailu follows a large vision in her call to ministry. Not only does she fill the traditional roles of pastor as Assistant Phe astor of Mbandaka I. Revde. Antho has started agricultural projects in both the parishes she has served. She reported in a recent email, "the pineapple field has begun producing but we need to hire a sentry and enclose the field as our produce continues to be stolen".
In another recent email, she wrote, "In Equateur Province, our leading natural resource is the rainforest and we must take more advantage of it." She sees herself as a spokesperson for the importance of agriculture in the region's economy and continues "to exhort my friends and fellow pastors to place more importance on developing projects in their parishes". She summed up her vision with these words, "I will hold to my mission of struggle against poverty through agricultural development and I know that in spite of difficulties I will achieve this goal".
Revde. Christiane IKETE, Director of Disciples Women and Family Department, in center next to her husband
Mlle. Nondoko next to Rev Michel Likomba, pastor of Mbandaka III parish, is an orphan whose study for the ministry is supported by Mbandaka's Nouvelle Cite parish
Revde. Janette Bafalanga is now Senior Minister of Nouvelle Cite, one of Disciples largest parishes in Congo
Marie Sauve Vie holds grass mats she has made with support of Revde. Madeline Bomboko next to her
Revde. Antoinette Bailu and Rev. Clement Mputu are one of several clergy couples among the Disciples today
NOTE TO READER: This is the final lokoleyacongo post for the time being as Doug Smith and Kate Moyer complete preparations to begin a two year mission assignment with the Disciples and Congregational churches in Mexico. To follow their work and commentaries on Mexican culture and society and Mexican Protestant churches' witness go to their blog http://erasingborders.wordpress.com/ .
To follow news of the Disciples of Christ Community in Congo, subscribe to the Community's blog authored by Director of Communications, and micro credit trainer!, M. Nathan Weteto at http://natana.tumblr.com/
The Once and Future Lumumba
On June 4, 2012 June 4, 2012 By erasingbordersIn Congo culture, Congolese modern art, Contemporary Congo Politics, Organizing for Change in Congo4 Comments
In a recent painting by a Congolese artist, the figures of Lumumba and his primary rival Kasavubu, in white, loom large
Following my last blog I have been reminded that there are people I respect and love who lived in Congo at the time of independence and hold a vastly different view of Patrice Lumumba. When I read a former Congolese missionary's recollection of Lumumba's "frantic and emotional ravings on the radio" I feel I owe him and you a direct response.
It would take a novel to reconstruct the atmosphere of fear and panic among nearly all whites in Congo in 1960 especially after Lumumba's speech at the independence celebration on June 30. That the Belgians present were so offended by the "truth telling" of Lumumba's critique of Belgian colonialism indicates how unprepared the former rulers were for Congolese self rule. The depth of Belgian loathing of Patrice Lumumba emerges clearly from the numbingly detailed and thorough account of The Assassination of Lumumba by Ludo De Witte.
Published in 2001, this book leaves no doubt that the Belgian government called for the elected Prime Minister's torture and death at the hands of security officers and government officials of Belgium and the secessionist provinces of Katanga and South Kasai. More telling though is the book's evidence of the utter disdain and fear of the nationalist Lumumba among the Belgians. Following his death, a leftist Belgian newspaper commented, "The press probably did not treat Hitler with as much rage and virulence as they did Patrice Lumumba".
The De Witte book also notes the U.S. backing, support and even plotting of the definitive elimination of the Congolese nationalist.
Head of the C.I.A. Allen Dulles wrote the Kinshasa station chief Devlin on August 26, 1960, "We concluded that his (Lumumba's) removal must be an urgent and prime objective and that under existing conditions this should be a high priority of our covert action". These efforts to remove Lumumba from power took place with the recognition that no other Congolese politician had a
Patrice Emery Lumumba July 2, 1925 – January 17, 1961
comparable following or power to move the people. U.S. Ambassador Clare Timberlake in a 1960 memo to the State Department declared that Lumumba could enter a room of Congolese politicians as a waiter and emerge by the end of the meeting as the gathering's elected leader. "Kasavubu will be a political zero as long as Lumumba is active" Timberlake wrote in another message.
This brings me to call attention to Lumumba's naïve and touching trust of the U.S. In the tape made by a reporter who visited him while in prison shortly before his death, he advanced the U.S. example as a template for the task his people faced:
"I remind you here of the Declaration of Independence adopted by the Congress of the United States in 1766 (sic), which proclaimed the overthrow of the colonial regime, the united colonies' liberation from the British yoke, and thir transformation into a free and independent state. The Congolese nationalists have thus merely followed in the footsteps of the French, Belgian, American, Russian and other nationalists. We have chosen only one weapon for our struggle: nonviolence. The only weapon that would bring victory in dignity and honor. Our watchword during the liberation campaign was always the immediate and total independence of the Congo."
Those who would attribute the Congolese post- independence violence and mayhem to Lumumba's words and not to the machinations of the West, must, in my view, account for the fifty plus years of war, dictatorial rule and increasing misery of the people of Congo after his death. It is that deplorable record of Congolese rule in the context of neocolonial foreign control of the country's resources that leads me to state that Congo has lost its way. The words of their first and only democratically elected leader have been suppressed and subsequent leaders have honored him without in any substantive way attempting to realize his vision.
"Avenue Patrice Lumumba in Beira" photo by South African artist in an exhibit documenting Lumumba hommages across Africa
Over the last 50 years, Lumumba's stature as a spokesperson for the aspirations of oppressed peoples and as the prophet of the African liberation struggle in particular has grown. As the African journalist Cameron Doudo wrote on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Lumumba's death, "Patrice Lumumba is, next to Nelson Mandela, the iconic figure who most readily comes to mind when Africa is discussed in relation to its struggle against imperialism and racism".
The major difference between Lumumba and Mandela's political careers is that Mandela saw the strengthening of his African National Congress from inside the walls of his prison. Despite Lumumba's overwhelming grass roots support in 1960, his assassination cut woefully short his and his followers' opportunity to organize for nation's control of the country's resources. That is the great tragedy of Lumumba's life and legacy. In the midst of the multiple political parties organized on a tribal base of support, the creation of the MNC (National Congolese Movement) as a nation wide political party prior to the 1960 elections demonstrated that Lumumba's powerful communication skills were matched by political organizing acumen.
Among the unrealized aspects of his legacy was Lumumba's championing of the role of women in the new nation. In an early 1960 talk in Brussels he encouraged Belgian women in the audience to assist in the education of Congolese women for leadership.
"We want many Belgian girls to come to the Congo to teach and instruct our girls, and tomorrow the young ladies who are here will come to our country as welfare workers to educate our Congolese girls. Our efforts tomorrow must bring about a harmonious evolution of our peoples, and we want this evolution, the most fundamental one of all, especially that of our women, which has been somewhat neglected under the colonial regime – we want our women to have the same level of education that we men have, because when a man is educated, it is only the individual who is educated, but when a woman is educated, an entire family, an entire generation is educated. We want many Congolese girls to come to Belgium tomorrow to get an education, and we want many Belgian girls to come to the Congo to teach and instruct our girls. And it is so as to ensure equality between men and women that the Congolese movement demands the same political rights for women as for men. We have proposed that both men and women eighteen or over be allowed to participate in the coming elections. But certain reactionary circles, those that still insist on regarding women as servants are opposed to this plan and have a hand in the scheme to prevent this from happening. I am certain that when I go back to the Congo, I shall conduct a noisy campaign on behalf of Congolese women."
In concluding this overview of the Lumumba legacy, let's consider what U.S. based Congolese political scientist Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja wrote on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the assassination,
"In Congo, Lumumba's assassination is rightly viewed as the country's original sin. Coming less than seven months after independence (on 30 June, 1960), it was a stumbling block to the ideals of national unity, economic independence and pan-African solidarity that Lumumba had championed, as well as a shattering blow to the hopes of millions of Congolese for freedom and material prosperity."
One way to summarize the current state of the legacy would be that Lumumba's ideal of national unity has been preserved at the cost of the nation's economic independence and pan-African solidarity.
NOTE: To read the entire Nzongola-Ntalaja article go to:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jan/17/patrice-lumumba-50th-anniversary-assassination
The Congo's Vision Loss
On May 23, 2012 May 23, 2012 By erasingbordersIn Congo culture, Contemporary Congo Politics, Organizing for Change in Congo, Photos of Urban Congo1 Comment
Patrice Lumumba, the Congo's first-elected Prime Minister is remembered around the world as an icon of African independence, but his legacy is more complicated at home
"But this is a people robbed and plundered, all of them are trapped in holes and hidden in prisons; they have become a prey with no one to rescue, a spoil with no one to say, 'Restore!" Is 42:22
Like the people of Israel before their return from exile in Babylon, Congo today appears to be a land adrift, a nation state which has lost its bearings and its vision of what this newly independent nation in Africa might become. It is therefore to be lamented that Patrice Lumumba's comprehensive and compelling vision for the nation is largely neglected if not contradicted by the current regime and not known by the Congolese people, few of whom were alive in 1960.
Following the dedication of the Lumumba monument and statue in Kinshasa, the 2002 placement of Laurent Desire Kabila's ostentatious mausoleum across from the Palais de la Nationsignaled where the current regime's roots lie. In contrast to the international recognition and respect accorded the
Laurent Kabila statue and mausoleum with Palais de la Nation in the background
legacy of Patrice Lumumba, the father of the current president has the reputation of a cowering opportunist whose rise to power in Congo resulted from Rwanda's desire to unseat Mobutu and exploit the resources of eastern Congo. The closest Laurent Kabila comes to resembling Lumumba is in his also having been assassinated.
In a 2008 article by investigative journalist Christian Parenti titled "In Search of Lumumba: Congo's Landscape of Forgetting" investigative journalist Christian Parenti found no traces of Lumumba's political thought in the country's politics or daily life today. Parenti found that even those with access to the mass media outlets of Kinshasa have only a rudimentary understanding of Lumumba's rise to power and what he stood for. "He was our first President" a handyman at a Catholic mission told Parenti, and "he became a Communist" responded a university student. An English teacher at a Jesuit high school told Parenti that in the Mobutu era, Congo history lessons focused on the President, "his family, his life". Parenti sums up his findings with " Once dead, the memory of Lumumba is erased, then revived to prop up a dictator, then to legitimize the rebel who overthrew that dictator".
So what of the Lumumba legacy can be recovered and applied to the restoration of the Congolese nation today? Above all, there is the writing and speeches of a gifted and passionate defender of the rights of the Congolese people. Within the pages of Lumumba Speaks, edited by Jean Van Lierde, there can be uncovered the outline of a plan of action for the rise of a free Congo as well as a free Africa. There are excerpts which reveal Lumumba as a political pragmatist seeking to encourage the understanding if not the support of his opposition,
"Europeans must recognize and come to accept the idea that the liberation movement that we are engaged in throughout Africa is not directed against them, nor against their possessions, nor against their persons, but purely and simply against the regime of exploitation and enslavement that we are no longer willing to tolerate. If they agree to put an immediate end to this regime instituted by their predecessors, we will live in friendship and brotherhood with them." (from his speech at the University of Ibadan, March 22, 1959, sponsored by the Congress for the Freedom of Culture)
And there are excerpts so prescriptive and truthful regarding the history of his nation and the entire continent of Africa over the past fifty years as to rank him among the major prophets of the last century. The words that follow were tape recorded during Lumumba's last days in prison shortly before his death,
"The powers that are fighting us or fighting my government, under the false pretense that they are fighting communism, are in fact concealing their real intentions. These European powers favor only those African leaders who are tied to their apron strings and deceive their people. Certain of these powers conceive of their presence in the Congo or in Africa only as a chance to exploit their rich resources to the maximum by conniving with certain corrupted leaders.
This policy of corruption whereby every incorruptible leader is called procommunist and every leader who is a traitor to his country pro-Western must be fought.
We don't want to tag along with any bloc. If we aren't careful, we will risk falling into a neocolonialism that would be as dangerous as the colonialism that we buried last June 30. The imperialists' strategy is to maintain the colonial system in the Congo and simply change the cast, as in a stage play, that is to say, replace the Belgian colonialists with neocolonialists who can be easily manipulated."
Among his speeches and writings, I have found no words associating the U.S. with the "European powers" determined to enforce a neocolonial status on Africa. In the next blog, we will look at Lumumba's trust of the U.S. as an inspiring former colony of the British Empire. We will also lift up his emphasis on the rights of women and the priority he envisaged in the new Congo of educating women.
On Lumumba:
Copies of Lumumba Speaks are unfortunately hard to come by. There is one copy in the County of Los Angeles Public Library system. Congo, My Country by Lumumba is an extended essay on the country's march to self rule written in early 1958; the first book is essential for reading his mature political thought.
More accessible today are the film by Raoul Peck Lumumba, available on Netflix for instant view, and the biography by Leo Zeilig Lumumba: Africa's Lost Leader (Life and Times)
The Christian Parenti article cited above is from the January 30, 2008 edition of In These Times magazine and though there are errors (Lumumba did NOT study abroad as stated) it is worth reading at:
http://inthesetimes.com/article/continued/3500/in_search_of_lumumba/
Is the World Ready for a Democratic Republic of Congo?
On May 14, 2012 May 18, 2012 By erasingbordersIn Contemporary Congo Politics, Organizing for Change in Congo, Photos of Urban Congo6 Comments
The Lumumba statue stands at a busy roundabout on Boulevard Lumumba, the thoroughfare leading from the Kinshasa airport to downtown
Given the response of the Obama administration and other western governments to the incumbent regime's manipulation of the Congo's electoral process, it seems clear that the West still does not support democratic rule in the most resource-endowed nation of Africa. In a mid-February commentary for the "African Futures" blog, Joshua Marks reports that the West's position on the flawed election remains "dangerously in favor of the status quo of the last five years". Marks concludes that the failure of current aid for Congo is thereby assured: "these signs of policy inertia could prove disastrous, since Western policies have so far done little to strengthen Congo's governance, a key goal of many bilateral programs".
Official acceptance of yet another rigged election in Congo by the U.S., Belgium and the other western powers raises the question of whether the West is yet ready to accept democracy ("rule of the people") in Congo. After fifty plus years of independent nation status, the reverse question of whether the Congolese people are ready for democratic rule still determines the West's policies toward Congo. With the dismal record of Belgian colonial authorities in the field of higher education as the background, that question was repeated again and again in western media in the days leading up to the first election of 1960.
Although the question with all its racist overtones may still underlie the anti-democratic postures
In a cynical gesture to nationalism, worthy of Mobutu, Joseph Kabila had the statue and monument to Patrice Lumumba erected in 2002
and policies vis a vis Congo of the western powers, the 1960 voting results should provide decisive evidence that yes Congo was then and remains ready for self rule. In spite of the West's attempts to silence and vilify him, Patrice Lumumba was the clear choice of the people in the Congo's first national election. Lumumba's eloquently expressed vision of a free and independent Congo remains the charter for social and political progress in the nation today.
Contrary to the charges that Lumumba's brand of militant nationalism excluded whites from Congo, the public record of his speeches (see Lumumba Speaks , Jean Van Lierde editor) indicates that again and again the powerful orator envisioned cooperation of progressive whites in the development of Congo. The public record is also clear that the attempts to shove aside Lumumba after his election as Prime Minister were met again and again by mass support in nearly every corner of the nation. He was without question the leading spokesperson for the unity of a Congo free of foreign control. And it is important to note that Congolese politicians of every ideology and stripe extol his legacy today.
One aspect of this legacy comes to the fore in the aftermath of the conflicts in eastern Congo now widely referred to as "Africa's world war". Patrice Lumumba's vision of an independent Congo free of foreign control was often related to his vision of a united Africa. True independence for the formerly colonized nation states of Africa depended, in Lumumba's view, on the creation of a continent wide body strong enough to protect and advance the interests of the diverse peoples of the continent. With the hindsight of more than fifty years of seemingly fruitless effort to establish a nation free of foreign control in the former Belgian colony, Lumumba's prescient vision may represent the only way to ensure that the Congolese people truly benefit from the vast resources of their homeland.
Participation in the plunder of Congo's resources by Uganda, Rwanda and other African nations betrays Lumumba's vision, but it may well be that the day will come when Africa sees that its peace and progress depends on a strong, united and peaceful nation at the continent's heart. While the words Lumumba wrote to his wife just before his death may now seem more ironically tragic than prophetic, there can be little doubt that they will be extolled and recited by those who finally take part in Congo's liberation,
"We are not alone. Africa, Asia, and the free and liberated people in every corner of the globe will ever remain at the side of the millions of Congolese who will not abandon the struggle until the day when there will be no more colonizers and no more of their mercenaries in the country. I want my children to be told that the future of the Congo is beautiful and that their country expects them, as it expects every Congolese, to fulfill the sacred task of rebuilding our independence, our sovereignty; for without justice there is no dignity and without independence there are no free men."


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Unwanted guests: How herpes simplex virus gets rid of the cell's security guards
Their findings, to be published in a forthcoming issue of The EMBO Journal, reveal one of the tactics that HSV employs in order to overcome its hosts' defenses and may suggest a common mechanism by which viruses can successfully infect host cells.
When cells with DNA damage are infected with HSV-1 virus (top image, virus shown in red) the viral ICP0 protein prevents the DNA repair proteins (bottom image, DNA repair proteins shown in green) from accumulating at sites of DNA damage.
Image: Courtesy of Dr. Caroline Lilley, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
HSV, like all viruses, requires a living host in order to multiply. But before it can hijack the cellular machinery to produce scores of copies of itself, it needs to evade the cell's security system. "We found that detection of the viral DNA by the host cell is an important barrier that the virus must overcome in order to achieve its goal," says Matthew Weitzman, Ph.D., associate professor in the Laboratory of Genetics, who led the study. "For this purpose, it brings along a protein that shuts down the normal cellular responses that would otherwise recognize and silence it."
To the host cell, invading viral DNA looks just like the product of DNA damage, which must be repaired or removed in order for the cell to stay healthy. As a result, DNA "security guards" continuously patrol our cells looking for unusual bits of DNA. "We reasoned that viral DNA would be recognized by the cell's DNA repair machinery and that the virus must somehow manipulate the cell's response to this foreign DNA," explains Weitzman.
To test this hypothesis, Weitzman and his team looked at what happens in a virus-infected cell when its DNA is damaged. In a normal cell, DNA damage sensor proteins rush to the site of damage. In cells infected with HSV, however, the cells' emergency repair teams don't respond correctly. "The virus effectively overrides the cell's DNA damage response in order to prevent its own DNA from being recognized," says Weitzman.
The team went on to identify a single viral protein that is to blame for knocking out the cell's security system, a protein called ICP0. They discovered that it flags for destruction two important DNA "security guards," the proteins called RNF8 and RNF168, thereby taking out the DNA damage response in human cells in one big swipe.
ICP0 attaches so-called ubiquitin marks, which instruct the cell to get rid of the very proteins that protect it. With RNF8 and RNF168 safely out of the way, the virus can begin to take over.
Delving deeper, the team looked at the role of these DNA "security guards" that are singled out by ICP0. Surprisingly, RNF8 and RNF168 also leave ubiquitin tags, but in this case, they mark regions of damage. They tag a protein called histone H2A, which directs DNA damage response proteins to accumulate at the sites of damage. The Salk team discovered that by removing RNF8 and RNF168, the viral ICP0 protein results in a decrease to the tag on the cellular H2A protein.
"We found that HSV targets the mark that is required to keep DNA damage sensors at damage sites," says postdoctoral researcher and first author Caroline Lilley, Ph.D. "We now think that HSV deliberately removes this mark so that the virus can infect cells without any trouble from its new host."
Mira Chaurushiya, Matt Weitzman and Caroline Lilley.
The findings highlight the importance of these histone marks in DNA damage. "By identifying how HSV dismantles the host's defense systems, we are shown the key steps, not only in viral infections, but also in the human DNA damage response," Weitzman explains.
HSV may have evolved this weapon because our cells use histone ubiquitination to try to silence gene expression from the viral DNA. "Ubiquitination would be a great way for the cell to silence the viral genome, and ICP0 provides the counterattack by the virus, so the virus and the cell are battling it out at that point," says Mira Chaurushiya, a graduate student in the lab and contributor to the study.
This work may point to a general mechanism viruses use to overcome the cell's defense. "DNA damage signaling and ubiquitination may be part of an anti-viral defense mechanism," explains Lilley. "Part of the cell's defense is to try to silence viral genomes, and viral proteins have to prevent this in order to achieve infection."
Along with Weitzman, Lilley and Chaurushiya, other contributors to this work were Sebastien Landry and Junghae Suh from the Salk Institute's Laboratory of Genetics (J.S. is now at Rice University, Houston); Stephanie Panier and Daniel Durocher from the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada; Chris Boutell and Roger D. Everett at the University of Glasgow, UK; and Grant S. Stewart at Birmingham University, UK.
-Claire Attwooll
About the Salk Institute for Biological Studies
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is one of the world's preeminent basic research institutions, where internationally renowned faculty probe fundamental life science questions in a unique, collaborative, and creative environment. Focused both on discovery and on mentoring future generations of researchers, Salk scientists make groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of cancer, aging, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders by studying neuroscience, genetics, cell and plant biology, and related disciplines.
Faculty achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including Nobel Prizes and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1960 by polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, M.D., the Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark.
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Kate, Gavin and I got into the back of a soft-top 4WD with a mother and son outside our ship when we docked in Lisbon, and were driven, along with four other 4WD's, through Lisbon up to the Sinstra Mountains. It was a great drive through Lisbon, even though it was an hour long – I liked that the drive was this long, even though most people would be more concerned with the destination than the drive there. There were a lot of abandoned buildings and a lot of graffiti – two things that, if you are a regular reader of my blog, you would know I am a fan of.
When we got to the base of the mountains the ride became a lot slower but a lot of fun, as some of the inclines were quite steep. It was fun bouncing around in the back of the 4WD, in addition to viewing the lovely mountain scenery. When we stopped, we had to get out of the 4WD's and put on helmets. Turns out we'd be going for a bit of a climb, which none of us had been aware of. Good thing I hadn't worn thongs! We climbed over and up and down quite a few boulders, the high ones offering us lovely views of the slightly foggy city far below. When we reached a clearing, we all stopped for lunch. As well as antipasto, there was also Portuguese beer, which made Gavin and I very happy. We sat near a giant rock. It was a cool rock.
Afterwards we all climbed back into the 4WD's and drove a different route back to Lisbon, through the mountains. We stopped at a lookout which gave a view from cliffs to the sea below.
Throughout the mountain drive we saw more beautiful architecture (seems you can't get through Europe without stumbling across some beautiful architecture, dammit), and stopped for a break during which we strolled down a street lined with cute little shops (in one I bought a handmade ceramic salt-and-pepper set shaped like strawberries).
The drive back through Lisbon was fast and we were pretty tired by that point. As the ship pulled away from the port, we got to see the Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge), a suspension bridge that is over 2km long and bears a striking resemblance to the Golden Gate bridge. The bridge connects Lisbon with Almada, and is so named to commemorate the Carnation Revolution). Believe me when I say the top of the ship only just fit under the bridge!
We then sailed on to Vigo. I didn't take any photos here, and we only wandered around a little before returning to the ship, so I won't do a post about Vigo. I also realised I didn't mention our stop in Marseille – our only French stop. Kate, Gavin and I didn't love the port, and I don't have any photos from either, though Mum went off on her own and quite enjoyed it. I would have liked to have checked out some of the cathedrals, and this just goes to show what some forward planning could have achieved!
Well that's about it for my Mediterranean holiday and film photos.
~ by Kitten of Doom on November 16, 2015.
cool posts, nice pixors – thumbs up.


Cairns has plenty to offer for people of all ages. So come on in and check out the best collection of web packages all in one place, right here at Mad About Sports.
The Great Barrier Reef provides the backdrop for this exhilarating tandem skydiving experience over Cairns. Includes free transfers, full training, all equipment, 14,000ft tandem skydive and jump certificate.
Experience a 7 day camping safari from Cairns to Cape York. Includes, Cooktown, Lakefield National Park, Musgrave, Weipa, Fruitbat Falls, Thursday Island, The Top, flight between Cairns and Horn Island. All meals as per itinerary.
Experience a 9 day camping safari from Cairns to Cape York. Highlights include: Cape Tribulation, Cooktown, Lakefield National Park, Iron Range National Park, Weipa, Twin Falls, Thursday Island, The Top, flight from Cairns to Thursday Island. All meals as per itinerary.
The Great Barrier Reef provides the backdrop for this exhilarating tandem skydiving experience over Cairns. Includes free transfers, full training, all equipment, 9000ft tandem skydive and jump certificate.
Be transported into a world beyond your imagination so relaxing and uplifting for your soul you will never want to leave. A completely intimate, natural experience without compromising on comfort or safety. Ten minutes from Port Douglas, 50 minutes from Cairns and a world away from the everyday.
A day of sightseeing with Food Trail Tours explores the varied landscapes and what local food & wine producers offer. Your day, full of tastings, includes tropical fruit wines, macadamia and coffee plantations, as well as a cheese factory and a hint of chocolate.
Gray Line's exclusive Best of Cairns tour exemplifies the character of Far North Queensland. The highlights of Cairns, tropical gardens, beach resorts, crocodiles, kagaroos and "true blue" Outback Aussies.
Departing daily from Port Douglas we explore one of the last true remaining rainforest wilderness areas. Discover the timeless Bloomfield River Falls which can only be discovered after a 33km 4WD trip via the Bloomfield Track.
Also servicing Turtle Cove & Thala Beach Be met by your driver in the arrivals hall at Cairns Airport with your name on a sign board and transferred to your accommodation reception in air-conditioned comfort.
Also servicing Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach and Clifton Beach. Be welcomed by our driver in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign board and transferred to your accommodation reception in air-conditioned comfort.
A great fun night out! Includes fantastic Aussie BBQ dinner, with beer and wine. Join the spotlighting tour, to meet the creatures of the night.( owls, crocs, bandicoots etc). Cuddle a Koala (extra cost),have billy tea and damper with the kangaroos and dance with the good old Aussie Bush Band.
Air-conditioned coach transfers from your accommodation to DFO Direct Facory Outlets + Cairns Candle Factory + Wholesale Seafood Market and return.
See Cairns at its best - on a sunset cruise! Enjoy a glass of bubbly or a beer as you literally sail off into the sunset. The exotic scenery, the colours, the sounds - Trinity Inlet is heaven at dusk. This award-winning tour operator aims to please. 90 mins and nibbles - there's no reason to resist!
What better way to start your evening than with a sunset cruise aboard our modern, air-conditioned 14 metre catamaran. Relax and take in the peacefulness of the Trinity Inlet as the sun sets for the day. A great way to see the Cairns CBD come to life for the evening with its city sparkling lights.
Cape Tribulation & Bloomfield Falls await you! Day trip some of Australia's most spectacular regions in this varied tour. Relax in gorgeous fresh waters, be guided through serene rainforest and learn as you go! Spend a day seeing Cape Tribulation & Bloomfield Falls how they should be seen.
Join us for a small, personalised tour to "where the rainforest meets the reef." Journey to the Wildlife Habitat and the Mossman Gorge. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch, explore Cape Tribulation Beach and cruise the Daintree River.
Enjoy a full day tour including lunch in the beautiful Cape Tribulation. Highlights include a Daintree River cruise, Cable Ferry Crossing the Daintree River, a refreshing swim at Mossman Gorge and much more!
We depart daily from Port Douglas to explore one of the last true remaining rainforest wilderness areas. Discover a timeless world of splendour, with birds, butterflies and amazing lowland rainforest areas in the World Heritage Daintree and Cape Tribulation.
Locally owned and operated our safari departs daily from Port Douglas to explore one of the last true remaining rainforest wilderness areas. Discover a timeless world of splendour, with birds, butterflies and amazing lowland rainforest areas in the World Heritage Daintree and Cape Tribulation.
Join us for a tag along tour from Cairns to Australia's most northerly point, Cape York. In the comfort of your own vehicle our expert guides will help you negotiate the challenging tracks as well as showing you some amazing scenery along the way.
If you are into history, botany, adventure, getting away from it all, seeing the rainforest and the outback, or 4 wheel driving then this is the trip for you. Getting there is half the fun with Adventure North Australia.
Experience the Great Barrier Reef on board our luxury 30 metre sailing catamaran. Take in the excitement of big ship sailing combined with the ultimate in comfort. Let our crew pamper you in the luxurious air-conditioned lounge with its fully licensed bar, or soak up the sun under the sails.
Crocodiles and cruising - this is Cairns! Tropical North Queensland's best attractions are at their best in this one package. Take a cruise up Trinity Inlet, then visit the crocodiles (or vice versa). You'll travel through sugar-cane fields, witness amazing waterbirds and the prehistoric crocs!
Cruise To Green Island With Submarine & Lunch!
A cruise to Green Island from Cairns is a beautiful day out. Include a submarine ride with that and lunch, and you've got the best day ever! This amazing cruise day is so relaxing and casual, it's a brilliant way to relax and unwind. These award-winning cruisers want to give you a dream day out.
Take a Daintree Tour in comfort! This Daintree Full Day tour lets you explore the Daintree Rainforest's biggest attractions in affordable convenience. Picked up from your Port Douglas accommodation, this Daintree Tour visits Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge, AND includes a sumptuous picnic lunch!
Walk in the footsteps of the world's oldest living culture featuring Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours. This fun, exclusive tour allows you to join in a real Aboriginal cultural experience, combining pristine natural beauty and unusual wildlife. A day you will never forget!


Sun Jianhua, the the municipal party secretary of Qidong city, Jiangsu province, inspect headquarters of Shanghai Shibang Machinery co., lmt. with his delegation on 15th September . Accompanied by the chairman, operation director, sales director, the delegation visited the sales center and R&D center. Afterwards, the two parts had a meeting in company's conference room and held a joint discussion on "One-Hour Economic Circle" development plan.
During the talks, Mr Sun made a detailed introduction of Qidong's general situation, development situation and future plan. He indicated that Qidong's congenital resource advantages and geographical advantages that Qidong is adjacent to Shanghai will bring into play more obviously as Chong-Qi bridge's cutthrough in 2011. One-hour economic circle of Shanghai-Qidong will further intensify the interaction between two cities. And in the future two years, Qidong is going to have an extreme important transformation development period while doing its best to develop the traditional industries.
Equipment manufacturing industry is the strong point traditionally all the time, however, high-end equipment manufacturing which springs up in recent years will lead the traditional manufacturing industry to change the development style. Mr. Sun speak highly of the team building and research and development input of SBM. He considered that as a high-end equipment manufacturing enterprise, SBM stand for the development direction of contemporary manufacturing industry. Meanwhile, he sufficiently affirmed SBM's development strategy of concentrating on business. " Diversification is a direction, but if we held it badly, the direction would move to other sides. I believe that you can build a centennial corporation undoubtedly in this professional and precise way."
As Mr. Sun introduced, next development program of Qidong is to become the equipment manufacturing base of Jiangsu province. On 8th September, 2010, State Council assigned high-end equipment manufacturing as one of the development directions of strategic rising industry and further cleared the important role of high-end equipment manufacturing in economic development. SBM, as the leading enterprise of mining machinery manufacturing industries, it will reinforce the strategic corporation with Qidong, and jointly promote the take-off of high-end equipment manufacturing industry of China.
Chong-Qi bridge begins from ChenJiaZhen, Chongming, realistic Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel Bridge, south-north Nanjing-Nantong- Qidong highway. Its' overall lenghth is about 52 kilos, including the Yangtze river bridge with lenghth of 7.0 kilos. The line is a highway with six traffic lanes in two-way. The total investment is about 7.589 billion yuan. The line is scheduled to run through in 2011. It will add more strength to the "One-Hour Economic Circle" in Yangtze River delta.
Nantong, directly profited from the "One-Hour Economic Circle" in Yangtze River delta, has become the transportation hub and economic center. Furthermore, cities which is like Qidong will develop rapidly through the driving function of Nantong city. The shortened distance between cities will directly promote macroeconomic development and the prominent improvement of city ranking of central and northern Jiangsu Province.
At present, Nantong is conceiving a "small golden triangle". It regards shanghai as its center, and make Sanghai, Suzhou, Nantong as the member of the later-model city group which is formed on the basis of "One-Hour Traffic Circle".


Interstate 581 turns 50 this year, with many of those years overcoming controversy and hurdles to connect different areas of the region.
Interstate 581 is a six-lane highway that connects Interstate 81 with Routes 460 and 220. It provides the primary interstate and regional access to the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, downtown Roanoke and Valley View Mall.
With the development of the interstate highway system in the 1950s under the Eisenhower Administration and, more specifically, I-81, the need to direct traffic from the interstate to Roanoke city and other main state highways became paramount to economic development. Begun in 1964, the original interstate spur was constructed in five sections and took three years. The first, three-section phase from I-81 to U.S. 460/Orange Avenue opened between December 21, 1964, and September 14, 1965, as each of the sections was completed. The second, two-section construction was opened on October 12, 1967. What is known today as the Roy L. Webber Expressway connecting 581 at Elm Avenue to Route 419/220 was opened in 1980. Webber was a former mayor of Roanoke. As the Webber Expressway was not built to interstate standards, the official terminus for I-581 is at the Elm Avenue interchange. The expressway was originally constructed with four lanes and then widened to six lanes in the 1990s.
The opening of I-581 paralleled the construction of Interstate 81. The 33-mile section of I-81 between Dixie Caverns and Fancy Hill, just south of Lexington, opened in December 1964 simultaneous with the opening of the first phase of I-581.
Now marking 50 years, I-581 was not without controversy and hurdles. Rights-of-way and its inevitable construction physically divided neighborhoods and necessitated the removal of homes and some historic structures. Yet, no one can argue against the positive economic impact the spur has created in the Roanoke Valley.
The impact of I-581 is unquestionably economic. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, over 80,000 vehicles travel the spur daily with the highest volume being in the vicinity of Roanoke's downtown. The highway has over the decades spurred private and public development. The adjacent Roanoke Civic Center (Berglund Center) opened in 1971 with a 10,500-seat arena and then later was complimented by the Roanoke Performing Arts Center, exhibit hall and special events center, the latter being completed in 2007.
Ground was broken on August 22, 1983, for Valley View Mall. The story goes that developer Henry Faison was flying into Roanoke from Charlotte, NC, and viewed the large Huff farm along I-581 and immediately recognized its economic potential. The rezoning for the mall was protracted, being fought by some residents as well as the owners of Tanglewood Mall that had opened in 1973. Ultimately, the battle was resolved by the Virginia Supreme Court that ruled the rezoning was legal. Valley View opened on July 17, 1985, with much anticipation and anchored tenants JC Penney, Leggett, Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimer's. From its opening to the present, Valley View has expanded multiple times to become a sprawling complex of retail, restaurants, a multiplex cinema and office space.
Even Roanoke's signature structure, the Hotel Roanoke, can attribute much of its rebirth to the presence of I-581. Closed in the 1980s by the N&W Railway, the hotel reopened as a hotel and conference center through a partnership between the City of Roanoke and Virginia Tech. That 1992 effort, known as the "Renew Roanoke" campaign, culminated in several million dollars being raised for the renovation and expansion of the Tudor-style hotel. The conference center addition was deemed critical for a sustainable future for the historic structure.
With the increase in vehicular and commercial traffic on I-581 and the ongoing economic development projects along its corridor, the spur's interchanges needed upgrades if not outright reconfigurations. During the past decade, much work has been done on the interchanges and a sound wall along a portion of the highway has been constructed. The Elm Avenue/Route 24 interchange was re-worked a few years ago to address congestion concerns on the overpass.
The Valley View Boulevard/Airport interchange was reconfigured as a diverging diamond routing system. Completed in November 2016, the construction took two years and cost $64 million. The new interchange not only provided better access to Valley View but has now provided direct interstate access to some 100 acres of vacant land on the south side of I-581 that will in time attract economic activity.
In 2014, nearly two miles of 15-foot high sound barrier walls were erected to better insulate residential sections from traffic noise. The $4 million barrier system sought to partially relieve some 300 residences and apartments from I-581 noise. The project was done in conjunction with the Valley View interchange upgrade.
The future of I-581 involves its potential conversion to the proposed Interstate 73. Though decades in the future, I-73 in Virginia will follow a route from the North Carolina-Virginia border near Ridgeway, north through Franklin County to a connection at the Elm Avenue/Route 24 interchange, and then along I-581 to connect with Interstate 81. In 2001, after numerous environmental impact studies and routing drafts, the Commonwealth Transportation Board adopted its I-73 plan that brought the route through Roanoke via I-581. While feasibility studies for I-73 began in 1993, no additional funds have been appropriated beyond the studies and route mapping. If and when I-73 becomes a reality, the traffic volume on I-581 will be dramatically impacted. For now, I-581 remains not only the main traffic artery through Roanoke but also a key piece of the valley's economic infrastructure and will be well into the future.


Your Chamber Membership directly supports our mission of promoting economic growth and stability in the Leland Township community. The Chamber contributes to the local needs of our community by funding scholarships, volunteer and educational partnerships, hosting community events, marketing, and much more.
The LCOC acts as the voice of business in our community. We consistently represent the interests of businesses to overcome challenges, and work with other local agencies to continue making Leland a great place to live and visit.
Included in the LCOC mission is our commitment to market Leland Township, and your businesses to year-round and summer residents, visitors and bring new people to the Leland area. The Chamber is able to offer it's members a strong array of marketing opportunities that would be too costly for most of our members to participate in on an individual basis. Our frequent membership email contact – Chamber Member News & Info – helps to keep members informed of critical issues, and our weekly email – News & Events – sent to a growing community and beyond list, highlights area news and our member's events.
LCOC holds at least four social/business meetings per year, creating opportunity for members to meet, get informed, and share ideas. Members are encouraged to attend these events, bring guests, and have the opportunity to host an event.
Joining an LCOC committee is a great way to take an active role as a Chamber Member. Committee members are invaluable to the Chamber leadership team, and to the success of our projects and events. By joining a committee you are contributing to our Leland Township community.
The Chamber organizes, and sponsors, the Leland Wine & Food Festival, Artscape, and the Leland Heritage Festival. Additionally, the Chamber is involved in, and supports with marketing resources, many local events: such as Sidewalk Sales, Fall frenzy, Late Night Leland, PJ Party & Sale, Holiday Wonderland and more. The Leland Chamber promotes our member's events on our website, and Facebook page.
Please email us for more information and with any questions you may have.


text:
Q: Show that the circle represented by arc b is not a rectract of the Klein Bottle. You tried to solve the following exercise, but the truth is I do not have many ideas, can I help you solve it please?

The figures of the exercise $ 12.12 $ are:

As for the suggestion,

A: Let $r:X\to A$ be the retract which induces an epimorphism $r_*:\pi_1(X,x_0)\to\pi_1(A,x_0)$ and let $i:A\to X$ be the inclusion which induces an monomorphism $i_*\pi_1(A,x_0)\to \pi_1(X,x_0)$. Then, you can apply the first isomorphism theorem to conclude that $\pi_1(A,x_0)\cong \pi_1(X,x_0)/ker(r_*)$ (isomorphic to a quotient). So if you rewrite the RHS of the expression,
$$\pi_1(A)\times\pi_1(X)/\pi_1(A)\cong\pi_1(A)\times\pi_1(X)/(\pi_1(X)/ker(r_*))\cong\pi_1(A)\times ker(r_*)$$
Then it's pure algebraic process, see here or here (where you need to use the condition that $\pi_1(A)$ is normal).

To calculate the fundamental group for klein bottle ($K$) using the method in you book would be the following.
Choose an open square called $U$, homeomorphic with an open disk which is simply connected, just like the follwing picture.

Then choose $V=K\setminus I^2$ which is equivalent to this bigger square minus a square smaller than $U$ so that $U\cap V\neq\varnothing$.
it's easy to see that $\pi_1(U,x_0)\cong\{1\}$. For $V$, it can be deformation retract to the square (outer boundary), so $\pi_1(V,x_0)\cong\Bbb{Z}\times\Bbb{Z}$
It's easy to see that $\pi_1(U\cap V,x_0)\cong\Bbb{Z}$ since $U\cap V\simeq S^1$. Let $j:\pi_1(U\cap V)\to \pi_1(V)$, and then $N=\text{Im }j_*=<aba^{-1}b>$ and hence $\pi_1(K,x_0)\cong \pi_1(V,x_0)/N=<a,b|aba^{-1}b=1>$ by applying Van Kampen's Thm.

To show $K$ doesn't retract onto $b$ (call the space $B$), we, first, try to show it's normal:
$$\pi_1(B)=<b>=\{b^m|m\in\Bbb{Z}\}\cong\Bbb{Z}$$
and
$$aba^{-1}b=1\implies aba^{-1}=b^{-1}\in \pi_1(B)$$
which implies $\pi_1(B)$ is normal.
Next, assume $K$ does retract onto $b$ then $\pi_1(X)\cong\Bbb{Z}(b)\times(\Bbb{Z}^2(a,b)/aba^{-1}b)/\Bbb{Z}(b)$, but we reach to a contradiction since the RHS is the product of a group with 1 generator and an infinite cyclic group.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Clomid ( Clomid ; generic name Clomiphene Citrate) from Serpafar is used for treating female infertility and forcertain conditions as determined by your doctor. Clomid is a mixed estrogen agonistantagonist (activatorblocker) which, when bound to the estrogen receptor, puts it in a somewhat different conformation (shAPe) than does estradiol. The estrogen receptor requires binding of an estrogen or drug at its binding site and also the binding of any of several cofactors at different sites. Without the binding of the cofactor, the estrogen receptor is inactive. Different tissues use different cofactors. Some of these cofactors are able to bind to the estrogen receptor Clomid complex, but others are blocked due to the change in shAPe. The result is that in some tissues Clomid acts as an antagonist - the cofactor used in that tissue cannot bind and so the receptor remains inactive - and in others Clomid acts as an agonist (activator), because the cofactors used in that tissue are able to bind.
The following adverse events have been reported in fewer than 1% of patients in clinical trials: Acute abdomen, appetite increase, constipation, dermatitis or rash, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, hair loss/dry hair, increased urinary frequency/volume, insomnia, light-headedness, nervous tension, vaginal dryness, vertigo, weight gain/loss. Patients on prolonged CLOMID therapy may show elevated serum levels of desmosterol. This is most likely due to a direct interference with cholesterol synthesis. However, the serum sterols in patients receiving the recommended dose of CLOMID are not significantly altered. Ovarian cancer has been infrequently reported in patients who have received fertility drugs. Infertility is a primary risk factor for ovarian cancer; however, epidemiology data suggest that prolonged use of clomiphene may increase the risk of a borderline or invasive ovarian tumor.