The Congo-case
Today, on February 5th, there are 21 months since the driver Abedi Kasongo was shot outside Kisangani. As Tjostolv’s mother I’ve lived with the “Congo-case” since May 8th 2009. I’ve been in Kisangani twice and visited Joshua and Tjostolv in the Central Prison, in November 2009 and June 2010.
September 2nd 2010 it was known in the media what the Norwegian delegation from the Justice Department that was in Kinshasa was promised from the Congolese authorities. Secretary Morten Ruud, who was the leader of the delegation, stated the following on September 3rd to NTB: “The authorities in Congo are open to an extradition of Joshua French and Tjostolv Moland, but set as a condition that the two sentenced Norwegians agrees on a settlement with the driver’s kin”.
The compensation agreement with Abedi Kasongo’s family was signed by every party at the end of November. At that time it was up to Norwegian authorities to make a transfer to Norway. Finally it was something concrete to relate to; a transfer for Joshua and Tjostolv to Kinshasa and then on to Norway.
December passed by with the message that it was vacation time in Congo. Ok. We are used to the fact that things take time.
In January Ambassador Vea was in Kinshasa and had conversations with several ministers. In addition there have been telephone calls and notes to the authorities in Kinshasa from Norway. Then January was over.
On Tuesday February 1st State Secretary Ingrid Fiskaa had a conversation with the vise minister at the Foreign Ministry in Congo. Friday afternoon I received an e-mail from the Foreign Ministry that confirmed my suspicion that the State Secretary’s conversation didn’t lead to a transfer to Kinshasa for Joshua and Tjostolv.
There has to be a solution soon. Joshua and Tjostolv’s situation affects a lot of people. To us who are closest to them, it affects our health. The economy is another aspect of the case. People from all over the country have made sure that the boys have had money on their support accounts for food and medication etc. As the person responsible for Tjostolv’s account I’m humble and eternally grateful for every gift that has been given. But we can’t expect people to keep on giving. The account has been empty, but fortunately someone has asked me straight out about the economy. They have gotten an honest answer, it’s empty. So fortunately there is some money there again.
I’m asking you, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, go to Kinshasa and talk to you colleague. That adds weight to the conversations. You know as well as I do that when you have discussions with the authorities in other countries you do so with people in the same positions. This is true for Congo as well. As the Foreign Minister of Norway I plead with you to contact you colleague and set up a meeting with him in Kinshasa. If you, as Norway’s Foreign Minister come to Congo you will meet Congo’s Foreign Minister and other ministers involved in this case. I’m convinced that this has to happen to get an end to this captivity.
Vegaarshei, February 5th 2011
In hopes of a speedy resolution.
Mathilde Moland
