The Democratic Republic of Congo made "the list". Congo is the FIFTH most impoverished country in the world.
In addition to the "warring political factions due to post-colonial power vacuums created after World War II," one would need to add GREED and insensitivity by donors.
First, the "post-colonial powers" with the support of the United States established a dictator, Mobuto. They allowed Mobuto to transfer billions of dollars in aid into Swiss Bank accounts.
Second, the greed (and poverty) prompted the "warring political factions" to systematically rape the Congo of its natural resources. Of course, those natural resources were sold to western world for our benefit.
I think Jeffrey Sachs is well aware of the need for stability and good governance in impoverished countries. He, via the UN's Millennium Village Project, has steered clear of Congo. He has established in 10 African countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda).
As a result, Congo is still ranked fifth most impoverished country.
Link: Todd McLauchlin: The True End of Poverty and Its Required Commitment of The United States.
After Belgium abandoned Rwanda to minority Tutsi rule it eventually led to a Hutu uprising and massive genocide of the Tutsis (thanks to the support of the French). The spillover into the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi created civil violence and massive political corruption in those countries as well.
Of the top ten most impoverished countries we see that about half is due to Muslim extremism, and the other half is due to corrupt and warring political factions due to post-colonial power vacuums created after World War II.
None of these countries suffer primarily for a lack of aid and international attention; rather, they are victims of violent religious intolerance or tribal warring. In both cases political stability and strengthening government solutions should be prioritized over the increase of massive aid packages.
I believe in the eradication of curable diseases and giving food aid to these countries. It demonstrates, however, the need for the United States to exert both soft and hard power in these regions in order to create stable environments so that these problems can be addressed.
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