Keen followers of my scribblings will recall that I am a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Central Africa. I was surprised to read Neil Brown’s article in The Spectator, 19th January, commenting on this unique country: his article is a masterpiece of irony. His study of the Congo humans’ attempts at Government make the jungle there civilized. (Chimpanzees do not rate mention from Brown, in spite of being home to two species of Chimps, and much jungle life.) The salient points of his article appear below.

The tragic human history of the Congo, since it became independent from Belgium in 1963, makes even the Third Reich appear benevolent:

• It has had a period of tranquil Government since 1963 with only 5 million of its population being slaughtered in civil wars.
• It has had a mere 5 changes of the name of its country, and the assassination of several (not all) of its former presidents.
• They have now come up with the novel idea, where the voting habits of the people leave a lot to be desired. In certain areas, they will be allowed to vote only AFTER the election results from elsewhere have been published.

This might be an idea for Australia to ponder, Brown mischievously suggests.

Well, it might be an idea, but this monkey will stay in the zoo, thanking his Maker he is, at least, out of the Congo, thanks to some Chimp trader, who maybe played the Bongos.

Gibber! Gibber!

Chugley

A confirmed Australian Citizen