Goma
Goma City & Lakeside Lake Kivu, Congo DRC
Goma Location in the Congo
Coordinates: 1°41′S 29°14′E / 1.683°S 29.233°E / -1.683; 29.233
Country	Democratic Republic of the Congo
Province	Nord-Kivu
Government
• Mayor	Polydor Windi Kwawmrwha
Area
• Total	75.72 km2 (29.24 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	377,112
• Density	5,000/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
Time zone	DRC2 (UTC+2)
National language	Swahili

Goma is a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, next to the Rwandan city of Gisenyi. The lake and the two cities are in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift system. Goma lies only 13 to 18 km due south of the crater of the active Nyiragongo Volcano. The recent history of Goma has been dominated by the volcano and the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, which in turn fuelled the First and Second Congo Wars. The aftermath of these events was still having effects on the city and its surroundings in 2010.

Goma is capital of North Kivu province, ethnically and geographically similar to South Kivu (capital Bukavu); the two provinces are known as "the Kivus".

Effects of the Rwandan Genocide[link]

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Goma at the centre of the refugee crisis[link]

The Rwandan Genocide of 1994 was perpetrated by the Hutu-dominated provisional Rwandan government on the Tutsi population and Hutu moderates. In response the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), formed by Tutsi refugees in Uganda, which already controlled large areas of northern Rwanda following its 1990 invasion and the ongoing Civil War, overthrew the Hutu government in Kigali and forced it to relocate to the border town of Gisenyi. As the RPF captured ground, thousands of Hutu refugees fled before it, many ending up in Gisenyi. Then, from July 13 to July 14, 1994, 10,000–12,000 refugees per hour crossed the border into Goma as the Great Lakes refugee crisis took shape. The massive influx created a severe humanitarian crisis, as there was an acute lack of shelter, food and water. Shortly after the arrival of nearly one million refugees, a deadly cholera outbreak claimed thousands of lives in the Hutu refugee camps around Goma.

Goma in the First Congo War[link]

Hutu militias and members of the Hutu provisional government were among the refugees, and they set up operations from the camps around Goma attacking ethnic Tutsis in the Kivus and Rwandan government forces at the border. For political reasons the Kinshasa government of the then Zaire led by Joseph Mobutu did not prevent the attacks, and so the Rwandan government and its Ugandan allies threw their support behind the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Zaire, a rebel movement led by Laurent Kabila against Mobutu. Rwandan forces stormed the camps at Goma, resulting in thousands of additional deaths, and with their help and that of Uganda, Kabila went on to overthrow Mobutu's regime in the First Congo War, which ended in 1997.

Goma in the Second Congo War[link]

Within a year Kabila had quarrelled with his former allies, and in 1998 the Rwandan government backed a Goma-based rebel movement against Kabila, the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD, sometimes called RCD-Goma) made of Banyamulenge people, related to the Tutsis. They captured Bukavu and other towns, and the Second Congo War began. The Goma refugee camps, in which the Hutu had created a militia called the FDLR (Democratic Force for the Liberation of Rwanda), were again attacked by Rwandan government forces and the RCD.

The Second Congo War was unprecedented in Africa for the loss of civilian life in massacres and atrocities. By 2003 the Banyamulenge had become tired of the war and friction emerged between them and Rwanda. In 2002 and 2003 a fragile negotiated peace emerged between the many sides involved in the war.

Conflict since the end of the war[link]

There have been numerous outbreaks of violence since 2003. The Hutu FDLR remains in the forests and mountains north and west of Goma, carrying out attacks on the Rwandan border and on the Banyamulenge. The Congolese defence forces are unable or unwilling to stop them, and as a consequence Rwanda continues to support Banymulenge rebels such as the RCD and General Nkunda, and to carry out incursions into North Kivu in pursuit of the FDLR.^[1]

In September 2007 large-scale fighting threatened to break out again as the 8,000-strong militia of General Nkunda, based around Rutshuru, broke away from integration with the Congolese army and began attacking them in the town of Masisi north-west of Goma. MONUC (United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo) began airlifting Congolese troops into Goma and transferring them by helicopter from Goma International Airport to Masisi.^[1]

On October 27, 2008, fighting broke out in the city between the Congolese army, supported by MONUC, and Nkunda's CNDP rebels. 200,000 refugees had fled the town.^[2]

Politics[link]

Goma is represented in the National Assembly by six deputies:

• Désiré Konde (ARC)
• Jason Luneno (UNC)
• Butondo Muhindo (MSR)
• Naasson Kubya (COFEDEC)
• Elvis Mutiri (ADR)
• Dieudonné Kambale (UDECF)

Volcanic activity around Goma[link]

The Great Rift Valley is being pulled apart, leading to earthquakes and the formation of volcanoes in the area.

2002 Eruption of Nyiragongo[link]

Computer image of Nyiragongo volcano generated from satellite photographs, showing the Goma-Gisenyi conurbation on the lake shore in the foreground. In the background, left, is the Nyamuragira volcano.

In January 2002, Nyiragongo erupted, sending a stream of lava 200 metres (219 yd) to one kilometre (1,100 yd) wide and up to two metres (6½ ft) deep through the center of the city as far as the lake shore. Agencies monitoring the volcano were able to give a warning and most of the population of Goma evacuated to Gisenyi. The lava destroyed 40% of the city (more than 4,500 houses and buildings). There were some fatalities caused by the lava and by emissions of carbon dioxide, which causes asphyxiation. The lava also covered over the northern 1 km of the 3-kilometre (10,000 ft) runway of Goma International Airport, isolating the terminal and apron which were at that end.^[3] The lava can easily be seen in satellite photographs,^[4] and aircraft can be seen using the 2-km (6,500-ft) southern section of the runway which is clear of lava.

In 2005, volcanic activity again threatened the city.

Currently the scientists at Goma are monitoring Nyiragongo.

The threat posed by Lake Kivu[link]

Lake Kivu is one of three lakes in Africa identified as having huge quantities of dissolved gas held at pressure in its depths. Two of the others, Lake Monoun and Lake Nyos, experienced a limnic eruption or 'lake overturn', a catastrophic release of suffocating carbon dioxide probably triggered by landslides. Lake Nyos overturn was particularly lethal, killing nearly two thousand people in the area around the lake. Kivu is 2,000 times bigger than Lake Nyos and also contains dissolved methane as an additional hazard - though concentration of carbon dioxide is much lower than in Lake Nyos.^[5] Nearly two million people including the population of Goma live in the vicinity of Lake Kivu and could be in danger from a limnic eruption triggered by one of the nearby volcanoes and the earthquakes associated with them.^[6]

Climate[link]

Other features of Goma[link]

• The city centre is only 1 km (0.6 mi) from the Rwandan border and 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from the centre of Gisenyi.
• After being closed to international travel since the 2002 eruption of the volcano, the Goma International Airport now accepts commercial charter flights and also a passenger line travels from Nairobi to Goma.
• Goma has four or five lakeside wharves totaling about 130 m, the longest being about 80 m.
• Virunga National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas, lies north of the city.
• National Road No. 2 connected Goma to Bukavu and Kisangani but at August 2007 had not been reopened after the damage caused by the wars and lack of maintenance.
• Goma was once known for its nightlife, but this is no longer the case due to the conflict.

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Goma

• Lake Kivu
• Bukavu
• North Kivu
• South Kivu

References[link]

External links[link]

• Tom Casadevall of the United States Geological Survey; "The 1994 Rwandan Refugee Crisis: Cultural Awareness in Managing Natural Disasters" (1h28m streaming video). Lecture given at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on vulcanology around Goma
• Jordhus-Lier, David: Life and Death in the Great Lakes Region. The NIBR International Blog, 15.02.2010.

v t e North Kivu Province Cities and communes Goma (capital) Communes: Goma, Karisimbi Beni Communes: Beni, Bungulu, Ruwenzori, Muhekera Butembo Communes: Bulengera, Kimemi, Mususa, Vutamba Territories Beni · Lubero · Masisi · Nyiragongo · Rutshuru · Walikale

Coordinates: 1°41′S 29°14′E / 1.683°S 29.233°E / -1.683; 29.233

Guy Goma (born 1969) is a business studies graduate from Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo who gained international fame when he was accidentally interviewed live on BBC News 24, a UK television news station, on Monday 8th May 2006.

The interview[link]

Guy Goma was waiting in the main reception area of the BBC Television Centre in west London to be interviewed for a position as a "Data Support Cleanser" in the corporation's IT department. At the same time, Guy Kewney, a British technology expert, was in another reception area, known as Stage Door, preparing for a live television interview on the subject of Apple Computer's court case with The Beatles' record label, Apple Corps. The producer who was sent to fetch Kewney, however, was told that Kewney was in the main reception area. When he got there and asked the receptionist in person where Guy Kewney was, she pointed to Goma, even after being asked if she was sure that this was the right person.

The producer had seen a photo of Kewney, but only had five minutes before the live interview was due to take place. So he approached Goma and asked him if he was Guy Kewney.^[1] Hearing his first name, Goma answered in the affirmative. Goma was led to the News 24 studio. BBC staffers put on makeup, and he was ushered to the television studio, where he was seated in front of the cameras and wired up with a microphone. Although believing the situation to be highly unusual, he prepared to do his best for what he believed would be his job interview.

When introduced by interviewer Karen Bowerman as Internet expert Guy Kewney, Goma became visibly shocked as he finally realised the serious misunderstanding that had taken place. Aware of the fact that he was on live television and not wishing to make a scene now that the interview had already begun, he simply played along, doing his best (in heavily French-accented English) to answer the interviewer's questions about the Apple Corps v. Apple Computer case and its ramifications for the music industry. Apart from the facial expression at the start, the interview seemed fairly believable to many viewers, particularly those unfamiliar with Kewney. In the meantime, Kewney, still in the waiting area, was himself shocked when he saw Goma interviewed in his place (though he was not able to hear the audio).

Aftermath[link]

Twenty minutes after the television interview, Goma attended his job interview, which lasted ten minutes.^[2] He was not hired.^[3]

As soon as the mistake was detected the BBC recorded an interview with Kewney for later broadcast, which was never shown. The BBC instead brought in an alternative pundit, Rupert Goodwins, for the next live slot on the topic.^[4]

After Goma's interview was broadcast, it was mistakenly reported (even by the BBC itself, on Radio 4's Broadcasting House) that Goma, who moved to England from Congo in 2002, was a taxi driver. In fact, he does not drive a car.^[5]

Soon after his appearance, there was some speculation that Goma was in Britain illegally, having overstayed a tourist visa, and that he might be deported from the country.^[6] On 25 May 2006, it was announced that celebrity publicist Kizzi Nkwocha had begun representing Goma^[7] and that Goma's apparent visa problems had already been resolved three years earlier, allowing him to live and work in the UK indefinitely.^[8]

Transcript of the interview[link]

Karen Bowerman: Well, Guy Kewney is editor of the technology website Newswireless. [Camera flashes to Guy, with look of confusion and horror] Hello, good morning to you.

Goma: Uh, good morning.

KB: Were you surprised by this verdict today?

Goma: I am very surprised to see...this verdict to come on me, because I was not expecting that. When I came, they told me something else and I am coming. "You got an interview," that's all. So a big surprise anyway.

KB: A big surprise, yeah, yes.

Goma: Exactly.

KB: With regards to the costs involved, do you think now more people will be downloading online?

Goma: Actually, if you can go everywhere you're gonna see a lot of people downloading to the Internet and the website, and everything they want. But I think it is much better for the development and...eh...to inform people what they want and to get the easy way and so faster if they are looking for.

KB: This does really seem to be the way the music industry's progressing now, that people want to go onto the website and download music.

Goma: Exactly. You can go everywhere on the cyber cafe, and you can take...you can go easy. It is going to be an easy way for everyone to get something to the Internet.

KB: Guy Kewney, thanks very much indeed.

Further appearances[link]

On 16 May 2006, Goma appeared on Channel 4 News and was jokingly questioned by the presenter — introducing him as a Venezuelan citizen, a lawyer and a doctor respectively — on the topics of Hugo Chávez, the release of foreign prisoners into Britain, and Britons seeking medical treatment abroad. On the same day, he also appeared again on BBC News 24, but this time in a planned interview to talk about his experience.^[9]

Soon after, he made appearances on GMTV, ITV and BBC's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.^[10] He was also a featured celebrity on the televised call-in panel of the Prince's Trust 30th Birthday Celebration on 20 May 2006. On 21 May 2006, Goma was interviewed on Channel 4's T4 program about his experience.

Producer Alison Rosenzweig (Windtalkers) says she has begun developing a movie based on his life, particularly this one incident, commenting "He's a fun, kind of internationally famous person that I think is an interesting source for movie material."^[11]

On 27 December 2006, Goma appeared on the Channel 4 television programme The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, as a mystery guest. After a commercial break, he took Jimmy Carr's place as host for a few seconds, welcoming the audience back to the show. Everyone on the quiz agreed that Goma was a better host than Carr, eventually leading to the audience and contestants heckling Carr and insulting his ability as a presenter, and chanting "Bring back Guy, bring back Guy!"; Carr, though feigning displeasure, took this with good humour.^[12]

On 1 January 2007, Goma appeared in a segment on CNN International Your World Today.

In an episode of The IT Crowd, "Smoke and Mirrors", Moss finds himself in a situation very similar to that of Goma's; writer Graham Linehan saw the Goma story on the Internet and incorporated it into his series.^[13]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikinews has related news: Man mistakenly interviewed live on BBC News 24

• BBC News story
• Transcript of the interview
• Revealed: The identity of the BBC's latest star The Mail on Sunday, 13 May 2006
• Guy Goma gets movie Globa-Tech Today, 28 August 2006
• Guy Goma signatures for president

Video[link]

• First BBC interview
• Second BBC interview
• Channel 4 interview
• GMTV interview

Audio[link]

• Story from NPR All Things Considered program, 15 May 2006

Paty Cantú
Background information
Birth name	Patricia Giovanna Cantú Velasco
Born	(1983-11-25) November 25, 1983 (age 28) in Houston, Texas [1]
Origin	Guadalajara, Mexico
Genres	Pop, rock
Years active	2000–present (group) 2008–present (solo)
Labels	EMI Music
Associated acts	Motel, Lu
Website	patycantu.com

Patricia Giovanna Cantú Velasco (born November 25, 1983), known professionally as Paty Cantú is a Mexican singer-songwriter and occasional actress, who rose to fame as one of the founding members of the successful Mexican pop duo Lu.

Early life[link]

Cantú was born in Houston, Texas. The family returned to Guadalajara, Mexico when she was a child. At the age of 16, Cantú was drawn to entertaining people; she started taking guitar and bass lessons,^[2] eventually leaving law school to pursue her musical career.

Music career[link]

Lu[link]

Paty Cantú became a member of the Mexican pop duo Lu alongside Mario Sandoval. The pair rose to fame with hits like Por Besarte, Una Confusión and La Vida Después de Ti and being certified gold and platinum for both records in Mexico and USA.^[3] Their self-titled debut album released in 2004, which was produced by Aureo Baqueiro, producer of artists like Natalia Lafourcade, Sin Bandera, Kabah, and Moenia, had success in Mexico and Brazil in which enjoyed success because they and their song "Por Besarte" were featured on Rebelde. Her song-writing skills were shown in the track "Sé" and writing songs for Lola and Alejandra Guzmán. After various reeditions from their first album, and a sophomore one called "Álbum", it was announced on August 27, 2007 that Mario and Paty parted ways due to artistic ideas, giving their last concert on October in Reynosa, Tamaulipas.^[4]

Solo[link]

After the split, Paty started to write songs for her debut album, having 54 songs^[5] before selecting the final 10. In 2008, she was featured in Motel's hit "Dos Palabras" which was released on August 12 and appeared in the reedition from their second album 17 Bis. After that, Paty Cantú debuted as a solo artist on October 17 as an opening act for Mexican singer Aleks Syntek, making this her start as a successful solo singer. In November 2008,^[5] Paty Cantú released her first single "Déjame Ir" which reached Top 10 in the Mexican Radio Airplay proving an instant hit and the video was premiered in MTV on November 18.^[6] Her album "Me Quedo Sola" was released on January 27, 2009 ^[7] under EMI composed of 10 songs, 9 written by her and 1 written by Billy Mendez from Motel. In only three days of sales, Me Quedo Sola debuted at #8 in "Lo Mas Vendido" in Mixup and after a week, the album reached #1. However in the Mexico Main Top 100 Albums Chart reached #2, just under Vicente Fernández.

"No Fue Suficiente", her second single was released on February 21 and its video inspired by Tim Burton^[6] was produced by Esteban Madrazo and debuted in "Los 10+ Pedidos" of MTV. She started to write songs for Alejandro Fernández, Dulce María's debut album as well as upcoming greatest hits from Alejandra Guzmán.^[5]

In August 2009 it was announced that Paty Cantú will participate in the movie Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure as part of the soundtrack with the song Historia Ancestral, which will be released on September 4, 2009.^{[8][dated info]} She also announced in her MySpace that her debut album will have a reedition which include new tracks like Muñeca de Papel written by Billy from Motel, Casi Divas featuring Alfonso Pichardo, lead singer from Moenia and Mi Amor Destruye featuring Ballesteros.

Paty Cantú was nominated for Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica 2009 in two categories, one alongside her former mate Mario Sandoval and his group Sandoval.^[9] On September 29, Paty Cantú received two nominations for Premios Oye!, the Mexican Grammy Awards for Breakthrough of the Year alongside Alexander Acha, Beto Cuevas, Tush^{[disambiguation needed ]} and Victor & Leo and Best Female Solo competing against Colombian Fanny Lú, Italian singer Laura Pausini and connationals María José and Natalia Lafourcade^[10]

Paty Cantu's newest song "Afortunadamentu no eres tu" became widely known throughout Mexico and within the United States hispanic community. Ninas Mal's soundtrack used Paty Cantu's song as well.

Acting career[link]

Paty Cantú appeared as a musical guest in Rebelde, in the 2nd season of El Show de los Sueños and in Verano de Amor starred by Dulce María but her acting debut will be in the 3rd season of the Mexican series El Pantera as the character of María a car thief which will be involved as a love interest of El Pantera.^[11]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Awards And Nominations[link]

Los Premios MTVs are awarded annually by MTV Latin America. Cantú has received two nominations. She received two nominations again in the 8th gala of the Premios Oye!

External links[link]

• Official Site
• Paty Cantú's MySpace
• YouTube

References[link]