DRC: We Got the Envoy

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We Got the Envoy.

When JFK wanted to stave off the Cold War, he sent his brother Bobby to Moscow as a Special Envoy.

When the American revolutionaries needed more troops, they sent Benjamin Franklin to France as a Special Envoy.

Two years ago, 24,000 whistleblowers, 77 Congolese organizations, 35 Congressmen, and 16 Senators rallied together demanding that President Obama send a Special Envoy to Congo and make an explicit, all-out effort to settle this crisis.

WATCH: Free + Fair: The Power of a Petition

At the time, Congo's elections were fast-approaching, and every sign pointed to disaster. 

The State Department brushed off our demands and reassured the public thateverything would be A-OK. But it wasn't. In November 2011, President Joseph Kabila won a second term in office through rigged elections. Congo's democracy began to collapse, setting the stage for the M23 rebel movement.

In response, the State Department appointed Ambassador Barrie Walkley as a "Special Advisor" for Congo. We met with Walkley last summer at the start of the M23 rebellion, demanding that the U.S. cut funding to M23's backers in the Rwandan government,and that the leader of M23, Bosco Ntaganda, be arrested. Ten days later,the aid cuts began, eventually totaling over $400 million and forcing M23 to finally retreat from Goma and attend peace talks.

Two months later, Bosco Ntaganda, M23's leader, surrendered.

When M23 took up arms again, the UN appointed former Irish President Mary Robinson as the UN Special Envoy. She was immediately dispatched to the war region.

Last month, we told you about rumorsthat Russ Feingold would soon partner with Robinson and fill a U.S. Envoy spot.

Today we can finally celebrate, as former Senator Russ Feingold begins his first day as the U.S. Special Envoy to Congo and the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

Congo deserves diplomacy at the highest level, led by a talented statesman who will reverse the West's historic relationship with the Congolese people, moving from exploitation to partnership.

100,000 whistleblowers worldwide aredemanding it, and our government has responded.

Well done.

In celebration of five years of tireless work, we proudly re-introduce the Bronze Whistle available now for a limited time only.

Wear your protest. Get yours onStore.FallingWhistles.com.

Be a whistleblower for peace.