Manufacturing Conflicts- Chronicle of a War Correspondent from the Heart of D R Congo to the March of the Uyghurs

Conflicts take different forms and shapes, politically, economically, socially, and culturally, but what is common to many of them, if not all, is the terror and propaganda unleashed ruthlessly by the Empire and its impact on billions of people often for centuries.

As part of the 'The Message for Humanity by Andre Vltchek' series, Badak Merah presents his book, 'Manufacturing Conflicts: Chronicle of a War Correspondent from the Heart of D.R. Congo to the March of the Uyghurs.' The book contains a selection of 52 original essays written 'from the ground' around the world. In pursuit of exposing the lies of the Empire, Andre Vltchek chronicled why and how conflicts were manufactured at the hands of the West and client states globally.

Working as a war correspondent, the author reported active wars, revolutions, and massive protests, often embedded with defending armies. Also, he uncovered neocolonialism in countries where, as the West's client states, governments subjugated their own citizens and neighboring states. Furthermore, he documented how, despite decades of unilateral, illegal sanctions and blockades imposed by the West, people remain united and march forward decidedly in solidarity with one another and in support of others elsewhere. Andre Vltchek witness at first hand the ‘manufacturing of conflicts’ including in Ukraine.

Combatting Western imperialism, Andre Vltchek was well aware of forces that wanted to 'silence' him. He largely escaped unharmed, except for a few, what he himself called ‘minor instances.’ At the height of the 'Dirty War' in Peru, the Shining Path's ‘People's Court' condemned him to death yet giving him one 'condition' for to answer their questions in Russian. Unbeknownst to his captors, his Russian origin miraculously saved him. In Goma, D.R Congo, he disappeared for a while, detained by security forces during heightened security confrontations involving the country and Rwanda. He was not so 'lucky' in Timor-Leste, where he was tortured by the Indonesian Army around the time of independence. His broken shoulder never healed completely.

For over 30 years, the author circled all over the world with his beloved Montblanc pens, Moleskine notebooks, Leica, Nikon, Canon, and Panasonic cameras. He meticulously documented his travels as he reported. In his own words, ‘ The Empire lies. It lies about the present, about the past, even about the future. It lies day and night, relentlessly … But, reason will not be defeated. Optimism will not be broken. Oppression will be fought. Humanity will prevail.’
Badak Merah believes that Andre Vltchek’s chronicle reverberates in times of crisis and that it is, in fact, his call to action for humanity.