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The following is an archived discussion of a featured article nomination. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the article's talk page or in Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates. No further edits should be made to this page.

The article was promoted by Gog the Mild via FACBot (talk) 2 July 2021 [1].

Jason Sendwe

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Nominator(s): Indy beetle (talk) 18:48, 7 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

This article is about Jason Sendwe, a politician of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's early years. For a time he was the preeminent leader of the Luba people of Katanga Province and was the central government's "in-man" inside the territory, fraught with secessionist bitterness. He rose to national political prominence and fell in a series of disputes before being murdered under dubious circumstances; in the words of British journalist Ian Goodhope Colvin, "Jason had battled so long for his Baluba idea...had seen victory, worn the leopard skin, been carried on the shoulders of his people...become a minister, touched power and money, lost his aura and perished." This article passed GAN back in March 2018, and though it failed FAn that November, I've since expanded it. -Indy beetle (talk) 18:48, 7 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Comments from HumanxAnthro

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Can't say I've read the article in depth, but from a skim-through I'm already noticing insanely-long paragraphs, especially the first paragraph of "Rise to prominence." These could easily be split. 👨x🐱 (talk) 21:50, 7 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I've split two of them, including that one specifically. -Indy beetle (talk) 20:48, 8 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I am hoping this article gets far more attention than the last time. I'm not a history buff but I'm hoping I find some stuff to comment on here. Let's also make sure commenters don't get into spats about nonsensical things like what happened with Tony and the nominator last time, and keep it focused on article content instead of behavior and beliefs of editors. 👨x🐱 (talk) 21:59, 7 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Accessibility review

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The images should have alt text per WP:CAPTION/MOS:ACCIM. Heartfox (talk) 19:24, 8 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Heartfox, has this been satisfactorily addressed? Gog the Mild (talk) 11:10, 16 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]
@Gog the Mild: No; nothing has changed. Heartfox (talk) 19:17, 16 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Should be good now. -Indy beetle (talk) 00:30, 17 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Comments Support from Ceoil

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Reading through; first impression is that the lead is very strong from a prose POV, while the text in the body covers very complex political and sociologic dynamics, but is largely clear and precise. The references, from 10 minutes of looking, seem from the first quality of sources, but more later. Quibbles to follow, beware. Ceoil (talk) 22:01, 22 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  • It might be worthwhile, as you have the sources fresh in mind, creating an article for Association Générale des Baluba du Katanga.
  • These sources are not employed in the inlne citations: Clarke, Stephen John Gordon (1968), East Africa and Rhodesia. 39. London: Africana 1977 - consider employing or moving to further reading
    • Removed.
  • I agree with the point above re overlong and thus dense paragraphs, and have split a few. Note, generally much prefer longer rather than stubby paras, but some here had been mindbending.
  • Sendwe was slated to lead part of the army into northern Katanga - "slated" should be "chosen"
    • Done.
  • On 19 October, three days after Tshombe concluded a deal with Colonel Joseph-Désiré Mobutu to "neutralise" Lumumba, Sendwe was incarcerated by central government officials. The United Nations (UN) quickly secured his release on the basis of parliamentary immunity. As we are so specific re three days, can we better define "quickly". Also the scare quotes around "neutralise" seem coy.
    • The three days points to the time span between the Lumumba deal and Sendwe's detention, not the time between his detention and his release. "Neutralise" is not meant as scare quotes, it's meant to convey the ambiguity of the word in this context-death or some form of political incapacitation.
      Presumably so, as it was UN sanctioned, we know the day of release, so you can state. The scare quotes seem to avoid the issue; the article test does not indicate this "this context-death" you are here implying. Ceoil (talk) 02:16, 23 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
      • I've removed the "quickly"; Gerard and Kucklick do not provide a date for Sendwe's release. And to clarify, "neutralize" is the term used by the source, quoting Mobutu. The full quote is "neutralize Lumumba completely, if possible physically". Thus, the word is meant to be open ended. I didn't see the point in explaining all of this in the text of this article since that fact mostly pertains to Lumumba. Gerard and Kucklick seem to frame Sendwe as Mobutu's bargaining chip with Tshombe, so I'd rather focus on what happened to him then all of the intrigue behind Lumumba's downfall.
  • the only figure with enough clout in Katanga to challenge Tshombe - "clout" is vague, state if either or both "political or popular clout...."
    • Qualified as "political".
  • This article needs a content review by an expert or at least a very well informed editor; there are passages that indicate romanticasation. Best I can offer here is spot check on compliance with utilised sources, which will move onto in a week or so. Delegates pls keep open until then. Ceoil (talk) 22:10, 22 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Who is Erik Kennes and who made him boss, and of what. Similarly, we are given no indication of Kabuya Lumuna Sando's authority.
    • Political scientists, qualified.
  • Kabuya, noting the newer clothing worn by the soldiers...He reasoned that - "newer clothing" obviously is flimsy legal basis - "claimed" rather than "reasoned"
    • Qualified clothing claim as "allegedly" and changed reasoned to "argued".
  • through his success with national and international figures - how. Friendship, negotiation, strong arming, what?
    • Negotiation. Added.
  • In 2011 a congress of the "Luba People" declared that Sendwe was among "our valiant martyrs",[90] but there is little study of him in Congolese historiography.[91] - Noticed this too, and almost nothing in English. Why is this I wonder, if the article is give (probably) speculate on reasons from later sources?
    • Loffman mostly attributed this to the fact that Congo Crisis historiography is swallowed up by focus on Lumumba, Mobutu, and Tshombe, and that Sendwe was a "mid-level figure" in Congolese politics, and such people rarely get that much study in African historiography. My own experience in this field gives me reason to agree with him. He didn't argue that this was necessarily unusual or out of the ordinary, so I saw no need to further elaborate on it.
  • (On 28 November) a new état d’exception (state of emergency) was.... - a new one? Article doesn't seem to mention the old one. Ceoil (talk) 23:05, 24 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
    • Based of the source material it had been essentially redeclared. I think an original state of emergency had been declared by Lumumba's Government back in 1960, but no extraordinary commissioner had been appointed. The Adoula Government redeclaring it makes sense (since the Lumumba government was long gone and they wanted to probably stress their own attitude towards what was going on). But this is all back story that I don't think is worth getting into. I'm excising the "new" to avoid confusion. -Indy beetle (talk) 22:40, 25 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • To note, the below are nitpicks and am leaning support on prose. Source review to follow.
  • Over time the central government hardened its attitude against Katanga while Belgium gradually withdrew its support for it - This implies cause and effect. Bridge with "and" rather than "while" if the meaning is not "Belgium gradually withdrew its support because the central government hardened its attitude against Katanga.
    • Changed.
  • His attempts to do so as well as his hopes... - no big deal, but a bit gushy, maybe aims rather than hopes
    • Revised.
  • were stymied by the Belgian government, which disliked his closeness to Lumumba - "disliked" is a bit coy, can you spell out the political/strategic reason. Also who says "stymied" anymore..."blocked" or "frustrated"
    • Kennes writes (translated from French): "Jason Sendwe, State High Commissioner, wants to fully play his role as mediator, by trying to integrate Balubakat and Conakat representations at the provincial level and national, and keeping Katanga in the national fold. His initiatives are thwarted by the deputy chief of staff of the Belgian Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens, Harold d'Aspremont Lynden, on the pretext that Sendwe is subservient to the Lumumba government with which 'any attempt at fruitful collaboration was henceforth doomed to certain failure'. It is not certain, however, that local and provincial officials followed Sendwe in this way." As such, I've revised that part of the sentence to say were frustrated by the Belgian government, which perceived Sendwe as an instrument of the Lumumba Government, with whom they had tense relations. More info on Belgium's bad relations with the Lumumba Government at Lumumba Government. I'm not quite sure what the "strategic" reasoning was, other than that they simply didn't trust Sendwe.
  • Sendwe was chosen to lead part of the army into northern Katanga - Were the millitary that disorganised; part..ie send a bunch of guys...should it be lead the "northern offensive" or something
    • More on that offensive plan (the part that was actually executed) here: Invasion of South Kasai. The ANC was very much disorganized, my impression is that a lot of the affair was simply gathering what troops were loyal enough and ordering them to attack. If I had info on troop numbers or units I would have included it.
  • The dismissal caused a substantial amount of turmoil
    • Changed to political turmoil.
  • to serve on a reconciliation commission to achieve an understanding between Kasa-Vubu...to achieve ...tasked with
    • Revised.
  • Overall the writing is excellent. Ceoil (talk) 00:30, 30 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Support substantive issues dealt with. Ceoil (talk) 22:57, 1 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Coordinator comment

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More than three weeks in and this has attracted little attention and no supports. Unless it receives considerably more attention over the next day or two I am afraid that it is liable to be archived. Gog the Mild (talk) 20:09, 29 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I am sympathetic to Ceoil's deleted comment - which was fine. But Indy beetle, if you can call in any favours to get further commentary here, I suggest that you do so soon. Gog the Mild (talk) 18:16, 2 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Comments from Ergo Sum

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I am by no means a subject matter expert on Congolese politics, so I have to defer to those more knowledgable on questions of comprehensiveness. Ergo Sum 00:54, 3 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  • Is there no link for Mwanya?
    • No, it was/is apparently a very small place.
  • Can link nationalism in the lead.
  • Can also link "the country's independence" to Congo Crisis
    • Added as a see also section link under "Rise to prominence". I don't like making Congolese independence synonymous with the Congo Crisis, there was a five day interval between those two things.
  • Can combine the two lead sentences about June 1964
    • Done.
  • Can link nursing
    • Done.
  • Optional, but could consider wrapping "École officielle pour Infirmiers à Élisabethville" and other French phrases with {{Lang}}
  • "by the lack of educational opportunity under colonial rule" - this can use some explanation. What exactly was lacking? Were there simply no medical schools, were they restricted only to certain people, etc.
    • No proper medical schools, revised.
  • Is there any more specific information available about his marriage, such was when it was or to whom?
    • No, not that I've uncovered.
    • Sadly, this information is not known for him and a lot of other mid-level Congolese politicians of this era.
  • "the stated aim to encourage" - the construction I see much more frequently is "aim of encouraging". Just something to consider
    • Done.
  • "leadership style" - what was his style?
    • Changed to "dynamism", word used by the source.
  • I don't love the vertical list of 3 political positions, but I don't believe it contradicts any MOS rules
  • Can link xenophobia
    • Done.
  • "elected with 20,282 votes" - this clause strikes me as a bit abrupt. Perhaps rephrase to "Sendwe was elected to the Chamber of Deputies with 20,282 votes..."
    • Done.
  • "abstain from sitting, thus when the assembly" - I believe this is a comma splice. The comma should be replaced with a semicolon or period.
    • Done.
  • Should link Belgian Parliament
    • Done.
  • Why is "outlawed" put in quotations marks
    • The source also puts it in quotes.
      • I think this will need some explanation, if any can be found with further research. Otherwise, it leaves a reader wondering what this means. Was it that he was not welcome but not actually outlawed, or that he was outlawed but that rule was not enforced? Ergo Sum 18:48, 3 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]
        • I do think it was more akin to calling him a persona non grata than legal outlawing him (declaring him outside the protection of the law and liable to be shot on site, as traditionally understood in most jurisdictions), but the source does not go into detail on this. I'm sure if Tshombe's government had the chance they would have arrested Sendwe. This was not a matter of lack of desire to enforce; the parts of Katanga Sendwe visited during this time (far as I can tell) were outside the control of Tshombe's government, so they had no way of getting a hold of him. Plus, seriously attempting to arrest him and harm him would have incensed the Congolese central government and the UN and probably looked bad in the foreign press.
  • "attitude against Katanga and Belgium gradually withdrew" - should probably be a comma after Katanga
    • Done.
  • Not sure government should be capitalized in Adoula Government
    • Sources are very much mixed on this style, but per MOS:INSTITUTIONS I think this is how it should be done.
  • vis a vis is usually hyphenated and accented
    • Done.
  • "at 22:00 on 23 December" - need a comma at the end
    • Done.
  • "probably so he could use them" - using probabilistic language in the voice of Wikipedia usually encounters some pushback. It would be best to specify who is saying "probably"
    • The UN, revised for clarification.
  • "executive position at a company" - is there any information on which company or in what industry?
    • Nope, the importance of this just seems to be he would get a cushy salary in a place where he could do little political damage so he would shut up.
  • " in a vote, 28–3" - can replace the comma with "of"
    • Done.
  • "On 27 May," - article has thus far eschewed commas after introductory prepositional phrases, but best not to start now
    • Removed.
  • I generally support linking words and phrases that can have technical meanings, including political concepts. When there is doubt, I tend to link. Not required, but might be considered.
  • {{Use dmy dates}} would be useful, plus a spelling convention template, e.g. {{Use British English}}, if applicable.

That's all I have for now. Ergo Sum 01:39, 3 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Support on the substance. I only quibble about the one remaining point above (re "outlaw") but think the article is ready for FA. Ergo Sum 03:53, 7 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

CommentsSupport by Z1720

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Consider me a non-expert.

  • "with a brief interruption." when was the interruption?
    • From 15 March to 27 April 1964 he did not hold the office, this all due to political maneuverings in the province. I didn't think this was worth getting into in the lede.
  • "and his reputation thereafter drifted into obscurity." Delete thereafter as it is unnecessary.
    • Done.
  • "to a Baluba family." Baluba is an uncommon term. I would add a small descriptor of who they are at the end of this sentence to explain who this group is without clicking into their Wikipedia article.
    • It was an ethnic group. There's not that much more to say about it DUEly than that, would "ethnically Luba family" work?
      • I don't think Luba would work either, as that is another uncommon term. What about, "to a Baluba family, the indigenous peoples in the south-central region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo." (or something similar) and use the [2] source in Luba people? Z1720 (talk) 03:53, 24 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]
        • I've added something to that effect.
  • In the lede, it says he couldn't be a doctor due to "to restrictions on advancement for Africans in the colony" but in the body it says he was restricted by " the lack of medical schools in the Congo." These need to match.
    • Fixed.
  • "He was able amass much of their support through his dynamism and frequent interactions with the population." This sentence sounds like WP:PUFFERY and not encyclopedic. I think you should describe what he did specifically to get their support (Did he travel around to give speeches to villages? Did he organise any campaigns?)
    • This was the words of journalist Evariste Kimba, who joined CONAKAT. This point is rather vague, so I could either attribute it in text or delete, whichever you think is best.
  • I think the list of his three tenents would be better as prose.
    • Done.
  • "In May he traveled to the United States at the invitation of the American government." What was the purpose of this trip? Why is it worth mentioning in this article?
    • The purpose was probably a goodwill trip and an attempt by the US to create connections with key Congolese politicians. CRISP usually added information that was timely and relevant, but obviously the lasting notability of this trip seems minimal (in contrast to trips by other Congolese that fostered longer standing connections in Belgium or the Eastern Bloc). I'll remove it if you think it adds nothing.
  • "In the national elections before the Republic of the Congo's independence on 30 June 1960 Sendwe was elected" comma after 1960
    • Done.
  • "Invested with the responsibilities of his office," Sounds puffery and POV. Perhaps, "After assuming the role of State Commissioner of Katanga, he attempted to restore central control over the province." Also, what does central control mean? I would change this wording.
    • Revised, also "central government control".
  • "Sendwe was chosen to lead part of the army" Who chose him? What were the circumstances of him being chosen?
    • See Invasion of South Kasai, it's disputed as to who planned the offensive, and thus we don't know who ultimately decided to include Sendwe. As for why they would have chosen him, he held the job of State Commissioner, which made him the designated representative of the central government in the province. So the job he had made it a logical choice for him to lead the army on a campaign to restore central government authority. He also, as a BALUBAKAT leader, would have had popularity among the Luba population in northern Katanga. But this is all just my reading of the situation.
  • "brokering an understanding between Kasa-Vubu and Lumumba" What's an understanding? A peace deal, a ceasefire, a political alliance?
    • Revised to say "political agreement". This was meant to break the constitutional deadlock that the situation left the country in (see Dissolution of the Lumumba Government), and probably would have involved a revised coalition government.
  • "to neutralise Lumumba," What does this mean? What happens when Lumumba is neutralised?
    • See Ceoil's comments above, where this is discussed at length.
      • So after reading Ceoil's comments above, I get the impression that neutralise is quoting Mobutu? If so, why not just attribute what Mobutu said to him? That will remove the impression that this is scarequotes, and conveys to the reader that the ambiguity of neutralise is coming from Mobutu, and not OR from the article? Z1720 (talk) 03:53, 24 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]
        • Attributed.
  • "On the whole his tour improved security in the region," Delete on the whole
    • Revised.
  • "and BALUBAKAT began to organise its own administration" -> "and BALUBAKAT organised"
    • Done.
  • "the UN feared this was so he could use them to boost his support." Does the "them" refer to the UN, or to the refugees?
    • Refugees; clarified.
  • "which was reversed by the intervention of the Deputy Prime Minister." So did the Deputy PM reverse the ban, or did he convince Sendwe to reverse the ban?
    • The Deputy PM simply overruled him; revised.
  • "On 27 May 1964 a coup in Albertville by Simba rebels led by Kabila overthrew Sendwe's government." put a comma after rebels and Kabila
    • Done.
  • "including having him shot," -> including executing him
    • Done.
  • "reestablish his authority" His authority as what?
    • The fact that he was leader of the Nord Katanga government is mentioned two sentences previously, I don't think the point needs clarification, though if you insist I can add "authority as provincial president."
  • "Political scientist Erik Kennes examined various testimonies." testimonies about what? I assume Sendwe's death, but this sentence's wording is awkward.
    • Clarified.
  • "wanted Sendwe dead so as to make rapprochement with Tshombe easier." -> wanted Sendwe dead to make rapprochement
    • Done.
  • "Kennes discounted the theory, reasoning that it was unlikely" -> Kennes reasoned that this was unlikely
    • Done.

Those are my comments in the first readthrough. Z1720 (talk) 23:34, 5 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Comments, Part 2

  • "He served as Second Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Republic of the Congo)" Does this sentence mean that he was PM or DRC, then the PM of RoC, or does it mean that the RoC used to be called the DRC? Please clarify in the article.
  • The "Rise to prominence" section is very long; consider breaking it up with level 3 headings or with another level 2 heading.
  • "He undertook another pacification trip in July." Was this pacification trip also in Belgium?
    • Northern Katanga, clarified.
  • "On 2 August a new government was" -> "On 2 August a new government in Congo was" or something similar, to identify which government.
    • Clarified.
  • "An état d’exception (state of emergency) was proclaimed on 28 November" Why? Why this date?
    • The logic of the Congolese central government during the Congo Crisis isn't always clear. The state of emergencies weren't always immediately preceded by some major development (sometimes they were, see Laurent Eketebi#Provincial government career). I would presume they issued the state of emergency for Katanga on 28 November 1961 for four reasons; one, PM Adoula needed to show Parliament he was serious about bringing Katanga back into the fold or he would lose their confidence; two, Tshombe was given the chance to try and reconcile his differences with the new government when it formed in August and by late November it would appear to the central authorities that he didn't care to; three, UN peacekeeping operations in August and September had failed to end the Katangese secession; and four, Tshombe's refusal to negotiate with the central government and allow CONAKAT deputies to sit in Parliament weakened and angered the conservatives, who would have by late November come around to using more forceful measures against Katanga. But that's just my opinion!
  • "Though he had the support of most of the Katanga Baluba and the BALUBAKAT deputies in Parliament, the Adoula Government sought to divide Katanga to weaken it while BALUBAKAT officials in northern Katanga wanted an exclusive polity in the region under the domination of their own party." Can this sentence be split in two?
    • Done
  • "On 15 March[68]" Since 68 is cited at the end of the sentence, I do not think you need a footnote here, as it might be WP:OVERCITE. You could also move [67] to the end of the sentence if it doesn't verify the 15 March date.
    • Done, though in the process of doing that we lose knowing what source supports what information.

Those are my comments from the second readthrough. Z1720 (talk) 01:13, 2 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Indy beetle, this is getting very long in the tooth, could you pls complete the responses ASAP and let Z1720 know when done? Tks/cheers, Ian Rose (talk) 10:46, 10 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]
My comments have been resolved so I support this FAC. Z1720 (talk) 01:34, 13 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Source review

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Spotchecks not done. Version reviewed.

  • Source for him being second? (And this should be split to |order=)
    • Yes, Hoskyns 1965 p. 377 which is in the text. Also this is not a matter of he was the second person to hold the office of deputy premier, the office he held was "Second Deputy Prime Minister", because he was one of three deputy PMs at this time.
  • "He was educated in Methodist schools and medical institutions" - the text makes a point of saying there weren't medical schools available, would suggest rewording. Similarly the following sentence, "Unable to become a doctor due to restrictions on advancement for Africans in the colony", doesn't quite line up with the body text
    • Clarified; for the record, the Belgian Congo had plenty of nursing schools for black Africans, just not medical schools where one could get an MD.
  • FN66 leads to a general Google search
  • Be consistent in when you include publication location
  • Colvin: verify publisher?
  • Gérard-Libois: who was the translator?
    • Rebecca Young, added.
  • Hoskyns 1969 has a double location
    • Fixed. University College has multiple campuses, so University College, Dar es Salaam was a reference to the specific branch, though that's made obvious by the formal location parameter.
  • Horizon: is there a specific article being cited here? What makes this a high-quality reliable source?
  • How does Kennes meet WP:SCHOLARSHIP?
    • For one it is a PhD thesis. Two, the thesis has been cited by other reliable works such as the Provinces series edited by Jean Omasombo Tshonda and published by the Musée royal de l’Afrique centrale. Three, Kennes was already an established researcher on African affairs who had written journal articles before writing that thesis; this confirms that in 2000 he was working at the African Institute in Tervuren. This also includes more detail on him. He wrote a biography on Laurent-Desire Kabila in 2003 which has been cited by others (example). Since writing that thesis in 2009 he has written/coathuored several works published by university presses, including The Katangese Gendarmes and War in Central Africa: Fighting Their Way Home (used in this article).
  • How are you ordering multiple works by the same author?
    • Earlier year comes first.
  • Omasombo 2014 is missing publisher
    • Fixed.
  • Be consistent in whether you include publisher for periodicals. Nikkimaria (talk) 12:05, 15 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Hi Nikkimaria, are you satisfied with the sourcing on this one? Thanks. Gog the Mild (talk) 10:37, 25 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Coordinator query

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Hi Indy beetle, have you addressed all of Z1720's points? If so, could you ping them? Similarly with Nikkimaria. Thanks. Gog the Mild (talk) 11:38, 19 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Gog the Mild: working on it, I've been busy these past few days. I'll ping them when I've responded to all of their comments. -Indy beetle (talk) 18:38, 19 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]
I think everything has now been addressed. -Indy beetle (talk) 20:28, 29 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]
The above discussion is preserved as an archive. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this page.
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