Briefings
7 – 13 January 2016
In the night between 6 and 7 January, the Democratic Republic of Congo saw FDLR rebels attacking Miriki, located about 100 km north of Goma, North Kivu. 18 people died during the attack and six others became injured. After the attack, the FARDC launched a military operation in the area, regaining control over five localities in Lubero territory, which were controlled by FDLR and Maï-Maï militias.
31 December 2015 – 6 January 2016
On Tuesday, January 5, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon recommended to reduce the number of MONUSCO staff members by 1700. Meanwhile, South-African General Derick Mbuyiselo Mgwebi replaced General Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz as the new commander of the UN Stabilisation Mission’s forces in the DRC. […]
10 – 16 December 2015
In Burundi, unidentified assailants attacked several military camps in the capital Bujumbura last Friday, December 11. According to the army, 87 people died, 79 of whom were labelled as ‘enemies’. According to local witnesses, however, dozens of innocent victims – hands bound behind their backs – were executed by security forces. […]
3 – 9 December 2015
On Tuesday, December 8, the UN released a report stating that security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have made 143 human rights violations associated with the country’s electoral process. According to the document, the Congolese authorities used methods such as executions, threats and arbitrary arrests against the opposition, media and civil society. […]
26 November – 2 December 2015
On Sunday, November 29, the Democratic Republic of Congo saw violent clashes between the FARDC and ADF rebels in Eringeti, 60 km outside of Beni in North Kivu. At least 24 people were killed and over 2,000 inhabitants have fled the town. One peacekeeper was killed and another gravely injured in the crossfire. On Tuesday, December 1st, MONUSCO executed air strikes against ADF positions to support t
19 – 25 November 2015
Over the past week in the DRC, North Kivu saw the prevalence of FDLR activity throughout the province. The inhabitants of several villages in Lubero and Walikale territory were being held hostage by the militia, which reportedly used them as human shields. The rebels have been prohibiting any communication or transport in Buleusa, Bushalingwa, Kateku and Kanune village. […]
12 – 18 November 2015
As the security situation in the Central African Republic and Burundi remains unstable, MINUSCA will be reinforced with 300 new blue helmets, while the African Union considers deploying peacekeepers in Burundi. Meanwhile, the new UN Special Representative in the DRC, Maman Sambo Sidikou, has taken office this Monday. […]
5 – 11 November 2015
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the beginning of this week, alleged ADF rebels attacked the city of Oicha in North Kivu, and were countered by the Congolese military. One civilian died in the crossfire. In South Kivu, armed men attacked Bukavu last Thursday, killing a young girl, and perpetrating torture and looting. […]
29 October – 4 November 2015
Last Thursday in the DRC, MONUSCO and the FARDC launched a military campaign against ADF rebel posts in Beni territory in North Kivu. Earlier last week, dozens died during several days of clashes between the Congolese army and the militia. On Friday, 50 km outside of Beni city, ADF militiamen attacked a vehicle, leaving four people dead. […]
22 – 28 October 2015
On the 70th anniversary of the UN on October 24, both undersecretary of American homeland security, Sarah Sewall, and Congolese general, Jean-Claude Kifwa, applauded recent cooperation between MONUSCO and the FARDC. Meanwhile, MONUSCO has condemned the lack of commitment shown by ex-M23 rebels to the Nairobi process. Human Rights Watch continues to call for increased protection of students and sch
15 – 21 October 2015
This week, the UN Security Council and the African Union expressed their concern about the increase in violence in the Central African Republic, threatening sanctions against actors undermining stability and security in the country. Meanwhile, the UNHCR office has condemned continuing abuses by Ugandan police against opposition members, calling for investigations into and accountability for perpet
8 – 14 October 2015
As the UN continues to express its concern about the 2016 elections in the DRC, newly appointed head of MONUSCO Maman Sambo Sidikou wishes to revive cooperation between peacekeepers and the FARDC in tracking down FDLR rebels in the east of the country. Meanwhile, diplomatic relations between Burundi and Rwanda remain strained. […]
1 – 7 October 2015
Tension between Burundi and Rwanda heightened this week, as authorities in both countries accused each other of destabilising their country. An offer by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to mediate in the matter was declined by Rwanda. Meanwhile Human Rights Watch has deplored the implication of the DRC government and security officials in attacks on protesters on Sept
24 – 30 September 2015
As the security situation in the region worsens, Rwanda and the DRC started working on a joint security plan, with the prevalence of armed militia at the heart of the talks. Martin Kobler continues to urge for closer collaboration between FARDC and MONUSCO in battling these groups. In the wake of deadly violence in Bangui, CAR’s foreign minister has called for a strengthening of the UN peacekeepin
17 – 23 September 2015
In light of the International Peace Day on September 21, head of MONUSCO Martin Kobler has expressed his belief that durable peace in DRC is achievable. At the end of his term, he states to be satisfied with the mission’s accomplishments. Meanwhile, MINUSCA investigates allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in CAR, announcing a zero-tolerance policy. Last week, North Kivu saw the arrest of s
10 – 16 September 2015
As MONUSCO inaugurated new classrooms and a forum on abductions and rape of minors in the DRC, MINUSCA faces new allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in the CAR. The UN is investigating the matter and taking action. Violent clashes broke out this week in Kinshasa, when 3000 people rallying against president Joseph Kabila seeking a third term, were attacked by unidentified youths. Reportedly
27 August – 2 September 2015
According to MONUSCO, 113 child soldiers took advantage of clashes between FRPI and Congolese government forces this week to desert the militia. In the CAR, anti-Balaka militia also released 163 child soldiers from their ranks. On Monday August 31, unidentified gunmen in North Kivu killed six elite soldiers of the presidential guard in an ambush. That night, the province also saw severe clashes be
20 – 26 August 2015
As the UN Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region called for the intensification of efforts to neutralise negative forces in eastern DRC this week, inhabitants of Nyamilima, North Kivu, requested a truce in the counter FDLR offensive, which has interfered with local harvesting. The night of Sunday, 23 August, saw three fatalities and several wounded in clashes between the FARDC and bandi
6 – 12 August 2015
In North Kivu, four days of clashes between the FARDC and the FDLR in Kalembe, Walikale territory, have seen reports of five rebel fatalities. Elsewhere in Walikale fighting between NDC and Raia Mutomboki factions has emptied villages and seen the incineration of homes, as well as occasioning five civilian fatalities.
30 July – 5 August 2015
The last week has seen conflicting accounts of the number of FDLR combatants still at large in eastern DRC with Congolese government estimates suggesting less than 400 and MONUSCO putting the figure close to 1,000. The two Congolese soldiers arrested in Nyiragongo (North Kivu) on the border between Rwanda and the DRC by Rwandan forces at the end of July were released on Saturday, 1 August, and rep
