EDITORIAL
With the removal of political coordinator Jean-Marie Runiga by military leader Sultani Makenga, the M23 rebel movement in eastern DR Congo split up into a pro-Makenga and a pro-Bosco Ntaganda faction, on the ground as well as at the Kampala peace talks. The rebels left the area of Rutshuru town for the south of the territory, where heavy clashes were reported between the two factions. FDLR and different Mai-Mai groups tried to fill the gap left by M23 in and around Rutshuru; the area was soon retaken by the Congolese army (FARDC) though, but only to withdraw again after two days, allegedly not to hinder the Kampala peace talks. A few hours later the pro-Makenga M23 recaptured Rutshuru and Kiwanja.
Last weekend President Kabila travelled to Kampala, where he may have discussed a possible peace deal with M23 leader Makenga.
On Tuesday UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented the Framework agreement for the DRC to the Security Council, and asked the SC to authorize the deployment of a special Intervention Brigade within MONUSCO.
At the Rutshuru/Masisi border, in Kitchanga, heavy fighting between the largely ethnic Hunde rebels of the APCLS and the Tutsi-dominated regiment of the Congolese army continued, causing at least 80 deaths.
In northern North Kivu, violence by FDLR, ADF/Nalu, Mai-Mai Simba, and FARDC was reported.
In South Kivu, according to the local administrator, 95% of Shabunda territory is occupied by the Raia Mutomboki militia, which last week also took control of a mining village in bordering Maniema province.
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is still active in Province Orientale, as are other armed groups.
In Katanga, Mai-Mai fighters, notably the “Tigers”, attacked villages in the southern mining region, relatively close to the provincial capital Lubumbashi.
A small group splintered off from the Seleka rebel coalition in the Central African Republic (CAR) and attacked the town of Sido at the Chadian border. The bulk of the rebel troops are to withdraw from Damara to Sibut.
Greenpeace published a new report on illegal logging in the DRC.
An expert on mining governance calls on EITI not to exclude the DRC from further participation.
IPIS’ News
Upcoming Events
Toward a EU initiative on conflict minerals? 13 March 2013
Senate House, Brussels
IPIS will deliver two presentations, one on the OECD due diligence guidelines and the principle results of implementation monitoring, another on the impact of various initiatives that have been implemented over the last years to address the conflict minerals issue and the high level of informality within the DR Congo’s artisanal mining sector.
CONCORD Raw Materials Task Force – Stakeholder analysis on conflict minerals 14 March 2013, 9:00-15:30
11.11.11, Brussels
IPIS will be presenting on the principle results of the OECD pilot implementation phase and possible EU strategies on conflict minerals at this NGO platform event.
Arms Trade and Security in the Great Lakes Region
Recent news on conflict, security and arms trade across the Great Lakes Region.
DRC
MONUSCO weekly press conference
Conférence de presse des Nations Unies du mercredi 6 mars 2013 | 6 March 2013 | MONUSCO
M23 divided – fighting and confusion in Rutshuru, North Kivu
The M23 Military High Command announces the immediate removal of the Chairman | 28 February 2013 | News of Rwanda | allAfrica
RDC: Sultani Makenga destitue Jean-Marie Runiga de la direction politique du M23 | 28 February 2013 | Radio Okapi
DRC Rebels Replace Leader | 28 February 2013 | Voice of America
Congolese rebel group M23 has dismissed its political leader, Jean-Marie Runiga, accusing him of “high treason.” An M23 spokesman said Thursday that the group’s military chief, General Sultani Makenga, has assumed leadership of the group.
Scission du M23: confusion au sein de la délégation rebelle aux pourparlers de Kampala | 28 February 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC: reprise des combats dans le Nord-Kivu après la destitution du président du M23 | 28 February 2013 | RFI
Nord-Kivu: Rutshuru centre serait tombé aux mains des FDLR | 28 February 2013 | Radio Okapi
La guerre des chefs au sein du M23 ouvre la voie aux FDLR | 28 February 2013 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman
Nord-Kivu: des affrontements entre miliciens font 10 morts à Nyongera | 1 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Rutshuru : les communautés ethniques Nande et Hutu exhortent les groupes armés à Binza à la cessation immédiate des hostilités | 1 March 2013 | Digitalcongo.net
Split in DR Congo rebel ranks leads to clashes | 1 March 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
DRC Rebels Split into Warring Factions | 1 March 2013 | Voice of America
Bunagana: la population fuit les combats entre deux factions du M23 | 1 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Fighting has broken out in the unstable east of the DR Congo between rival factions of the M23 rebel movement after the dismissal of the group’s political leader, rebel and Congolese military sources said Friday. The clashes began on Thursday in the Rutshuru region, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Supporters of Jean-Marie Runiga, the ousted political chief of M23, were battling those loyal to the movement’s military leader, Sultani Makenga, the sources said.
RDC: le Nord-Kivu plongé dans la tourmente | 1 March 2013 | RFI
Nord-Kivu : arrêt des affrontements entre pro-Makenga et pro-Runiga | 2 March 2013 | Jeune Afrique
RDC: état des lieux au Kivu après les derniers combats | 2 March 2013 | RFI
Deux porte-parole pour le M23 aux pourparlers de Kampala | 2 March 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Congo government troops retake territory left by rebels | 2 March 2013 | Reuters | AlertNet
DRC Troops Retake Territory Left by Rebels | 2 March 2013 | Voice of America
Nord-Kivu: les FARDC reprennent le contrôle de plusieurs localités abandonnées par le M23 | 2 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC : l’armée profite des dissensions au sein du M23 pour gagner du terrain | 2 March 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
Congolese government troops have re-occupied eastern towns for the first time in eight months after rebels weakened by an internal power struggle withdrew and turned their weapons on each other.
DRC rebels claim recapturing of two towns | 3 March 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
RDC : le mouvement rebelle M23 contrôle de nouveau deux villes dans l’Est | 3 March 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
Nord-Kivu: les FARDC se retirent de Rutshuru, le M23 se redéploie | 3 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Les rebelles du M23 de retour dans l’est de la RDC | 4 March 2013 | RFI
DRC’s M23 rebels said Sunday they had retaken two towns in the east of the country two days after they were seized by the army in a to-and-fro battle for territory. The military had taken the two towns in the North Kivu province on Friday, taking advantage of a rift within the rebel group that had led to deadly clashes between factions.
DRC Army Withdraws from Rebel Zone | 3 March 2013 | Voice of America
Pro-government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have pulled back from territory they took from the M23 rebels in the past week. Civilians in the reoccupied zone are protesting that they wanted the army to stay.
Congo Rebel Team Divided At Kampala Talks | 4 March 2013 | New Vision | allAfrica
The M23 rebel delegation at the ongoing dialogue with the DR Congo government has split into two factions following last week’s internal clashes within the rebel group’s high command.
The Things They Carried: The Congolese Rebel | 4 March 2013 | Foreign Policy
Maj. John Imani Nzenze, an M23 rebel commander, reveals what’s in his camouflage backpack.
RDC: nouveaux combats entre rebelles du M23 et des FDLR à Kiwanja, 2 morts | 6 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Nord-Kivu : 4 communautés veulent mettre fin à leurs conflits ethniques à Bwito | 6 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Les conflits au Nord-Kivu sont principalement liés à des questions ethniques, selon les députés provinciaux | 6 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Kabila in Kampala – deal in the making?
Joseph Kabila évalue à Kampala les pourparlers RDC-M23 | 3 March 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
RDC : Nouvelle donne au Kivu | 4 March 2013 | Afrikarabia
RDC : Kabila serait prêt pour un accord avec le M23 du général Makenga | 6 March 2013 | RFI
M23: Split and join? | 6 March 2013 | Congo Siasa
RDC : Kabila vs M23, bientôt la fin du conflit ? | 6 March 2013 | Afrik.com
Comments & analyses
RDC: le président du M23 destitué, dialogue de sourds à Kinshasa | 28 February 2013 | RFI
Implosion du M23 – Une stratégie de Kigali | 28 February 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
RDC : Jean-Marie Runiga paye sa désobéissance ? | 1 March 2013 | Afrik.com
RDC: l’implosion du M23 accentue le risque de «somalisation» du Kivu | 2 March 2013 | RFI
Kikaya accuse Tony Blair de n’avoir pas encouragé Kagame à « livrer Ntaganda à la CPI» | 5 March 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Mad Money. Why foreign aid is at the heart of civil war in Congo | 5 March 2013 | Foreign Policy
In an absurd turn of events, a rebel group in Congo was handed back control of two towns on Sunday, March 3, by the national army.
M23: Split and join? | 6 March 2013 | Congo Siasa
Things have been topsy-turvy in M23 land. First, the dramatic and bloody internecine fighting between factions loyal to Gen Bosco Ntaganda and Gen Sultani Makenga, beginning on February 24 and escalating four days later, when Bosco-loyalist Gen Baudouin Ngaruye launched an all-out attack on Makenga’s base in Tshanzu.
RDC/M23 – Séraphin Mirindi : “L’alliance Kabila – Makenga est un mariage de dupes” | 6 March 2013 | Jeune Afrique
UN / MONUSCO – Framework Agreement / Intervention Brigade
L’accord-cadre d’Addis-Abeba est avantageux pour la RDC, selon le gouvernement | 28 February 2013 | Radio Okapi
Monusco Expresses Deep Concern About the Escalation of Violence in North Kivu | 2 March 2013 | MONUSCO | allAfrica
La MONUSCO vivement préoccupée par l’escalade de la violence au Nord-Kivu | 2 March 2013 | MONUSCO
Nord-Kivu : la Monusco se dit préoccupée par la reprise des violences à Rutshuru et Masisi | 3 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) expresses deep concern about the renewed fighting between rival groups in Rutshuru and Masisi territories, in North Kivu, and the subsequent consequences on the civilian population.
Accord de Addis Abeba – La position des intellectuels congolais | 4 March 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Ban calls on Security Council to authorize intervention brigade for DR Congo | 5 March 2013 | UN News Centre
RDC : Ban demande au Conseil de sécurité d’autoriser le déploiement d’une brigade d’intervention au sein de la MONUSCO | 5 March 2013 | UN News Centre
Ban Ki-Moon demande au conseil de sécurité d’autoriser le déploiement d’une brigade d’intervention en RDC | 6 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the Security Council to authorize the deployment of a special force within the current United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to address imminent threats to peace and security.
Brigade d’intervention rapide – Le pays, président du conseil de sécurité dès le 1er avril | 6 March 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
L’Accord-Cadre de paix présenté à l’ONU | 6 March 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Fighting in Kitchanga, North Kivu
UN says 36 killed in new DR Congo battles | 28 February 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
RDCongo: 36 morts dans des combats au Nord-Kivu, annonce l’ONU | 28 February 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
DR Congo: APCLS militia in deadly Kitchanga battle | 28 February 2013 | BBC Africa
Nord-Kivu : 37 morts dans les combats entre l’armée et les miliciens de l’APCLS à Kitshanga | 28 February 2013 | Radio Okapi
Battles between the army and a militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have left at least 36 people dead and thousands have sought refuge at a UN base, a spokesman said Thursday.
RDC: 57 personnes blessées ou tuées après un tir de mortier sur un hôpital (ONU) | 1 March 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
RDC: le Nord-Kivu plongé dans la tourmente | 1 March 2013 | RFI
Nord-Kivu: les députés de Masisi appellent l’Etat à protéger les civils à Kitshanga | 2 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC: L’APCLS, l’un des plus structurés des groupes armés du Nord-Kivu | 3 March 2013 | RFI
Nord-Kivu: les miliciens de l’APCLS ont repris le contrôle de Kitshanga | 4 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Nord-Kivu : miliciens APCLS et FARDC s’affrontent à Kitshanga | 4 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
UN: Rebel Clashes Kill 80, Displace Thousands in Eastern DRC | 4 March 2013 | Voice of America
The United Nations says clashes between rival rebel groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have left at least 80 people dead and approximately 100 people injured.
Risk of ‘Ethnic War’ in Eastern Congo Town | 5 March 2013 | Voice of America
Up to 100,000 people have fled a town in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where government forces have been battling a militia for most of the past week. There are fears the fighting at the town of Kitchanga could become a spreading ethnic conflict.
RDC: une ville de l’Est reprise par l’armée aux rebelles de l’APCLS | 6 March 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
RDC : Insécurité dans la zone de Kitchanga, Territoire de Masisi (Province du Nord-Kivu) – Note d’information, 6 mars 2013 | 6 March 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Félix Basse : « La Monusco a appuyé les FARDC pour stopper l’avancée de l’APCLS à Kitshanga » | 6 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Les conflits au Nord-Kivu sont principalement liés à des questions ethniques, selon les députés provinciaux | 6 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Militias in Masisi territory, North Kivu
Briefing: Militias in Masisi | 6 March 2013 | IRIN
The process of integrating armed groups into the DR Congo’s army, FARDC, has stalled again amid heavy fighting at a base where hundreds of combatants had assembled. The clashes, which started in Kitchanga, North Kivu Province, could jeopardize community reconciliation across much of the province’s Masisi territory, which saw outbreaks of ethnic violence in 2012.
Militias in Beni and Lubero territories, North Kivu
Nord-Kivu: les FDLR font la loi dans plusieurs localités du territoire de Lubero | 1 March 2012 | Radio Okapi
Nord-Kivu: grève des commerçants depuis 4 jours à Kamandi Lac | 2 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Nord-Kivu: les affrontements entre FARDC et ADF Nalu font 4 morts à Mudoole | 5 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Nord-Kivu: le village de Byambwe vidé à cause des exactions répétées des miliciens Simba | 5 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Nord-Kivu : le gouverneur annonce l’organisation d’un dialogue à Beni | 6 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Raia Mutomboki in Shabunda territory, South Kivu, and Maniema
Shabunda : la milice Raïa Mutomboki occupe 95% du territoire, selon son administrateur | 28 February 2013 | Radio Okapi
Kitamuna aux mains des Raïa Mutomboki | 4 March 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Armed groups in Province Orientale
Democratic Republic of Congo: Province Orientale: the continuing scourge of the LRA – January 2013 | 28 February 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Ituri : un mort et six femmes violées dans une attaque d’hommes armés à Lolua | 2 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Des groupes armés congolais se forment en Ouganda et au Sud-Soudan, selon le commissaire de district de l’Ituri | 2 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Kisangani : un responsable de l’ICCN accusé de collaborer avec les miliciens du parc Maïko | 6 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Mai-Mai in Katanga
Katanga: 100 miliciens pro-Gédéon veulent déposer les armes en présence de la Monusco | 28 February 2013 | Radio Okapi
Militants target Katanga | 1 March 2013 | Africa Confidential
Brutal armed gangs roam across Katanga and threaten the Copperbelt where the country’s mineral wealth lies.
The Mai-Mai and their commanders | 1 March 2013 | Africa Confidential
The best-known of Katanga’s Mai-Mai leaders is Gédéon Kyungu Mutanga, a warlord who presided over a reign of terror between 2003 and 2006.
The leaders in Lubumbashi | 1 March 2013 | Africa Confidential
Gabriel Kyungu wa Kumwanza, 75, Muluba from Katanga.
Katanga : 7 miliciens Maï-Maï se rendent aux FARDC à Manono | 3 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Katanga : des Maï-Maï « Tigres » ont tué un policier et enlevé deux autres à Kawirila | 4 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Katanga : le village de Kilongo vidé de ses habitants après une attaque des « Tigres » | 4 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Rwanda
UK aid to go directly to poorest | 1 March 2013 | Department for International Development | Reliefweb
Britain Reopens Rwanda Aid Taps, Redirects Flow | 1 March 2013 | Voice of America
Britain said on Friday it would release a 16 million pound [$24.29 million] aid package to Rwanda, the first since support was withheld in November, but would bypass the government and channel funds through aid agencies instead.
Christian Aid Welcomes Government’s Steps On Aid to Rwanda | 1 March 2013 | Christian Aid | allAfrica
UK Unfreezes £16 Million Aid to Rwanda | 1 March 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
Kikaya accuse Tony Blair de n’avoir pas encouragé Kagame à « livrer Ntaganda à la CPI» | 5 March 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
MP’s Report On Congo Released | 6 March 2013 | The New Times (Kigali) | allAfrica
“Parliament has today released a 160-page report rebutting the controversial UN Group of Experts (UNGoE) report which accused Rwanda of backing Congolese rebels.
The findings show the UNGoE’s report allegations are rather nothing other than international conspiracy against Rwanda.
It also accused Belgium of pushing European Union countries to freeze aid to Rwanda based on political motives.”
More Flaws in UN Dossier On DR Congo – New Report | 6 March 2013 | The New Times (Kigali) | allAfrica
“The latest report on Congo conflict has further cast doubt on allegations contained in the UN Group of Experts (GoE) controversial report that claimed Kigali is backing the M23 rebels in the DR Congo.
The findings contained in a 160-page report by a special committee of Members of Parliament from both chambers, reaffirms the a previous government rebuttal submitted last year to the UN sanctions committee. Released yesterday, the report established that, the allegations that fuelled hatred against Rwanda were mostly driven by individual selfish interests.”
Central African Republic
3 agents de sécurité du PAM-Kaga Bandoro torturés et pris en otage par Séléka | 28 February 2013 | Radio Ndeke Luka | Fondation Hirondelle
RCA: scission de la Séléka et reprise des hostilités | 1 March 2013 | RFI
Gazam-Betty visite RNL et rend Nouredine responsable de l’attaque de Sido | 1 March 2013 | Radio Ndeke Luka | Fondation Hirondelle
Centrafrique : nouvelles inquiétudes sur la menace Séléka | 1 March 2013 | Afrik.com
En RCA, la Cocora annonce qu’elle va durcir son action | 3 March 2013 | RFI
L’opération du cantonnement des éléments de la Séléka, échec ou réussite ? | 4 March 2013 | Radio Ndeke Luka | Fondation Hirondelle
Refugee and IDP Reports
Non-comprehensive overview and selected articles on the status of refugees in the Great Lakes Region
DRC
Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province de Maniema N° 01/13, 26 février 2013 | 26 February 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province de l’Equateur N° 06/13, 27 février 2013 | 27 February 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Bulletin d’information humanitaire – Province du Katanga N° 07/13 – 27 février 2013 | 27 February 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Katanga : afflux de déplacés après des combats entre l’armée et des miliciens à Kinsevere | 28 February 2013 | Radio Okapi
Tough Conditions For Those Driven From Home In The DRC | 28 February 2013 | WFP | Reliefweb
Civilians again trapped by the fighting | 1 March 2013 | ICRC | Reliefweb
La population civile à nouveau prise en étau dans les combats | 1 March 2013 | ICRC | Reliefweb
MSF reinforces team in Kitchanga after heavy fighting results in many dead and wounded | 1 March 2013 | MSF | Reliefweb
U.S. Donates U.S.$3.6 Million to Help DRC Refugees | 1 March 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province du Sud-Kivu N° 10/13, 5 mars 2013 | 5 March 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
UNHCR calls for further US$70 million for Congolese displacement crisis in 2013 | 5 March 2013 | UNHCR | Reliefweb
Le HCR recherche 70 millions de dollars pour aider les déracinés congolais dans la région des Grands Lacs | 5 March 2013 | UNHCR | Reliefweb
RDC : Insécurité dans la zone de Kitchanga, Territoire de Masisi (Province du Nord-Kivu) – Note d’information, 6 mars 2013 | 6 March 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Situation humanitaire en République Démocratique du Congo : Note d’information à la presse, 6 mars 2013 | 6 March 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province Orientale N° 09/13, 6 mars 2013 | 6 March 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Uganda
4, 000 new Congolese refugees cross to Uganda | 1 March 2013 | Uganda Red Cross | Reliefweb
RDC: nouveaux combats, des milliers de personnes fuient en Ouganda | 1 March 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
70% of new Congolese refugees return home | 4 March 2013 | Uganda Red Cross | Reliefweb
Justice and Tribunals
Non-comprehensive overview and selected articles on major trials and tribunals for crimes committed in the Great Lakes Region
DRC
Second Week of Closed Hearings in Bemba Trial | 4 March 2013 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica
Rwanda
Rwandan-born Dutch woman jailed for inciting genocide | 3 March 2013 | The Guardian
Basebya Gets Eight Years for Genocide Crimes | 1 March 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
Une néerlandaise d’origne rwandaise jugée coupable d’incitation au génocide | 1 March 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency | allAfrica
Yvonne Basebya, 66, becomes first Dutch citizen to be convicted in relation to 1994 mass murder of Tutsis by Hutu in Rwanda.
French prosecutors call for genocide trial of former Rwandan army captain | 4 March 2013 | RFI
Génocide – Le parquet de Paris demande le renvoi aux assises d’un ex-officier rwandais | 5 March 2013 | RFI | allAfrica
France : Le Parquet demande le renvoi aux assises d’un présumé génocidaire | 4 March 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
French prosecutors have called for a former captain in the Rwandan army to be put on trial for his alleged role in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. Investigating magistrates will decide whether Pascal Simbikangwa, who was arrested on the French island of Mayotte in 2008, will face charges of “complicity in genocide” and “complicity in crimes against humanity”.
Natural Resources in the Great Lakes Region
Recent news on issues relating to natural resource extraction and governance in the Great Lakes Region.
DRC
Illegal logging – deforestation
Cut it Out: How illegal logging in DRC threatens livelihoods, forests and trade | 4 March 2013 | Greenpeace Africa
Le «Chaos organisé» dans le secteur de l’exploitation forestière de la RD Congo. Une menace aux moyens de subsistance, aux forêts et au commerce | 4 March 2013 | Greenpeace Afrique
RDC : Greenpeace condamne l’exploitation illégale des bois | 4 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Greenpeace’s latest report from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reveals how the country’s logging sector is in a state of “organised chaos”, with the DRC government’s so-called “battle against illegal logging” currently failing the Congolese people and jeopardising trade, says the organisation.
Le pays bénéficiaire de l’interdiction sur le marché de l’UE du bois « récolté illégalement » | 4 March 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
RDC : le ministère de l’Environnement assure lutter contre l’exploitation illégale de bois | 5 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC: le gouvernement organise un atelier sur la réduction des effets de la déforestation | 28 February 2013 | Radio Okapi
Uganda
Mining Industry Tries to Find Its Footing | 5 March 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
In the Kirwa wolfram mine, located in the valleys of hilly Kisoro, the oldest and biggest of its kind in the country, only minimal artisanal mining is evident.
Extractive Companies, Energy, Trade and Foreign Investment
Recent news on national and international extractive and energy companies and investment in the Great Lakes Region
Informal trade in the Great Lakes Region
La CEPGL alloue 300 000 euros au commerce informel entre la RDC, le Rwanda et le Burundi | 2 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
Energy in the Great Lakes Region
Déficit énergétique dans la région des Grands Lacs : 320 millions de dollars pour la construction du barrage Ruzizi 3 en 2019 | 2 March 2013 | Digitalcongo.net
DRC
Hydrocarbons
Oil sector still alarmingly adrift | 5 March 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
A year after new bosses were appointed to Congo-K’s hydrocarbons ministry the country’s oil industry is still going nowhere. A struggle between the department’s civil servants and its chiefs has often turned to the disadvantage of the minister, Crispin Atama, and held back exploration.
Muhindo Nzangi Butondo | 5 March 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
One of the leading champions of Soco International Plc, which operates block 5 in North Kivu province, is the member of parliament for Goma, Muhindo Nzangi Butondo.
Desire Ngoy Masuka | 5 March 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
The post of secretary-general in Congo-K’s hydrocarbons ministry has been handed for the moment to the department’s head of general services and personnel.
Electricity
Déficit énergétique dans la région des Grands Lacs : 320 millions de dollars pour la construction du barrage Ruzizi 3 en 2019 | 2 March 2013 | Digitalcongo.net
Light at end of tunnel for miners | 5 March 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
Kinshasa will need to import power for three more years if demand from the mining industry in Katanga, which suffers a current shortfall of 500 MW, is to be met.
The ADB commits itself to Zongo electrification | 5 March 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
The African Development Bank has penned a memorandum of understanding with Congo-K’s electricity minister, Bruno Kapandji, that involves a $8. (…)
RDC : la Snel compte améliorer sa desserte en augmentant sa production de 95 mégawatts | 6 March 2013 | Radio Okapi
DRC, SA Energy Ministers meet to finalise Grand Inga treaty | 6 March 2013 | Engineering News
South Africa’s Energy Minister Dipuo Peters and the DR Congo’s Hydro Resources and Electricity Minister Bruno Kapanji Kalala will meet in Lubumbashi on Thursday and Friday with the intention of finalising the text of the proposed Grand Inga Project Treaty.
Uganda
Oil
Local Content Clause in Oil Law Sparks Confusion | 28 February 2013 | New Vision | allAfrica
Speculators are aggressively demanding interests in the oil and gas industry without adhering to the legal and regulatory standards.
Govt Hires Transaction Advisor for Oil Refinery | 1 March 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
An American firm has won the bid to advise the government on the structure of its $1.6bn oil refinery, the most crucial project in the infrastructural development expected to take place in western Uganda.
Oil Association Petitions Govt for Information | 5 March 2013 | New Vision | allAfrica
The Association of Uganda Oil and Gas Service Providers has petitioned the Government to provide it with adequate information about equipment and services needed for the oil sector to enable them mobilise resources ahead of oil production.
Mining
Mining Industry Tries to Find Its Footing | 5 March 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
Rwanda
Mining
New Course to Bridge Skills Gap in Mining Sector | 1 March 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
The Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) – Kigali has introduced a new course that is expected to produce skilled technicians in the field of mining.
This makes it the first institute in the country to offer this course which will help in bridging the skills gaps currently biting the mining sector despite its relative development.
Electricity
Govt Unveils New Electrification Plan | 5 March 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
Government of Rwanda and World Bank Sign the Additional Financing to Boost Electricity Access in Rwanda Amounting to U.S.$60 Million | 6 March 2013 | Government of Rwanda | allAfrica
Government yesterday unveiled a new plan to light villages countrywide, singling out solar panels and mini-grids to drive the process. The government had set out an ambitious national electrification plan to extend power to at least 70 per cent of the population by 2017.
Burundi
Electricity
The EU’s big power push | 5 March 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
Brussels is putting up the money to see that Burundi, saddled with one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, can quickly increase its generation capacity.
Central African Republic
Oil
Grynberg out for good | 5 March 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
With the Seleka rebellion paradoxically allowing him to get back into the game (AEI 692), Jack Grynberg has definitively lost the arbitration proceeding he launched against Central African Republic in 2007 to retain his permit in the country.
Electricity
The ADB commits itself to Zongo electrification | 5 March 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
The African Development Bank has penned a memorandum of understanding with Congo-K’s electricity minister, Bruno Kapandji, that involves a $8. (…)
Regulation, Compliance and Corporate Social Responsibility
Non-comprehensive overview and selected articles on legal and reputational issues relating to businesses operating in the Great Lakes Region
DRC
EITI
Mining transparency in the DRC: all or nothing? | 2 March 2013 | Congo Siasa
Guest blog by Elisabeth Caesens
‘Transparency’ is not a word one normally associates with Congo’s extractive industries. Yet, the Government has made substantial efforts to disclose information throughout the past year. When these advances, however, fall short of internationally mandated transparency benchmarks, should we throw the baby out with the bathwater?
