BRIEFING

28 November – 4 December 2012

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EDITORIAL

Delaying their withdrawal for several days, the M23 rebel movement finally pulled out of the city of Goma, in line with the deal brokered last week in Kampala. A day after that agreement the UN Security Council adopted a new resolution demanding an end to all outside support to M23, without mentioning Rwanda or Uganda.

The UK has frozen its budget aid to Rwanda because of concerns over “credible and compelling” reports that Rwanda has supported M23.

A new report by the UN Group of Experts, leaked to the New York Times, states that Rwandan soldiers took part in the rebels’ capture of Goma.

The M23 soldiers, during their occupation of Goma, are reported to have almost systematically pillaged the city, and are accused of rape and killings as well.

Provincial authorities have returned to Goma, 280 policemen and one army battalion have been deployed, while some of the rebels remain on the outskirts of town. The M23 have warned they will retake the city, if the government fails to enter negotiations. The DRC government announced that a “dialogue” with M23 will start very soon now in Kampala.

The Ugandan Defence Minister says that 10 countries in the Great Lakes region, under the command of Tanzania, have resolved to form a joint force of 4000 troops to contain the insurgency.

IPIS has published an update to its ‘Mapping conflict motives’ series, focusing on the intentions of M23. Among other comments and analyses on the events in eastern DRC, two articles discuss the role of the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice.

The International Monetary Fund has suspended $240 million in planned loans to the DRC after the government failed to make public the contract of the 2011 sale of its stake in a mine run by the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation.

Arms Trade and Security in the Great Lakes Region

Recent news on conflict, security and arms trade across the Great Lakes Region. 

LRA

New Security Brief shows seasonal drop in LRA attacks | 3rd December 2012 | Resolve | Reliefweb

DRC 

M23 in Goma, North Kivu

UN Security Council resolution & sanctions

Demanding end to outside support for M23 rebels, Security Council adopts resolution renewing Democratic Republic of Congo sanctions regime | 28th November 2012 | UN Security Council

Le Conseil de sécurité reconduit jusqu’au 1er février 2014 les sanctions relatives à la situation dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo – résolution 2078 (2012) | 28th November 2012 | UN Security Council

Security Council extends sanctions on DR Congo rebels, condemns latest attacks by M23 | 28th November 2012 | UN News Centre

RDC: le Conseil de sécurité reconduit et élargit les sanctions à l’encontre du M23 et d’autres groupes armés | 28th November 2012 | UN News Centre

RDC: les Nations unies prolongent l’interdiction de la vente d’armes aux groupes armés | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Reiterating its demand for an end to any and all outside support to the insurgency ravaging the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Security Council extended the arms embargo and other sanctions imposed against armed rebel groups in the DR Congo. Unanimously adopting resolution 2078 (2012) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council further defined the criteria for application of targeted sanctions, expressing its intention to consider additional sanctions against the leadership of the 23 March Movement (M23).

L’Onu sanctionne deux chefs du M23 accusés de violations des droits de l’homme | 1st December 2012 | Radio Okapi

The United Nations Security Council sanctioned two leaders of the M23 rebellion on Friday, 30 November. Baudouin Ngaruye and Innocent Kaïna, considered to be the deputies of the military leader of the M23, are prohibited from travelling. The United Nations Sanctions Committee has also decided to freeze their assets. They are accused of crimes against humanity, multiple abuses and recruitment of over 150 children.

New UN Group of Experts report alleging active role of Rwanda in Goma capture

Document Sent to U.N. on Rwandan Involvement with Congo Rebels | 30th November 2012 | The New York Times

Dire Scene in Congolese City as Rebels Begin to Leave | 30th November 2012 | The New York Times

Rwanda: Le Rwanda aurait facilité la prise de Goma par le M23 selon des experts de l’ONU | 3rd December 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

Rwandan soldiers joined forces with Congo rebels, UN told | 4th December 2012 | The Guardian

RDC : le Rwanda et l’Ouganda ont soutenu le M23 pendant la prise de Goma, selon un rapport de l’Onu | 4th December 2012 | Radio Okapi

A new letter from the Group of Experts to a United Nations Security Council committee, leaked to the New York Times, says that more than 1000 soldiers of the Rwandan Army had crossed the border into Congo and had helped the fighters capture Goma in the first place. Uganda also helped the M23 militia with “logistics”.

Reactions Rwanda

UN Report On Congo Lacking – Frazer | 3rd December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

Former United States Under-Secretary for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, has questioned the credibility of a report by a group of UN experts accusing Rwanda and Uganda of backing a rebellion in DRC.

Ministers, MPs Consult On DRC Crisis | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

Three ministers today briefed legislators about events following the outbreak of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the ensuing UN Group of experts report “falsely” linking Rwanda to the crisis.

World Should Not Forget Root Cause of the Eastern DRC Crisis – Mushikiwabo | 4th December 2012 | Rwanda Focus | allAfrica

The reason why Rwanda is still accused of being behind the Democratic Republic of Congo’s problems is because the world seems to have forgotten the root causes of the crisis in the region Foreign Affairs and Cooperation minister Louise Mushikiwabo has said.

Foreign Interests Ruin Chances for Peace in DRC | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

Government officials and legislators Tuesday blamed foreign interests for the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

MONUSCO

Conférence de presse des Nations Unies du mercredi 28 novembre 2012 | 28th November 2012 | MONUSCO

La RDC n’est pas sous embargo d’armes, précise la Monusco | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

The DRC is not under an [arms] embargo by the United Nations, said the spokesman of the United Nations Mission for Stabilization in the DRC (Monusco), Madnodje Mounoubai, during the weekly United Nations conference. The embargo was imposed by the UN Security Council in 2003 and it was lifted in 2008.

Congo-Kinshasa: La monusco s’est concentrée sur la protection des civils | 29th November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

Interview with Hiroute Guebre-Selassie, head of Monusco in Goma.

RDC : la Monusco a recouru à la force pour éviter la chute de Goma, selon son chef d’Etat-major | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

The Chief of Staff of the forces of Monusco, general Patrick Gramont, said that the UN mission has used force during the fighting between the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and the rebels of the M23 for control of Goma, in North Kivu.

DRC Government statements

RDC : le gouvernement a respecté tous les accords signés avec le CNDP, selon Raymond Tshibanda | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Congo-Kinshasa: Le Chef de la Diplomatie croit en une sortie de crise pacifique | 30th November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

The Government has met all its commitments signed with the National Congress for the Defence of the people (CNDP), said on Thursday, 29 November, Foreign Affairs Minister Raymond Tshibanda in his response to the Senate.

Dans les faits, la RDC est toujours sous embargo d’armes, selon Lambert Mende | 30th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Government spokesman Lambert Mende acknowledged on Thursday, 29 November, that the DRC was no longer legally under arms embargo since 2008. But he argued that in fact the country still cannot buy weapons from its “usual suppliers”.

RDC : Le président Kabila s’est engagé à écouter le M23, assure Lambert Mende | 1st December 2012 | Radio Okapi

Government spokesman Lambert Mende said that the President of the Republic is committed to listening to the M23, on basis of the agreement signed on March 23, 2009.

RDC : l’armée n’a jamais reçu un ordre de trêve ou de repli, selon le ministre de la Défense | 4th December 2012 | Radio Okapi

Persistent rumours explained the defeats of the Armed Forces of the DRC against the M23 rebels in North-Kivu through a series of orders of truce or strategic withdrawal coming from Kinshasa. The Minister of Defence, Alexandre Luba Ntambo denied these rumours. According to him, “this misinformation comes perhaps from Rwanda to weaken us”.

RDC: la Monusco a assisté les FARDC pour protéger Goma, affirme le ministre de la Défense | 4th December 2012 | Radio Okapi

The Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Alexandre Luba Thambo, recognizes that Monusco intervened on the ground during the clashes between the FARDC and the M23 rebels around Goma, but within the scope of its mission.

M23 interviews & statements

Congo-Kinshasa: Jean-Marie Runiga – «Goma sera administrée politiquement et administrativement par le M23» | 28th November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

Jean-Marie Runiga, the president of the M23, explains that the rebels of his movement will withdraw from the city of Goma. But will they accept the return in this city of the Congolese army?.

RDC: le M23 ne cherche pas à s’attirer la sympathie de la population, affirme son chef | 28th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

The Movement of March 23 does not seek to attract the sympathy of the Congolese people in calling for negotiations with the Government including the opposition, civil society and the Congolese diaspora, said the political leader of this rebellion, pastor Runiga Lugerero, on Tuesday. He claims he no longer wants “negotiations in secret with president Kabila”.

Jean-Marie Runiga : « Le M23 n’a jamais voulu faire la guerre pour défendre ses revendications » | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Radio Okapi interviewed political leader of the M23 rebel movement, Jean-Marie Runiga Lugerero. He says it is the Government that drove him and his comrades to use force.

Interview with Bertrand Bisimwa, M23 Spokesperson | 1st December 2012 | Congo Siasa

Just before the M23 left Goma, Jason Stearns spoke with Bertrand Bisimwa, their spokesperson.

Goma : « Si rien n’est fait, le M23 finira le travail qu’il a commencé », affirme Sultani Makenga | 1st December 2012 | Radio Okapi

Before M23’s troops left Goma, their military commander Sultani Makenga said that if no diplomatic or political solution is found, the M23 will finish the work it began.

DR Congo rebels demand negotiations | 2nd December 2012 | Al Jazeera

M23 vows to retake city of Goma if government does not agree to hold talks with them by Monday.

Profile of M23’s operational commander

M23’s operational commander. A profile of Sultani Emmanuel Makenga | 3rd December 2012 | Rift Valley Institute – Usalama Project briefing

Concise biography of the rebel group’s senior commander in the eastern DR Congo. It describes his rise through the ranks, his earlier membership of the Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie (RCD) and the Congrès national pour la défense du people (CNDP), and his relationship with the current Rwandan Defence Minister, James Kabarebe.

M23 slowly withdrawing from Goma

RDC: le M23 a commencé son retrait de Goma | 28th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

DR Congo rebels begin pullout as UN weighs new sanctions | 28th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

RDC : la rébellion accepte de se retirer de Goma, le gouvernement attend de voir | 28th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

RD Congo : des signes que les rebelles du M23 commencent à se retirer de Goma (ONU) | 28th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

Congolese rebels said Wednesday they were starting to pull out from the eastern city of Goma as the United Nations issued a new call for an end to foreign support for the fighters to prevent the conflict spreading across the volatile region.

Congo RDC : les rebelles du M23 auraient quitté Goma | 28th November 2012 | Le Monde

Congo Rebels, Facing Ultimatum, Begin Retreat From Seized Land | 28th November 2012 | The New York Times

Gen. Sultani Makenga, the military chief of the rebellion, said his fighters should be out of Goma by Friday.

Goma observe le retrait des rebelles | 28th November 2012 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman

DR Congo rebels start slow pullout from front line | 29th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

Congolese rebels said Thursday they were moving out of frontline positions in the resource-rich east, but the United Nations said there was still no major sign they were leaving the key city of Goma.

RDC: le M23 reporte de 24h le début du retrait de ses troupes de Goma | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Après le sommet de Kampala, le M23 peu pressé de quitter Goma | 29th November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

En RDC, des incertitudes planent autour du retrait du M23 de Goma | 29th November 2012 | Le Monde

RDC : le M23 prévoit de rendre Sake à la Monusco ce vendredi | 30th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Nord-Kivu: les premières troupes du M23 ont quitté Sake | 30th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

DR Congo rebels begin pullout from around Goma | 30th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

RDC: les rebelles quittent Sake et ses environs, blocage à Goma | 30th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

Hundreds of Congolese rebels withdrew Friday from frontline positions around Goma as promised under a regionally brokered deal, as police entered the key eastern city to take over control.

RDC : le M23 accuse la Monusco d’empêcher son retrait de Goma | 30th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Goma en cinq questions | 30th November 2012 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman

DR Congo army says will re-deploy in Goma on Saturday | 30th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

Nearly 300 Congolese policemen arrived in the strategic rebel-held city of Goma on Friday ahead of an expected pullout by the insurgents, with the army vowing to enter the city the next day.

M23 Rebels Withdraw From Eastern DRC Town | 30th November 2012 | Voice of America

Congo Rebel Pullout Runs Into Delays | 30th November 2012 | Voice of America

Plans for rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo to withdraw from the eastern city of Goma have been hampered by a dispute over supplies. The M23 rebels had said they would move to a position 20 kilometers outside the strategic provincial capital by the end of the day Friday, while leaving about 100 soldiers at the airport.

Goma : les troupes du M23 se retirent de la ville | 1st December 2012 | Radio Okapi

Goma : « Si rien n’est fait, le M23 finira le travail qu’il a commencé », affirme Sultani Makenga | 1st December 2012 | Radio Okapi

Nord-Kivu: les miliciens Maï-Maï occupent Sake après le départ des rebelles du M23 | 1st December 2012 | Radio Okapi

DR Congo rebels withdraw from Goma | 1st December 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

RDC : les rebelles du M23 quittent Goma | 1st December 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

Congolese Rebels Leave Goma | 1st December 2012 | Voice of America

Congo rebels withdraw from Goma | 1st December 2012 | The Guardian

Rebels in the volatile east of the Democratic Republic of Congo pulled out Saturday from the mining hub of Goma, the city they seized less than two weeks ago, sparking fears of a wider war. Around 300 rebels, army mutineers who seized Goma in a lightning advance, drove out of the city in a convoy of looted trucks headed north, singing as they left, raising hopes that this signalled a step back from further conflict.

Rebels Pull Out of Strategic City in Congo | 1st December 2012 | The New York Times

The M23 rebel group pulled hundreds of soldiers out of Goma, but many of the city’s residents said they feared the return of the government’s forces, who have a reputation for lawless behavior.

DR Congo: UN welcomes withdrawal of M23 armed group from Goma, calls for stability to be maintained | 1st December 2012 | UN News Centre

M23 accused of pillage, rape and killings

Kinshasa accuse le M23 de piller Goma et d’emporter son butin au Rwanda | 28th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

RDC : Kinshasa accuse le M23 de piller Goma au profit du Rwanda | 28th November 2012 | Le Monde

DRC Government Accuses M23 of Scores of Murders | 28th November | Voice of America

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has accused the M23 rebels of murdering more than 60 people and wounding more than 200 since they captured the city of Goma last week.  The United Nations says it can confirm there have been killings in Goma but cannot say who was responsible.

UN Investigates Alleged Human Rights Abuses in Goma | 28th November | Voice of America

The spokesman for the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) says the group is investigating alleged human rights violations in Goma. “So far, we have received over 50 alleged human rights violations, [and] we are investigating them. About 25, or half of those, are already confirmed, but [the] investigation is still going on,” said Madnodje Mounoubai.

Les rebelles ont réussi à vider la Banque centrale | 28th November 2012 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman

RDC : le gouvernement accuse le M23 d’actes de pillages à Goma | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Sake: des rebelles du M23 accusés d’avoir abattu un jeune homme | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

DRC Rebels Looting Before Goma Withdrawal | 29th November 2012 | Voice of America

Residents of the town of Sake in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo say M23 rebel soldiers have been looting homes and extorting money from businesses as they prepare to withdraw from the area.

RDC : Goma sous tension avant le retrait attendu du M23 | 29th November 2012 | Le Monde

Congo: ICC Will Investigate Crimes Committed by M23 and Others | 29th November 2012 | The Enough Project

In the aftermath of the March 23 Movement, or M23, seizure of Goma, the International Criminal Court, or ICC, Chief Prosecutor Fatoua Bensouda announced that her office is investigating “allegations of ICC crimes by members and leaders of M23, and by other parties taking advantage of the chaos in the region.”

Nord-Kivu : les rebelles du M23 accusés à nouveau de pillages à Goma | 30th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Dire Scene in Congolese City as Rebels Begin to Leave | 30th November 2012 | The New York Times

Human rights groups said that the rebels who captured Goma last week went on an assassination campaign, despite vows to withdraw peacefully.

Goma after M23

Congo-Kinshasa: Le M23 se désengage progressivement de Goma, une page pourrait être tournée | 1st December 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

Congo-Kinshasa: Le M23 quitte Goma mais reste à l’affût | 1st December 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

After an occupation of almost two weeks, M23 left Goma on Saturday morning. 280 Congolese policemen from Bukavu were deployed in the city.

Violence rocks east DR Congo despite rebel pullout | 2nd December 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

RDC : attaque d’un camp de déplacés près de Goma par des hommes armés | 2nd December 2012 | Jeune Afrique

Nord-Kivu: les rebelles du M23 accusés de viol sur 6 femmes à Mugunga | 3rd December 2012 | Radio Okapi

Armed men attack camp in eastern Congo after rebels pullout from captured city | 3rd December 2012 | CNN

Authorities in DRC’s eastern city of Goma assumed gradual control of the mining hub on Sunday after a rebel pullout, but tensions were running high with gunmen attacking a camp for displaced people.

RDC: l’unité de police déployée à Goma va prioritairement sécuriser la population | 2nd December 2012 | Radio Okapi

RDC: calme relatif à Goma après le départ des rebelles du M23 | 2nd December 2012 | Radio Okapi

RDC: le gouvernement provincial du Nord-Kivu va rentrer à Goma lundi | 2nd December 2012 | Radio Okapi

Nord-Kivu: Richard Muyej annonce la réinstallation de l’administration provinciale à Goma | 3rd December 2012 | Radio Okapi

Congo-Kinshasa: L’Etat se réinstalle peu à peu à Goma | 3rd December 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

RDC : les autorités administratives de Goma commencent à rentrer | 3rd December 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

Les FARDC retournent à Goma, où l’administration reprend du service | 3rd December 2012 | Le Potentiel

The Governor of North Kivu, Julien Paluku, who had fled Goma with the arrival of the rebels, received Monday in Goma the Congolese Minister of the Interior, Richard Muyej, at a ceremony marking the return of the FARDC in the city. He said that the M23 units did not meet the terms of the agreement negotiated by Uganda, which requires them to withdraw to positions 20 km north of the city, stressing that some rebel units were much too close. A spokesman for the rebellion confirmed this, but said those units were waiting to join the government forces and UN peacekeepers to be deployed at Goma airport, under the terms of the withdrawal agreement.

Nord-Kivu: le gouverneur Paluku invite les habitants de Goma à ne pas se faire justice | 3rd December 2012 | Radio Okapi

DR Congo army enter Goma after rebel pullout | 3rd December 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

Congo army returns to Goma as M23 demand negotiations | 3rd December 2012 | BBC Africa

RDC: l’armée de retour à Goma | 3rd December 2012 | BBC Afrique

Congolese Troops Enter Goma Following Rebel Pullout | 3rd December 2012 | Voice of America

DRC troops have returned to the eastern city of Goma, although rebels who occupied the city for nearly two weeks remain close by. Rebels are threatening to retake the town if Congo’s government goes back on a promise to hold negotiations with them. Despite the slow retreat, the rebel movement allowed about 600 army troops to enter Goma Monday, along with some government officials.

RDC: la CIRGL est satisfaite du retrait des rebelles du M23 de Goma | 3rd December 2012 | Radio Okapi

ICGLR Urges DRC Govt to Address M23 Grievances | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

The Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Congolese Ntumba Luaba, has called on the government of DR Congo to look into the grievances that were raised by M23 rebels now that they have withdrawn from Goma.

RDC : renforcement des mesures sécuritaires à Goma après le retrait du M23 | 3rd December 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

RDC : les militaires regagnent la ville de Goma | 4th December 2012 | Radio Okapi

DR Congo army returns to Goma | 4th December 2012 | Al Jazeera

DR Congo rebels, government to hold peace talks | 4th December 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

RDC/M23: négociations “imminentes” | 4th December 2012 | BBC Afrique

Congo-Kinshasa: Le répit avant le dialogue | 4th December 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

Rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo will hold peace talks with government officials in Uganda, officials said Tuesday in Goma. Negotiations will begin “in the next few days in Kampala,” Interior Minister Richard Muyej Mangez said, a day after soldiers returned to the strategic eastern city, the capital of the resource-rich North Kivu province.

Sake: les activités reprennent après le retrait du M23 | 4th December 2012 | Radio Okapi

Uganda: Ten Countries for DRC Peacekeeping – Kiyonga | 4th December 2012 | The New Vision | allAfrica

A total of 10 countries in the Great Lakes region have resolved to form a joint force of 4000 troops to contain the insurgency in the eastern DR Congo (DRC), Defence Minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga has confirmed. “The countries to contribute to the force include Angola, Namibia, Congo Brazzaville, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Burundi and the DRC itself,” Kiyonga said.

DRC, Rwanda, Uganda Defence Chiefs Meet in Goma | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

Chiefs of Defence Staff of the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda, yesterday, met in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, two days after the withdrawal of the M23 rebels from the strategic lakeside city. The meeting was aimed at assessing the progress of the implementation of the resolutions of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Heads of State and Government Summit of November 24, according to Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Muhesi, the commander of the Goma-based Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism, composed of all the ICGLR member states.

Consultations On Congo, M23 Talks Underway | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

Days after M23 rebels fully withdrew from Goma, consultations at the regional level have begun to have the mutineers negotiate with the DRC government. The rebels withdrew from Goma under a regionally brokered deal, with negotiations now to focus on their demands, which include political reforms.

Kagame Meets With Kigali-Based Envoys | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

President Paul Kagame yesterday met with ambassadors and representatives of international organisations based in Kigali to discuss partnership in light of current affairs linked to the security crisis in Eastern DRC.

Comments & analyses

Kabila in a Catch-22 With M23 | 28th November 2012 | African Arguments | allAfrica

As reported last week, the DRC’s Eastern city of Goma fell on Tuesday November 20th. The next day M23 took Sake, 25 km to the west. Many people now expected this to be the first step in an advance south with the rebels setting their sites on taking Bukavu.

Only the Congolese people can save Democratic Republic of the Congo | 28th November 2012 | The Guardian

Rwandan Ghosts | 29th November 2012 | Foreign Policy

Benghazi is not the biggest blight on Amb. Susan Rice’s record. Her role in shaping U.S. policy toward Central Africa should feature high on this list. Between 1993 and 2001, she helped form U.S. responses to the Rwandan genocide, events in post-genocide Rwanda, mass violence in Burundi, and two ruinous wars in the DR Congo.

How Rice dialed down the pressure on Rwanda | 3rd December 2012 | Foreign Policy

On October 1, Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador and the president’s presumptive nominee to be the next U.S. secretary of state, met at the French mission here in New York with top diplomats from Britain and France, where they discussed the crisis in eastern Congo.

Britain and America Target DR Congo | 29th November 2012 | Pambazuka News | allAfrica

What is happening in eastern DR Congo is not a civil war, but continuation of a 16-year aggression by the country’s two neighbours, financed and directed by the United States and Britain.

Mapping conflict motives: M23 | 30th November 2012 | International Peace Information Service (IPIS)

In light of the recent occupation of Goma by M23 and the renewed risk of large-scale armed conflict in the DRC, IPIS is publishing an update to its 2007-2010 ‘mapping conflict motives’ report series focusing specifically on the intentions of M23.

The M23 rebels display clear political ambition and a tendency to establish political control over territory, while challenging Kinshasa’s authority – strategic interests they might share with Rwanda.

Avoiding Past Pitfalls in a Future Peace Deal With the M23 | 30th November 2012 | African Arguments | allAfrica

The recent fall of Goma has starkly highlighted the shaky foundations of the ‘peace architecture’ that was built in the wake of the Second Congo War (1998-2002).

RDC : le retrait du M23 de Goma insuffisant à rétablir la stabilité au Kivu | 30th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

The Congolese rebels of the M23 are withdrawing gradually from areas recently conquered in the East of the DRC, but without better local political management, and the end of the Rwandan interference, the chronically troubled region will not be able to stabilize, analysts warn.

New Policy Brief: Why Congo Needs a Broadened Peace Process | 30th November 2012 | Enough Project

Last week, on November 20, the M23 rebels seized Goma, a major city in eastern Congo, escalating the ongoing conflict and highlighting the urgency for a credible peace process.

Kabila looks into the abyss | 30th November 2012 | Africa Confidential

After the eastern rebels trounce the national army and opposition movements step up the pressure, the President is fighting for his political life.

Why Goma fell | 30th November 2012 | Africa Confidential

The full details of Goma’s fall are still murky but the main military push started on 19 November when, say local people, fighters from the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) began to cross from over the Rwandan border into territory held by the Congolese national army.

To Save Congo, Let It Fall Apart | 30th November 2012 | The New York Times

If some enterprises, public or private, can be said to be “too big to fail,” Congo is the reverse: it is too big to succeed. It is an artificial entity whose constituent parts share the misfortune of having been seized by the explorer Henry Morton Stanley in the name of a rapacious 19th-century Belgian monarch.

Congo rebels’ withdrawal from Goma ‘purely tactical’, say analysts | 3rd December 2012 | The Guardian

Despite retreat by the M23, there’s no sign that any of the major players are willing to act to stop the violence flaring up again.

Mai-Mai violence in Lubero, North Kivu

Nord-Kivu : des populations de 3 villages fuient des exactions des Maï-Maï à Lubero | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

According to local civil society, the population of three villages in Lubero territory has fled the violence perpetrated by Mai-Mai headed by colonel Muhamba Liaki.

Military commander of Province Orientale denies involvement in arms trafficking

RDC : le général Kifwa nie toute implication dans le trafic illégal d’armes | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

The commander of the 9th Military Region, General Jean-Claude Kifwa, rejects the accusations regarding arms trafficking contained in the final report of the UN Groups of Experts on the DRC.

Militiamen Morgan convicted for attack on Epulu, Province Orientale

Mambasa: 2 miliciens de Morgan condamnés à perpétuité pour l’attaque de la réserve à okapi | 30th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Two militiamen of Mai-Mai leader Morgan were sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity committed during the attack at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve of last June.

Uganda

Dirk Niebel: Budget support for Uganda suspended | 30th November 2012 | Government of Germany

The BMZ has suspended its budget support for Uganda. This was announced by the German Minister for Economic Co­op­er­a­tion and Develop­ment Dirk Niebel in Berlin. The reasons for that decision are a massive corruption scandal in the prime minister’s office, the UN’s allegations that the Ugandan military is supporting the M23 rebel groups in eastern Congo, and renewed discussions about a law against homosexuals in Uganda.

Rwanda

UK withholds aid to Rwanda

UK withholds aid to Rwanda in light of Congo DRC allegations | 30th November 2012 | The Guardian

UK Aid to Rwanda: Seventh Report of Session 2012–13, Volume I: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence | 30th November 2012 | Governement of the United Kingdom

Britain Withholds Aid to Rwanda | 30th November 2012 | Voice of America

La Grande Bretagne annule son aide budgétaire au Rwanda d’environ 33 millions USD | 30th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

Londres suspend son aide au Rwanda à cause de son soutien aux rebelles du M23 | 30th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

Le Rwanda accusé de soutenir le M23 – Londres suspend son aide au développement | 1st December 2012 | RFI | allAfrica

UK blocks aid to Rwanda over Congo rebel claims | 1st December 2012 | Reuters | Mining Weekly

The British government will withhold aid to Rwanda following allegations that the country has been financing the M23 rebels in the DRC. The international development secretary, Justine Greening, announced on Friday that £21 million (about $33 million) of budget support due to be handed over next month will not now be released.

In July, Britain withheld £16m in aid after an interim UN report alleged Rwanda’s involvement in neighbouring DRC, but the money was controversially restored by Greening’s predecessor Andrew Mitchell in September on his last day at DfID.

Reactions Rwanda

Govt ‘Disappointed’ By Britain Aid Freeze | 30th November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

The government said it was disappointed by the UK’s decision to freeze budget support to Rwanda since it is based on a highly controversial report by a UN appointed Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cutting Aid Harms Rwanda and Does Not Help DRC – Mushikiwabo | 30th November 2012 | Rwanda Focus | allAfrica

Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo has expressed disappointment at the decision by the UK government to withhold the next payment of £21 million of general budget support, which had been due in December, saying that it harms Rwanda and does nothing to help address the Eastern DRC security crisis.

Rwandans React to UK Aid Freeze | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

British government’s recent decision to freeze its financial support to Rwanda has sparked concerns among Rwandans, with many criticising the move as ill-conceived.

Why the UK Cut Aid to Rwanda – the Economy, Stupid | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

Opinion. Last Friday, the United Kingdom cut aid to Rwanda, citing the latter’s alleged support for the M23 rebels in eastern D R Congo. The move was not unexpected. There has been a loud clamour for it from the very moment M23 began their mutiny. But is the actual reason for cutting aid really the supposed backing of M23?

Rwanda’s Development Path Will Not Be Derailed By Freezing of Aid | 5th December 2012 | Government of Rwanda | allAfrica

Today, December 4th 2012, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning John Rwangombwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo and Minister of Defence General James Kabarebe appeared before both chambers of the parliament to explain the crisis in the eastern DRC and how the freezing of aid will affect the Rwandan people. During the session Minister Mushikiwabo outlined efforts the Government of Rwanda has undertaken to help build peace in the eastern DRC.

Alleged FDLR attacks

Three Feared Abducted By FDLR | 28th November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

Three residents of Rubavu District were yesterday reported missing following Tuesday’s deadly attack by the DR Congo-based Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels, local residents said yesterday.

Kinshasa dément les « allégations d’incursion au Rwanda des FDLR venues du pays | 28th November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica

The Government of the DRC denied on Wednesday “allegations of incursion into Rwanda by FDLR coming from the DRC”.

FDLR Attacks Again | 3rd December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

A park warden attached to the Volcanoes National Park in Musanze District was killed and another wounded in the latest attack by DR Congo-based Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), park and military officials said yesterday.

Government Issues FDLR Warning | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

The government yesterday warned the Congo-based Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) that their attacks on Rwanda are intolerable.

Burundi

Long-suffering Burundi slides to authoritarian rule | 30th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb

Burundi, a small central African nation with a long history of rebellion, unrest and inter-ethnic killings, is sliding into authoritarianism, analysts warn.

Refugee and IDP Reports

Non-comprehensive overview and selected articles on the status of refugees in the Great Lakes Region

DRC 

North Kivu Situation Report No. 13, 28 November 2012 | 28th November 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Situation humanitaire en République Démocratique du Congo, Note d’information à la presse Spécial Nord-Kivu, 28 novembre 2012 | 28th November 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Région de Goma: Situation des déplacés (au 28 nov. 2012) | 28th November 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Goma : les déplacés bénéficient de l’aide humanitaire, affirme Ocha | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

UNHCR and partners step up Congo aid efforts amid uncertainty | 28th November 2012 | UNHCR | Reliefweb

Le HCR et ses partenaires augmentent leur assistance malgré l’instabilité | 28th November 2012 | UNHCR | Reliefweb

Urgent needs in Goma and surrounding area | 28th November 2012 | ICRC | Reliefweb

RD du Congo : situation d’urgence à Goma et dans la région | 28th November 2012 | ICRC | Reliefweb

DRC: Growing humanitarian needs in Goma | 28th November 2012 | IRIN

RDC: Besoins humanitaires croissants à Goma | 29th November 2012 | IRIN

Congo DRC: the humanitarian aftermath of the fall of Goma – audio slideshow | 28th November 2012 | The Guardian

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province du Sud-Kivu N° 48/12, 28 novembre 2012 | 28th November 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Uncertainty Takes Toll on Civilians in Eastern DRC | 28th November 2012 | Voice of America

RDC: La population civile est en danger à Masisi | 28th November 2012 | IRIN

Humanitarian needs could rise if situation in eastern DR Congo remains unresolved – UN | 29th November 2012 | UN News Centre

Conférence de presse du Représentant spécial adjoint pour la MONUSCO, M. Moustapha Soumaré, sur la crise humanitaire dans le Nord-Kivu | 29th November 2012 | UN Department of Public Information

Humanitarian Toll in Eastern Congo ‘Devastating,’ Clinton Says | 29th November 2012 | US State Department | allAfrica

Sud-Kivu : environ 3 500 déplacés de Nyabibwe manquent d’assistance | 29th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

RDC : l’OCHA fait état d’une situation humanitaire très préoccupante à Goma | 30th November 2012 | UN News Centre

Goma Airport Still Closed | 30th November 2012 | Voice of America

Inter-agency mission assesses return conditions in North Kivu region | 30th November 2012 | UNHCR | Reliefweb

DRC: Humanitarian Barbara Shenstone on the cost of the Goma crisis | 30th November 2012 | IRIN

L’approvisionnement en eau et en électricité, une aide humanitaire d’urgence | 30th November 2012 | ICRC | Reliefweb

RDC: la Croix rouge manque de personnel pour soigner les blessés de guerre à Goma | 30th November 2012 | Radio Okapi

With Goma as a flashpoint, entire Eastern DRC faces critical humanitarian crisis | 30th November 2012 | MSF | Reliefweb

Update: Critical humanitarian situation throughout entire east of DRC | 30th November 2012 | MSF | Reliefweb

Situation humanitaire critique à l’est de la République démocratique du Congo | 30th November 2012 | MSF | Reliefweb

Boost in European support for the people most affected by recent violence in Eastern Congo | 30th November 2012 | European Commission Humanitarian Aid department

UNICEF Ambassador Tells Tragic Congo Tale | 30th November 2012 | Voice of America

Congo needs our help | 30th November 2012 | CNN

Statement on the Humanitarian Situation in North Kivu – Humantiarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Moustapha Soumare | 2nd December 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Déclaration sur la situation humanitaire au Nord-Kivu – Coordonnateur de l’action humanitaire en République Démocratique du Congo, Moustapha Soumare | 2nd December 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

A Goma, les humanitaires peinent à assister 140.000 déplacés dans 12 camps | 2nd December 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica

Humanitarian situation in eastern DR Congo remains ‘extremely worrying’ – UN official | 3rd December 2012 | UN News Centre

Le Coordonnateur humanitaire de l’ONU en RDC appelle à renforcer l’action à Goma | 3rd December 2012 | UN News Centre

North Kivu Situation Report No. 15, 4 December 2012 | 4th December 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

UNHCR concern for IDPs after camp attack in eastern Congo | 4th December 2012 | UNHCR | Reliefweb

Inquiétudes du HCR pour les déplacés après l’attaque contre un camp à l’est de la RDC | 4th December 2012 | UNHCR | Reliefweb

DR Congo: UN agency concerned with security, peacekeepers report volatility | 4th December 2012 | UN News Centre

RDC : le HCR inquiet du sort des personnes déplacées dans les deux Kivu | 4th December 2012 | UN News Centre

Update: Humanitarian situation remains fragile in east of DRC | 4th December 2012 | MSF | Reliefweb

Violence Increasing Against Displaced People in Eastern DRC | 4th December 2012 | Voice of America

Justice and Tribunals 

Non-comprehensive overview and selected articles on major trials and tribunals for crimes committed in the Great Lakes Region

DRC

ICC trial against Bemba

Bemba’s Court Martial Trials Under Scrutiny | 28th November 2012 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica

Thirteenth Witness Completes Testimony in Bemba Trial | 29th November 2012 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica

MLC Court Martial Trials Dominate Bemba’s Trial | 30th November 2012 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica

New Witness Questioned About Bemba’s Visit to Bangui | 30th November 2012 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica

Trader Who Supplied Food to MLC ‘Did Not Witness Any Crimes’ | 3rd December 2012 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica

Witness Maintains He Did Not Hear of Any Abuses | 4th December 2012 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica

Rwanda 

France and Rwanda Trade Accusations Over Extradition Request | 28th November 2012 | Hirondelle News Agency | allAfrica

La France, ‘un havre pour les massacreurs de masse’ (Ngoga) | 29th November 2012 | Hirondelle News Agency | allAfrica

Paris/Arusha — Rwandan Prosecutor-General Martin Ngoga today slammed France as the “only safe haven for mass murderers”, after counsel for the prosecution at the Paris Appeals Court issued an unfavourable opinion on a Rwandan extradition request. The Court said Wednesday it would hand down a decision on the request for ex-minister Hyacinthe Rafiki Nsengiyumva on December 19.

German Police ‘Just Missed’ Most Wanted Rwandan Genocide Suspect in 2007 | 28th November 2012 | Hirondelle News Agency | allAfrica

German police coming to arrest one genocide suspect in 2007 just missed Félicien Kabuga, the most wanted Rwandan genocide suspect of all, according to the latest edition of Jeune Afrique. Kabuga, the alleged financier of the 1994 genocide, had entered Germany on a false Tanzanian passport, it says.

Prosecution Appeals Ingabire Ruling | 30th November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

Natural Resources in the Great Lakes Region

Recent news on issues relating to natural resource extraction and governance in the Great Lakes Region.

Landgrabbing

Africa: The Landgrabbers – the New Fight Over Who Owns the Earth | 3rd December 2012 | ThinkAfricaPress | allAfrica

Book Review. In his recent book, Fred Pearce examines the dynamics behind large-scale land acquisitions and their social, environmental and developmental effects.

“Buy land. They are not making it anymore.” This statement uttered more than one hundred years ago by Mark Twain still holds a sad and powerful truth and makes a telling start for Fred Pearce’s account in The Landgrabbers: The New Fight Over Who Owns the Earth about the struggle over the Earth’s most precious resources: land and water.

Mapping natural resources in Africa

Africa: World Bank Urges Mapping of Natural Resources | 4th December 2012 | Mozambique News Agency | allAfrica

African countries endowed with enormous reserves of natural resources should undertake detailed mapping of them, in order to be in a better condition to negotiate contracts with companies wishing to exploit those resources, advised the World Bank’s deputy president for poverty reduction and economic management, Otaviano Canuto, in Maputo on Tuesday.

DRC 

REDD+

La RDC présente sa stratégie nationale cadre pour la réduction des émissions liées à la déforestation et à la dégradation des forêts | 27th November 2012 | UNDP

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the first countries in the world to have a national strategy framework for the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+).

Diamond Development Initiative (DDI)

Three African nations contribute to DDI projects in Africa | 28th November 2012 | DiamondWorld

The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) has programs aimed at ending child labor and bringing miners into the formal sector where working conditions and incomes can be improved. It is developing human rights training programs and a “development diamond” project that will use independent third party monitoring to track diamonds from ethical mine sites through to the jewelry retail sector. The governments of Angola and of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have each made contributions to DDI’s work in the artisanal diamond mining sector.

Extractive Companies, Energy, Trade and Foreign Investment

Recent news on national and international extractive and energy companies and investment in the Great Lakes Region

Corruption in Africa’s oil, gas and mining

Kofi Annan: The World Must Tackle Corruption in Africa’s Oil, Gas, and Mining | 28th November 2012 | Africa Progress Panel (Geneva) | allAfrica

Private companies, civil society, government officials, and academics discuss the options for using Africa’s natural resource wealth to benefit its populations more fairly. The world must do more to tackle corruption in Africa’s oil, gas, and mining sectors, said Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the Africa Progress Panel, at a consultation meeting on Wednesday in Geneva.

DRC

IMF suspends loans due to lack of mining transparency

IMF halts Congo loan due lack of mining transparency | 3rd December 2012 | Reuters | Mining Weekly

IMF Halts Congo Loans Over Failure to Publish Mine Contract | 3rd December 2012 | Bloomberg

Le FMI cesse ses prêts à la RDC | 3rd December 2012 | BBC Afrique

RDC: le Sénat va interpeller le ministre des Finances après la décision du FMI de cesser ses prêts | 4th December 2012 | Radio Okapi

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has halted $240-million in planned loans to Democratic Republic of Congo for failing to publish mining contracts as requested, the IMF’s representative in Congo said on Monday. Congolese authorities last week published a note on the 2011 sale of its stake in a mine run by the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation but Oscar Melhado told Reuters that the information provided fell short of what was needed to complete the loan payements.

EITI and the “Chinese contract”

Adoption du rapport ITIE 2010 – Les contrats chinois posent problème | 28th November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica

ITIE- Le gouvernement dévoile les montants chiffrés du contrat chinois | 29th November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica

Initiative pour la transparence dans les industries extractives – Le contrat chinois réduit de 9 à 6,2 milliards USD | 1st December 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica

Urged by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the Government of the DRC has revealed the figures of the “Chinese contract”, a collaboration and joint-venture agreement between the DRC and China. At first this was estimated at 9 billion USD, but was then reduced to 6,2 billion USD, 3,2 billion USD for mining projects and 3 billion USD to finance infrastructure.

Gold mining companies in eastern DRC

Gold Miners Unfazed by Mounting Violence in DRC | 28th November 2012 | Gold Investing News

Amid the violence, turmoil and smuggling in eastern DRC, mining companies with gold projects in the area report that while they are monitoring the situation, they are not near the rebel action and are virtually unaffected — except perhaps by the impact that nervous investors are having on their stocks.

AngloGold

Le minier AngloGold part en assaut de l’or de la Province Orientale | 28th November 2012 | Le Potentiel | Digitalcongo.net

Holder of research permits in Mongbwalu in Province Orientale and associated with the gold project Kibali Goldmines in the same province next to RandGold, the South African mining giant AngloGold plans to intensify its activities in the DRC to face the collapse of its activities in South Africa.

Randgold – Kibali project

Randgold says DRC gold project receives ball mills | 3rd December | Mining Weekly

Mills arrive at Kibali on schedule | 3rd December 2012 | Randgold Resources Ld | Marketwire

Mill arrival another key milestone for one of Africa’s largest gold projects | 4th December 2012 | Mineweb

Development of the significant Kibali gold project, in the DRC, has achieved a significant advance with the arrival on site of the two ball mills that would form the heart of its metallurgical plant.

Banro

Banro Provides Production Update for its Twangiza Gold Mine | 4th December 2012 | Banro Corporation | Marketwire

Banro Corporation provides a production update for its Twangiza Gold Mine in the DRC.

Gécamines

Penalties for Gecamines on Dewiza/Ecaille C | 28th November 2012 | Africa Mining Intelligence

Gécamines was to have begun on Nov. 13 to start paying $185 million it had pledged to Copperbelt Minerals in return for its 68% stake in the Dewiza/Ecaille C copper and cobalt deposit in Kolwezi.

MIBA

MIBA sinking under debt | 28th November 2012 | Africa Mining Intelligence

The financial woes of Congo-K’s state-owned diamond company, Minière de Bakwanga (MIBA), seem only worsen.

Mawson West

Mawson West Drilling Confirms Tenor and Strike-Continuity of Mineralisation at the Lufukwe Project | 30th November 2012 | Mawson West Ltd. | Marketwire

Mawson West Limited announces reconnaissance drilling results from the Lufukwe Project, 80 kms south of Mawson’s Dikulushi mine. The results confirm the continuity of copper-silver mineralisation along at least 1270 m of strike at Lufukwe.

Uganda

Oil

Oil Bill – Kadaga Flees House | 28th November | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica

After a bruising and chaotic debate, a fiercely divided Parliament failed to pass the oil bill, despite a widely publicized presidential effort to muscle the legislation through.

Oil a Strategic Resource | 3rd December 2012 | The New Vision | allAfrica

Rising Income, Oil Prospects Attract Offshore Interests | 3rd December 2012 | The New Vision | allAfrica

The rising level of income among the growing middle-class in Uganda is creating new opportunities for offshore financial institutions. The other strong pull factor, according to Standard Bank Group’s offshore division, is the budding oil and gas industry that analysts believe will be a game changer by raising wealth levels in the country.

Uganda: Oil – Hoima Local Traders Losing Out | 4th December 2012 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica

Oil finds in the western district of Hoima have sparked an immediate upturn in business there but many local traders are crying foul. Members of the Hoima Indigenous Traders Association (HITA) are worried they could be muscled out of business by their bigger, mostly Kampala-based competitors.

URA Ready to Handle Uganda’s Oil Revenue | 4th December 2012 | The Independent (Kampala) | allAfrica

Although Uganda is yet to pump her first oil, the Uganda Revenue Authority, just like other government agencies with a role to play in the country’s fledgling oil and gas sector has created a unit to handle oil revenues.

Landgrabbing

Law of the Land – Land Grabs Threaten Local Livelihoods in Uganda | 28th November 2012 | ThinkAfricaPress | allAfrica

ANALYSIS

In large-scale land acquisitions, local communities are often insufficiently compensated, under-consulted, and left with their livelihoods threatened. With 86.7% of Ugandans living in rural areas and primarily relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, the increasing frequency of large-scale acquisitions of land is threatening the lives of many.

Rwanda

Miners Celebrate 2012 Progress | 4th December 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica

Government is targeting to generate US$400 million from the mining industry by 2017, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources has announced.

Simba Gold Announces Drill Results | 29th November 2012 | Simba Gold Corp. | Marketwire

Simba Gold Corp. announces initial results from a 4,000 meter drill program and trenching program at its Miyove Gold Project in the northwest of Rwanda.

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 

Kimberley Process

U.S. Diamond Declaration Incorporates Development Goals | 3rd December 2012 | US State Department | allAfrica

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the international body charged with ending the sale of diamonds related to conflict, adopted a resolution that incorporates development and small-scale diamond-mining objectives.

Participants in the Kimberley Process meeting November 27-30 at the State Department delayed redefining the term “conflict diamond” until at least 2013. Human rights groups had been pushing for the definition to be expanded to cover all forms of violence, not just those involving rebel groups trying to unseat legitimate governments.

DRC

EITI and the “Chinese contract”

Adoption du rapport ITIE 2010 – Les contrats chinois posent problème | 28th November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica

ITIE- Le gouvernement dévoile les montants chiffrés du contrat chinois | 29th November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica

Initiative pour la transparence dans les industries extractives – Le contrat chinois réduit de 9 à 6,2 milliards USD | 1st December 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica

Urged by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the Government of the DRC has revealed the figures of the “Chinese contract”, a collaboration and joint-venture agreement between the DRC and China. At first this was estimated at 9 billion USD, but was then reduced to 6,2 billion USD, 3,2 billion USD for mining projects and 3 billion USD to finance infrastructure.

New mining code

New mining code: associated minerals under scrutiny | 28th November 2012 | Africa Mining Intelligence

The mining industry is biting its fingernails about current changes in Congo-K’s mining legislation.

US industry against Dodd-Frank

Companies protect profits over people as fighting escalates in eastern DRC | 29th November 2012 | Global Witness

Global Witness today condemned recent legal action by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Business Roundtable to derail a law which seeks to curb violence in the eastern DRC. On 21 November 2012 the industry groups submitted legal arguments to the DC Court of Appeals as part of the suit they filed against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on 19 October 2012 against Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act.