EDITORIAL

The Africa Progress Panel’s Annual Report for 2013 was released on Friday, and this year addresses the potential contribution of Africa’s resource wealth, looking particularly at the Democratic Republic of Congo. The report laments the DRC’s loss of revenue occasioned by the sale of undervalued resource assets.

The deployment of the Security Council mandated intervention brigade gathered momentum this week with the arrival of Tanzanian troops in Goma shortly before an African Union delegation visit to the town to assess the security situation. Fighting in various parts of North Kivu have been reported, with clashes between FARDC and ADF/NALU and Mai-Mai rebels in Beni territory and fierce fighting between the FARDC and Mai-Mai during an attack on Beni town on Wednesday. Inter-militia conflict also occurred between the newly formed Forces for the Defence of Human Rights (FDDH) and Nyatura militia in Masisi territory, where reports indicate that at least 5 new armed groups have established themselves over the last year. In South Kivu attacks by Burundian FNL rebels have cased displacement, whilst in Katanga there are further reports of FDLR extortion of local civilians.

In the Central African Republic this week Human Rights Watch has denounced the continuing gross human rights violations being perpetrated against civilians as the UN envoy for the CAR has proposed the deployment of a neutral UN security force to assist in the restoration of stability in the State, as well as sanctions against Seleka rebels. In light of recent revelations of ties between the Seleka and funds from the CAR’s diamond trade the country is currently facing the threat of suspension under the Kimberly Process.

Arms Trade and Security in the Great Lakes Region

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

DRC

UN Intervention Brigade

Tanzanian troops arrive in eastern DR Congo as part of UN intervention brigade | 10 May 2013 | UN News Centre
La MONUSCO salue l’arrivée à Goma d’éléments militaires tanzaniens de la Brigade d’intervention | 10 May 2013 | UN News Centre
Brigade d’intervention de la Monusco: des militaires tanzaniens sont arrivés à Goma | 11 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
A contingent of Tanzanian soldiers arrived in the eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today as part of the intervention brigade authorized by the United Nations to help neutralize armed groups in this volatile part of the country.

SADC Welcomes Deployment of Troops in DRC | 13 May 2013 | Tanzania Daily News | allAfrica
The heads of state and governments of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) have welcomed deployment of the Intervention Brigade (IB) in the Eastern DRC under the auspices of MONUSCO.

Briefing: Towards internal solutions to the DRC crisis | 14 May 2013 | IRIN
A UN intervention brigade will soon be deployed to the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a bid to neutralize militia groups operating there. The over-3,000-strong military force will work alongside the UN Stabilization Mission in DRC (MONUSCO) to carry out targeted offensives against militia groups, which have caused numerous civilian deaths and massive population displacements.
While some welcome the forthcoming military intervention, many analysts are advocating for Kinshasa-led initiatives – such as reforming key institutions – as necessary, if not alternative, solutions. In this briefing, IRIN highlights some of the key issues that the DRC government needs to address to secure its restive east.

African Union delegation visit to Goma

The African Union asserts its presence in DR Congo | 14 May 2013 | MONUSCO
L’Union Africaine affirme sa présence en République démocratique du Congo | 14 May 2013 | MONUSCO
A delegation of 15 ambassadors, members of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, arrived on official mission in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on 13 May 2013. The delegation came to enquire about the security situation and the imminent deployment of the new Intervention Brigade in North Kivu province. Julien Paluku Kahongya briefed them on the security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, which is still facing frequent attacks by the numerous armed groups present in the region, especially in Masisi, Walikale and Rutshuru territories in the North Kivu province.

Implementation of Framework agreement

Tripartite Meeting Discusses DR Congo Situation | 13 May 2013 | AngolaPress | allAfrica
Tripartite Meeting Yields Positive Results | 15 May 2013 | AngolaPress | allAfrica
Foreign Affairs ministers of Angola, South Africa (host) and DRC discussed Monday the prevailing situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Joseph Kabila crée un mécanisme de suivi de l’accord-cadre du 14 février | 14 May 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Signature par le Chef de l’Etat d’une ordonnance instituant le suivi de l’Accord-cadre sur la RDC | 14 May 2013 | Digitalcongo.net
Le président Joseph Kabila vient de créer le mécanisme de suivi placé sous son autorité, pour mettre en œuvre les engagements pris par le gouvernement dans le cadre de l’accord-cadre de l’ONU sur l’Est de la RDC. Ce comité est créé pour une durée d’un an. Le mécanisme est composé de 3 comités : pilotage, exécutif et consultatif.

Ban Ki-moon attendu en RDC pour faire le point sur la brigade d’intervention des Nations unies | 15 May 2013 | RFI
Ban Ki-Moon, secrétaire général des Nations unies, et le président de la Banque mondiale, arrivent à Kinshasa mercredi 22 mai, avant de se rendre à Goma. Une visite qui intervient alors que la brigade d’intervention de l’ONU se met progressivement en place dans le Nord-Kivu. Elle doit y combattre les groupes armés qui sèment la terreur dans cette région.

M23

La réintégration des déserteurs du M23 dans l’armée divise l’opinion | 13 May 2013 | IPS
La réintégration “aveugle et non encadrée” des déserteurs du M23 au sein de l’armée congolaise, pourrait être préjudiciable pour le pays, affirme Thomas d’Aquin Mwiti, président de la société civile du Nord-Kivu, dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC).

Le Conseil du gouvernement fustige le renforcement des positions des terroristes du M23 à Kibati, Kaunga et Kanyaruchinya | 14 May 2013 | L’Avenir | Digitalcongo.net
Le Premier ministre a présidé lundi un conseil extraordinaire du gouvernement qui a dénoncé l’attitude des terroristes du M23 qui continuent à renforcer leurs positions au Nord-Kivu, notamment dans les localités de Kibati, Kaunga et Kanyaruchinya.

Province Orientale

Province Orientale: 84 OPJ pour lutter contre l’impunité des auteurs des violences sexuelles | 12 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
84 judiciary police officers trained in Bunia to fight sexual violence | 12 May 2013 | MONUSCO
Bunia: 84 OPJ formés pour lutter contre les violences sexuelles | 12 May 2013 | MONUSCO
Eighty-four police officers, including two women, underwent five weeks of training in the Ituri district, Province Orientale, on gender-based sexual violence. The participants who hailed from the four districts of the province, met in the main town of Bunia to attend this training, which was focused on a variety of themes ranging from police work ethics and professional practices in the framework of the fight that the Congolese Government has launched against sexual violence. The trainees were inducted on concepts such as community policing, procedures applicable to sexual violence, as well as HIV-AIDS and child protection.

North Kivu

Spate of Kidnappings Reported in Eastern DRC | 10 May 2013 | Voice of America
Nearly 30 people have been kidnapped in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since the beginning of April, according to a North Kivu-based civil society group, which says it knows where some of the victims are being held.

Nord-Kivu : 60 incidents sécuritaires contre les humanitaires enregistrés en 5 mois, selon Ocha | 10 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Nearly sixty security incidents against humanitarian workers have been recorded since January 2013, twenty-nine to Goma, according to a Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report released on Wednesday, May 8 in Goma.

Nord-Kivu : la moitié des habitants de Pinga désertent cette cité après les combats entre deux milices | 10 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
MSF have reported that half of the inhabitants of Pinga have fled their homes after fighting between militias at the end of April in the town of Walikale territory. These fights had opposed the Alliance for a Free and Sovereign Congo (APCLS) warlord Janvier Kalahiri, and the Nduma Defence of Congo (NDC) group of Sheka. In a statement released Thursday, May 9 in Goma, the international NGO says the situation remains tense and unpredictable in this locality.

Nord-Kivu : 2 miliciens de l’ADF/Nalu tués lors des combats avec l’armée près de Beni | 11 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Ugandan rebel ADF / NALU fighters and the FARDC clashed in the village of Point Kilometre 7 (PK7) on the axis-Kamango Mbau (North Kivu) on Friday morning. According to FARDC, the clashed have occasioned two deaths on the side of the militia and wounded. The situation is said by FARDC to be under control. The clashes took place around 7:30 pm local time, about 30 km north-east of the town of Beni.

Nord-Kivu : 10 miliciens Mai-Mai arretes apres une fusillade à Beni | 11 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Mai-Mai militiamen made a brief foray to Tuha in Beni (North Kivu) on Friday, May 10. A shootout between soldiers and militiamen lasted ten minutes. Mayor Beni Nyonyi Bwanakawa confirmed the arrest of ten militiamen, who are in the hands of the security services. Local civil society has expressed its concern and calls for increased security measures in the city of Beni.

Nord-Kivu : l’explosion d’une mine antipersonnel tue un enfant à Kitshanga | 13 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
The explosion of a landmine killed one person and wounded another at Kitshanga in North Kivu. The mine, which was shaped like a cup according to witnesses, was seen by nine children in a bush. One of the children threw a stone on the device detonating it and killing another child and seriously injuring others.

Nord-Kivu : des présumés rebelles ADF/Nalu enlèvent 5 personnes à Bankota | 13 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Five people were abducted on Saturday, May 11, in the evening by suspected of ADF / NALU rebels in Bankota, a village located on the Kamango-Beni axis in North Kivu. According to the president of the local civil society, these abductions bring the total number of hostages to one hundred and forty since January, including forty-nine women and minors.

Nord-Kivu : la société civile accuse le M23 de 4 meurtres à Nyiragongo | 14 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Civil society sources in North Kivu accuse the M23 rebels of shooting a young man of 24 years in Kibumba territory Nyragongo on Monday. It is said that the victim was accused of theft by the rebels and killed on the orders of Colonel Mboneza in charge of the sector command of Nyiragongo. According to civil society, this is the fourth murder committed by the M23 within three weeks in the territory of Nyiragongo.

Nord-Kivu : des combats entre deux milices entrainent un déplacement de population à Masisi | 14 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Fighting between a new armed group called Forces of Human Rights (WHRDs) and Nyatura militiamen has pushed the population to flee villages in Masisi since Sunday, May 12. The villages affected include Busumba, Kihunda, Kashanje and Kabare located nearly 20 km from Kitshanga (North Kivu). One civilian has been reported killed and at least six others wounded in the clashes.

Gunmen attack east Congo army base, at least 31 dead | 15 May 2013 | Reuters
At least 31 people were killed when gunmen attacked an army base in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, the military said, underlining the challenge facing a new U.N. intervention force in the territory.

Nord-Kivu: La situation demeure tendue et imprévisible, selon la MONUSCO | 15 May 2013 | MONUSCO
The security situation remains tense and unpredictable in the province of North Kivu, according to the interim military spokesman of MONSUCO, Battalion Chief, Tourny Vincent. In this context, the North Kivu MONUSCO Brigade continues to conduct unilateral operations in order to counter any armed threat against the city of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. These operations are also designed to maintain security and protect civilians.

Nord-Kivu : polémique au sujet des auteurs de l’attaque contre la ville de Beni | 15 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
The acting commander of the first sector of the FARDC in Beni, Colonel Richard Bisamaza, has accused the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Congo (MDRC) of attacking the town of Beni this wednesday morning. The head of the militia, the self-proclaimed general Hilaire Kombi, rejects this accusation, attributing the attack to another armed group. The attack killed 36 people including four Congolese soldiers and 32 militiamen, according to Colonel Richard Bisamaza. Other sources speak of more than 17 soldiers being killed.

Nord Kivu : 5 groupes armés créés en une année à Kitshanga | 15 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
At least five new national armed groups were created within a year around the city of Kitshanga in Masisi territory. These groups each control two or three villages. The main groups created over the past year are: Nyatura Noheri, Nyatura Ngwiti, Nyatura Kipema, the M26 and the forces of Congolese Patriots (FPC). Clashes between these groups has resulted in looting, many human rights violations and massive displacement to camps. The regular army was deployed on the main Sake-Kitshanga axis but has failed to secure the villages on the route.

Nord-Kivu: les affrontements entre FARDC et Maï-Maï à Beni ont fait 28 morts | 15 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Clashes occurred on Wednesday morning at dawn in Beni between the FARDC and the Mai-Mai. Twenty-eight persons are reported dead, according to a report reviewed by the acting commander of the first sector of the FARDC in Beni. According to the same source, six attackers were captured. However, independent sources, state that seventeen soldiers were killed. Apparent calm reigns in Beni after the clashes but people are still holed up in their homes.

Nord-Kivu : des miliciens Maï-Maï ont tenté d’occuper Beni | 15 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Twenty-two Mai Mai militia and four FARDC soldiers are said to have died in clashes between the two groups on Wednesday in Beni. An interim report given by the acting commander of the first sector of the FARDC says the attackers were trying to take control of Beni but encountered resistance.

South Kivu

Sud-Kivu : la cité de Kinshaje se vide de ses habitants suite aux attaques des rebelles burundais | 15 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
More than five hundred families in Kinshaje more than 50 Km south west of Sange have had to leave the city to take refuge in the town of Kasenya for three days. These people are fleeing attacks against civilians by Burundian rebels, the National Liberation Forces (FNL).

Katanga

Lubumbashi: 3 militaires comparaissent pour détournement des munitions | 15 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Three FARDC soldiers have appeared before a mobile court at the seat of the General Staff of the 6th military region in Lubumbashi (Katanga). Captain Mukonkole Ngoy and his co-defendants are charged with hijacking and attempted diversion of ammunition, possession of weapons of war, loss of weapons and violation of orders. The main accused Captain Mukonkole Ngoy, is head of the equipment and logistics department of the 6th military region.

Katanga : des présumés FDLR ont tendu une embuscade aux taximen moto à Kabulo | 15 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Eight suspected Rwandan FDLR rebels, armed with guns ambushed motor bikers and cyclists on the Nyunzu axis, in the village of Kabulo, 53 kilometres north-west of Kalemie (Katanga). The rebels are reportedly searching and extorting money and goods from passers-by.

CAR

Abuses against civilians

Central African Republic: Rampant Abuses After Coup | 10 May 2013 | Human Rights Watch
République centrafricaine: De nombreuses exactions ont été commises après le coup d’État | 10 May 2013 | Human Rights Watch
Members of the Seleka rebel coalition, which ousted President François Bozizé of the Central African Republic on March 24, 2013, have committed grave violations against civilians, including pillage, summary executions, rape, and torture, Human Rights Watch has said.

Unicef Condemns the Re-Recruitment of Child Soldiers and Killing of a Child in Central African Republic | 10 May 2013 | UNICEF | allAfrica
CAR: UN agency ‘condemns in strongest possible terms’ killing of teen linked to rebels | 10 May 2013 | UN News Centre
L’UNICEF condamne le recrutement et le meurtre d’un enfant-soldat en République centrafricaine | 10 May 2013 | UN News Centre
UNICEF condemns in the strongest possible terms the re-recruitment and the killing of a 17-year-old boy. On 24 April, the 17-year-old and a 19-year-old* were ordered by a Seleka officer known as the Colonel to steal a vehicle in a Bangui neighborhood. A crowd gathered at the scene and they were stoned to death by a mob while the Colonel leading the attempt theft fled the scene.

RCA : nouveaux heurts meurtriers entre civils et Seleka à Bangui | 11 May 2013 | RFI
Centrafrique : de l’insécurité à la guérilla urbaine | 13 May 2013 | Afrik.com
Les violences entre éléments de la Seleka et civils n’ont pas encore pris fin à Bangui, plus de six semaines après la prise de pouvoir par la rébellion.

Seleka containment

Centrafrique : le cantonnement de la Séléka a débuté | 14 May 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Début du cantonnement de la Séléka, 200 soldats déjà déployés à Bria | 15 May 2013 | Radio Ndeke Luka | Fondation Hirondelle
Lundi 13 mai, près de 200 combattants de la Séléka ont quitté Bangui pour la base de Bria (centre-est), un des 16 sites où les ex-rebelles centrafricains doivent être cantonnés.

Lord’s Resistance Army

CAR Instability Helps Lord’s Resistance Army Regroup | 14 May 2013 | Voice of America
The rebel takeover in the Central African Republic has stalled international efforts to track down the outlaw Lord’s Resistance Army (LAR) and its leader Joseph Kony, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Calls for a UN neutral force to stabilise CAR

Centrafrique : Bangui la Roquette | 13 May 2013 | Jeune Afrique
CAR: UN envoy urges Security Council to bolster security, consider sanctions against rebels
La Représentante de l’ONU demande au Conseil de sécurité d’aider la République centrafricaine à sortir de l’anarchie | 15 May 2013 | UN News Centre
U.N. calls for sanctions on Central African Republic rights abusers | 15 May 2013 | Reuters
A neutral security force is urgently needed to help restore the stability and counter the absence of law and order in the Central African Republic (CAR), a United Nations envoy today told the Security Council, while also calling on the body to consider sanctions against rebel groups for gross violations of human rights.

CAR diplomacy

Ban Ki-moon a rencontré le Premier ministre de la République centrafricaine, Nicolas Tiangaye | 14 May 2013 | UN News Centre
Le patron de l’ONU a rencontré lundi à New York le Premier ministre centrafricain, Nicolas Tiangaye, et tenu à lui exprimer son soutien. Il a rappelé que les Accords de Libreville signés en janvier 2013 qui prévoient une transition inclusive dans le pays, ainsi que la Déclaration de N’Djamena du 18 avril, conféraient toute légitimité à son mandat de Premier ministre.

Tchad: la sécurité en Centrafrique au centre des discussions entre Michel Djotodia et Idriss Déby | 15 May 2013 | RFI
Michel Djotodia chez Idriss Déby Itno | 15 May 2013 | BBC Afrique
Centrafrique : les enjeux de la tournée régionale de Michel Djotodia | 15 May 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Michel Djotodia, le président de la transition en Centrafrique, était à N’Djamena hier, mardi 14 mai, pour une visite de travail. Une rencontre qui inaugure une tournée régionale et qui a permis de faire le point sur la stabilisation de la situation en Centrafrique deux mois après le renversement de François Bozizé par la coalition Seleka.

Refugee and IDP Reports

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

DRC

Humanitarian reports

IOM Strengthens Cooperation with UNHCR to Tackle Internal Displacement in DRC | 10 May 2013 | International Organization for Migration | Reliefweb

Refugees

Voices From Exile: Daily realities and future prospects of Congolese and Burundian refugees in the Great Lakes Region | 14 May 2013 | Danish Refugee Council | Reliefweb
Voix d’exil: Réalités du quotidien et perspectives d’avenir de réfugiés congolais et burundais de la Région des Grands Lacs | 14 May 2013 | Danish Refugee Council | Reliefweb

IDPs

Nord-Kivu : les déplacés demandent à l’Australie de s’impliquer pour le retour de la paix | 11 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
IDPs living in the camp Mungote have requested that Australia become involved in returning peace in the region as a member of the Security Council. They submitted this request to the Australian Ambassador to the DRC, Matthew Neuhaus during his visit to the camp in Kitchanga (North Kivu), Saturday, May 11. The Australian ambassador in the DRC was concerned by the security situation of IDPs in North Kivu.

Burundi

Refugees

CAR

Humanitarian reports

Justice and Tribunals

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

DRC

ICC Bemba trial

A criminal court for the Great Lakes war crimes

Le Rwanda, le Burundi et la RDC souhaitent créer une cour de justice | 13 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC want to create a court to try the perpetrators of crimes in the Great Lakes region. They expressed this wish during a meeting of foreign ministers of the three countries held from 9 to May 10 in Bujumbura. “States have estimated that with the cross crime in the Great Lakes region, it is necessary that we implement a Court that will deal with crimes committed in the Great Lakes region. This is an innovation. And when you will begin to share common interests between the DRC and Rwanda, and Burundi, it is estimated that no State may still interfere in the affairs of one or the other because the interest will shared, ” said the governor of North Kivu Julien Paluku who participated in the meeting of foreign ministers.

Natural Resources in the Great Lakes Region

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

Africa Progress Panel – Report 2013

Africa Progress Panel 2013 Report: Equity in Extractives | May 2913 | Africa Progress Panel
Copies of report available in English, French, Portuguese and German.

Stop the Plunder of Africa | 9 May 2013 | The New York Times
Op-Ed by Kofi Annan.
COLUMN-African minerals and the illusion of fair value: Kemp | 14 May 2013 | Reuters
With Africa’s economies riding the crest of the global commodities wave, there is an unprecedented opportunity to convert the region’s vast resource wealth into investments that could lift millions out of poverty, create jobs, and bring hope to future generations.

Global Witness welcomes Kofi Annan’s call for financial transparency in African resource deals | 9 May 2013 | Global Witness
Campaign group Global Witness has backed a call by prominent figures including Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof and Graca Machel for Africa’s natural resource wealth to be used for the benefit of its people.

Les ressources naturelles de l’Afrique pourraient améliorer de manière spectaculaire la vie de millions de personnes | 10 May 2013 | Africa Progress Panel | allAfrica
Toutefois, le rapport affirme que, bien que les ressources naturelles aient aidé à alimenter une décennie de croissance économique rapide, la plupart des Africains n’en ont encore retiré aucun bénéfice.

Kofi Annan: Africa plundered by secret mining deals | 10 May 2013 | BBC Africa
Tax avoidance, secret mining deals and financial transfers are depriving Africa of the benefits of its resources boom, ex-UN chief Kofi Annan has said.

Les compagnies minières privent l’Afrique de 38 milliards de dollars | 10 May 2013 | RFI
A l’occasion du World Economic Forum qui s’est tenu au Cap, le Groupe de travail sur l’Afrique en progrès dénonce les méfaits des compagnies minières internationales. Celles-ci spolient le continent africain en privant les gouvernements de 38 milliards de dollars par an.

EITI Chair welcomes African Progress Panel report on extractives | 13 May 2013 | EITI
The Africa Progress Panel’s report “Equity in Extractives” launched on Friday, highlights how the EITI has helped build a new culture of openness and has acted as a catalyst for reform in many countries.

Clamping down on corruption in Africa’s extractive industries | 14 May 2013 | Institute for Security Studies
How to better utilise the wealth from Africa’s non-renewable resources – oil, gas and minerals – to eradicate poverty in Africa? This was one of the important questions asked at discussions on Africa’s economic growth prospects at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa held in Cape Town from 8–10 May 2013. The soaring demand for commodities from developing nations in the last few years has created a unique opportunity for African countries to plough this windfall into socio-economic development. However, this has rarely been the case.

DRC

Africa Progress Panel Report 2013 – the DRC

Africa Progress Panel 2013 Report: Equity in Extractives | May 2913 | Africa Progress Panel
Copies of report available in English, French, Portuguese and German. Principle focus: DRC.

Congo loses out on $1.4bn as mine assets sold cheap – Annan panel | 10 May 2013 | Reuters | Mining Weekly
Kofi Annan report criticises ‘opaque’ Congo deals by ENRC | 10 May 2013 | The Telegraph
The Democratic Republic of Congo lost at least $1.36-billion in potential revenues between 2010 and 2012 due to cut-price sales of mining assets to offshore companies, according to a panel led by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

Mines congolaises : Ces 1,36 milliard perdus par le pays | 10 May 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Dans son Rapport 2013 sur les progrès en Afrique, l’Africa Progress Panel examine cinq accords de cession dans les mines congolaises. Ces opérations, qui ont toutes transité par des sociétés offshore opaques, auraient fait perdre au pays deux fois le budget annuel pour la santé et l’éducation.

Annan Says Undervalued Mine Deals Cost Congo $1.4 Billion | 10 May 2013 | Bloomberg
The Democratic Republic of Congo lost out on about $1.4 billion in revenue by selling undervalued copper and cobalt deposits now controlled by Glencore Xstrata Plc and Eurasian Natural Resources Corp., says the African Progress Panel. The figure represents a “small share” of overall losses as state-owned companies underpriced assets they sold to companies owned by Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler between 2010 and 2012.

Report: DRC Mining Deals Highlight Resource Corruption | 14 May 2013 | Voice of America
The Africa Progress Panel, a research organization chaired by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, says most Africans are not getting a fair deal out of their countries’ natural resources. In its annual report, the panel highlights several mining deals in the Democratic Republic of Congo as examples of how, it said, natural resource wealth has been mismanaged.

Child labour in Katanga gold mines

Des écoles désertées au profit des mines d’or | 14 May 2013 | IPS
L’exploitation artisanale de l’or attire les élèves et enseignants de Nyunzu, un territoire au nord du Katanga, la province riche en ressources minières dans le sud-est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC).

Forest conservation

RDC: la préservation de la forêt au défi du développement agricole | 15 May 2013 | RFI
Des pays se liguent contre la déforestation du Bassin du Congo | 14 May 2013 | Digitalcongo.net
Bassin du Congo – Les pays pourraient presque doubler leur superficie cultivée sans empiéter sur les forêts | 15 May 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Une conférence sur la forêt du bassin du Congo débute ce mercredi 15 mai à Kinshasa, à l’initiative de la Banque Mondiale qui vient de produire un rapport et des recommandations pour préserver la forêt congolaise. Ce rapport dit qu’il est possible de développer l’agriculture en préservant la forêt.

Illegal logging

L’Union européenne exige des preuves « d’exploitation légale » de bois en provenance de la RDC | 11 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
The European Union now requires proof of legal operations to import timber from the DRC. During a sensitization workshop in Kinshasa, technical assistant to support sustainable forest management project, Guy Roulette, asked Congolese loggers to ensure the legality of timber they want to export to Europe.

National Parks

Nord-Kivu: l’ICCN accusé de gestion calamiteuse du parc des Virunga | 10 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
MP Daniel Paluku has described the management of Virunga Park by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) as disastrous. During the plenary on Thursday, May 9 at the National Assembly, he denounced stray animals and the installation of communication antennas within the confines of the park. According to Daniel Paluku ICCN rangers distinguish themselves by engaging in murder, torture, repeated rape and looting of the population in fields surrounding the park.

Kasaï-Oriental : le gouvernement provincial s’engage à combattre le braconnage dans le parc de la Salonga | 12 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
Minister of the Interior, Hyppolyte Bwebwe Mutombo has said that the province of Kasai-Oriental is committed to end poaching in Salonga. According to him, a anti-poaching police brigade will be sent to the park in the coming days to track poachers.

Province Orientale: le gouverneur Jean Bamanisa pour la survie de la réserve de faune à okapi | 15 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is plagued by illegal exploitation of timber, gold and poaching. The Governor of the Eastern Province, Jean Bamanisa Saidi, committed, Friday, May 10, to ensure its protection and survival. ” Neither violence nor disputes or rebellion against the laws of the Republic are authorized channels to resolve conflicts related to the management of natural resources such as the Okapi Wildlife Reserve “, the governor said during a roundtable he held in Mambasa-center.

CAR

Poaching

Suspected rebels kill 26 elephants in Central African Republic: WWF | 10 May 2013 | Reuters
Gunmen believed to be part of the rebel force that seized power in Central African Republic in March have killed at least 26 elephants in a raid on an internationally-protected wildlife park, campaigners said on Friday.

Extractive Companies, Energy, Trade and Foreign Investment

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

DRC

Creation of special economic zones

Le Sénat de la RDC a voté la création de zones économiques spéciales à travers le pays | 14 May 2013 | Radio Okapi
The Senate voted Friday, May 10 for the creation of special economic zones throughout the DRC. According Auguy Bolanda, Senior Coordinator of the Project Support Unit “special economic zones” denote areas where companies can set up and be exempt from all taxes for the first ten years of their activities. This project aims to promote the development of industry in the country.

Miners

ENRC under fire over Congo mines | 13 May 2013 | OSISA
The multinational mining company, Eurasian Natural Resources Corp (ENRC), is back in the news – and the firing line – once again due to its controversial investments in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

RD Congo : voyage au coeur de l’empire du cuivre | 13 May 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Exploité depuis quatre ans, Tenke Fungurume est l’un des plus grands gisements au monde. Voyage au coeur d’un véritable empire.

Glencore Xstrata Copper Output Gains 18% on Mines in Africa | 13 May 2013 | Bloomberg
Expanding the Katanga and Mutanda copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on schedule for completion this year.

Ivanplats Announces Financial Results and Review of Operations for the First Quarter of 2013 | 15 May 2013 | Ivanplats | Marketwired
Major Increases in Resources at Two Key Projects in South Africa and the DRC in Q1 2013. Agreement Reached on Upgrading of a Third Hydroelectric Power Plant in the DRC to Support Expanded Mining Scenarios at Ivanplats’ Kamoa Copper Discovery.

Anglo Ashanti

AngloGold Ashanti to cut $500m costs, sell Navachab, suspend Mongbwalu | 13 May 2013 | Mining Weekly
Gold major AngloGold Ashanti is to remove $500-million of operating costs, seek to dispose of Navachab mine before year-end and dress up another mine for a possible further asset sale this year.

AngloGold Profit Rises as Post-Strike Production Increases | 13 May 2013 | Bloomberg
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (ANG), the third-biggest producer of the metal, said first-quarter profit rose with output following the end of strikes as it focuses on cutting costs.The Kibali mine in the DRC should produce its first gold in 2013, according to the company. Elsewhere in the DRC, the Mongbwalu project has been suspended, AngloGold said.

Pit extension suspended at Mongbwalu | 14 May 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence
Due to a shortage of cash following walkouts at three of its mines in South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) suspended construction of its underground mine at Mongbwalu early this month. (Subscription required).

Electricity

Pour pallier le déficit en énergie électrique au Katanga – SNEL et ZESCO engagent 3 milliards USD pour produire 1400 MW | 14 May 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Une centrale hydroélectrique va être construite sur la rivière Luapula à la frontière entre la RDC et la Zambie. Résultat d’un accord conclu en début de semaine entre la SNEL (RDC) et la ZESCO (Zambie) pour pallier le déficit en énergie électrique dans la province du Katanga. Capacité de production : 1 400 mégawats, à raison de 700 MW pour chaque partie. Durée du projet : 3 ans. Coût : 3 milliards USD.

Uganda

‘Best international practices will guard region against oil curse’ | 11 May 2013 | The EastAfrican
As East Africa edges closer to oil production, concerns are increasing about the bloc’s ability to manage contracts, attract financing and handle dispute resolution to avoid the ‘oil curse’? Kennedy Senelwa spoke to the regional director, Geoffrey Njenga, at the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group International, a dispute resolution firm, on the outlook for the region’s gas and oil sector.

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

10 years of EITI

Charting the next steps for transparency in extractives | 10 May 2013 | EITI
When the over 1000 delegates from 95 countries meet in Sydney later this month, it will be at a defining moment for the emerging global coalition to ensure transparency of natural resources, known as the EITI.

Civil society disseminates EITI report

La société civile lance la campagne de dissémination du rapport ITIE-Rdc 2010 | 13 May 2013 | Digitalcongo.net
La société civile a mis à la disposition des populations congolaises le rapport ITIE-Rdc 2010 qui porte sur ce que les industries extractives paient à l’Etat à travers les régies financières.

Rapport ITIE 2010 : 85 millions USD sont déjà retracés au niveau de la banque centrale, affirme la société civile | 15 May 2013 | Digitalcongo.net
Au regard du manque de traçabilité de 88 millions USD de redevance minière signalé dans le rapport ITIE-Rdc 2010, la société civile a affirmé qu’un montant de 85 millions USD a été déjà retracé par la DGRAD au niveau de la banque centrale du Congo.

Mining Code

Outcry over new mining legislation | 14 May 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence
Mining companies are engaged in an angry tug-of-war with Kinshasa as the government puts the final touches to revisions in a mining code that came into force just 10 years ago. The government deems that the industry doesn’t contribute enough to Congo-K’s budget and thus wants to impose higher taxes.

CAR

Potential Kimberly suspension for CAR

Centrafrique: La sanction du Processus de Kimberley | 13 May 2013 | JournaldeBangui.com
Il recommande un embargo sur des exportations de diamants de la République centrafricaine après la prise de contrôle du pays par les rebelles.
La décision a été prise vendredi 10 mai à la suite de la réunion entre les représentants de Bangui et les membres du Processus de Kimbermey, chargés du contrôle et de la transparence dans la production des minerais de diamant.

Diamonds on a slippery slope | 14 May 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence
Bangui’s diamond industry is under the gun. The object of “increased vigilance” by the Kimberley Process for several weeks, its gems could be suspended by the certification organization in coming days. (Subscription required).

10 – 16 May 2013