Briefings
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5 – 11 November 2015
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the beginning of this week, alleged ADF rebels attacked the city of Oicha in North Kivu, and were countered by the Congolese military. One civilian died in the crossfire. In South Kivu, armed men attacked Bukavu last Thursday, killing a young girl, and perpetrating torture and looting. […]
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29 October – 4 November 2015
Last Thursday in the DRC, MONUSCO and the FARDC launched a military campaign against ADF rebel posts in Beni territory in North Kivu. Earlier last week, dozens died during several days of clashes between the Congolese army and the militia. On Friday, 50 km outside of Beni city, ADF militiamen attacked a vehicle, leaving four people dead. […]
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Arms Trade Highlights: August – September 2015
The first Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty was held in Mexico on August 24-27, 2015. Key outcomes from discussions at the Conference included the selection of Geneva as the seat of the permanent secretariat for the ATT, as well as agreement that future decisions will be made by majority vote. The International Committee of the Red Cross voiced concerns that many States continu
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22 – 28 October 2015
On the 70th anniversary of the UN on October 24, both undersecretary of American homeland security, Sarah Sewall, and Congolese general, Jean-Claude Kifwa, applauded recent cooperation between MONUSCO and the FARDC. Meanwhile, MONUSCO has condemned the lack of commitment shown by ex-M23 rebels to the Nairobi process. Human Rights Watch continues to call for increased protection of students and sch
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15 – 21 October 2015
This week, the UN Security Council and the African Union expressed their concern about the increase in violence in the Central African Republic, threatening sanctions against actors undermining stability and security in the country. Meanwhile, the UNHCR office has condemned continuing abuses by Ugandan police against opposition members, calling for investigations into and accountability for perpet
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8 – 14 October 2015
As the UN continues to express its concern about the 2016 elections in the DRC, newly appointed head of MONUSCO Maman Sambo Sidikou wishes to revive cooperation between peacekeepers and the FARDC in tracking down FDLR rebels in the east of the country. Meanwhile, diplomatic relations between Burundi and Rwanda remain strained. […]
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1 – 7 October 2015
Tension between Burundi and Rwanda heightened this week, as authorities in both countries accused each other of destabilising their country. An offer by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to mediate in the matter was declined by Rwanda. Meanwhile Human Rights Watch has deplored the implication of the DRC government and security officials in attacks on protesters on Sept
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24 – 30 September 2015
As the security situation in the region worsens, Rwanda and the DRC started working on a joint security plan, with the prevalence of armed militia at the heart of the talks. Martin Kobler continues to urge for closer collaboration between FARDC and MONUSCO in battling these groups. In the wake of deadly violence in Bangui, CAR’s foreign minister has called for a strengthening of the UN peacekeepin
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17 – 23 September 2015
In light of the International Peace Day on September 21, head of MONUSCO Martin Kobler has expressed his belief that durable peace in DRC is achievable. At the end of his term, he states to be satisfied with the mission’s accomplishments. Meanwhile, MINUSCA investigates allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in CAR, announcing a zero-tolerance policy. Last week, North Kivu saw the arrest of s
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10 – 16 September 2015
As MONUSCO inaugurated new classrooms and a forum on abductions and rape of minors in the DRC, MINUSCA faces new allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in the CAR. The UN is investigating the matter and taking action. Violent clashes broke out this week in Kinshasa, when 3000 people rallying against president Joseph Kabila seeking a third term, were attacked by unidentified youths. Reportedly
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27 August – 2 September 2015
According to MONUSCO, 113 child soldiers took advantage of clashes between FRPI and Congolese government forces this week to desert the militia. In the CAR, anti-Balaka militia also released 163 child soldiers from their ranks. On Monday August 31, unidentified gunmen in North Kivu killed six elite soldiers of the presidential guard in an ambush. That night, the province also saw severe clashes be
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20 – 26 August 2015
As the UN Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region called for the intensification of efforts to neutralise negative forces in eastern DRC this week, inhabitants of Nyamilima, North Kivu, requested a truce in the counter FDLR offensive, which has interfered with local harvesting. The night of Sunday, 23 August, saw three fatalities and several wounded in clashes between the FARDC and bandi
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6 – 12 August 2015
In North Kivu, four days of clashes between the FARDC and the FDLR in Kalembe, Walikale territory, have seen reports of five rebel fatalities. Elsewhere in Walikale fighting between NDC and Raia Mutomboki factions has emptied villages and seen the incineration of homes, as well as occasioning five civilian fatalities.
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Arms Trade Highlights: June – July 2015
Recent years have seen increasing emphasis placed on the need to eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Governments – and civil society generally – have recognized the trade as contributing to insecurity that has occasioned mass human displacement on a scale not seen since the end of World War Two. When cases of illicit arms trading come to light, the world is often reminded
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30 July – 5 August 2015
The last week has seen conflicting accounts of the number of FDLR combatants still at large in eastern DRC with Congolese government estimates suggesting less than 400 and MONUSCO putting the figure close to 1,000. The two Congolese soldiers arrested in Nyiragongo (North Kivu) on the border between Rwanda and the DRC by Rwandan forces at the end of July were released on Saturday, 1 August, and rep
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23 – 29 July 2015
Burundi’s presidential election results were posted on Friday, 24 July, placing Agathon Rwasa in second place to incumbent Pierre Nkurunziza. International observers have condemned the elections as unfree, not credible and uninclusive in light of the volatile election climate, which last Thursday saw Amnesty International denounce the excessive use of force against demonstrators […]
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9-15 July 2015
As talks on MONUSCO/FARDC collaboration continue, the UN has dropped demands for the replacement of two human rights red-listed Congolese generals from the counter FDLR offensive in the country’s east. Martin Kobler has stressed the centrality of a continued and constructive partnership between the UN force and the Congolese government to ensuring the success of […]
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25 June – 1 July 2015
This week saw tensions in eastern political circles over Kinshasa’s lack of mobilisation regarding the Ugandan incursion onto Congolese soil a month ago, as well as the filing of a corruption and fraud complaint by a presidential special adviser against four provincial governors, including Moïse Katumbi. In North Kivu, a special police unit deployed to Rutshuru has been accused by local civil soci
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18 – 24 June 2015
Thursday, 18 June, saw the end of the EUSEC mandate for the provision of military reform assistance to the Congolese authorities. As the mission officially closed its doors, a mid-term evaluation of FARDC reform progress was launched in Kinshasa. In North Kivu, ex-FDLR combatants have accused the FARDC of kidnapping three demobilised persons from Kangabayonga transit camp in Lubero territory. Mean
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11 – 17 June 2015
Thursday 11 June saw UN Special Envoy, Said Djinnit, step down as mediator to the political dialogue between opposing factions in Burundi’s political crisis following cries of no confidence by third term opposition groups. The African Union has called for further postponement of Burundi’s 15 July presidential elections, whilst stating that it will deploy military experts to advise police on managi