HEADLINES

– DR Congo:
· limited number of militiamen demobilising
· violence by Mai-Mai groups in Maniema, fighting with FARDC in Katanga

– Central African Republic:
· authorities reportedly in contact with LRA unit, not Kony
· UN considering options to tackle choas
· France to triple its troops to over 1000, in support of AU Mission

– ICC Bemba case: four arrested for witness tampering, same charges for Bemba

– Kimberley Process meeting makes little progress on broader definition of ‘blood diamonds’

IPIS News

IPIS and Action Aid’s “Oil in Uganda” project will be conducting a capacity-building session on Business & Human Rights in Kampala, Uganda, on December 9 and 10, 2013.
The event’s full title is: What does “business and human rights” mean and how can we bring about a healthy relationship between the two?
Participants registered so far include private sector representatives as well as Ugandan and international nongovernmental organizations based in Kampala and in the oil-rich region of the country.
For further information, please contact Anna Bulzomi (anna.bulzomi@ipisresearch.be) and Gabriella Wass (gabriella.wass@ipisresearch.be).

IPIS’ Latest Publications

In search of clean water: human rights and the mining industry in Katanga, DRC | 27 November 2013 | IPIS
Today, around 1,8 billion people in the world do not have access to safe water. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the most water-rich country in Africa, 51 million people lack access to potable water; only 26% of the population has access to safe drinking water. This is one of the lowest access rates in the world.
In the Katanga province, rich in cobalt and copper, some industrial mining companies operate provoking significant pollution of water sources, seriously affecting the local population. Although there is a lack of comprehensive data available, several studies conducted by local civil society show environmental, health and socio-economic negative effects.

IPIS Insights: Kimberley Process: observations from the sidelines. Part I | 21 November 2013 | IPIS
Ten years after the launch of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) this paper is the first in a two part series providing an overview of where the Kimberley Process and international efforts to combat the trade in conflict diamonds currently stand. It will analyse some of the present challenges facing the system and some of the potential solutions on the table.

Travail des enfants dans le site minier d’exploitation artisanale de Bisie en territoire de Walikale. Une crise oubliée en République Démocratique du Congo | 19 November 2013 | Prince Kihangi Kyamwami
Plus de deux décennies après l’entrée en vigueur de la Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant (1989) en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC), la situation des enfants dans le territoire de Walikale demeure critique.

Ambushed in Bangkok? The U.N. Panel on North Korea and the case of the IL-76 “4L-AWA” | 14 November 2013 | IPIS/TA
This new IPIS/TA report explains why the conclusion of the latest United Nations report on North Korea sanctions, about an arms flight grounded in Thailand, is not supported by facts, but based on a misalliance of wrong and misleading information, gleaned both about the cargo aircraft, its flight and the entities involved, together with erroneous interpretations of standard aviation practices made by the UN Panel of experts on North Korea.

Analysis of the interactive map of artisanal mining areas in Eastern DR Congo | 12 November 2013 | IPIS
In August 2009 the ‘International Peace Information Service’ (IPIS) published a first map of militarised mining areas in Eastern DR Congo. By 2012, the international interest in the issue had grown but the map was out-dated. To find a structural solution, IPIS sat down with the Congolese mining cadastre (CAMI) and agreed to set up a permanent system to monitor artisanal mining activities and the involvement of armed groups in the mineral exploitation and trade.
A first version of the resulting map has been published at https://ipisresearch.be//mapping/webmapping. It shows the location of nearly 800 mining sites and 85 trading centres, including information about armed groups presence and involvement, and the scale of the mining activity. The map includes at least 410 cases of illegal taxation by armed groups or the Congolese army.

‘Conflict Minerals’ initiatives in DR Congo: Perceptions of local mining communities | 12 November 2013 | IPIS
The exploitation of minerals is an important source of income for many communities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Yet this mineral wealth also plays a significant role in the continuation of insecurity in parts of the country.
Over recent years, several domestic, regional and international initiatives have been developed to address the so-called ‘conflict minerals’ problem and the high level of informality in the DRC’s artisanal mining sector. These initiatives have provoked varying reactions regarding their impact on local livelihoods.
This report aims to provide insight into the impact of initiatives on the livelihood strategies of local communities in the DRC, based on field research in a wide range of mining areas; and document the perceptions of local stakeholders of these initiatives and their impacts.

IPIS Insights: Why businesses should assess human rights impacts from the outset of projects. SOCO International Oil Company in Virunga National Park, DRC | 26 August 2013 | International Peace Information Service (IPIS)
SOCO International, a British oil company, is prospecting for oil in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park – a World Heritage Site. For the past year, their presence has been criticised for putting a fragile environment at risk. However, more recently, their impact on human rights has also been questioned. In this Insights IPIS looks at why it is so vital for companies to employ rights-respectful processes, such as those advised in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, from the very beginning of the prospection stage.

Strijd tegen conflictmineralen: sleutel tot conflictresolutie in Oost-Congo? | 25 July 2013 | IPIS (Internationale Spectator)
De PDF van dit artikel is met toestemming van de redactie overgenomen uit de ‘Internationale Spectator, Clingendael Magazine voor Internationale Betrekkingen’, uitgegeven door de Koninklijke Van Gorcum, te Assen namens het Nederlands Instituut voor Internationale Betrekkingen ‘Clingendael’ te Den Haag.

Business, Human Rights, and Uganda’s Oil. Part I: Uganda’s oil sector and potential threats to human rights | 25 July 2013 | International Peace Information Service (IPIS) – ActionAid International Uganda
The following report is the first of a series of four collaborations between IPIS Research and ActionAid International Uganda. The series sheds a light on the oil sector in Uganda, its possible impact on human rights, and how government, companies, and civil society can best enable a positive bond between oil and the welfare of the Ugandan people.

The formalisation of artisanal mining in the DRC and Rwanda | December 2012 [April 2013] | IPIS
This report describes and evaluates initiatives to formalise the artisanal mining sector in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, in order to locate lessons learned. We hope that these perspectives will support the formation of well-informed policy and regulatory options – both by the EU and by harvesting countries – concerning the formalisation of timber production in tropical countries.
The report was commissioned by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), which is dedicated to advancing human well-being, environmental conservation and equity through providing information that leads to better informed and equitable decision making about the use and management of forests in tropical countries.

Gold and diamonds in the Central African Republic. The country’s mining sector, and related social, economic and environmental issues | 26 March 2013 | IPIS
Gold and diamonds in Central Africa easily conjure up images of conflict, rebel funding, human rights violations, and smuggling. As a country landlocked within an unstable region, neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and recently the scene of another coup, the Central African Republic (CAR) might be considered an appropriate candidate for analysis within the conflict-mineral perspective. Yet this framework would ignore the country’s mining sector’s very specific characteristics. The sector offers an essential livelihood to many households, represents the country’s second most important export product, and is organised in a particular way. Nonetheless, a wide range of issues regarding the country’s mining sector persist.
This report aims to analyse both the Central African Republic’s gold and diamond mining sector and related environmental and socio-economic issues.

Arms Trade and Security in the Great Lakes Region

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

Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)
C.Africa president claims to be negotiating Kony surrender | 21 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
CAR Leader Says Kony Ready to Surrender | 21 November 2013 | Voice of America
Djotodia, toujours en pourparlers avec Kony | 21 November 2013 | La Voix de l’Amérique
Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony ‘in talks’ with Central African Republic | 21 November 2013 | The Guardian
RCA: Michel Djotodia négocierait directement avec le chef de la LRA | 22 November 2013 | RFI
Joseph Kony: US doubts LRA rebel leader’s surrender | 21 November 2013 | BBC Africa
Centrafrique : la volonté de reddition de Joseph Kony, info ou intox ? | 21 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Questions Raised About Kony’s Intentions as Desire for Surrender Reported | 22 November 2013 | Voice of America
The Central African Republic’s president said Thursday he was negotiating the surrender of wanted Ugandan militia boss Joseph Kony but Washington dismissed the claims.

The backstory on Kony’s “surrender talks” | 21 November 2013 | The Resolve
Kony may not be surrendering, but opportunity still knocks | 22 November 2013 | The Resolve
Yesterday I wrote about the backstory on Kony’s “surrender talks” and why claims by Central African authorities that Kony has told them he’s interested in surrendering most likely aren’t true (of course, I hope I’m wrong). But that doesn’t mean international policymakers should just shrug their shoulders and turn away – after all, it has been confirmed that CAR transitional president Michael Djotodia is in contact with an LRA group, just not Kony’s.

Security Council condemns ‘war crimes’ committed by Lord’s Resistance Army | 25 November 2013 | UN News Centre
Afrique centrale : le Conseil de sécurité dénonce de nouveau les crimes commis par la LRA | 25 November 2013 | UN News Centre
Reiterating condemnation of war crimes by Lord’s Resistance Army, Security Council demands group disarm, demobilize | 25 November 2013 | UN Security Council
Reiterating its strong condemnation of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and its use of children in armed conflict, the Security Council today demanded that the group immediately cease all hostilities, release all abductees, and disarm and demobilize.

#zeroLRA : toi aussi, collecte des fonds pour arrêter Joseph Kony ! | 25 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Ces dernières années, Joseph Kony est devenu l’Africain le plus recherché du continent. Des ONG et des particuliers se bousculent sur le web pour collecter des sommes d’argent au nom de la traque du chef militaire de la LRA. Au risque de transformer le seigneur de guerre en fonds de commerce…

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (UN)
16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
On International Day, UN urges renewed efforts to end violence against women, girls | 25 November 2013 | UN News Centre
Violence Against Women Is Not Acceptable and Can Be Prevented | 22 November 2013 | UNDP | allAfrica
U.S. Ambassador Power On Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women | 25 November 2013 | US Deparment of State | allAfrica
Today is an opportunity for each person to recommit to ending the harm being committed against one out of three women, senior United Nations officials said marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence | 25 November 2013 | Small Arms Survey
Activists Launch Global Campaign Against Gender Violence | 25 November 2013 | Voice of America
From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence | 25 November 2013 | Enough Project
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. In many instances violence against women involves small arms or is associated with armed violence.
To raise awareness and trigger action to end this global scourge, the UN observes International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November.
Every year, 25 November and the ensuing 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence which follow (ending on 10 December, Human Rights Day) are commemorated around the world, providing individuals and groups a chance to mobilize and call attention to the urgent need to end violence against women and girls. This year the 16 Days campaign focuses on violence perpetrated by state actors; domestic violence and the role of small arms; and sexual violence during and after conflict.

International Day to End Impunity
Time to strengthen UN role in ending impunity for human rights violations – UN experts | 22 November 2013 | UN News Centre
A group of independent United Nations rights experts today called on the Organization to adopt a more central role in the fight against impunity, and urged Member States to strengthen efforts to ensure accountability and justice for human rights violations.

Protection of civilians in armed conflict (UN)
Report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/2013/689) | 22 November 2013 | UN Security Council
Rapport du Secrétaire général sur la protection des civils en période de conflit armé (S/2013/689) | 22 November 2013 | UN Security Council
The present report, submitted pursuant to the request contained in the statement by the President of the Security Council dated 12 February 2013 (S/PRST/2013/2), is my tenth report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Protection of children in armed conflict (UN)
L’ONU somme la RDC, le Rwanda et l’Ouganda de démobiliser les enfants soldats | 21 November 2013 | Afrik.com

Back from DR Congo, senior UN official urges more focus on protection of children | 26 November 2013 | UN News Centre
RDC: l’ONU appelle à saisir un contexte favorable pour mieux protéger les enfants affectés par les conflits | 26 November 2013 | UN News Centre
Former child soldiers and girls used as sex slaves in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) desperately wish to be reunited with their communities – to return to school or get jobs – a United Nations envoy said today, urging authorities to seize every opportunity to better protect children affected by conflict-related violence.

DRC

M23 and the Kampala talks
900 killed in DR Congo army-rebel fighting since May: military | 25 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
RDC: plus de 900 morts dans les derniers combats entre FARDC et M23 | 25 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Fighting between DR Congo’s military and M23 rebels killed more than 900 combattants in the country’s restive east before the insurgents were routed, a senior military official told AFP on Monday.

M23, vers le plan B ou nouvelle scission en perspective ? | 25 November 2013 | Radio Netherlands Worldwide | allAfrica
RDC : après sa défaite, le M23 s’interroge sur son avenir | 26 November 2013 | Afrik.com
Scission confirmée au sein du M23 : Bisimwa et Kambasu se suspendent mutuellement par deux lettres | 27 November 2013 | Digitalcongo.net
Serge Kambasu Ngeve, secrétaire permanent du M23, donne au M23 la possibilité de pouvoir exister politiquement en Rdc. Situation qui mettra en difficulté Bertrand Bisimwa et Sultani Makenga : scission consommée.

RDC : M23, chronologie d’une rébellion | 26 November 2013 | Afrikarabia
Pendant 18 mois, les rebelles du M23 ont tenu tête à l’armée congolaise dans l’Est de la République démocratique du Congo avant leur défaite le 5 novembre 2013.

Pourparlers de Kampala – le projet d’accord qui divise | 26 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Le projet d’accord de Kampala est finalement dans la place publique. A sa lecture, l’on s’explique, en divers points, les réticences de Kinshasa à adhérer à ce projet.

Pourparlers de Kampala: Joseph Kabila souhaite une conclusion avant le 15 décembre | 27 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le Chef de l’Etat Joseph Kabila se dit confiant quant à l’aboutissement des pourparlers de Kampala entre le gouvernement congolais et la rébellion du M23. Il estime que d’ici le 15 décembre, «une déclaration» pourra être signée pour sanctionner ces pourparlers.

UN Special Envoy in Great Lakes region
DR Congo: senior UN envoy begins visit to bolster regional peace efforts | 25 November 2013 | UN News Centre
L’Envoyée des Nations Unies pour les Grands Lacs en séjour dans la région | 27 November 2013 | MONUSCO | Reliefweb
RDC: visite de Mary Robinson à Kinshasa | 27 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Mary Robinson, the senior United Nations official for the Great Lakes region of Africa has begun a week-long mission to help shore up peace efforts, visiting Tanzania, Rwanda, the Republic of Congo, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Armed groups & demobilisation
With M23 gone, will other armed groups in Eastern DRC demobilise? – By Christoph Vogel | 21 November 2013 | African Arguments
Currently, there is a lot going on in terms of disarmament and demobilisation of armed groups in the Eastern DRC since the surrender of M23 two weeks ago. While the situation around Makenga’s rebellion remains unclear – most of the état-major and the rank and file seem to be under Ugandan custody in Kasese – newswires and twitter feeds have been flooded by mushrooming announcements of other armed groups across eastern DRC. However, so far there is no indication that a majority of militias will be laying down their arms.

La RDC présente son plan DDR pour les anciens membres des groupes armés | 21 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC : après la défaite du M23, l’ONU s’inquiète pour l’avenir des ex-rebelles | 22 November 2013 | RFI
Le gouvernement congolais a présenté mercredi 20 novembre son plan de désarmement, réintégration et réinsertion sociale des membres des groupes armés nationaux.

Martin Kobler: en RDC, «c’est la fin de la guerre mais maintenant il faut gagner la paix» | 24 November 2013 | RFI
Voilà un peu plus de cent jours que Martin Kobler a pris la tête de la Mission de l’ONU pour la stabilisation de la République démocratique du Congo (Monusco).

RDC : 1.500 ex-rebelles pourront intégrer l’armée ou la police (officiel) | 25 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
RDC : Kinshasa propose à 1 500 ex-rebelles d’intégrer l’armée ou la police | 25 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
RDC: des centaines de miliciens dans l’attente d’une éventuelle intégration au sein de l’armée | 27 November 2013 | RFI
La démobilisation, clé d’une paix durable au Kivu | 26 November 2013 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman
Selon une source officielle, le ministre de l’Intérieur congolais Richard Muyej Mangez a fait une proposition aux quelque 1 500 combattants rebelles dans la province du Nord-Kivu qui ont déposé les armes. Ils auront la possibilité d’intégrer la police ou l’armée.

Nord-Kivu : 300 miliciens se sont rendus depuis une dizaine de jours | 28 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le porte-parole militaire de la Monusco, le lieutenant-colonel Félix Prospère Basse, a déclaré que trois cents trois miliciens se sont rendus à la mission onusienne et aux autorités congolaises au Nord-Kivu depuis le 19 novembre. Il a précisé que ces redditions concernent plus d’une dizaine de groupes armés actifs dans cette province.

Rutshuru, North Kivu
Nord-Kivu: des ONG dénoncent la circulation des armes parmi les civils à Rutshuru | 25 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Des populations civils des localités de Rugari, Kiwanja et Chanzu dans le territoire de Rutshuru au Nord-Kivu détiennent illégalement des armes à feu, ont dénoncé, vendredi 22 novembre au cours d’un entretien avec Radio Okapi, des ONG de défense des droits de l’homme basées dans ce territoire.

La police congolaise se redéploie dans les territoires de Nyiragongo et de Rutshuru | 27 November 2013 | MONUSCO
Dans le cadre de la restauration de l’autorité de l’Etat dans les territoires du Nyiragongo et du Rutshuru, la Police congolaise se redéploie dans les zones qui étaient sous le contrôle du M23 depuis plus d’un an. La Police nationale congolaise (PNC) remplacera ainsi les Forces armées congolaises (FARDC) qui seront elles-mêmes redéployées sur d’autres fronts.

Walikale, North Kivu
Perspectives de paix au Nord-Kivu – Problématique de l’insécurité dans le territoire de Walikale | 22 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
S’il est des territoires dans le Nord-Kivu où l’insécurité a atteint un niveau endémique, Walikale en est de ceux-là. Il est investi par des groupes armés qui y ont trouvé refuge, faisant régner la loi en maints endroits dans un territoire qui devra, pourtant, rapidement renouer avec la paix.

Nord-Kivu: les services de sécurité accusés d’extorsions sur la route Walikale-Hombo | 26 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Des barrières sont toujours tenues par les services de sécurité sur la route entre Walikale-centre et Hombo Nord dans le territoire de Walikale au Nord-Kivu.

Nord-Kivu: les autorités de Hombo-Nord plaident pour le retour des militaires | 27 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Les autorités administratives du secteur de Hombo-Nord dans le territoire de Walikalé plaident pour le retour rapide des soldats de la 8ème région militaire dans cette partie du Nord-Kivu.

Lubero, North Kivu
Nord-Kivu : reddition de 13 miliciens Maï-Maï Shetani et un FDLR à Lubero | 25 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Quatorze miliciens dont treize Maï-Maï Shetani et un combattant des Forces démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda (FDLR), se sont rendus dimanche 24 novembre au village de Kibuko dans le territoire de Lubero.

Beni – Butembo, North Kivu
U.N. task force looking into one of next Congo targets: Islamist ADF | 22 November 2013 | Reuters
Nord-Kivu : la RDC, l’Ouganda et la Monusco planifient des opérations contre l’ADF/Nalu | 23 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
After the defeat of M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, U.N. peacekeepers are trying to learn more about one of their next targets in a region overrun by armed groups – the Allied Democratic Forces, Islamist extremists blamed for kidnapping at least 300 people in the past year.

Nord-Kivu: Julien Paluku invite les groupes armés de Beni et Butembo à désarmer | 27 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le gouverneur du Nord-Kivu, Julien Paluku, appelle tous les groupes armes actifs dans les territoires de Beni et Lubero à déposer les armes.

Shabunda, South Kivu
Sud-Kivu : une soixantaine de miliciens Raïa Mutomboki se rendent aux FARDC | 23 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Une soixantaine de miliciens Maï-Maï de Raïa Mutomboki se sont rendus vendredi 22 novembre à Goma au Nord-Kivu à une position avancée des Forces armées de la RDC se trouvant à Chulwe, à 50 kilomètres du village de Nzibira, à la limite entre le territoire de Walungu et de Shabunda (Sud-Kivu). La 10e région miliaire indique que ces éléments ont été conduits par leur commandant Kahasha alias Foka.

Shabunda : la situation sécuritaire s’est améliorée, selon l’administrateur du territoire | 26 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
La situation scuritaire s’est améliorée à Shabunda ces deux dernières semaines, a déclaré le mardi 26 novembre Kasumbanya Bin Saleh, l’administrateur par intérim de ce territoire. Il a affirmé que la libre circulation des biens et des personnes est de nouveau possible après la suppression des barrières routières érigées par les hommes armés dans cette zone.

Ituri, Province Orientale
Bunia : Joseph Kabila demande à la milice de Cobra Matata de déposer les armes | 26 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
En visite à Bunia en Province Orientale, le chef de l’État congolais, Joseph Kabila, a demandé le lundi 25 novembre aux miliciens de la Force de résistance patriotique de l’Ituri (FRPI) actifs dans le territoire d’Irumu de déposer les armes.

Maniema
Maniema: 5 000 personnes fuient les exactions des Maï-Maï Kem’s à Kalima | 23 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Au total, 4820 personnes se sont réfugiées dans la cité de Kalima depuis deux semaines. Ces déplacés fuient les exactions le chef milicien Maï-Maï Kem’s et ses hommes, qui s’adonnent au trafic de l’or et les rançonnent dans les carrières de Kitamuna dans le territoire de Punia et dans les forêts de Kumba dans le territoire de Kailo.

Maniema : incursion des miliciens Raïa Mutomboki à Kibeleketa, 1 mort | 26 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Des miliciens Raïa Mutomboki ont organisé une incursion au village de Kibeleketa mardi 26 novembre tôt dans la matinée.

Manono, Katanga
RDC: les FARDC ont tué 23 miliciens Bakata Katanga à Kishala | 24 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Environ vingt-trois miliciens Bakata Katanga ont trouvé la mort, il y a quatre jours, au cours des combats qui les ont opposés aux Forces armées de la RDC (FARDC) dans le secteur de Kishale, en territoire de Manono (Katanga).

Kinshasa police suspected of killing juvenile delinquents
UN calls for immediate action after reported killings of children in DR Congo capital | 27 November 2013 | UN News Centre
RDC: des jeunes et des enfants de Kinshasa victimes d’une opération policière, selon la MONUSCO | 27 November 2013 | UN News Centre
UNICEF and MONUSCO are concerned by reports on the disappearance and assassination of youth and children in Kinshasa [EN/FRE] | 27 November 2013 | UNICEF, MONUSCO | Reliefweb
RDC: assassinats présumés de jeunes délinquants à Kinshasa | 27 November 2013 | RFI
Kinshasa : la police nie mener une opération pour tuer les « kulunas » | 26 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
The United Nations called on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to take immediate action in light of alarming reports of disappearance and assassination of children and youth that coincide with a Government operation to tackle delinquency in Kinshasa.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
En RDC, les viols sont dénoncés mais peu condamnés | 25 November 2013 | RFI
Au cours de sa vie, une femme sur trois dans le monde sera victime de violence. Elle sera battue, subira des violences sexuelles ou sera autrement maltraitée, souvent par son conjoint, ex-conjoint ou par son compagnon.

Geneviève Inagosi : «Les violences contre les femmes font obstacle au développement de la RDC» | 25 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Les violences infligées aux femmes en RDC font obstacle au développement de ce pays, a indiqué dimanche 24 novembre la ministre du Genre, famille et enfant, Geneviève Inagosi, en marge de la journée internationale pour l’élimination de la violence faite à la femme célébrée ce lundi.

Une police de proximité pour protéger les femmes en RDC | 26 November 2013 | RFI
Une femme sur trois dans le monde sera victime de violence au cours de sa vie. Ces quinze dernières années, des milliers de femmes ont été violées par des rebelles et lors des guerres successives notamment à Goma dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo.

Amani Itakuya essay series
American Advocacy for the Congo – The Importance of Unity | 22 November 2013 | ChristophVogel.net
Amani Itakuya #19, by Anand Upadhyaya
The work being done on behalf of the Congo by the American advocacy community is truly inspiring. Being relatively new to Congo advocacy, I have found this group of analysts, academics, and activists to be open and inclusive in sharing their unique perspective and advise. That said, I do feel we have some areas for improvement if one of our principal aims is to aid in achieving peace in the DRC.

Reforming the Congolese security sector | 24 November 2013 | ChristophVogel.net
Amani Itakuya #20, by Timo Mueller
Eastern Congo has been a fertile environment for the development and growth of armed groups. As a result, violence is a currency frequently traded, leaving the Kivus in a protracted crisis. But it is not just armed groups that exact a devastating toll on the civilian population. In eastern Congo, elements of the armed forces (military and police) often engage in abuses similar to those of militias, exposing the population to grave risks.

Tomorrow, maybe… | 26 November 2013 | ChristophVogel.net
Amani Itakuya #21, by Mbuku Ngomanseke
“Every man hears only what he understands” (Goethe). Nowhere else, this is so true than in the Great Lakes region. For almost two decades, the Eastern part of DRC has been the epicentre of violence and seemingly never ending conflicts.

Uganda

Ex-LRA Captives Take Heart – Wrenching Ordeals to Kadaga | 24 November 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
Vicky Among speaks in a soft voice, avoiding eye contact. She is afraid of strangers who ask about her life in the bush, afraid of remembering the torture, hunger and misery she was subjected to by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels under Joseph Kony.
Yet the pain is too raw to forget for Among, 21, who returned home from Central African Republic (CAR) in March this year.

Rwanda

Former FDLR Publicist, Others Sent Home After Reintegration Course | 28 November 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
For years, Major Sylvestre Muhirwa, was a spokesperson of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Part of his job was to juggle between radio stations and other media houses operating in North Kivu, in eastern DRC, disseminating propaganda on behalf of the group.

Central African Republic

UN debating options to tackle chaos
Central African Republic: UNICEF urges support for ‘forgotten crisis’ | 22 November 2013 | UN News Centre
L’UNICEF s’alarme de l’ampleur prise par les violences interconfessionnelles en RCA | 22 November 2013 | UN News Centre
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is urging greater international attention to address the “forgotten crisis” in the Central African Republic (CAR) where the entire population of 4.6 million people has been affected by the ongoing crisis.

Child soldiers swell fighters’ ranks in Central African Republic: U.N. | 22 November 2013 | Reuters
Enfants soldats, armes blanches : alerte rouge en Centrafrique | 22 November 2013 | Afrik.com
RCA: 6000 enfants soldats | 23 November 2013 | BBC Afrique
The number of child soldiers in Central African Republic has more than doubled to as many as 6,000 in recent months as self-defense militia have sprung up to counter waves of attacks by former rebels, the United Nations said on Friday.

Lawless CAR Attracting Terrorists’ Attention | 22 November 2013 | Voice of America
A power vacuum and the total absence of law and order in the vast, sparsely populated Central African Republic could be luring terror groups from across Africa. A senior United Nations official says there are indications that Nigeria’s Boko Haram is on the ground.

La situation en Centrafrique devant le Conseil de sécurité | 25 November 2013 | RFI
Ban Ki-moon, dans le rapport qui doit être examiné ce lundi 25 novembre, évoque « une situation qui a de fortes chances de se solder par des atrocités généralisées ».

UN Considers Options in Central African Republic | 25 November 2013 | Voice of America
Centrafrique : le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU examine les modalités de soutien à la Misca | 25 November 2013 | RFI
The U.N. Security Council is considering options for stemming violence and restoring the state’s authority in the Central African Republic, including the possibility of deploying a U.N. peacekeeping mission.

Senior official urges UN force to curb ‘horrific’ situation in Central African Republic | 25 November 2013 | UN News Centre
RCA : l’ONU plaide pour le déploiement d’une opération de maintien de la paix dans un pays « au bord du chaos » | 25 November 2013 | UN News Centre
Central African Republic ‘descending into chaos’ – UN | 26 November 2013 | BBC News
Citing mounting human rights abuses, sexual violence and other “horrors,” a top United Nations official today called on the international community for immediate action to halt the rapidly deteriorating situation in conflict-wracked Central African Republic (CAR), which, he said is “descending into complete chaos before our eyes.”

U.N. Security Council considering sanctions on Central African Republic | 26 November 2013 | Reuters
The U.N. Security Council is considering imposing an arms embargo on the virtually lawless Central African Republic as well as putting a travel ban on people undermining the country’s stability, fueling violence and abusing human rights.

AU Support Mission (MISCA/AFISM)
Appointment of the Leadership Team of the African-Led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic | 22 November 2013 | African Union | allAfrica
Crise centrafricaine – Jean Marie Michel Mokoko placé à la tête de la Misca | 23 November 2013 | Les Dépêches de Brazzaville | allAfrica
Centrafrique : Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, un général congolais pour la Misca | 25 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, today, appointed the leadership team of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (AFISM-CAR), following consultations with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
In this regard, Major General (Rtd) Jean Marie Michel Mokoko, of the Republic of Congo, has been appointed Special Representative in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Head of AFISM-CAR.

France to triple troop presence
France says Central African Republic on verge of genocide | 21 November 2013 | Reuters
France: Central African Republic on ‘Verge of Genocide’ | 21 November 2013 | Voice of America
La Centrafrique est-elle au bord du génocide? | 21 November 2013 | RFI
France said on Thursday that Central African Republic was “on the verge of genocide” and it expected the United Nations to give Paris and the African Union permission to intervene.

Infographic: Spotlight on… the Central African Republic | 22 November 2013 | France Diplomatie

La France renforce son contingent en RCA, la Guinée enverra 927 soldats au Mali | 21 November 2013 | RFI
La France va accroître le nombre de ses soldats en Centrafrique | 22 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
France to boost Central African Republic troop presence | 22 November 2013 | RFI English
La France se prépare à intervenir en Centrafrique | 23 November 2013 | RFI
France is to send hundreds more troops to the Central African Republic (CAR) as Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warns that the former French colony is “on the verge of genocide”. The UN is to debate authorising African and French troops to intervene.

“Preventing a catastrophe in the Central African Republic” by Laurent Fabius | 25 November 2013 | France Diplomatie
In the course of its young history, the Central African Republic has known many dark hours. Now the country is facing its worst crisis.

France sees U.N. backing to boost CAR force next week | 25 November 2013 | Reuters
Central African Republic says France to boost troops | 25 November 2013 | Reuters
France expects to get U.N. backing next week to increase its troop numbers in the Central African Republic, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Tuesday, warning violence risked spreading in the region.

Centrafrique : Jean-Yves Le Drian annonce le déploiement d'”un millier de soldats” français | 26 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Centrafrique: l’armée française attendue pour ouvrir la voie à la force africaine | 26 November 2013 | RFI
Bangui attend l’armée française | 26 November 2013 | BBC Afrique
France Sending More Troops to Central African Republic | 26 November 2013 | Voice of America
France to triple CAR troop presence | 26 November 2013 | RFI English
Intervention française en Centrafrique: 800 hommes en renfort | 26 November 2013 | RFI
France to boost Central African force with U.N. backing | 26 November 2013 | Reuters
France said on Tuesday it would increase its force in Central African Republic to at least 1,000 soldiers once a U.N. resolution is passed next week to try to prevent sectarian violence from destabilizing the entire region.

France to secure routes, population hubs in Central African mission | 27 November 2013 | Reuters
A planned French intervention backing regional troops in Central African Republic will focus first on securing key trade routes and population hubs to stop “acts of revenge”, a French defense ministry source said on Wednesday.

CAR authorities
CAR Envoy Appeals for Help in Cameroon | 21 November 2013 | Voice of America
Djotodia dépêche des émissaires pour plaider en faveur de la Centrafrique | 21 November 2013 | La Voix de l’Amérique
Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia has dispatched special envoys to neighboring countries to make a plea for assistance in stabilizing the country. CAR envoy Idriss Salao visited Cameroon just after armed men from his country crossed the border and fought with forces in Cameroon resulting in seven deaths.

Centrafrique : Michel Djotodia veut rétablir le couvre-feu à Bangui | 22 November 2013 | RFI
Centrafrique : dispositif sécuritaire renforcé après la reprise du couvre-feu | 23 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Le président centrafricain de transition, Michel Djotodia, a annoncé le rétablissement prochain d’un couvre-feu à Bangui et l’intensification des patrouilles.

“Pas de pré-génocide en Centrafrique” | 22 November 2013 | BBC Afrique
La Centrafrique n’est pas au bord du génocide, affirme Bangui | 23 November 2013 | RFI
A Bangui, au sein du gouvernement, les réactions se font entendre après les propos de Washington et Paris cette semaine, qualifiant la situation en Centrafrique de «pré-génocidaire». Pour la ministre des Affaires étrangères, Léonie Banga-Bothy, ce terme est largement exagéré et il ne faut au contraire pas affoler les populations.

Crise centrafricaine – Le président de la transition en visite de travail à Brazzaville | 27 November 2013 | Les dépêches de Brazzaville | allAfrica
Michel Djotodia a effectué une visite de travail de 24 heures ce 27 novembre à Brazzaville.

Alleged negotiations with LRA unit
C.Africa president claims to be negotiating Kony surrender | 21 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
CAR Leader Says Kony Ready to Surrender | 21 November 2013 | Voice of America
Djotodia, toujours en pourparlers avec Kony | 21 November 2013 | La Voix de l’Amérique
Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony ‘in talks’ with Central African Republic | 21 November 2013 | The Guardian
RCA: Michel Djotodia négocierait directement avec le chef de la LRA | 22 November 2013 | RFI
Joseph Kony: US doubts LRA rebel leader’s surrender | 21 November 2013 | BBC Africa
Centrafrique : la volonté de reddition de Joseph Kony, info ou intox ? | 21 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Questions Raised About Kony’s Intentions as Desire for Surrender Reported | 22 November 2013 | Voice of America
The Central African Republic’s president said Thursday he was negotiating the surrender of wanted Ugandan militia boss Joseph Kony but Washington dismissed the claims.

Rights groups
Rights Groups Call For U.S. Government Strategy to Halt Violence in the Central African Republic | 21 November 2013 | Enough Project
As the security situation in the Central African Republic worsens, a coalition of NGOs including the Enough Project urges a comprehensive U.S. government strategy to halt violence, protect civilians, and defend human rights.

Mass Violence and Imminent Threat to Civilians in Central African Republic | 21 November 2013 | Enough Project
The Central African Republic (CAR) is rapidly sliding into anarchy. Civilians in many parts of the country are at severe risk of mass atrocity crimes resulting from increasing inter-communal and sectarian violence and reprisals. Compounding this is an increasingly dire humanitarian situation that threatens the stability of the entire country.

Central African Republic: War Crimes by Ex-Seleka Rebels | 25 November 2013 | Human Rights Watch
Dispatches: My Meeting With the General | 25 November 2013 | Human Rights Watch
Dispatches: What a War Crime Looks Like from Space | 26 November 2013 | Human Rights Watch
Former Seleka rebel fighters who have been nominally integrated into the national army pillaged and burned a small town in the Central African Republic on November 10, 2013. The transitional government, led by Interim President Michel Djotodia, should immediately suspend and investigate the military commander who organized the attack.

Central African Republic: UN must tackle the looming human catastrophe | 25 November 2013 | Amnesty International
Christian Mukosa: «On est au bord du gouffre» en Centrafrique | 25 November 2013 | RFI
The UN must take full account of the human catastrophe of epic proportions unfolding in the Central African Republic (CAR) when considering the options presented by the UN Secretary-General on peacekeeping in that country, Amnesty International said.

CAR: UN must urgently deploy a peacekeeping mission | 27 November 2013 | FIDH
The UN Security Council met two days ago to discuss different options on how to respond to the growing crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), and are expected to vote next week on a draft resolution presented by France. In an open letter sent yesterday to the UN Security Council, FIDH calls for a comprehensive and decisive response to the crisis, notably through the creation of a UN Peacekeeping Mission in the CAR.

Comments, analysis, stories, interviews
La Centrafrique est-elle au bord du génocide? | 21 November 2013 | RFI
Laurent Fabius, le ministre français des Affaires étrangères, l’a affirmé ce jeudi 21 novembre : « La Centrafrique est au bord du génocide ». Mardi c’est le directeur du bureau Afrique du département d’Etat américain, Robert Jackson, qui parlait de « situation pré-génocidaire ».

As CAR Spirals into Chaos, Tales of Terror Multiply | 22 November 2013 | Voice of America
In October, Dofio Rodriguez fled the town of Bossangoa, roughly 300 kilometers northwest of the capital, Bangui, after seeing his country’s new security forces — a loose band of ex-rebels who go by the name “Seleka”, or alliance — slit his brother’s throat at the local police station, then throw his body into a river.

CAR – a failed state gets worse | 22 November 2013 | IRIN
The teeming hospital grounds in Bossangoa, a northwestern town in the Central African Republic (CAR), offers a glimpse into the worsening crisis the country has faced since a rebel alliance known as Seleka took power by force in March 2013.

The Central African Republic. A catastrophe in the making? | 23 November 2013 | The Economist
A political crisis in the Central African Republic is on the verge of spiralling out of control. The country of 4.6m people has been in turmoil ever since a rebel group known as Séléka ousted President François Bozizé in March.

La situation en Centrafrique devant le Conseil de sécurité | 25 November 2013 | RFI
Les diplomaties américaines et françaises ont parlé de « situation pré-génocidaire » en République centrafricaine, ou d’un pays « au bord du génocide ». Ban Ki-moon, dans le rapport qui doit être examiné ce lundi 25 novembre, évoque « une situation qui a de fortes chances de se solder par des atrocités généralisées ». L’Union européenne décrit une situation de « violations généralisées des droits de l’homme qui se déroulent en toute impunité ».

Calls Mount for U.N. Force in Central African Republic | 26 November 2013 | IPS
Les appels montent pour une force de l’ONU dans le pays | 27 November 2013 | IPS
France has said it will circulate a Security Council draft resolution Monday night that would create a U.N. peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic, as violence in its former colony threatens to morph into an ethnic conflict.

Why have one in 10 fled their homes in CAR? | 26 November 2013 | BBC Africa
Crise en RCA: les grandes questions | 26 November 2013 | BBC Afrique
The Central African Republic (CAR) has been in turmoil since rebels seized power in March. The UN deputy secretary general has warned the country is descending into “complete chaos” and called for urgent action.

Analysis – UN Intervention in CAR Is Short On Details, and Time | 26 November 2013 | Daily Maverick | allAfrica
As violence escalates in the Central African Republic, and assumes increasingly religious overtones, the international community is contemplating a response. They know they must do something, but what? And will it be enough?

La France gendarme malgré elle en Centrafrique | 26 November 2013 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman
Malgré elle et poussée par les évènements, la France se prépare désormais à envoyer un millier d’hommes en Centrafrique. Voici un an cependant, mobilisée par la situation au Mali, la France avait refusé d’intervenir alors que les rebelles de la Seleka s’approchaient de Bangui.

Thibault Lesueur: en Centrafrique, la France «doit éviter que des conflits ne dégénèrent» | 26 November 2013 | RFI
La France va envoyer 800 soldats en Centrafrique, en plus des 400 qui y sont déjà pour une période brève de 6 mois environ, selon le ministre de la Défense, Jean-Yves le Drian. En appui d’une force africaine, ils seront chargés de rétablir l’ordre, dans ce pays qui traverse une grave crise sécuritaire et humanitaire. Ce chiffre est-il suffisant pour sécuriser le pays ? La réponse de Thibault Lesueur, analyste à l’International crisis group (ICG).

Centrafrique: cartographie des zones à risques | 27 November 2013 | RFI
La France a annoncé mardi qu’elle allait intervenir rapidement en RCA, en appui de la Mission internationale de soutien à la Centrafrique (Misca), pour mettre fin au cycle de violences qui met le pays a feu et à sang depuis 3 mois. Des Français qui devront identifier un certain nombres de villes à sécuriser pour faire retomber la peur au sein des populations, et permettre aux institutions du pays de redémarrer. Les éléments de l’ancienne coalition rebelle Seleka ont créé une situation d’insécurité dans la plupart des préfectures du pays.

The Central African Republic descending into ‘complete chaos’ | 27 November 2013 | The Washington Post
The warnings have become more dire: The Central African Republic “is descending into complete chaos before our eyes,” the U.N. deputy secretary general said this week.

Will French troops bring peace to Central African Republic? | 27 November 2013 | RFI English
France is to send hundreds more troops to the Central African Republic (CAR), a former colony racked by violence in the aftermath of this year’s coup by the Séléka militias. The projected presence of over 1,000 will make it possible to pacify the capital, Bangui, but not the rest of the country, analysts suggest.

Centrafrique : les enjeux de l’intervention française | 27 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Avec l’envoi imminent d’environ 800 hommes supplémentaires, c’est près de 1 200 soldats français qui seront déployés en Centrafrique. Ils interviendront en soutien à la Misca, après l’adoption d’une résolution des Nations unies début décembre, pour mettre fin aux violations des droits de l’homme et rétablir l’ordre dans le pays. Les détails de ce que l’on sait, en cinq questions-réponses.

Centrafrique : Un duo Misca-Armée française pour le rétablissement de la sécurité en RCA | 27 November 2013 | Radio Ndeke Luka
La situation sécuritaire semble prendre une autre tournure à Bangui, la capitale centrafricaine. Les forces internationales d’intervention sont de plus en plus visibles dans la ville. La France décide d’apporter son soutien militaire au pays. La population ne semble pourtant pas être convaincue de cette nouvelle mesure de résolution dans la crise centrafricaine.

Centrafrique : comment la France a convaincu l’ONU de la nécessité d’un recours à la force | 27 November 2013 | Afrik.com
L’organe exécutif des Nations Unies vient d’achever les premières consultations sur un rapport recommandant l’envoi de 6 000 à 9 000 Casques bleus. Cette option, défendue par Paris depuis plusieurs mois pour sécuriser le pays livré au chaos après le renversement du Président François Bozizé en mars, est celle que favorise le secrétaire général de l’ONU, Ban Ki-moon.

François Loncle: «La France n’est pas le gendarme de l’Afrique» | 27 November 2013 | RFI
La France s’apprête à déployer plus de 1 000 soldats en République centrafricaine. La plupart sont déjà en route. Ils interviendront après l’adoption d’une résolution des Nations unies, en principe la semaine prochaine, pour mettre fin aux violations des droits de l’homme et rétablir l’ordre dans ce pays. Paris est-il de nouveau le gendarme de l’Afrique ? Eléments de réponse avec le député français François Loncle.

Religious violence and the seeds of hate in CAR | 27 November 2013 | IRIN
Centrafrique: à Bossangoa, le représentant de l’ONU évoque une «une situation très grave» | 28 November 2013 | RFI
Bossangoa – Shocked by an escalation of killings, rapes and other abuses committed by Muslims against Christians, and vice versa, in the Central African Republic (CAR), leading clerics from both faiths recently travelled together to preach peace and listen to tales of horror.

Refugee and IDP Reports

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

DRC

DR Congo UNHCR Fact Sheet 31 October 2013 | 21 November 2013 | UNHCR | Reliefweb

UNOCHA bulletins & maps
RD Congo – Province du Sud-Kivu : Accès humanitaire (au 14 octobre 2013) | 21 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Hostilités et déplacements au Sud Irumu, 20 novembre 2013 | 21 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province du Maniema No 34/13, 20 novembre 2013 | 25 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire, Province du Katanga No. 45/13, 20 novembre 2013 | 27 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province Orientale No 46/13, 26 novembre 2013 | 26 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province du Nord-Kivu No 40/13, 26 novembre 2013 | 27 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire, Province du Sud-Kivu, N° 48/13, 27 novembre 2013 | 27 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Rwanda

Rwanda Begins Process of Issuing Passports to Former Rwandan Refugees | 26 November 2013 | Government of Rwanda | allAfrica
Rwanda has launched the process of application for passports for Rwandan refugees who lost their refugee status as of June 30, 2013. The cessation clause was invoked because the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) deemed Rwanda safe for refugees who left Rwanda between 1959 and 1998 to return.

Central African Republic

Thousands Turn to Bishop for Protection | 22 November 2013 | CISA | allAfrica
More than 35,000 people are living on the 40-acre diocesan compound in Bossangoa, Central African Republic, seeking protection from rebels who are targeting Christians, the local bishop has said.

Des dizaines de milliers de personnes ont peur de quitter la brousse | 25 November 2013 | ICRC | allAfrica
En raison de l’insécurité qui prévaut en République centrafricaine (RCA), des dizaines de milliers de personnes n’osent pas quitter la brousse, ce qui les rend vulnérables au paludisme et aux maladies causées par la consommation d’eau non potable.

Tension and Fear On CAR’s Humanitarian Front Line | 25 November 2013 | WFP | AlertNet | allAfrica
More than a million people risk going hungry in the Central African Republic (CAR) after months of conflict.

De récents affrontements conduisent à de nouveaux déplacements de population à Bouca | 26 November 2013 | MSF | allAfrica
MSF Calls for More Aid for CAR | 27 November 2013 | Voice of America
MSF appelle la communauté internationale à intervenir en Centrafrique | 27 November 2013 | La Voix de l’Amérique
The medical aid group Doctors Without Borders is calling on the international community to immediately increase humanitarian aid to Central African Republic. The group says one in ten people have been driven from their homes by violence that has gripped the country since a coup last March.

Justice and Tribunals

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

ICC
Ban calls for universal ratification of Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | 20 November 2013 | UN News Centre
Despite collective efforts, much remains to be done towards universal ratification of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said encouraging Member States to ratify or accede to it.

Kenya warns of ICC threat to Eastern Africa’s stability | 21 November 2013 | Reuters
Kenya said the International Criminal Court’s case against its two highest elected officials risked destabilizing the entire east African region at a meeting of the court’s member states on Thursday.

U.S. Official On Cooperation With International Criminal Court | 21 November 2013 | US Department of State | allAfrica
Remarks by Stephen J. Rapp, Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, at the Office of Global Criminal Justice

Is trial by video at the ICC virtual justice or the real thing? | 21 November 2013 | Institute for Security Studies
Is the proposal by Botswana, Jordan, Lichtenstein and others to allow accused like Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta to participate in his International Criminal Court (ICC) trial by video link a shrewd chess move to outfox African governments? Or is it a genuine move to address African concerns, which African leaders – and the ICC itself – would be wise to seize?

Annual Session of States Parties to the Statute of the International Criminal Court – a Major Stress Test | 26 November 2013 | Assembly of States Parties to the ICC | allAfrica
Column
The Hague — As I write this article, States that have joined the Rome Statute, the foundational treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC), are holding their annual session in The Hague, The Netherlands. This is no routine affair: parties find themselves discussing the political implications of the work of the Court.

International court members agree on trial exceptions for top leaders | 27 November 2013 | Reuters
The International Criminal Court’s member states on Wednesday agreed to changes to the court’s trial procedures that could help defuse tensions between the court and the African continent regarding the approaching trial of Kenya’s president.
The changes approved by the court’s 122 members will make it easier for suspects to participate in trial proceedings via video link and create a special exemption for top government officials, Western diplomats said.

DRC

ICC – Bemba case
Bemba case: Four suspects arrested for corruptly influencing witnesses; same charges served on Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo | 24 November 2013 | ICC-CPI
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, following the issuance of a second warrant of arrest against Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, and the arrest of four other individuals | 24 November 2013 | ICC-CPI
On 23 and 24 November 2013, the authorities of the Netherlands, France, Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) acting pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Cuno Tarfusser, the Single Judge of the Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC), arrested four persons suspected of offences against the administration of justice allegedly committed in connection with the case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo. This warrant of arrest in respect of the same charges was also served on Jean-Pierre Bemba at the ICC’s detention centre, where he has been detained since 3 July 2008.

Four Arrested for Witness Tampering in ICC Case | 24 November 2013 | Voice of America
Congo arrests senior opposition member on ICC warrant | 24 November 2013 | Reuters
Affaire Bemba: la CPI arrête 4 Congolais pour subornation présumée de témoins | 24 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC: arrestation de quatre proches de Jean-Pierre Bemba | 24 November 2013 | RFI
ICC arrest warrants for contempt against Bemba and four others | 25 November 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
Bemba’s Lawyers, Two Others Arrested Over Witness Tampering | 25 November 2013 | Bemba trial website | allAfrica
Vers un procès dans le procès de Jean-Pierre Bemba | 25 November 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
Bemba, son avocat et un responsable de son parti devant un juge | 26 November 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
Four men have been arrested for alleged witness tampering in the war crimes trial of former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba.
The International Criminal Court announced the arrests Sunday, saying the suspects bribed witnesses to give false testimony and presented evidence to the court that they knew to be false or forged.

Affaire Bemba à la CPI: un collectif d’avocats dénonce l’arrestation de Fidèle Babala | 24 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le transfèrement de Fidèle Babala à la CPI conforme au statut de Rome, selon Kinshasa | 25 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC : le MLC désapprouve le transfèrement de Fidèle Babala à la CPI | 25 November 2013 | Radio Okapi

Les militants pour la bonne gouvernance dénoncent les pressions sur la CPI | 25 November 2013 | La Voix de l’Amérique

RDC : Journée noire pour Jean-Pierre Bemba | 25 November 2013 | Afrikarabia
RDC : un haut responsable du 2e parti d’opposition abattu à Kinshasa | 24 November 2013 | AFP | Jeune Afrique
Le MLC choqué par l’assassinat de Lajos Bidiu Nkebi et l’arrestation de Fidèle Babala | 26 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC : le MLC suspend sa participation aux travaux parlementaires | 27 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC: le parti de Bemba boycotte le Parlement après l’arrestation d’un député | 27 November 2013 | RFI
En un seul jour, le président du MLC, détenu par la Cour pénale internationale (CPI), a perdu son avocat Bruxellois, Aimé Kilolo et un député national, Fidèle Babala, arrêtés pour “subornation de témoins”. Plus grave, le président provincial du MLC au Bas-Congo a également été abattu ce dimanche à Kinshasa.

Bemba and His Lawyer Deny Witness Tampering Charges | 27 November 2013 | Bemba trial website | allAfrica
Witness-tampering charges could derail Bemba war crimes trial | 27 November 2013 | Reuters
Subornation de témoins: Bemba, Kilolo et Babala devant les juges de la CPI | 27 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
CPI : Fidèle Babala veut contester la légalité de son arrestation | 27 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Comparution devant la CPI de l’ex-vice président congolais Bemba et deux de ses proches | 28 November 2013 | RFI
A lawyer for former Congo vice-president and war crimes suspect Jean-Pierre Bemba went on trial himself on Wednesday on charges of colluding with his client and three others to mislead the court with forged documents and bribed witnesses.

Judges’ Witness Gives All Evidence in Bemba Trial in Closed Session | 22 November 2013 | Bemba trial website | allAfrica

Presentation of Defense Evidence Ends in Bemba Trial | 26 November 2013 | Bemba trial website | allAfrica
Judges in the ongoing trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have rejected an application by defense lawyers to extend the deadline for presentation of evidence to December 15, 2013.

ICC – Bosco Ntaganda case
Judge Denies Ntaganda’s Request for Release From ICC Custody | 25 November 2013 | Lubanga trial website | allAfrica
Congolese militia leader Bosco Ntaganda’s application for interim release from the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been turned down by the single judge handling his case. Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova ruled that Mr. Ntaganda should stay in court custody as he was a flight risk and had the potential to threaten or influence witnesses.

Goma Trial for Minova mass rapes
Le procès des militaires jugés pour viols à Minova renvoyé au 4 décembre prochain à Goma | 22 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Le colonel Mokako, premier président de la Cour militaire opérationnelle a renvoyé au 4 décembre 2013 le procès d’une quarantaine de militaires des Forces armées de la RD Congo (FARDC), dont cinq officiers poursuivis pour viols à Minova dans le territoire de Kalehe (Sud-Kivu) en novembre 2012, après avoir identifié tous les prévenus à l’audience du mercredi 20 novembre à Goma (Nord-Kivu).

L’Union européenne fait une déclaration sur le procès des accusés de Minova | 26 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
La Délégation de l’Union européenne délivre cette déclaration en accord avec les Chefs de mission européens en République démocratique du Congo.

Rwanda

Almost 20 Years On – International Justice Still Fails Rwandans | 26 November 2013 | IPS
Kigali – “There is a saying that all Rwandans believe in. You can’t forgive if you forget, but when you remember, you know what harmed you and you can forgive and move forward,” Honore Gatera tells IPS as he walks through the grounds of the Kigali Memorial Centre in Rwanda’s capital.

Natural Resources in the Great Lakes Region

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

Child labour in gold mining
Mobile phone brands cannot guarantee child labour-free gold | 21 November 2013 | DanWatch
Dispatches: Smartphones Without Smart Due Diligence | 25 November 2013 | Human Rights Watch
There is gold in your mobile phone and that gold could be from mines where children from the age of 6 years are working with their life at stake. None of the best selling mobile phone brands in Europe are able to guarantee that the gold in their products comes from mines without child labour. This is described in a new report from DanWatch.

Africa’s resource curse
Africa Need Not Suffer the Resource Curse | 22 November 2013 | The Star | allAfrica
Africa has 10 per cent of the world’s known reserves of oil, 40 per cent of its gold, and 80 to 90 per cent of the chromium and the platinum metal group, to list only a few.
But a number of commentators still refer to this wealth of natural resources and minerals as “Africa’s curse.” They associate the many wars, poverty and untold suffering of ordinary Africans to this abundance.

DRC

Conflict minerals map (IPIS)
Map Shows Gold is Top Conflict Mineral in Eastern Congo | 21 November 2013 | Voice of America
Researchers have produced a new map of mining sites in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo showing which are sites are controlled by armed groups and which are controlled by the Congolese army. Their findings suggest the number one conflict mineral from the region is now gold, which is harder to trace than the other minerals from the area.

Province Orientale : 134 foyers riches en minerais découverts à Mambasa | 21 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Cent trente-quatre foyers des minerais ont été répertoriés dans le territoire de Mambasa (Province Orientale). C’est ce qu’a révélé mercredi 20 novembre la coordination nationale de la Conférence internationale sur la région de grands lacs (CIRGL), à la clôture des travaux d’évaluation de la situation sécuritaire dans les zones minières en Ituri.

Conflict-free minerals
Conflict-Free Minerals Contributing to Community Development in Maniema, DRC | 25 November 2013 | ITRI
Press release.
After suffering from a de facto embargo for many months, the start of the iTSCi Programme in Maniema in December 2012 signalled a new beginning for the 3T mineral sector in the Province with increasing earning potential opportunities for the miners, traders and authorities alike.

Tin miners getting twice price for certified DRC ore – US State Department | 26 November 2013 | Mining Weekly
Tin-mining companies that certify their ore against conflict are receiving prices double those of noncertified participants, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Peter Harrell said on Tuesday.

Joint Conflict-Free Tungsten Program Announced | 26 November 2013 | Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition | CSRwire
A new collaboration between the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) and the Tungsten Industry Conflict Minerals Council (TI-CMC) makes it easier for companies to source conflict-free tungsten.

Mineral smuggling to Rwanda
Fraude des minerais au Nord-Kivu : Richard Muyej met en garde des opérateurs économiques véreux | 22 November 2013 | Digitalcongo.net
Des informations vérifiées révèlent que des canots rapides bourrés des minerais traverseraient nuitamment le lac Kivu vers le Rwanda.

Copper
IMF Raises Congo 2013 Growth Outlook on Stronger Copper Output | 27 November 2013 | Bloomberg
The International Monetary Fund raised its 2013 growth forecast for Democratic Republic of Congo to 8.3 percent from 6.2 percent on stronger copper production, while cutting next year’s estimate.

Hydropower
Consultant sought for Inga 3 | 26 November 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
With studies on the huge Inga 3 dam project piling up, Congo-K needs to quickly find a consulting firm to pin down the technical and financial choices once and for all.

Insight: After lost decades, hopes rise for Congo dam to power Africa | 27 November 2013 | Reuters
For decades, governments dreamed of harnessing the Congo river’s enormous energy at the Inga rapids with an expansion of the dam large enough to power half of Africa. Years of conflict and misrule in Congo meant the project was never realised.

Trading dams for minerals | 26 November 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
The governor of West Kasai province, Alex Kande, and the managing director of China Railways Engineering Corporation Seventh Group (CREC-7), Li Shanyu, signed a memorandum of understanding on Nov. 13 (…)

Kasaï-Oriental: 50 000 $ pour relancer la centrale hydroélectrique de Tshiala | 26 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le gouvernement provincial du Kasaï-Oriental s’engage à intervenir pour la relance de la centrale hydroélectrique de Tshiala appartenant à la Minière de Bakwanga (Miba), en vue de faire face à la carence en énergie électrique qui prévaut sur Mbuji-Mayi depuis quelques semaines.

Right to water (IPIS)
In search of clean water: human rights and the mining industry in Katanga, DRC | 27 November 2013 | IPIS
Today, around 1,8 billion people in the world do not have access to safe water. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the most water-rich country in Africa, 51 million people lack access to potable water; only 26% of the population has access to safe drinking water. This is one of the lowest access rates in the world.
In the Katanga province, rich in cobalt and copper, some industrial mining companies operate provoking significant pollution of water sources, seriously affecting the local population. Although there is a lack of comprehensive data available, several studies conducted by local civil society show environmental, health and socio-economic negative effects.

Illegal wood seized in Germany
Germany seizes Congolese wood in strongest EU action yet against illegal timber trade | 27 November 2013 | Greenpeace
Brussels/Berlin/Kinshasa – German authorities have seized two batches of illegal timber from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The seizure is the strongest case of enforcement of an EU law banning the trade in illegally sourced timber which took effect in March 2013. The government action was triggered by a tip-off from Greenpeace.

Limestone in Katanga
Approbation par le gouvernement d’un projet d’ordonnance visant l’exploitation des gisements de calcaire au Katanga | 25 November 2013 | ACP | Digitalcongo.net
Le Conseil du gouvernement présidé vendredi dernier par le Premier ministre a approuvé un projet d’ordonnance relatif à l’exploitation des gisements de calcaire du Katanga et pour laquelle il a été convenu de procéder au lancement des appels d’offres auprès des investisseurs intéressés.

Land reform
RDCongo – Une réforme foncière en panne ? | 26 November 2013 | La voix du paysan congolais
Les travaux de la Commission Nationale de la Réforme Foncière (CONAREF) sont au point mort, faute des moyens financiers.

Uganda

Copper
Kilembe – Compensation Row Could Derail Copper Production | 22 November 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
Copper production at Kilembe mines could be delayed by a few years unless government finds means of resettling at least 1,000 people who currently occupy land that belongs to the mines. Tibet Hima Industry Company Limited, a consortium of Chinese companies, was recently awarded the concession to revive copper mining in Kilembe.

Oil
“My cows were killed by oil waste” | 23 November 2013 | Oil in Uganda
Rwebisengo Sub-County, Ntoroko District: This area is part of Exploration Area 3A in the Semliki Basin, which was first licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd. in 1997, and later re-licensed to the same company in 2002.
Naturally, the entry of Heritage Oil in the area excited the locals, who were eager to tap any opportunities the investors came with.

Take Advantage of the Oil Delay | 26 November 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
Editorial
The delay has been disappointing, given that Uganda badly needs the money to fuel its development agenda, but perhaps it’s a silver lining because it gives Uganda an opportunity to get things right and avoid the curse that other oil-producing countries have experienced.

Rwanda

Mineral certification
Rwandan Mining Surges as Minerals Certified ‘Conflict-Free’ | 27 November 2013 | Voice of America
Industries worldwide are taking a closer look at their supply chains for minerals exported from Africa’s Great Lakes region. They are worried they could be penalized for buying conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo that are labeled as other countries’ production. To counter those fears and build confidence among importers, Rwanda has started issuing regionally approved certificates for exports from its own mines.

Hydropower – Rusumo Falls
AfDB commits $113m to hydropower project | 27 November 2013 | Engineering News
The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday committed $113-million for the development of the 80 MW Rusumo Falls hydropower project. The project would increase renewable power generating capacity and access to electricity in Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, which would share the power generated equally.

Burundi

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

Congo Uncertainty Seen Posing Risk for Glencore, Randgold | 22 November 2013 | Bloomberg
Mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo including Glencore Xstrata Plc and Randgold Resources Ltd. face “serious risks” as the country’s 2016 elections approach, Liberum Capital Ltd. said.
An attempt by President Joseph Kabila to change the constitution to seek a third term may destabilize the country, while an opposition victory may jeopardize titles held by some miners, the London-based investment bank said today in a note.

ENRC
MPs must ask stock exchange regulator why it failed to act on ENRC | 25 November 2013 | Global Witness
When Financial Conduct Authority director David Lawton testifies to MPs tomorrow, he must explain how the regulator allowed a company facing serious corruption allegations to list in London and then depart while it was under criminal investigation.

Mawson West
CORRECTION FROM SOURCE-Mawson West Limited: Kapulo Project Drilling Update | 21 November 2013 | Mawson West Limited | Marketwired
Perth, Australia – Mawson West Limited issued a press release on 19 November 2013 that contained an error in Appendix B – Table 5 entitled “2013 Safari South drill results to end of October 2013” contained in the press release. This error was not material. A corrected press release in its entirety is included below.

Alphamin
Alphamin Announces an Initial Inferred Mineral Resource for the Gecomines Prospect, Bisie Tin Project, Democratic Republic of the Congo | 26 November 2013 | Alphamin Resources Corp. | Marketwired
Alphamin Resources Corp. is pleased to announce a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource at the Gecomines target on its wholly owned Bisie Tin Prospect (Bisie Project) in east central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Tiger
Tiger declares maiden resource at Judeira | 26 November 2013 | Mining Weekly
Copper miner Tiger Resources has reported a maiden inferred mineral resource at the Judeira deposit, within its Kipoi project, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Perenco
RDC: le Sénat recommande à Perenco de dépolluer la cité de Moanda | 21 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le Sénat a adopté mercredi 20 novembre les recommandations de la commission ayant enquêté sur la pollution de la cité côtière à Moanda au Bas-Congo suite à l’exploitation pétrolière. Le Sénat recommande notamment à la société Perenco d’investir dans le respect des normes environnementales et de décontaminer le sol et les eaux de cette cité côtière.

Uganda

Tibet Hima Industry Company
Kilembe – Compensation Row Could Derail Copper Production | 22 November 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
Copper production at Kilembe mines could be delayed by a few years unless government finds means of resettling at least 1,000 people who currently occupy land that belongs to the mines. Tibet Hima Industry Company Limited, a consortium of Chinese companies, was recently awarded the concession to revive copper mining in Kilembe.

Heritage Oil
“My cows were killed by oil waste” | 23 November 2013 | Oil in Uganda
Rwebisengo Sub-County, Ntoroko District: This area is part of Exploration Area 3A in the Semliki Basin, which was first licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd. in 1997, and later re-licensed to the same company in 2002.

Tullow Oil
Private Firms Make Sh450 Billion From Oil | 24 November 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
Tullow Oil has spent over $200m (Shs 450bn) in its dealings with over 550 local businesses since 2004, it emerged last week. The figure is contained in the latest Tullow Uganda country report, launched at Kampala Sheraton hotel on Friday.

Tullow Urges Ugandans to Prepare for Oil Opportunities | 26 November 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
After awarding the first production licence to Cnooc, government expects to award more production licences this time round to Tullow oil early next year.

Rwanda

Vanoil
Vanoil Says It May Accept Other Explorers in Rwanda Oil Search | 26 November 2013 | Bloomberg
Vanoil Energy Ltd. (VEL) is discussing with the Rwandan government the option of allowing other companies to help explore the country’s East Kivu Graben Basin as they seek to end a dispute over exploration rights.

Vanoil vs Kigali, a tough call | 26 November 2013 | Africa Energy Intelligence
A conciliation proceeding launched by the Canadian firm augurs badly for exploration in the country with largely unknown geological characteristics. An amicable settlement could come.

Central African Republic

AXMIN
AXMIN Inc.: Successful Resolution to Negotiations in the Central African Republic | 26 November 2013 | AXMIN Inc. | Marketwired
Vancouver, British Columbia – AXMIN Inc. is pleased to announce that the Company and the Government of the Central African Republic have successfully resolved all outstanding issues raised in the Government’s August 19, 2013 letter and the Company’s September 30, 2013 rebuttal letter.

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 meeting
Kimberley Process meeting fails to redefine ‘blood diamonds’ | 22 November 2013 | DW
At a four-day meeting in Johannesburg, Kimberley Process delegates called for stiffer penalties for those dealing in blood diamonds. However, they failed to come up with a broader definition of the term.

Statement By the Spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton | 22 November 2013 | European Union External Action | allAfrica
Statement by the spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the outcome of the Plenary Meeting of the Kimberley Process in Johannesburg.

The Kimberley Process After South Africa – Into Uncharted Territory | 25 November 2013 | South African Institute of International Affairs | allAfrica
Analysis
Contrary to the urgent calls for the reform of the Kimberley Process (KP), its year-end plenary took place in Johannesburg from 19 to 22 November 2012 without a breakthrough on the pressing reform questions.
At the top of campaigners’ demands is the need for the KP to agree on a broader definition of conflict or blood diamonds. This stems from the widely recognised failure of the framework to hold its state parties to account for human, environmental and other rights abuses in diamond-producing areas, whilst clamping down on rebels’ atrocities.

EITI
South Africa: Govt Resists Joining Transparency Scheme | 26 November 2013 | TrustMedia | allAfrica
Johannesburg — The South African government is attracting criticism by refusing to join 31 other countries in signing up to an international standard aimed at ensuring transparency in the oil, gas and mining industries. South Africa’s parliament has dismissed adopting the standard, known as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which outlines reporting requirements aimed at ensuring that resource extraction leads to economic growth and social development rather than “corruption and conflict.”

Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights Initiative
The VPs – Managing Human Rights Risk in the Extractives Industry | 26 November 2013 | US Department of State | allAfrica
Govts. can promote positive business environment in extractive industry in Africa by joining Voluntary Principles on Security & Human Rights, says US State Dept.

Corporate legal accountability
Annual Briefing Corporate Legal Accountability | November 2013 | Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
While many multinational companies operate easily across national borders, many people who suffer human rights abuses at the hands of companies struggle to access judicial remedies, allowing those companies to operate with impunity.
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre’s Corporate Legal Accountability Annual Briefing provides an overview of corporate legal accountability for human rights, summarising trends and developments in this field since our first Annual Briefing in June 2012.

Transparency
Campaigners give onshore and offshore secrecy jurisdictions the red light | 25 November 2013 | Global Witness
Some of the world’s most infamous secrecy jurisdictions, such as the British Virgin Islands and Jersey are considering becoming more transparent, whereas several G8 countries lag behind, said campaigners today.

DRC

Revision mining code
La révision du code minier à l’ordre du jour appelée à mettre un terme une fois pour toutes au marché des dupes dans ce secteur | 23 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | Digitalcongo.net
Le code minier de 2002 a tellement favorisé les investisseurs privés au détriment des intérêts de l’Etat alors même que la conjoncture était des plus favorables sur le marché mondial pour des rentrées de recettes enviables, qu’il s’avère urgent de réviser ledit code pour en extirper les clauses préjudiciant le gain public.

EITI
Industries extractives – La norme ITIE amène une mini-révolution dans le secteur minier | 27 November 2013 | Les dépêches de Brazzaville | allAfrica
La RDC l’adoptera dès 2014, après l’étape de validation de son rapport 2011 avant le 31 décembre 2013, a expliqué Me Jean-Claude Katende, coordonnateur national de l’Initiative internationale « Payez ce que vous devez » qui a milité fortement en faveur de la création de l’ITIE pour mettre fin à l’opacité dans l’industrie minière.

ENRC alleged corruption
MPs must ask stock exchange regulator why it failed to act on ENRC | 25 November 2013 | Global Witness
When Financial Conduct Authority director David Lawton testifies to MPs tomorrow, he must explain how the regulator allowed a company facing serious corruption allegations to list in London and then depart while it was under criminal investigation.

Oil pollution by Perenco
RDC: le Sénat recommande à Perenco de dépolluer la cité de Moanda | 21 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le Sénat a adopté mercredi 20 novembre les recommandations de la commission ayant enquêté sur la pollution de la cité côtière à Moanda au Bas-Congo suite à l’exploitation pétrolière. Le Sénat recommande notamment à la société Perenco d’investir dans le respect des normes environnementales et de décontaminer le sol et les eaux de cette cité côtière.

Pollution à Moanda: des habitants remettent en cause le rapport des sénateurs | 25 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le comité de concertation de Moanda, une structure présentée comme le porte-parole de la population de cette cité auprès des entreprises qui exploitent le pétrole sur place, dit n’est pas être d’accord avec les conclusions du rapport de sénateurs accusant l’entreprise Perenco de polluer cette contrée du Bas-Congo.

Uganda

Resettlement for copper mines
Kilembe – Compensation Row Could Derail Copper Production | 22 November 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
Copper production at Kilembe mines could be delayed by a few years unless government finds means of resettling at least 1,000 people who currently occupy land that belongs to the mines. Tibet Hima Industry Company Limited, a consortium of Chinese companies, was recently awarded the concession to revive copper mining in Kilembe.

Oil pollution
“My cows were killed by oil waste” | 23 November 2013 | Oil in Uganda
Rwebisengo Sub-County, Ntoroko District: This area is part of Exploration Area 3A in the Semliki Basin, which was first licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd. in 1997, and later re-licensed to the same company in 2002.

Rwanda

Other

East African governments turn on vibrant media in bid to stem criticism | 26 November 2013 | The Guardian
Kenya and Tanzania are among several countries in the region who are introducing laws to curb press freedom

IPIS Recent Publications

Pinocchio Ltd. The NRA and its corporate partners: US shipments of small arms ammunition by sea | 25 March 2013 | TA-R | IPIS
The National Rifle Association (NRA) claims to have monitored in the last 20 years all United Nations activities that could impact Second Amendment rights. Its latest target is the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), an international treaty to establish common international standards for the import, export, and transfer of conventional arms presently under discussion at the United Nations. The international community has been calling for the inclusion of ammunition and civilian arms within the scope of the ATT. This reasonable call is used by the NRA to claim that the ATT could restrict the lawful ownership of firearms in the United States.

Major Powers Fuelling Atrocities. Why the world needs a robust Arms Trade Treaty | March 2013 | Amnesty International
IPIS contributed to the research for this AI report.
Every year, thousands of people are killed, injured, raped and forced to ﬂee from their homes as a result of abuses and atrocities committed with conventional arms and ammunition. Harrowing testimonies and images from conﬂict zones and human rights crises around the world underline the urgent need to end irresponsible arms transfers and illicit trafﬁcking.

The Arms Trade Treaty: Building a Path to Disarmament | 19 March 2013 | Sergio Finardi, Brian Wood, Peter Danssaert, Ken Matthysen
The goal of this article is to examine and suggest proposals that could enhance the role of the international Arms Trade Treaty—presently in discussion at the United Nations—in the regulation of the international arms trade and in addressing the role of the legal trade in: a) providing the bulk of the arms used in armed conflicts, armed violence and human rights abuses; b) the excessive arming of developing countries; and c) the continuous unsettling of power balances in sensitive world regions, not least because of competition amongst arms-exporting countries.

Upstream Implementation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. Final Report on one-year pilot implementation of the Supplement on Tin, Tantalum, and Tungsten | January 2013 | OECD – IPIS
This report is the final in a cycle of three reports on the pilot implementation by upstream companies of the “Supplement on Tin, Tantalum and Tungsten of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas”. The goal of the report is to provide an overall assessment of the progress and impact of the one-year pilot implementation phase of the OECD Guidance and its Supplement on Tin, Tantalum and Tungsten. The pilot implementation phase of the Guidance focused on Africa’s Great Lakes region and was carried out during the period August 2011 – October 2012. Drawing on lessons from the ground, this final report identifies key trends and common approaches to overcome challenges as well as tools used by companies to implement the OECD Guidance.

Exploitation minière industrielle et artisanale au Sud-Kivu. Possibilités d’une cohabitation pacifique ? | December 2012 | Gabriel Kamundala Byemba
Le secteur minier en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) en général et au Sud-Kivu en particulier alimente toujours les débats tant au niveau international qu’au niveau national. Présenté sous plusieurs facettes, ce secteur au Sud-Kivu a été dans le temps industriel, puis artisanal et aujourd’hui il est en même temps artisanal et industriel. Le retour en force, ces dernières années, des sociétés industrielles dans le paysage minier du Sud-Kivu coïncide avec l’accélération des dynamiques minières, grâce aux opportunités qu’offre la RDC en matière d’investissements privés et aux réformes amorcées du cadre législatif et réglementaire du secteur minier congolais. Ces réformes ont abouti à la mise en place du nouveau Code minier en 2002 et du Règlement minier en 2003.

Cartographie des motivations derrière les conflits : le M23 | November 2012 | IPIS
À la lumière de la récente occupation de Goma par le M23 et eu égard à la recrudescence du risque de conflit armé à grande échelle en RDC, IPIS publie une brève mise à jour de sa série de rapports « Cartographie des motivations derrière les conflits » (2007-2010), en se focalisant spécifiquement sur les intentions du M23.
Ces rebelles affichent clairement une ambition politique et s’orientent vers l’instauration d’un contrôle politique sur le territoire, en contestant l’autorité de Kinshasa – intérêts stratégiques qu’ils pourraient partager avec le Rwanda.

Mapping Conflict Motives: M23 | November 2012 | IPIS
In light of the recent occupation of Goma by M23 and the renewed risk of large-scale armed conflict in the DRC, IPIS publishes an update to its 2007-2010 ‘mapping conflict motives’ report series focusing specifically on the intentions of M23.
The M23 rebels show a clear political ambition and a tendency to establish political control over territory and challenge Kinshasa’s authority – strategic interests they might share with Rwanda.

A Code of Conduct for Arms Transport by Air. Transport Services under an Arms Trade Treaty Series | August 2012 | IPIS
This report is a discussion of some key considerations for the development of a Cargo Industry Voluntary Code of Conduct relating to the transport of arms, ammunition and other military equipment (ACI Code). The purpose of such a Code is to encourage as many aviation companies and other actors as possible in the air cargo industry to adhere to existing and new standards relating to the transport of arms, ammunition and other military equipment.

Rough Seas. Maritime Transport and Arms Shipments | July 2012 | IPIS
As stated by the authors in their report “Transparency and Accountability” (February 2012), the Chairman’s Draft Paper (14 July 2011) presented by the Arms Trade Treaty’s Preparatory Committee (ATT PrepCom), included within the ATT’s scope certain “services”, such as transport and brokering. However, no provision has been envisaged for the monitoring or ATT-related regulation of arms transport services. Monitoring transport services may be key to implementing and enforcing the Arms Trade Treaty. This report will demonstrate how arms shipments may be monitored and reported where there is a substantial risk that the shipments could contribute to fuelling conflict, repressive state practices, and other human rights abuses. The report provides examples of the monitoring of actual conventional arms shipments to Egypt and Syria in 2011 and 2012, and of suspected conventional arms shipments to Syria in 2012. It also shows that where there is an open society, or at least a fair degree of access to government activities, arms transfers can be monitored and discussed without jeopardizing legitimate security policies.

Upstream Implementation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. Cycle 2 Interim Progress Report on the Supplement on Tin, Tantalum, and Tungsten | May 2012 | OECD – IPIS
The following report is the second in a cycle of three on upstream companies’ implementation of the Supplement on Tin, Tantalum and Tungsten to the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. The objective is to report on progress made by upstream companies in their implementation of due diligence, with a focus on current practices and experiences in developing systems and processes for the implementation of the Five-Step OECD Framework.

Etat des lieux du développement socio-économique dans les zones minières au Nord-Kivu (territoires de Walikale et Masisi) | March 2012 | ASSODIP | IPIS (editorial advice)
At a moment when the attention of both the national and international communities is focused on the reorganisation of the mining sector in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the local civil society organisation ASSODIP considered it opportune to carry out a study of the impact of mining exploitation on the socio-economic development in North Kivu’s Walikale and Masisi territories. These territories are among the richest in mineral resources of eastern DRC, with the exploitation and trade in minerals adding greatly to public revenues. Nonetheless, the concrete situations as presented in this paper sufficiently show that the development of the local mining communities has never been taken into due account.

Assessment of existing practices regarding end-user certification | February 2012 | UNODA | IPIS
Already, in 2002, the Security Council called upon States to establish an effective national end-user certificate system and to study the feasibility, as appropriate, of developing such a system at the regional and global levels, as well as information exchange and verification mechanisms. This study assesses existing practices regarding end-user certification in a wide range of countries. It examines concepts, documents and procedures relating to the regulation of end use and end users of conventional arms. It also endeavours to identify political and practical obstacles to the development of an international framework for authentication, reconciliation and standardization of end-user certificates. Finally, it proposes practical guidelines to assist States in the development of a reliable system of end-user certification.

Transparancy and Accountability. Monitoring and Reporting Methods Under An Arms Trade Treaty | February 2012 | TransArms R | IPIS
Without an understanding of the existing practices of States regarding their commonly agreed standards for the monitoring and reporting of their international transfers of conventional arms, it will be very difficult to draft many of the basic provisions of the Treaty to ensure compliance and enforcement. This report therefore seeks to clarify and discuss existing terminology and reporting practices for State regulation of international transfers of goods and services and for international transfers of conventional arms. It is hoped that this will also help contribute to the development of common international standards for monitoring and reporting international transfers of conventional arms. Standardization of statistical requirements and reporting methods is of paramount importance for the ATT to be effective.

Upstream Pilot Implementation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas Baseline Report on the Supplement on Tin, Tantalum, and Tungsten | November 2011 | OECD | IPIS
IPIS executed the research for and writing of this OECD report. The present baseline report is the first in a cycle of three reports on the implementation by upstream companies of the Supplement on Tin, Tantalum and Tungsten of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (hereafter “the Guidance”). The objective of this report is to understand where upstream companies currently stand with the implementation of due diligence.

Violence against women in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Whose responsibility? Whose complicity? | November 2011 | ITUC | IPIS
IPIS contributed the research for and writing of this ITUC report. Summary: Eastern DRC has been ravaged by war and violence since the mid-1990s. Civilians carry the greatest burden of the conflict. Women and girls are especially vulnerable to such attacks.. Hundreds of women and girls get sexually violated in their homes and at their workplace. Fuelled and motivated by Congo’s minerals, rebel and army forces are inclined to maintain an insecure environment that ensures the continuation of the status quo. Congo’s conflict minerals go through a convoluted, yet manageable and traceable, supply chain and end up in industrialised consumer products. The introduction of transparency and governance into the mining sector is advancing, but still much has to be done.

Bisie. A one-year snapshot of the DRC’s principal cassiterite mine | November 2011 | IPIS
Much has happened in the mining sector of Eastern DRC over the last year. President Kabila imposed a ban on all mining activities last fall, during which production fell considerably. As soon as the suspension was lifted in the spring of this year, the major global electronic companies stopped buying minerals from the region, provoking a de facto embargo on Congo’s minerals with detrimental effects on the sector. At the same time, the Congolese government has taken major steps to restructure its army in the east of the country. These different decisions in the mining and security sectors have affected the nature and volume of minerals production and export and have reconfigured the security situation in the region. The consequences of these actions are discussed and illustrated with the use of the most important and well-known cassiterite mine in North Kivu called Bisie.

“Véhicules civils militarisables” and the EU arms embargo on Sudan | September 2011 | IPIS | TA-R | ASER
In this case study we will focus on the use of European manufactured trucks in the Darfur region, and more specifically what the defence industry calls “véhicules civils militarisables” – commercial vehicles that can be militarized. All armed actors in the conflict require vehicles to transport combatants through the vast Darfur deserts. Japanese Toyota (Landcruisers) pick-up trucks are the most common vehicles that are spotted in the region. Usually they are mounted with machineguns, and as such compose an important assault instrument. Furthermore, a wide array of military trucks or civilian trucks modified for military purposes are being used in Darfur, e.g. anti-aircraft guns are mounted on a variety of trucks to function as support and/or attack vehicles. Some of these trucks are European models, assembled by a local company: GIAD Automotive Industry Company.

Conflict motives in Kenya’s North Rift region | September 2011 | IPIS intern series
Kenya’s North Rift Region continues to suffer from violent conflict in which a series of actors are involved. Armed groups perform widespread and devastating raids against neighbouring communities. The strength of these warrior groups varies regionally and from case to case. Security operations are often characterised by their disproportionate brutality. Power figures are known to instigate violence or organise and finance armed militias. Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia bore the brunt of the post-election violence in 2007 and 2008. The violence mainly pitted Kalenjin warrior groups against Kikuyu communities in a struggle over political injustices and power but also over economic discrepancies and feelings of ethnic antagonism.

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Weekly Briefing: 21ST – 27TH November 2013

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