EDITORIAL
Because of the accusations in the leaked UN Group of Experts report that Uganda, together with Rwanda, is backing the M23 rebel movement in eastern DR Congo, the Ugandan government last week has threatened to withdraw its troops from its international peacekeeping missions in Somalia, DRC and Central African Republic.
On the ground, an incident at the DRC-Rwanda border in which one Congolese soldier was killed raised the tension between the two countries, but had no further consequences.
The Rift Valley Institute launched the first two reports of its Usalama Project, directed by Jason Stearns, which will publish a dozen reports on armed groups in the eastern Congo over the next year. The first report explores the origins and trajectory of the M23 rebellion, the second describes the historical context of the current conflict in North Kivu in greater detail.
The most violent news again came from Mambasa territory in Ituri, where the Mai-Mai militia of Paul Sadala, known as Morgan, has been sowing terror since the beginning of May, killing, raping, kidnapping and burning houses.
In a decision that represents the end of any judicial relief in Canada for victims of the 2004 Kilwa massacre in Katanga, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the application for leave to appeal brought in the case against Anvil Mining by an organisation representing survivors and families of victims of the massacre.
As part of the traceability process of minerals started by the Congolese government,150 tons of tin ore from Maniema was exported via the transit port of Kalemie in Katanga, and no longer through the Kivus.
Arms Trade and Security in the Great Lakes Region
Recent news on conflict, security and arms trade across the Great Lakes Region.
Uganda threatening to withdraw from peacekeeping missions
Uganda to Quit Somalia | 2nd November 2012 | The New Vision | allAfrica
Uganda to Pull Out of Somalia, CAR, DRC | 2nd November 2012 | The Independent (Kampala) | allAfrica
Uganda to withdraw troops from Somalia, says Mukasa | 2nd November 2012 | BBC Africa
L’Ouganda se retire de la Somalie | 2nd November 2012 | BBC Afrique
Uganda Threatens to Pull Troops From Somalia | 2nd November 2012 | Voice of America
Uganda threatens Somalia troop withdrawal | 2nd November 2012 | Al Jazeera
Uganda threatens to pull out of peacekeeping missions | 2nd November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb
Uganda vows to withdraw peacekeepers over UN’s Congo claims | 2nd November 2012 | The Guardian
Uganda accused | 2nd November 2012 | Africa Confidential
Ugandan Troops to Quit Somalia | 2nd November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica
Uganda to Withdraw Troops From Somalia | 2nd November 2012 | Rwanda Focus | allAfrica
Govt Statement On UN Allegations Over M23 Rebels | 3rd November 2012 | The New Vision | allAfrica
Uganda says to pull out troops from Somalia over Congo charges | 3rd November 2012 | Reuters Africa
Conflit à l’Est de a RDC : l’Ouganda menace de retirer ses forces des opérations de maintien de la paix | 3rd November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Uganda has threatened to pull out of all its international peacekeeping missions in DR Congo, Somalia and Central African Republic (CAR), in response to the allegations by the UN Group of Experts that it is supporting the M23 rebels in eastern DRC. Instead, the government of Uganda will now send the soldiers to protect the country’s eastern border with Democratic Republic of Congo, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi told Parliament. The Security Minister, Wilson Mukasa, described the decision as “irreversible” and said another cabinet minister was travelling to New York to explain Uganda’s position.
Uganda Officials to Meet U.N. Security Council Monday | 4th November 2012 | Voice of America
Officials Meet UN Security Council | 5th November 2012 | The New Vision | allAfrica
A government spokesman said officials from Kampala plan to meet members of the U.N. Security Council. The administration will decide its next line of action after the meeting with the Security Council. In Uganda other meetings will take place before a decision will be arrived at.
Report On Congo Rebels Not Final – UN | 4th November 2012 | The New Vision | allAfrica
The United Nations has put a disclaimer on a recent report which accuses Uganda of supporting the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The President of the UN Security Council, Ambassador H.S Puri said the views expressed by independent experts do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations. Puri added that the report was yet to be considered by the Sanctions Committee concerning the DRC.
Somalia wants Ugandan troops to remain | 4th November 2012 | Reuters Africa
If DR Congo Wants Peace, Their Best Friend Is Uganda | 4th November 2012 | The Independent (Kampala) | allAfrica
Henry Okello Oryem, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs spoke to The Independent’s Haggai Matsiko about the allegations that Uganda is backing the M23.
Uganda holds Somalia hostage in high-stakes diplomacy | 5th November 2012 | Daily Maverick | The Guardian
Threat to withdraw troops from fragile neighbour is political posturing that suggests some truth to UN accusations.
Uganda Keen On Regional Peace, Says Museveni | 5th November 2012 | The New Vision | allAfrica
Uganda is committed to supporting the restoration of peace and stability in the region despite the ongoing negative stance portrayed in some sections of the media, President Yoweri Museveni has said. The President gave the assurance while meeting the American Under-Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, at State House, Entebbe on Saturday.
US expects Ugandan peacekeepers to stay in Somalia | 6th November 2012 | Reuters Africa
The United States expects Uganda to keep its peacekeeping forces in Somalia, despite a threat to withdraw in protest at a U.N. report accusing Kampala of aiding rebels in eastern Congo, a senior State Department official said on Monday.
US weak in fight against use of child soldiers
Analysis: Is US action against use of child soldiers on the backburner? | 5th November 2012 | IRIN
Analyse : La lutte contre l’utilisation des enfants soldats reléguée au second plan | 6th November 2012 | IRIN
The Child Soldier Prevention Act (CSPA) was a prime example of US bipartisan human rights legislation: sponsored by Democratic and Republican senators and signed into law in 2008 by Republican President George Bush, the law entered into force under the Democratic presidency of Barack Obama. But even armed with this political consensus, the US consistently shies away from using the full spectrum of the law, citing national security interests.
DRC
Usalama Project studying armed groups in DRC
Introducing: The Usalama Project | 3rd November 2012 | Rift Valley Institute | Congo Siasa
What is the Usalama Project? | 4th November 2012 | Congo Siasa
The Rift Valley Institute’s Usalama Project, directed by Jason Stearns, launched the first two reports in a series of publications on armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Project will publish a dozen reports on armed factions in the eastern Congo over the next year.
The first Usalama report is an account of the origins and trajectory of the new M23 rebellion and its alleged relationship with the Rwandan government. The second report traces the deeper history of conflict in the CNDP’s and M23’s stronghold, North Kivu province. Both reports can be downloaded from the Rift Valley Insitute’s website.
Morgan’s militia terrorizing Mambasa territory, Ituri
Province orientale : les miliciens de Morgan ont tué 20 braconniers à Mambasa | 31st October 2012 | Radio Okapi
The militiamen of Paul Sadala alias Morgan killed 20 poachers in a village in Ituri’s Mambasa territory, Province Orientale. They also attacked various other villages, raping women and setting fire to many houses.
Province Orientale : les miliciens de Morgan tuent 25 personnes dans 3 villages de Mambasa | 3rd November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Local sources say Morgan’s militia killed 25 people and injured several others in attacks on three villages in Mambasa territory.
Province Orientale : les miliciens de Morgan coupent les oreilles de 2 personnes près de Mambassa | 4th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Militia chief Morgan’s men cut the ears off of two men in a village in Mambasa territory.
Province Orientale : 3 000 déplacés refusent de retourner dans leurs villages à Bombo | 6th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Three thousand IDPs refuse to go back to their villages in Bombo chefferie (Mambasa territory) fearing the brutalities of chief Morgan’s militiamen.
Border incident DRC-Rwanda
RDC : un militaire congolais tué par des soldats rwandais à la frontière | 4th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
DRC Soldiers Enter Rwanda, Two Killed in Shoot Out | 4th November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica
DR Congo soldier killed in border clash with Rwandan army | 5th November 2012 | Reuters Africa
Rwandans kill DR Congo soldier | 5th November 2012 | BBC Africa
Un soldat congolais tué au Rwanda | 5th November 2012 | BBC Afrique
Rwanda: Polémique après un accrochage meurtrier entre les armées du Rwanda et de la RDC à la frontière | 5th November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica
A Congolese soldier was killed and a Rwandan soldier wounded in a skirmish along the border between the DRC and Rwanda, close to Goma. According to the Congolese army, a few of their soldiers had crossed the border to buy some milk or beer, while the Rwandan military said the Congolese were on a reconnaissance mission.
RDC-Rwanda : l’accrochage de samedi n’implique pas les commandements de deux armées, selon le colonel Hamuli | 5th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Congo, Rwanda control tempers after border shoot-out | 6th November 2012 | Reuters Africa
Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo sought on Monday to prevent the killing of a Congolese soldier in a border clash from causing an escalation of already tense relations, officials said.
International support for peace in eastern DRC
RDC : la force neutre sera opérationnelle « dans les prochaines semaines », selon Raymond Tshibanda | 6th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
The Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Raymond Tshibanda, said he is convinced that the international neutral force to be deployed at the border between DRC and Rwanda will be operational “in the coming weeks”.
U.S. Backs Regional Approach to DRC | 6th November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica
Washington s’engage à appuyer les efforts du gouvernement congolais pour ramener la paix dans la partie Est de la RDC | 6th November 2012 | Digitalcongo.net
The US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, has said that the ongoing efforts by the ICGLR to end violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, are an indication of the region’s collective desire for peace.
CIRGL : le Rwanda dit participer à la recherche de la paix dans la région | 1st November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Fp-Cirgl : les parlements invités à jouer un rôle déterminant pour la paix dans les Grands lacs | 5th November 2012 | Digitalcongo.net
The parliaments of the ICGLR member states have engaged to ensure their control over the member states in order to hold them to their decisions and engagement for peace and development in the region.
L’Union Européenne réitère sa disposition à s’impliquer dans le règlement de la crise à l’Est de la RDC | 5th November 2012 | Digitalcongo.net
The representative of the European Union in DRC has reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to contribute to a solution for the crisis in eastern DRC.
RDC : André Flahaut exige la fin de « tout soutien extérieur » au M23 | 3rd November 2012 | Radio Okapi
RDC: André Flahaut demande à la communauté internationale de s’engager pour ramener la paix dans l’Est | 1st November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Visit to Congo of the president of the Belgian Chamber of Deputies.
Insecurity in North Kivu
La situation sécuritaire demeure « tendue et imprévisible » | 31st October 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
According to MONUSCO, the situation in North Kivu remains “tense and unpredictable” due to grave human rights violations committed by M23, FDLR, Mai-Mai Nyatura and Raia Mutomboli.
Violence by presumed Mai-Mai Shetani in Rutshuru, North Kivu
Sud-Kivu: un chef de localité tué par des hommes armés | 2nd November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Sud-Kivu: le chef de la localité Makoka assassiné | 5th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
The chief of a village close to Rutshuru, North Kivu, was kidnapped and killed by alleged Mai-Mai Shetani.
Nord-Kivu: un opérateur économique kidnappé à Ishasha | 2nd November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Presumed Mai-Mai Shetani have kidnapped a tradesman in Ishasha, a border town with Uganda, in Rutshuru territory.
Violence by alleged Mai-Mai Nyatura in Masisi, North Kivu
Nord-Kivu : des miliciens Nyatura accusés de l’assassinat de 7 personnes à Masisi | 4th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
RD Congo : 4 femmes et 2 enfants tués par une milice dans l’Est (société civile) | 5th November 2012 | AFP | Reliefweb
Des miliciens Nyatura alliés aux FDLR « massacrent » 6 femmes et un bébé au Nord-Kivu | 5th November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Civil society suspects Mai-Mai Nyatura of killing six Hunde women and a baby who were found dead in a field in Masisi territory.
Dr Mukwege in Belgium after attack in Bukavu, South Kivu
RDC : la Monusco fustige la tentative d’assassinat du docteur Mukwege | 31st October 2012 | Radio Okapi
The Misogyny Behind an Attempted Assassination of a Man in Congo | 31st October 2012 | The Atlantic
A doctor who’s treated tens of thousands of women raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo was fiercely attacked last week.
Rape Doctor Denis Mukwege Wants to Return to DRC Despite Murder Attempt | 1st November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica
Denis Mukwege sur RFI- «Il faut une sécurité pour toute la population» | 1st November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica
Gynaecologist Denis Mukwege described to RFI how assailants shot at him at least seven times as they escaped in his car after breaking into his home in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr mukwege annonce à partir de Stockholm son prochain retour en RDC | 1st November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Denis Mukwege : « jusque à quand devons nous encore assister impuissants à d’autres massacres ? » | 1st November 2012 | Le Potentiel | Digitalcongo.net
Congo-Kinshasa: Après l’agression du docteur Mukwege, le gouverneur se dit «à la trousse des malfaiteurs» | 2nd November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica
State Dept. On Attack On Congolese Human Rights Activist | 5th November 2012 | US Department of State | allAfrica
Déclaration du département d’état sur l’attaque contre un militant congolais des droits de l’homme | 5th November 2012 | US Department of State | allAfrica
USA: la RDC doit enquêter sur l’agression du Dr Mukwege -Belga via RTBF | 6th November 2012 | RTBF | Radio Okapi
Agression du Dr Mukwege – Washington appelle Kinshasa à « mener une enquête minutieuse » | 6th November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
The United States calls on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to investigate thoroughly the events of the October 25 attack on Dr. Denis Mukwege, of Panzi Hospital. We note the prompt response of local law enforcement officials and the UN, and urge Congolese authorities to hold the perpetrators of this senseless violence accountable – and all those who perpetrate violence against the women and girls served by humanitarians as Dr. Mukwege.
RDC : les femmes du Sud-Kivu réclament le retour du docteur Mukwege | 5th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Le Dr Mukwege veut retourner en RDC « le plus tôt possible »-RTBF | 6th November 2012 | RTBF | Radio Okapi
Le Dr Mukwege compte rentrer à Bukavu | 6th November 2012 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman
Army fighting Mai-Mai Raia Mutomboki in Shabunda, South Kivu
Sud-Kivu: la localité de Kigulube de nouveau sous contrôle des FARDC | 6th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
The army says it has regained control of Kigulube in Shabunda territory, occupied by militiamen of the Raia Mutomboki group.
Insecurity in Irumu, Ituri
Les FARDC et la MONUSCO intensifient les patrouilles en Ituri | 1st November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
FARDC and MONUSCO increase their patrols to protect the civilian population, in the framework of the joint operation “Eagle claw” in the south of Irumu territory (Province Orientale).
Le chef milicien Cobra Matata se retire des négociations avec Kinshasa | 3rd November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Cobra Matata, leader of the FRPI militia, has cancelled his negotiations with the government.
Insecurity in Pweto, Katanga
Katanga – Dégradation de la situation sécuritaire à Pweto | 1st November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Clashes between the army and Mai-Mai in a village in Pweto territory have caused an alarming humanitarian situation, according to OCHA.
Sexual violence in DRC
One-third of Congolese men admit committing sexual violence | 31st October 2012 | The Guardian
More than one in three men surveyed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s war-torn east admits committing sexual assault, and three in four believe that a woman who “does not dress decently is asking to be raped”, researchers have found.
Army recruiting
Nord-Kivu : l’armée veut encore recruter 800 jeunes pour le service militaire | 1st November 2012 | Radio Okapi
The Congolese armed forces (FARDC) want to recruit another 800 young people, after having recruited 500 in a first phase.
Prime Minister promises salary increase for army & police
Budget 2013: Matata Ponyo promet de lutter contre les inégalités salariales | 5th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Prime Minister Matata Ponyo has presented the budget for 2013 to the National Assembly.
Rwanda
Andrew Mitchell faces grilling over Rwandan aid decision | 1st November 2012 | The Guardian
Andrew Mitchell, the former chief whip, is to be grilled by MPs over a decision made on his last day as international development secretary to restore £16m in British aid to Rwanda. The decision was made despite fears about the human rights record of the country’s president, Paul Kagame.
Burundi
Analysis: Burundi’s bumpy road to the 2015 polls | 1st November 2012 | IRIN
Analyse: Scrutin de 2015 au Burundi – un parcours semé d’embûches | 5th November 2012 | IRIN
The US$2 billion pledged by donors on 30 October to support Burundi’s development sounds like a ringing endorsement of the central African country’s progress from civil war to peace and democracy.
But memories are still fresh of the 1993-2005 conflict that killed more than 200,000 people, and analysts, human rights experts, and civil society and political opposition members – while they agree significant gains have been made – worry about a range of security and governance issues that could derail them ahead of the 2015 elections.
Refugee and IDP Reports
Non-comprehensive overview and selected articles on the status of refugees in the Great Lakes Region
Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Refugees in the Great Lakes Region (ECHO/COD/BUD/2013/91000) Last update: 29/10/2012 Version 1 | 2nd November 2012 | European Commission Humanitarian Aid department | Reliefweb
LRA Regional Update: Central African Republic, DR Congo and South Sudan: July – September 2012 (Quarter 3) | 2nd November 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Humanitarian Bulletin Eastern Africa, Issue 17, 16-29 October 2012 | 31st October 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
DRC
Bulletin d’information humanitaire – Province du Sud-Kivu N° 45/12, 6 novembre 2012 | 6th November 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Les activités en bref entre juillet et septembre 2012 | 6th November 2012 | ICRC | Reliefweb
Les échos du Nord-Kivu : les Gouvernements Provinciaux de la Rdc à la rescousse des déplacés de guerre à l’Est | 6th November 2012 | Digitalcongo.net
Citing ‘monumental’ humanitarian needs, UN official urges greater relief aid for eastern DR Congo | 5th November 2012 | UN News Centre
Face à une situation «désespérée», l’OCHA demande un renforcement de l’aide humanitaire dans l’est de la RDC | 5th November 2012 | UN News Centre
OCHA Operations Director John Ging Press statement on joint mission to the DRC New York, 5 November 2012 | 5th November 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
A top United Nations relief official urged a greater response to tackle the “monumental” humanitarian needs being experienced in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where over two million people have been displaced by fighting.
Nord-Kivu : l’Assemblée nationale assiste 2800 ménages des déplaces à Mugunga 3 | 3rd November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Refugees in the Great Lakes Region (ECHO/COD/BUD/2013/91000) Last update: 29/10/2012 Version 1 | 2nd November 2012 | European Commission Humanitarian Aid department | Reliefweb
Plan de mise en oeuvre humanitaire (HIP) : République démocratique du Congo (RDC) et réfugiés dans la région des Grands Lacs | 31st October 2012 | European Commission Humanitarian Aid department | Reliefweb
Basango – Bulletin bimestriel d’information de la Représentation Régionale du HCR en RDC: Numéro 01 – Octobre 2012 | 2nd November 2012 | UNHCR | Reliefweb
Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province de l’Equateur N° 42/12, 31 octobre 2012 | 2nd November 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Le HCR a rapatrié plus de 30 000 ressortissants de la RDC vivant en République du Congo en 5 mois | 2nd November 2012 | Government of the Republic of Congo | Reliefweb
RD Congo : Personnes déplacées et retournées (au 30 Septembre 2012) | 1st November 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province de Orientale N° 40/12, 30 octobre 2012 | 31st October 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province du Nord Kivu N° 39/12, 31 octobre 2012 | 31st October 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Bulletin d’information humanitaire – Province du Sud-Kivu N° 44/12, 31 octobre 2012 | 31st October 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Burundi
Insécurité dans les Kivus : le Burundi fait face également à l’afflux de Congolais | 2nd November 2012 | UN Radio | Reliefweb
Other
Central African Republic
Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) Central African Republic (ECHO/CAF/BUD/2013/91000) Last update: 29/10/2012 Version 1 | 2nd November 2012 | European Commission Humanitarian Aid department | Reliefweb
Central African Republic Information Bulletin No. 204, 09 October – 23 October 2012 | 31st October 2012 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Justice and Tribunals
Non-comprehensive overview and selected articles on major trials and tribunals for crimes committed in the Great Lakes Region
DRC
No appeal for victims of Kilwa massacre
Supreme Court won’t hear appeal in Congo massacre case | 1st November 2012 | CBC News (Montreal)
No justice in Canada for Congolese massacre victims | 1st November 2012 | L’entraide missionnaire | Mines and Communities
No justice in Canada for Congolese massacre victims as Canada’s Supreme Court dismisses leave to appeal in case against Anvil Mining | 1st November 2012 | Global Witness
Congo-Kinshasa: La Cour Suprême du Canada refuse d’entendre les victimes du massacre de Kilwa en RDC | 3rd November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica
Massacre de Kilwa – La Cour Suprême du Canada rejette la plainte des victimes contre Anvil Mining | 3rd November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear the appeal filed by The Canadian Association against Impunity, an organization representing survivors and families of victims of the 2004 Kilwa massacre. The Association has tried to file a class-action suit in Quebec against Anvil Mining Ltd, over its alleged involvement in the massacre. They allege that Anvil provided logistical support to the Congolese military as it crushed a rebel uprising in 2004, killing as many as 100 people in the port city of Kilwa in Katanga province.
ICC trial against Bemba
Tenth Defense Witness Concludes Testimony in Closed Session | 31st October 2012 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica
Bemba Trial Resumes Tomorrow | 5th November 2012 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica
The trial, which commenced at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2010, has since last August heard from 10 defense witnesses. Mr. Bemba’s lawyers have told judges that they expected to call 64 people with “tangible knowledge” of the five month period during which the accused’s soldiers were deployed in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Convicted MLC Soldiers ‘Served Their Full Sentences’ | 6th November 2012 | Bemba Trial Website | allAfrica
Rwanda
Rwanda still searching for over 50,000 genocide suspects
Rwanda seeking over 50,000 genocide suspects | 31st October 2012 | Fondation Hirondelle | Reliefweb
La CPI mécontente, Kigali recherche plus de 50.000 suspects | 2nd November 2012 | Hirondelle News Agency | allAfrica
More than 50,000 people suspected of having participated in the 1994 genocide are still at large in various African and European countries, according to the Rwandan Prosecutor General’s office. The Rwandan judicial authorities have only issued arrest warrants for 146 of these suspects but state they are working on the case files of the others.
First genocide trial in Sweden
Sweden’s First Genocide Trial to Open This Month | 4th November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica
Sweden indicts man over Rwanda genocide | 5th November 2012 | Reuters Africa
Rwanda: Un suédois d’origine rwandaise inculpe pour son rôle présume dans le génocide | 6th November 2012 | Hirondelle News Agency | allAfrica
A man suspected to have participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi will be tried by a Swedish court, beginning November 28, 2012.
Reactions to Ingabire conviction
Rwanda: Un verdict politique dénoncé après la condamnation de l’opposante Victoire Ingabiré | 31st October 2012 | RFI | allAfrica
Rwanda: La femme qui a osé s’opposer au dictateur Kagame | 31st October 2012 | Radio Netherlands Worldwide | allAfrica
Rwanda: Ingabire’s Daughter – ‘You Get Used to It’ | 1st November 2012 | Radio Netherlands Worldwide | allAfrica
Raïssa, fille de Victoire Ingabire – ‘On s’y habitue’ | 1st November 2012 | Radio Netherlands Worldwide | allAfrica
Rwanda: huit ans de prison pour Ingabire | 1st November 2012 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman
Rwanda: Kagame’s Mask Slips As Opposition Leader Is Jailed | 1st November 2012 | Daily Maverick | allAfrica
Prosecution Disappointed By Ingabire Sentence | 2nd November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica
IBUKA Wants Prosecution to Appeal Ingabire’s Sentence | 2nd November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica
Fairness on trial. Opposition leaders in Rwanda are hounded in the courts | 3rd November 2012 | The Economist
Parliament could amend law against Genocide ideology
Govt Seeks to Amend Genocide Ideology Law | 2nd November 2012 | The New Times | allAfrica
Rwanda: Le gouvernement accepte d’amender la loi punissant «l’idéologie de génocide» | 3rd November 2012 | RFI | allAfrica
Natural Resources in the Great Lakes Region
Recent news on issues relating to natural resource extraction and governance in the Great Lakes Region
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
On international day, Ban underscores bond between peace and the environment | 6th November 2012 | US News Centre
Redoublons d’efforts pour prévenir les conflits provoqués par les ressources naturelles, encourage Ban | 6th November 2012 | US News Centre
Ban Ki-moon appelle à une réflexion sur le rôle de la gestion des ressources naturelles dans la prévention des conflits et le maintien de la paix | 6th November 2012 | UN Secretary-General | Reliefweb
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned about the precarious links between peace, conflict and the environment, urging the international community to recognize peace and security as “a critical fourth dimension” of sustainable development. “There can be no peace if the resource base that people depend on for sustenance and income is damaged or destroyed – or if illegal exploitation finances or causes conflict,” he added.
DRC
Tin ore from Maniema exported via port of Kalemie
Katanga: 150 tonnes de cassitérite du Maniema exportées via le port de Kalemie | 5th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Les opérateurs miniers invités à suivre le circuit officiel | 6th November 2012 | La Prospérité | allAfrica
150 tons of cassiterite mined in Maniema was successfully exported from the transit port of Kalemie in Katanga. The exportation of minerals from Maniema via Kalemie, and no longer through the Kivus, is part of the traceability process of minerals that was started by the Congolese Government.
Illegal logging
Congo-Kinshasa: Greenpeace’s Comment On the Statement By the Congolese Minister of the Environment | 31st October 2012 | Greenpeace International | allAfrica
Greenpeace demande au gouvernement de mettre fin à la culture de l’impunité | 1st November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Greenpeace welcomes the announcement by the Congolese government to clean up the logging industry. This is a first step towards sustainable use and protection of the Congo Forest. However more needs to be done to ensure control and enforcement of laws governing the World’s second largest rainforest.
Equateur: la population de Bandayowa exige le départ de la société forestière Contrefort | 1st November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Les populations contre l’exploitation semi-industrielle du bois dans des forêts des communautés locales | 3rd November 2012 | Digitalcongo.net
La société civile préoccupée par l’exploitation illégale des forêts | 4th November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Land reform
La réforme foncière en RDC s’invite dans le cénacle des partenaires financières du pays | 1st November 2012 | Digitalcongo.net
UN-HABITAT à la rescousse de la RDC | 31st October 2012 | La Prospérité | allAfrica
Extractive Companies, Energy, Trade and Foreign Investment
Recent news on national and international extractive and energy companies and investment in the Great Lakes Region
African Economic Conference in Kigali
Kigali: décideurs politiques et chercheurs discutent du développement et de la croissance en Afrique | 31st October 2012 | Radio Okapi
Kigali: « les conflits armés affectent la croissance économique inclusive en Afrique », selon la Bad | 2nd November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Good Contracts and Clear Politics Needed to Benefit from Natural Resources | 1st November 2012 | African Development Bank Group
Countries have the sovereign responsibility and their citizens expect them to use their natural resources responsibly, Roger Nord, the Deputy Director, IMF Africa Department, said at the African Economic Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.
One sure way to achieve this is to ensure that right from the start they negotiate contracts that are in their interests. Countries that are already in agreements that disfavour them should find all means possible to renegotiate them, he added.
The best place to start, according to Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the former Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, is to put in place robust legislation against which these negotiations can be anchored.
“Those discovering oil now and natural resources, write the laws before you start exploiting them. Once the resource revenues start flowing it becomes difficult to manage or even to write the laws,” Soludo said while contributing in a plenary focused on harnessing Africa’s extractive industries.
DRC
Mining
Scoping study proves up Kanzi – Minbos | 5th November 2012 | Mining Weekly
A scoping study into phosphate hopeful Minbos’ Kanzi project, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has demonstrated positive economics, with the study forecasting a cash flow of $1.5-billion over a 17-year mine life. The Kanzi project is some 15 km from the Congo River and 35 km from the operating port of Boma, Bas-Congo province. The project has an inferred mineral resource of 66-million tons, at 15.3% phosphate.
Des Ong accusent l’entreprise minière Tenke Fungurume Mining de fraude fiscale | 2nd November 2012 | Radio Okapi | allAfrica
Seven NGOs accuse the company Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) of overstating its investment in Katanga with the aim of minimising taxes owed to the Congolese State.
Kilo Goldmines: Intersection of 5.80 m Grading 42.24 G/T Gold, in a 700 m Open Ended High Grade Gold Zone | 2nd November 2012 | Maketwire
Kilo Goldmines Ltd. announces results from eleven drill holes, completed in 2012, on the Kitenge prospect of the Company’s Somituri Project in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mills en route to new DRC gold mine halfway across Africa | 2nd November 2012 | Mining Weekly
Turbines for DRC hydropower project being made in Boksburg | 2nd November 2012 | Mining Weekly
Mark Bristow et Louis Watum : « La mine de Kibali sera une des plus grandes de son genre en Afrique » | 5th November 2012 | Digitalcongo.net
Two 7 MW mills are being transported halfway across Africa – from the Port of Mombasa, on the Kenyan coast, to the Kibali gold project, in Doko, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to Randgold, the Kibali mine will be one of the largest of its kind in Africa when it pours its first gold, scheduled for the end of 2013.
Chemaf’s plans disrupted by diggers | 31st October 2012 | Africa Mining Intelligence
Lubumbashi: la population attaque les installations de l’entreprise minière Chemaf | 31st October 2012 | Radio Okapi
The coming months could be difficult for the private security firm Bras Security which informed the authorities in Katanga in late October about the daily invasions of hundreds of diggers on the Etoile copper and cobalt concession of Chemicals of Africa (Chemaf), a 99.7% owned affiliate of Shalina Resources.
DRC mining law changes won’t be retroactive – Minister | 1st November 2012 | Reuters | Mining Weekly
Mining code reforms: state wants bigger share | 31st October 2012 | Africa Mining Intelligence
Tiger moves to allay investor fears on DRC legislation | 31st October 2012 | Mining Weekly
Democratic Republic of Congo’s planned overhaul of mining laws, to give the State higher royalties and a bigger stake in projects, will not affect existing contracts, its Mines Minister said. The country is seeking to enlarge its stake in mining projects to 35% from 5% and increase royalties to gain greater state revenues from the sector, a move that has rattled firms active in the country.
Gas
Avec ses 65 milliards de m3 de gaz méthane, la RDC est prête à entrer dans « l’âge d’or du gaz » | 1st November 2012 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
DRC natural gas reserves are estimated at 65 billion m3 of methane, the equivalent of 50 million tons of oil.
Uganda
Uganda suspends new mining licences issuance | 5th November 2012 | The East African | Africa Review
Uganda has suspended the issuance of new mining licences and put on notice those with non-performing ones following revelations that a number were handed out irregularly. Officials from the Ministry of Energy said most of the illegal licences had ended up in the hands of speculators who lacked the financial or technical ability to deliver.
Uganda invites bids for re-starting of copper mines | 5th November 2012 | Reuters | Mining Weekly
Uganda has invited bids for the restart of production at its Kilembe copper mines near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and expects the winner to invest about $100-million in the project. The mine was abandoned in the early 1980s due to political turmoil and lower copper prices in global markets.
Oil Firms Must Conserve Exploration Areas | 5th November 2012 | East African Business Week | allAfrica
Following the discovery of 3.5 billion barrels of oil now, Uganda is largely still under more oil exploration. It is also set to construct an oil refinery in western Uganda. Most of the oil wells are located in National parks hosting many tourist attractions.
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
U.S. Seeks Updated Definition of Conflict Diamonds | 31st October 2012 | US State Department | allAfrica
Les Etats-Unis cherchent une définition actualisée des diamants de la guerre | 2nd November 2012 | US Department of State | allAfrica
The United States will urge representatives at an international meeting on diamond certification to agree to an updated definition for “conflict diamond.” At the November 27-30 meeting at the State Department, the United States also will encourage the 77 countries that participate in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to strongly enforce certification rules. That will stem the illicit flow of diamonds used by rebel movements to fund wars against legitimate governments, said U.S. Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic, who leads the 2012 U.S. chairmanship of the Kimberley Process.
Africa: UN Experts Call for More Protection of Human Rights of Vulnerable Groups Affected By Business Activities | 4th November 2012 | UN News Centre | allAfrica
A United Nations expert body has called on States and business enterprises to address the heightened risk of vulnerability, discrimination and marginalization of groups and communities whose human rights are affected by business activities across the world.
DRC
Mineral traceability – tin ore from Maniema exported via port of Kalemie
Katanga: 150 tonnes de cassitérite du Maniema exportées via le port de Kalemie | 5th November 2012 | Radio Okapi
Les opérateurs miniers invités à suivre le circuit officiel | 6th November 2012 | La Prospérité | allAfrica
150 tons of cassiterite mined in Maniema was successfully exported from the transit port of Kalemie in Katanga. The exportation of minerals from Maniema via Kalemie, and no longer through the Kivus, is part of the traceability process of minerals that was started by the Congolese Government.
