BRIEFING

7 – 13 February 2013

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EDITORIAL

Last Wednesday saw the adoption of an evaluation report on the 23 March 2009 agreement between Kinshasa and the then CNDP, by Congolese and M23 delegates in Kampala. The profound differences between the two delegations has led commentators to suggest that the talks are likely to end in failure, and civil society representatives have demanded that Kinshasa now disengage from the negotiations. Indeed, as the strengthening of M23 positions around Goma ratchets fears of a renewed seizure of the city, the SADC states are reported to have drafted a deployment plan for an intervention force in the east, with hopes that a framework for peace might be signed by eleven states by the end of the month.

On the ground, North Kivu has seen the formulation of an agreement between five rebel groups to end inter-militia fighting in Masisi and restore authority in the region. Meanwhile, in Ketrie intra-militia violence has taken place following the splintering of the Nytura group controlling the town. Ango territory in Province Orientale continues to be terrorised by groups of the Lord’s Resistance Army and in South Kivu police have reportedly arrested Gustave Bagayamukwe Tadji, head of the Union of Revolutionary Forces of Congo. In Katanga concerns have been expressed by MONUSCO,and local leaders, about the high rates of insecurity and humanitarian need in the north with the Mai-Mai Bakata Katanga reportedly responsible for a large number of civilian killings in the last three weeks.

In Rwanda the government appears to be readying its mining sector to become a major player in the country’s economy, expediting its mineral legislation, commencing the development of a computerised cadastre system and preparing for the establishment of an east African commodities exchange in Kigali. The country continues to react to the ICTR’s recent acquittal of two former ministers of government previously convicted for genocide. MONUSCO has confirmed that site visits show there to be no Rwandan military presence on the borders of the DRC, as claimed by civil society groups last week.

 

Arms Trade and Security in the Great Lakes Region

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

Kampala talks between the DRC and the M23

 

Kampala : le gouvernement et le M23 adoptent le rapport sur l’évaluation de l’accord du 23 mars | 7 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

The Congolese government and the M23 have considered and adopted the report on the evaluation of the 23 March 2009 peace agreement between Kinshasa and the former CNDP. The final report finds that of 35 points 15 were fully implemented, 8 partially implemented and the remader left unactioned. Ugandan Minister of Defence and facilitator, Cripsus Kiyonga, has recommended the establishment of a mechanism for monitoring and evaluation of the accord.

 

The Kampala impasse | 9 February 2013 | Congo Siasa

Article stating that having now analysed compliance with the March 23 agreement, which has found a number of provisions unfulfilled or only partially implemented, the Congolese delegation has indicated that it is willing to reintegrate the M23 into the FARDC below the rank of Major with all individuals wanted under national or international arrest warrants to be arrested. The M23 have little interest in this and seek political demands including security and electoral reform. It is suggested that as a result of these profound differences it is unlikely that the talks will culminate in agreement, with Congolese delegates potentially waiting for the deployment of a neutral force to coerce the M23 into submission.

 

RDC : la société civile du Nord-Kivu exige la fin des pourparlers de Kampala | 12 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Civil society groups have demanded that the Congolese government and the ICGLR put an end to talks in Kampala stating that the purpose of this dialogue (assessment of the March 2009 peace accord) has been met in light of the final report on that matter, and that the government should refrain from ay act of power sharing or reintegration of M23 elements into the police or army.

 

Intervention force in eastern DRC

 

RDC: Hervé Ladsous espère la signature d’un accord de paix dans les prochains jours | 7 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

UN Deputy Secretary General in charge of Peacekeeping, Hervé Ladsous, has expressed hope that the framework agreement on peace in eastern DRC will be signed over the next few weeks. The agreement is expected to clarify the obligations of the DRC to reform the security sector and the military, and reassert the authority of the state in the eastern provinces . Initially negotiated by eight countries – the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Uganda, Congo – Brazzaville, South Africa and Tanzania – the framework agreement will now be signed  by eleven countries with the addition of Central African Republic, Zambia and South Sudan.

 

RDC : rien ne bloque le déploiement de la brigade internationale d’intervention, selon Lambert Mende  | 9 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Spokesperson for the Congolese government, Lambert Mende, said on Friday that “nothing is blocking” the deployment of international intervention brigade, stating that a framework agreement will be signed between the countries concerned by the end of February.

 

Southern African peace force ‘gets mandate to fight Congo rebels’ | 9 February 2013 | Agence France-Presse | Reliefweb

RDC: la SADC décide d’envoyer ses troupes dans les Kivu | 9 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

SADC Awaiting UN Go-Ahead for Troop Deployment in Congo | 10 February 2013 | AIM | allAfrica

DA Welcomes SADC Troop Deployment to the DRC | 12 February 2013 | Democratic Alliance | allAfrica

SADC Executive Secretary, Tomas Salomao, has said that a deployment plan has been drawn up for a SADC intervention force in the DRC, and the member states are making troops available. SADC is now reportedly waiting for a UN mandate though some sensitive questions under discussions such as the security of the soldiers stationed in eastern DRC, remain.

 

Deux délégations de la SADC à Goma pour évaluer la mise en place de la Force internationale neutre | 11 February 2013 | MONUSCO | Reliefweb

Hopes have been expressed on the progress of the deployment of an intervention force following the arrival of two SADC delegations in Goma this week to assess the security and humanitarian situation of the city. The first delegation consisted of civilian and police delegates, followed later by a military delegation.

 

‘Drone’ – a Dirty Word in UN Lexicon  | 11 February 2013 | Radio Netherlands Worldwide | allAfrica

Article discussing the use of reconnaissance drones in eastern DRC and claiming that some UN diplomats fear that UN drones may eventually be armed, if and when the conflict in DRC takes a turn for the worse.

 

UN Group of Experts on the DRC

 

Appoint Neutral Experts On the DRC Panel  | 12 February 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica

How Credible Are the New UN Group of Experts? | 10 February 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica

The Government of Rwanda has questioned the impartiality of two members of the newly instituted UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, citing their long-standing hostility towards Kigali.

 

Rwandan involvement in eastern DRC

 

RDC: les troupes rwandaises ne se sont pas déployées à la frontière, selon la Monusco | 7 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

A MONUSCO spokesperson has said that Rwandan troops have not been deployed to the border with the DRC contrary to civil society claims earlier in the week. His remarks follow a visit to the localities where Rwandan troops were alleged to have been present, confirming only the presence of the M23.

 

Kagame Speaks Out On Third Term, Drones, Crisises | 7 February 2013 | The Independent (Kampala) | allAfrica

In his first press briefing of 2012 Kagame has addressed Congolese attitudes towards Rwandans and stated that whilst Rwanda would like more information about what it is that the proposed UN drones would do on their borders, they are not in a position to prevent their deployment.

 

US position on the DRC

 

US bounty could forment M23 splits | 9 February 2013 | Congo Siasa

Stearns suggests that the US government’s recent issuance of a bounty for Bosco Ntaganda could potentially deepen splits within the rebellion. The US recently issued a $5 million reward for Ntaganda, FDLR commander Sylvestre Mudacumura, and the three top LRA commanders.

 

Finding a Lasting Solution to Instability in The Democratic Republic of the Congo  | 11 February 2013 | US Department of State (full speech)

‘Don’t Write Off the Congo’ (DRC), Says Chief U.S. Africa Policymaker  | 11 February 2013 | allAfrica

RDC: les Etats-Unis soutiennent l’intégration d’une brigade régionale au sein de la Monusco | 13 February 2013 |Radio Okapi

US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, has made a speech at the Brookings Institute appealing to states to redouble their efforts to end instability in the DRC and laying out possible proposals on how to do so. He highlights the national and financial interests involved in ending the crisis and outlines the four basic components of a holistic approach to ending the crisis: agreement and implementation of a UN framework agreement by the Great Lakes states; the establishment of a comprehensive peace process; a re-evaluation of MONUSCO’s role, strength, mission and structure; and Congolese democratic reform. Carson affirmed the US’s support of the integration of a regional brigade into MONUSCO.

 

Lord’s Resistance Army

 

2012 Crisis Tracker Security Brief Highlights Trends in LRA Violence | 8 February 2013 | Enough Project

LRA Crisis Tracker: 2012 Annual Security Brief  | 7 February 2013 | Human Security Report Project

Killings by the Lord’s Resistance Army in 2012 fell to a new low since 2007. Abduction remains a calling card of the LRA, with 512 cases of kidnapping over the past year. Fresh statistics and valuable analysis about the dynamics of one of Africa’s longest running insurgencies are captured in the LRA Crisis Tracker Annual Security Brief, produced by Resolve and Invisible Children and released this week.

 

Army Recovers Elephant Tusks Hidden By Lord’s Resistance Rebels | 9 February 2013 | The New Vision | allAfrica

The Ugandan army has reported recovering a cache of elephant tusks that it says was hidden by the Lord’s Resistance Army in the jungle in the Central African Republic.

 

Regional strategy to fight against the LRA | 11 February 2013 | UN Regional Office for Central Africa| Reliefweb

ONU : une réunion à Entebbe pour définir des priorités dans la stratégie de lutte contre la LRA | 11 February 2013 | UN Regional Office for Central Africa| Reliefweb

Between 11 to 12 February, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) held a meeting in Entebbe to evaluate and discuss priorities in the implementation of the regional strategy to fight the LRA, adopted in June 2012 by the UN Security Council. A road map taking into account a clear division of labour between all parts of the international system as well as UN organizations was to be the subject of discussions.

 

DRC/Angola relations

 

DRC Thanks Angola for Support for Stability | 7 February 2013 | Angola Press | allAfrica

The DRC’s envoy to Angola has expressed the DRC’s gratitude to Angola and José Eduardo dos Santos, for their effort towards peace in its northern region.

 

DRC

RDC : des professeurs d’universités publient un ouvrage sur « le complot de balkanisation du pays » | 12 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

A book arguing that there is a conspiracy to balkanise the DRC dating back since colonial times has been published by 12 co-authors, many university professors. The book questions the “real” mandate of MONUSCO, amongst other things.

 

North Kivu

 

La guerre menace à nouveau Goma | 6 February 2013 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman

The M23 have advanced their position towards the centre of Goma and are now reported to be occupying the buffer zone around the airport and some of the neighbourhoods. MONUSCO has convened several meetings to deter the M23 from resiezing the city. Braeckman surmises that the Kampala talks are likely to end in failure and that this will lead not only to a probable resumption of conflict in Goma but possibly beyond, given the proliferation of other armed groups in the region.

 

RDC : accord entre des chefs de bandes armées du Masisi | 7 February 2013 | Agence France-Presse | Reliefweb

Masisi : 5 milices signent un pacte pour mettre fin aux conflits ethniques | 8 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

A historic meeting has taken place between the leaders of various armed groups in Masisi culminating in an agreement to end the deadly clashes between these groups, particularly between Hutu and Hunde militias.  Colonel Janvier Buingo Karairi, leader of the Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign Congo (APCLS representing the Hunde ethnic group), Colonel Bwira (Defence Forces of Congo Chief), and from the Hutu side Nyunga Munyamariba and Colonel Kapopi, leader of the Nyatura Mai Mai, have reportedly engaged with the deal. Groups involved include the Forces for the Defense of Human Rights, Movement Action for Change, APCLS, the Raia Mutomboki and a branch of deserters from FARDC. The decision is reportedly expected to restore the authority of the state in the area.

 

North Kivu Region of Masisi Faces Growing Insecurity and Threat of Cholera | 8 February 2013 | Oxfam | allAfrica

Oxfam states that the insecurity in North Kivu is causing a humanitarian crisis in the region, especially in Masisi. It states that lack of protection by the national army and MONUSCO means communities have started to take justice into their own hands, forming patrols which are becoming small militias and risk further exacerbating violence.

 

Nord-Kivu : les ADF/Nalu enlèvent 8 personnes à Beni | 11 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Eight people, including six men and two women were kidnapped whilst extracting palm oil in Beni Bakila-Tenambo on Saturday by militiamen from the ADF-Nalu. These kidnappings bring the total of persons taken from the area to over 90 in the past year. None have been returned.

 

Nord-Kivu: le calme revient à Ketire après des affrontements entre miliciens Nyatura | 12 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Calm has returned to Ketrie following clashes between two factions of Mai-Mai Nyatura after attempts by one faction to plunder food from locals. The management of tax collections has led a faction of Nyatura commanded by “colonel” Noeri to split from the Nyatura controlling Ketrie (commanded by “colonel” Kasongo), leaving the area but later returning to take food, only to be repelled.

 

Province Orientale

 

RDC : SOS de l’Evêque de Bondo face à la situation sécuritaire et humanitaire dans le Territoire d’Ango  | 8 February 2013 | Caritas | Reliefweb

The Bishop of the Bondo diocese has issued a call for assistance to a number of agencies regarding the security and humanitarian situation prevailing in Ango territory in the Bas-Uele district of the province. He highlights that, inter alia, small bands of LRA have been terrorising the local population by committing atrocities in various localities including killings and looting. He also notes that whilst FARDC’s return to the area is welcomed in terms of improving stability in the area, there was nevertheless a notable the decline in security incidents after FARDC’s departure for training.

 

Ituri : les communautés Alur et Lendu s’engagent à résoudre le conflit foncier qui les oppose | 8 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

The communities of Alur of Mahagi and Lendu of Djugu, have pledged to end the land dispute that has persisted between them for several months degenerating into clashes in Djugu on 13 January, killing seven people.

 

Isangi: violents affrontements autour du droit de pêche entre deux villages, 10 blessés | 13 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Ten people were injured and five houses ransacked on Tuesday after a confrontation between the Yatamba and Yaongowa communities in the Isangi territory over fishing rights. Armed with machetes, sticks and stones, young people demonstrated in front of the police office before traveling to Yaongowa chanting war songs.  A violent fight with machetes, spears, javelins and other stone throwing ensued, with police eventually intervening. The incident is the second in three days.

 

Isangi: la société civile dénonce les tracasseries militaires le long du fleuve Congo | 13 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Civil society in Isangi territory has accused FARDC of erecting over fifteen barriers to extort money from traders on the Basoko-Kisangani road along the Congo River. The complaint was made in a report to the Office of Civil Affairs of MONUSCO, stating that each boat is obligated to pay between 2,000 Congolese francs ($ 2.2) and 3,000 Congolese francs ($ 3.3) or other goods in kind at every barrier.

 

South Kivu

 

RDC : rien ne bloque le déploiement de la brigade internationale d’intervention, selon Lambert Mende  | 9 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Congolese government spokesperson, Lambert Menda, has denied the establishment of a new armed group in South Kivu.

 

DR Congo police arrest rebel leader | 11 February 2013 | Agence France-Presse | Reliefweb

RDC: le leader d’une nouvelle coalition rebelle arrêté à Uvira | 11 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

The Congolese police are reported to have arrested rebel leader Gustave Bagayamukwe Tadji, head of the Union of Revolutionary Forces of Congo (UFRC), on Sunday. His armed movement is reported to be a coalition of 12 armed groups seeking to topple Kabila. Tadji is now reported to be being transferred to Kinshasa.

 

RDC : appel aux groupes armés au Sud-Kivu d’intégrer l’armée régulière | 11 February 2013 | UN Radio | Reliefweb

Uvira: le général Pacifique Masunzu appelle les groupes armés à intégrer les FARDC | 11 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

South Kivu commander, General Pacific Masunzu, has appealed to armed groups in the region to integrate into the regular army. Military sources say that 400 militiamen, of whom 253 are from the Mayelegroup, 98 from the Kashoroko group, 23 are from the Bwasakala group and 31 from the Muhasha milita, have already gathered in a number of locations to integrate into the regular army. The FPLC in Fizi is also reported to have expressed a willingness to integrate.

 

Sud-Kivu : des groupes armés continuent d’enrôler des enfants, selon une ONG | 12 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

The NGO BVS has stated that child recruitment into armed groups continues, with UNICEF protection officers confirming that the security situation has not allowed for the proper operation of social reintegration processes for child soldiers in certain areas, with some children returning to militias after receiving reintegration support.

 

Katanga

 

Katanga: 758 cas de violences sexuelles enregistrés dans le Tanganyika en 2012 | 8 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Seven hundred and fifty-eight cases of sexual violence were registered in the district of Tanganyika in 2012. This figure, released by the Ministry for Gender, Family and Children is down compared to the last three years, when the number of cases sometimes exceeded one thousand.

 

Katanga: les Mai-Mai tuent plus de 65 personnes en l’espace de trois semaines à Mwemena  | 9 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

The Mayi-Mayi Bakata Katanga, led by Tanda Imena, has killed more than sixty-five people between 22 January to 8 February, in the Mwemena groupment in Kasenga territory, 250km from Lubumbashi. The militiamen have reportedly killed a daily average of four to six people per village. Among the victims is a customary court judge from the Mwemena locality. The killings have provoked fear in the people of Mwemena who have begun to leave their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring communities.

 

Katanga: Roger Meece said he was “concerned about the security and humanitarian situation” in Pweto | 12 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Roger Meece has expressed concern about the prevailing security and humanitarian situation in Pweto territory, which has been subjected to disorder caused by Mai-Mai activities for several weeks. OCHA reports that militia attacks against villages in this area have resulted in the displacement of nearly 300,000 people who live in difficult conditions. Meece is reportedly discussing with local authorities the possibility of deploying MONUSCO troops to the region to regain stability.

 

Katanga: le commandant des FARDC accuse les hommes politiques d’entretenir l’insécurité au Nord | 12 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Following his meeting with Roger Meece, FARDC’s General Michel Ekutchu, has accused politicians of maintaining insecurity in the north of the province as Mai-Mai militia relay their speeches calling for the secession of Katanga province.

 

Central African Republic

A shaky accord | 9 February 213| The Economist

Article speculating that the peace accord in the CAR may not last long and stating that President Bozizé has put loyalists in key posts, including foreign affairs, justice and the economy, and has already been accused of trying to undermine members of the opposition in the new Unity government.

 

UN assessment mission finds widespread looting in Central African Republic  | 12 February 213| UN News Centre

A UNHCR assessment mission to Bambari last week has fond widespread looting with many villages completely deserted, as residents hide in the bush from armed groups and looters. The assessment mission is the first since violence erupted in December and notes that Seleka held areas are seeing considerable looting with humanitarian facilities being a main target.

 

Other

Girl Child Soldiers Face New Battles in Civilian Life 12 February 2013 | IRIN | allAfrica

Article highlighting recent illumination of the role of girl soldiers in conflicts such as the DRC and that demobilisation and reintegration programmes are often ill equipped to cater for their needs as ex-combatants.

 

 

Refugee and IDP Reports

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

 

DRC 

Humanitarian Reports

 

RDC : Préparation & Réponse aux Urgences, Rapport de situation – 07 février 2013 | 7 February 213| WHO | Reliefweb

Humanitarian report highlighting that the overall security in North Kivu is tense and unpredictable with MONUSCO reporting that the M23 is strengthening their postion around Goma; South Kivu continues to experience a generally volatile security situation  with the Raia Mutomboki Mai-Mai expanding their influence on several mining areas and the establishment of a new armed group in the region; instability in the north east of Katanga and a volatile security situation in southern Irumu in Province Orientale due to the presence of the FRPI.

 

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province du Sud-Kivu N° 07/13, 12 février 2013 | 12 February 2013 | OCHA | Reliefweb

OCHA Humanitarian Bulletin for South Kivu up to 12 February, highlighting clashes between FARDC and the Raia Mutomboki in Kalonge.

 

 

Justice and Tribunals 

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

 

 

South African DRC coup prosecutions

 

In South Africa, 19 Accused in Congo Plot | 6 February 2013 | The New York Times

Suspected Congolese Rebels Charged With Plotting Coup | 7 February 2013 | Voice of America

Nineteen people accused of being Congolese rebels, including one American citizen, had offered mining rights in Congo in exchange for weapons and training, their South African Prosecutor has said. The individuals are reported to be part of the rebel group Union of Nationalists for Renewal.

 DRC

Ituri : le chef du parquet militaire d’Aru arrêté pour extorsion et association de malfaiteurs | 10 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

Two FARDC officers are being prosecuted for conspiracy and extorting quantities of gold from four Ugandan traders in collusion with a Congolese criminal group.

 

Rwanda 

France Denies Delaying Trial for Genocide Suspects | 7 February 2013 | The Independent | allAfrica

France has denied delaying to dispense justice to genocide fugitives on its soil, arguing that the halting of diplomatic relations between France and Rwanda from 2006-2009 played a role in French courts not speeding up the process of trying the suspects.

 

Rwanda Threatens to Expel ICTR Observers  | 7 February 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency | allAfrica

Kigali has accused the ICTR of having double standards, and has threatened to throw out Tribunal observers monitoring the trial in Rwanda of Jean Uwinkindi, stating that if the Tribunal does not appoint observers for the two cases transferred to France it will expel its observers.

 

Rwanda: ICTR Acquittals Shocking but Expected | 12 February 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica

Opinion piece highly critical of the operations of the ICTR since its inception.

 

Rwandans Rally Against ICTR Acquittals | 12 February 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica

Manifestation pacifique à Kigali pour dénoncer l’acquittement par le TPIR de deux ex-ministres | 11 February 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency

Hundreds of Rwandans have taken to the street to express their anger against recent decisions by the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda to overturn the guilty convictions of two former cabinet ministers.

 

 

Natural Resources in the Great Lakes Region

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

 

 

East African Commodities Exchange

 

Kigali, future minerals trading platform | 12 February 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence

A commodities exchange in East Africa that will deal initially with farm goods and minerals covering the entire Great Lakes region, will be set up in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, in the third quarter of this year.

DRC

Conflict in DRC Congo threatens chimpanzee tourism programme | 8 February 2013 | The Guardian

Fighting between government troops and M23 rebels in eastern DRC has disrupted a promising plan for chimpanzee tourism in Virunga national park.

 

Les environnementalistes saluent la construction d’un institut de gaz et de pétrole à Muanda | 13 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

The construction of an higher institute for research in oil and gas in Muanda in Bas Congo, was begun in 2010 and is now reported to be nearing completion. The institute is called upon to train senior executives specializing in oil. It is expected to work with Texan universities to organise several branches of study, including in exploration of oil and gas, drilling and production, refinery, oil management, marketing of oil and gas, the processing of finished products and by-products and the training of fire fighters.

 

Gold

 

Conflict Gold 101 | 8 February 2013 | Enough Project

The Raise Hope for Congo campaign has released a new campaign video, “Conflict Gold 101″ outlining the details of the DRC’s conflict gold trade and putting the spotlight on jewellery companies who can play a role in reforming this deadly trade. Gold has emerged as the most lucrative conflict mineral because it is easy to smuggle small quantities for large profits. More than $600 million in gold is estimated to leave Congo annually, and fighting in and around gold mines continues.

 

Uganda

Oil

 

Nation to Contribute 20 Percent to Refinery | 11 February 2013 | East Africa Business Week | allAfrica

The government of Uganda is looking for investors with whom they will partner to raise funds to construct an oil refinery. Uganda’s minister of State for Mineral Development has said that the government will not foot the entire bill of building the refinery though can currently incur about 20% of the total cost of the refinery.

 

Oil Debate Must Move Beyond Politics – Report | 12 February 2013 | The New Vision | allAfrica

A new report by the Royal Institute for International Affairs has noted the considerable technical knowledge developed by Uganda on the preliminary phases of oil development. This report warns that while the checks and balances built into the proposed system for oil management (based on the Norwegian model) under Uganda’s oil bills are positive, the complexity of setting up such an institutionally heavy system risks confusion over roles and expense. It expresses concern that the voice of experts might be drowned out in favour of political actors.

 

Gold

 

All eyes turn to new gold prospects | 12 February 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence

A conflict zone until quite recently, north east Uganda is now a new frontier for hardy miners. Article discusses the prospects of gold mining in the area, referring to Jan Mangal Exploration Company Ltd, who have held an exploration license since last year in Moroto district in the Karamoja region. Subscription required.

 

Rwanda

Cadastre system

 

Rwanda installing computerised mining cadastre system | 8 February 2013 | Mining Weekly

An 18 month project has begun to implement a computerised mining cadastre system, FlexiCadastre, for the Rwandan Geology and Mines Department. The system is expected to attract investment into the sector and enable the government to monitor compliance beyond licence fees, to include work commitments, social and labour plans, environmental permitting, royalty and tax payments and extractive industry transparency-initiative reporting. It is also expected to provide security of tenure for artisanal miners, allowing them to seek capital funding to further their projects.

 

 

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

Forrest demolition compensation campaign

 

Démolition des maisons à Kawama: EGMF refuse d’indemniser les victimes, selon une ONG | 8 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

NGO, Action Against Impunity for Human Rights, has accused Malta Forrest of refusing to indemnify the owners of 500 houses in Kawma village, whose homes were demolished in 2009, by Luswishi Mining Company of South Katanga (of which Forrest in the major shareholder). The demolitions were reportedly carried out in a bid to prevent illegal mining at a nearby mine. The company has offered to take some social measures such as building a well and a health centre for the community, stating that the police were responsible for the destruction not the company. These overtures have been rejected by the communities affected with victims stating that Malta Forrest should have applied the Mining Code and international treaties relating thereto and must compensate the local population.

 

Gold mining

 

Kibali gold project providing DRA with opportunity to showcase its competence  | 8 February 2013 | Mining Weekly

Article outlining the background and operations undertaken at the Kibali Gold Project.

 

Diamond mining

 

La Miba demande à la police de mieux sécuriser ses mines à Mbuji-Mayi | 11 February 2013 | Radio Okapi

In a letter to the governor of Kasai-Oriental, Mining Bakwanga has accused police of complacency in guarding against illegal mining at exposed mining sites. The police have stated that they have insufficient resources to police the 35km square diamond mining area, though last week the provincial minister pledged two new vehicles and a committal of further personnel.

 

Gecamines

 

GCM’s financial needs for this year | 12 February 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence

Article stating that Gecamines has two financial mountains to climb this year, namely continuing to wrestling down its debt and finding fresh money to underpin its resurrection as a going concern. Subscription required.

 

Cobalt production

 

Katanga Mining announces 2012 year end operational highlights, outlook and date for release of 2012 year end financial results | 11 February 2013 | Cobalt Investing News

Katanga Mining’s DRC Production Drops Due to Power Outages  | 12 February 2013 | Cobalt Investing News

Katanga Mining Limited has announced its 2012 year end production results and date for release of 2012 year end results. Its DRC production has been seriously hampered by a series of power outages.

 

Copper production

 

Glencore full-year coal, copper output up | 12 February 2013 | Mining Weekly

Glencore has reported on its copper and cobalt output for Katanga, stating that its total copper output increased by 4% to 376 700 t for the year, compared with 362 600 t in 2011. Glencore’s 75.2%-owned copper/cobalt mining company Katanga Mining produced 93 000 t of copper from own sources from its copper/cobalt mining complex, a 2% increase on that of 2011.

 

Government ban lifted

 

Chinese trading agencies back in business | 12 February 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence

The government is to lift a suspension on the operations of two Chinese trading agencies dealing in cassiterite, coltan and tungsten, namely Congo Minerals and Metals (CMM) and Huaying Sprl, later this month. Requires subscription.

 

Uganda

Tullow CEO Says Focus on Exploration Over Developing Finds | 13 February 2013 | Bloomberg

Tullow Oil Plc, the worst-performing oil stock in the UK’s benchmark index, has stated that it will maintain its focus on exploration rather than developing existing discoveries, stating that it will farm down developments as appropriate.

 

 

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 

 

 

ACA supports NAM lawsuit against conflict minerals ruling | 6 February 2013 | MetalPowderReport.net

The American Coatings Association has drafted an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit filed by the National Association of Manufacturers, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Roundtable against the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requesting the SEC’s Conflict Minerals Rule to be set aside on the basis that the SEC failed to meet its statutory obligation to consider the effects of the rule by failing to determine if the rule would benefit the DRC, and by underestimating the rule’s costs. The SEC is expected to respond by 1 March 2013.

 

IPC’s Conflict Minerals Due Diligence Guide Now Available   | 10 February 2013 | IPC

Global electronics trade association, the IPC, has published its own Conflict Minerals Due Diligence Guide to help companies establish and execute an effective conflict minerals program.

 

DRC

Emery Mukendi Wafwana  | 12 February 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence

Profile of the best known mining lawyer in the DRC, Emery Mukendi Wafwana of Emery Mukendi Wafwana & Associates.

 

EITI: KPMG’s intriguing report | 12 February 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence

In principle, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) ought to announce its decision on March 1 that Democratic Republic of Congo fulfils criteria for membership. Article discusses KPMG report on this issue. Requires subscription.

 

Rwanda

Rwanda to expedite enactment of new minerals law | 8 February 2013 | Mining Weekly

Rwanda has announced it will expedite the enactment of a new mining law to have it passed by June. The new law is aimed at strengthening the legal, regulatory and institutional environment for the sector to make it a major contributor to the economy by improving knowledge and skills, raising productivity and establishing new mines, and increasing value. However, some of the new proposals are raising concerns among mining companies, with investors calling for the amendment of a proposal that requires them to spend a stipulated minimum amount on exploration.