BRIEFING

Weekly Briefing: 14TH – 20TH November 2013

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HEADLINES


– DR Congo:

*  several (Congolese) armed groups prepared to demobilise in Kivus and Katanga

– Central African Republic:

*   Govt has been in contact with Kony (LRA)
*   more violence in Bangui and interior, attack in Cameroon
*   UN preparing for possible peacekeeping force of 6000
*   US advises citizens to leave country, State Department calls situation “pre-                  genocidal”, pledges $40 million for AU International Support Mission

– 6th ICGLR-OECD-UN GoE forum on implementing due diligence for responsible             mineral supply chains in Kigali, Rwanda

– Kimberley Process plenary meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa

– ICC’s annual meeting in The Hague, Netherlands

– 3 new IPIS publications

 


IPIS’ Latest Publications



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)
Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa and on the Lord’s Resistance Army-affected areas (S/2013/671) | 14 November 2013 | UN Security Council
In new report, Ban urges more funding to combat armed group terrorizing Central Africa | 20 November 2013 | UN News Centre
Le BRENUAC s’alarme des risques que fait peser la situation en RCA sur l’Afrique centrale | 20 November 2013 | UN News Centre
The report provides an assessment of the major political trends in the Central African subregion since my last report (S/2013/297), dated 20 May 2013, offers an update on progress in the implementation of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) mandate and reports on ongoing efforts to counter the threat and impact of the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Kony’s Former Captives Demand Ugandan Action to End Insurgency | 18 November 2013 | Bloomberg
Thousands of Africans, including former child soldiers, affected by the violence of Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army urged the country’s lawmakers to debate ways to end his two-decade rebellion.

Flash update LRA dans les Uele au 18 novembre 2013 | 18 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb
Dans les Uele : La reprise des activités de la LRA risque de ralentir l’élan des mouvements de retour des personnes déplacées.

Central Africa: Access to Remote Areas Needed to Eliminate The Rebel LRA Group | 20 November 2013 | Enough Project
Blind Spots: Gaining Access to Areas Where the LRA Operates | 20 November 2013 | Enough Project
Op-ed: U.S. Must Pressure African Governments for Access to Kony’s LRA Safe Havens | 20 November 2013 | Enough Project
Today, as the U.N. Security Council meets to discuss the status of the counter-Lord’s Resistance Army, or LRA, mission, the Enough Project released a new report, highlighting gaps in the fight to eliminate the LRA. The report, “Blind Spots: Gaining Access to Where the LRA Operates”, based on field research across central Africa, emphasizes a major obstacle in eliminating the rebel group: the lack of access to remote areas in central Africa where the LRA is known to be hiding and operating.

Warlord Kony negotiated with Central Africa president: UN | 20 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
Central African Republic held surrender talks with warlord Kony: U.N., A.U. | 20 November 2013 | Reuters
LRA leader Joseph Kony ‘in surrender talks’ with CAR | 20 November 2013 | BBC Africa
Centrafrique : Joseph Kony négocie-t-il avec les autorités de Bangui ? | 20 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
RCA : Bangui en discussion avec le chef de la rébellion ougandaise pour négocier sa réddition | 21 November 2013 | RFI
The government of the Central African Republic has been in contact with warlord Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army fighters to urge them to surrender, but Kony’s whereabouts are still unknown, the United Nations and the African Union said on Wednesday.

2nd East African Peace and Security Conference, Bujumbura
Meeting Identifies Regional Peace Threats | 16 November 2013 | Tanzania Daily News | allAfrica
The second East African Peace and Security Conference taking place in Burundi has pinpointed issues of inadequate democratic space, high-level corruption, historical injustices and human rights abuses as among the key dangers that the region faces.

 


DRC

M23 & Kampala talks
Security Council Issues Statement Welcoming End of Hostilities by ‘M23’ in Democratic Republic of Congo – Presidential Statement S/PRST/2013/17 | 14 November 2013 | UN Security Council | Reliefweb
Security Council urges all rebel groups in DR Congo to disband, disarm | 14 November 2013 | UN News Center
Le Conseil de sécurité exhorte tous les groupes rebelles dans l’est de la RDC à déposer les armes | 14 November 2013 | UN News Center
L’ONU appelle à un « désarmement et une démobilisation immédiate et permanente du M23 » | 15 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
All Stakeholders Urged to Swiftly Conclude, Implement Final Comprehensive Outcome.

Dialogue avec le M23 : la RDC veut aboutir “dans un délai raisonnable” | 14 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
La RDC réaffirme sa volonté de parvenir à un terrain d’entente avec le M23 | 15 November 2013 | RFI
Kampala : la facilitation à la base de l’échec d’un compromis entre Kinshasa et le M23, selon Mende | 14 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
La RDC ne va pas intégrer les ex-rebelles du M23 dans l’armée | 15 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
La République démocratique du Congo (RDC) veut voir aboutir “dans un délai raisonnable” son dialogue avec les ex-rebelles du M23 pour mettre un terme à 18 mois de conflit armé, a assuré jeudi le porte-parole du gouvernement, Lambert Mende.

Déclaration politique du Mouvement du 23 mars | 15 November 2013 | Le Phare | allAfrica
“Nous avons tenu à vous inviter ce jour pour partager avec vous un sujet brûlant d’actualité qui cadre avec le blocage du Processus de paix initié à partir du 24 novembre 2012 suite à la Déclaration des Chefs d’Etat de la Conférence Internationale sur la Région des Grands Lacs recommandant une approche politique à la crise à l’Est de la RDC qui oppose le Gouvernement de la RDC au Mouvement du 23 mars [M23 ].”

Kampala: Martin Kobler appelle le gouvernement et le M23 à conclure les négociations | 16 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le patron de la Monusco, Martin Kobler, appelle le gouvernement congolais et la rébellion du M23 à conclure les négociations de Kampala, ouvertes depuis onze mois.

Nord-Kivu : début des enquêtes sur l’affaire des fosses communes du M23 | 16 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Les enquêtes sur l’existence de fosses communes creusées par le M23 dans la chefferie de Bwisha, ancien fief de la rébellion à Rutshuru, ont débuté vendredi 15 novembre, a indiqué l’administrateur de ce territoire.

African Union Monitoring Congo, Rebel Peace Talks | 18 November 2013 | Voice of America
Communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 406th meeting on the situation in the Eastern DRC | 13 [21] November 2013 | African Union | Reliefweb
The African Union (AU) is monitoring security in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the breakdown of a peace deal between the government and the M23 rebels, according to Erastus Mwencha, deputy AU chairman.

Nord-Kivu: première visite du général Etumba dans les zones jadis occupées par le M23 | 19 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le Chef d’Etat-major général des FARDC, le général Didier Etumba, a effectué lundi 18 novembre sa toute première visite dans les zones libérées de la rébellion du M23 au Nord-Kivu. S’adressant aux militaires à l’étape de la base de Rumangabo, il a mis en garde les soldats contre toute exaction sur les civils. Pour lui, aucun acte d’indiscipline ne sera toléré.

RDC : Sultani Makenga « sous la protection de l’armée ougandaise » | 19 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC : Sultani Makenga, le chef militaire du M23, serait à Kampala | 19 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
L’Ouganda refuse de livrer à la RDC le chef militaire du M23, Sultani Makenga | 20 November 2013 | Afrik.com
Le chef militaire des rebelles du M23, Sultani Makenga, se trouve à Kampala (Ouganda) «sous la protection de l’armée ougandaise», a affirmé mardi 19 novembre un membre des renseignements ougandais.

RDC : 136 enfants associés au M23 actuellement en Ouganda, selon Mme Zerrougui | 20 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Cent trente-six enfants, qui étaient associés aux rebelles du M23 mais dont la nationalité n’est pas encore identifiée, sont actuellement en Ouganda, a indiqué mercredi 20 novembre Leila Zerrougui, représentante spéciale du Secrétaire général des Nations unies pour les enfants en RDC.

RDC: l’Etat restaure son autorité dans les territoires repris au M23 | 20 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
Nord-Kivu : des unités spéciales de la police bientôt déployées à Rutshuru et Nyiragongo | 14 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Nord-Kivu: la police remplace l’armée pour sécuriser Rutshuru | 20 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Nord-Kivu : un premier tribunal de paix installé à Rutshuru | 18 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
L’Etat congolais rétablit progressivement son autorité dans les territoires de l’Est de la République démocratique du Congo récemment libérés de l’emprise des rebelles du M23.

Background, analysis, comments
The Fall of the M23: African Geopolitics and the DRC | 14 November 2013 | Chatham House
The termination of the M23 rebel group signals a major shift in regional power relations in the Great Lakes and east Africa region.

Analyse: Étendre la paix en RDC après la défaite du M23 | 14 November 2013 | IRIN

Expanded Role for UN Troops in DRC | 14 November 2013 | Voice of America
The United Nations Intervention Brigade (MONUSCO) in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was given an expanded mandate that went beyond peacekeeping – allowing offensive operations to support the Congolese Army against M23 rebels. It was a pivotal move in defeating M23, and what it could mean for continuing operations against other rebel groups in the region, and for other peacekeeping operations in Africa.

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the eastern DRC? | 14 November 2013 | Institute for Security Studies
There was always a danger that if the international community helped the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) defeat the M23 rebels on the battlefield, it would have to deal with a triumphalist DRC President Joseph Kabila reneging on his other commitments.

M23 Surrendered, But Where Will Its Soldiers End Up? Interview with Arthur Boutellis | 15 November 2013 |International Peace Institute | Reliefweb
Now that most of the fighters from the rebel group M23 have surrendered, issues of reintegration and amnesty are key to ensuring that the group remains disbanded, said Arthur Boutellis, Research Fellow and Advisor to the Peace Operations in Africa Programs at the International Peace Institute.

M23 dilemma | 15 November 2013 | The Independent (Kampala)
Museveni, Kagame regional clout dealt a blow. Regional leaders left in the dark as Kinshasa, UN pound M23 out of DR Congo.

Banishing Congo’s Ghosts | 17 November 2013 | The New York Times
Op-Ed, by Howard W. French
A new level of assertiveness by the United Nations has produced a swift and fortuitous victory over the worst of the marauding militias that have terrorized eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in recent years.
Remarkably, unlike in past offensives, there have been no reports of mass rapes, pillaging, mutiny or other displays of rampant lawlessness by the Congolese military (the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo), which has long and deservedly been known as one of the world’s most undisciplined armed forces.

Everyone Wants a Piece of DR Congo | 17 November 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
The struggle for peace and stability in DR Congo will always remain a battle against foreign aggression and domination, which dates back to the confrontations between African societies and European invaders at the turn of the 19th century.

Rwanda – RDC : ennemis intimes | 18 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Pomme de discorde entre la RDC de Kabila et le Rwanda de Kagamé, les rebelles du Mouvement du 23-Mars ont finalement concédé une défaite historique. Mais la méfiance entre les deux voisins reste tenace.

L’attitude confuse de l’Union africaine en RDC | 18 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Sort de 1 700 éléments du M23 en Ouganda.

Despite M23 Defeat, Militias Still Threat to Congo | 20 November 2013 | Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Experts say action now needed on other insurgent groups still active in the east.

MONUSCO weekly press conference
Conférence de presse des Nations Unies du mercredi 20 novembre 2013 | 20 November 2013 | MONUSCO

Other armed groups
Security Council urges all rebel groups in DR Congo to disband, disarm | 14 November 2013 | UN News Center
Le Conseil de sécurité exhorte tous les groupes rebelles dans l’est de la RDC à déposer les armes | 14 November 2013 | UN News Center
Security Council Issues Statement Welcoming End of Hostilities by ‘M23’ in Democratic Republic of Congo – Presidential Statement S/PRST/2013/17 | 14 November 2013 | UN Security Council | Reliefweb
Nord-Kivu: les groupes armés appelés à déposer rapidement les armes | 16 November 2013 | Radio Okapi

La Monusco encourage la RDC à se doter d’un plan DDR pour tous les miliciens | 14 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
La RDC doit se doter d’un plan qui permette la démobilisation, le désarmement et la réinsertion sociale (DDR) de tous les combattants appartenant aux groupes armés nationaux ou étrangers présents sur son sol, a affirmé mercredi 13 novembre le chef adjoint de la Monusco, le général Abdallah Wafi.

RDC: FDLR et ADF-Nalu dans le collimateur des FARDC | 15 November 2013 | La Voix de l’Amérique
Forte de sa victoire récente contre la rébellion du Mouvement du 23 Mars dans l’est du pays, l’armée congolaise, soutenue par la Monusco, ne compte pas s’arrêter en si bon chemin.

RDC : les conditions d’un désarmement des FDLR ne sont pas réunies (chef) | 15 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
Les rebelles rwandais des FDLR, installés en République démocratique du Congo (RDC) depuis 1994, sont prêts à déposer les armes mais les conditions de leur désarmement ne sont pas réunies à l’heure actuelle, a déclaré vendredi à l’AFP un de leurs chefs.

La MONUSCO veut accélérer la démobilisation des éléments des FDLR dans le Sud Kivu | 18 November 2013 | MONUSCO | Reliefweb

DRC Armed Groups Ready to Demobilize, Activists Say | 19 November 2013 | Voice of America
Nord-Kivu: 14 barrières illégales démantelées à Rutshuru | 18 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Nord, Sud Kivu, Ituri… – Requiem pour les groupes armés locaux et étrangers ? | 19 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Nord-Kivu – Une dizaine de groupes armés disposée à déposer ses armes | 20 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
RDC : après la défaite du M23, les annonces de reddition des groupes armés se multiplient | 21 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Several armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have said they are ready to lay down their weapons, following the army’s defeat of M23 rebels. Since then, there has been a series of letters and declarations by other militias expressing their willingness to be demobilized.

RDC : la Monusco prête à «utiliser la force si nécessaire» contre les groupes armés | 20 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le chef de la Monusco, Martin Kobler, a indiqué mercredi 20 novembre que les forces de la mission des Nations unies sont prêtes à utiliser la force, si nécessaire, afin de contraindre les groupes armés actifs en RDC à déposer les armes.

RDC : Leïla Zerrougui plaide pour la séparation des enfants des groupes armés | 20 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le monde célèbre ce mercredi 20 novembre la journée internationale des droits de l’enfant. La représentante spéciale des Nations unies pour les enfants et les conflits armés a invité mardi 19 novembre toutes les autorités politiques congolaises, de la Monusco et le corps diplomatique à intégrer la perspective des enfants pour assurer une véritable stabilité de la RDC.

Militias dismantle roadblocks in Rutshuru, North Kivu
Nord-Kivu: 14 barrières illégales démantelées à Rutshuru | 18 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Des éléments des groupes armés locaux et étrangers ont démantelé depuis samedi 16 novembre, quatorze barrières qu’ils avaient illégalement érigées sur le tronçon routier Kiwanja-Nyakakoma long de 95 kilomètres en territoire de Rutshuru au Nord-Kivu.

Call for dialogue militias-Govt in Walikale, North Kivu
RDC: un dialogue préconisé entre le gouvernement et les milices à Walikale | 16 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Réunis au sein de l’ONG Bedewa, les notables de Walikale (Nord-Kivu) craignent les conséquences d’une éventuelle opération militaire contre les milices actives dans leur territoire et recommandent au gouvernement de privilégier la voie du dialogue pour désarmer cette milice.

ADF/Nalu violence in Beni, North Kivu
Beni : 7 personnes tuées et 4 kidnappées à Kamango et Watalinga | 14 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Sept personnes ont été tuées et quatre autres enlevées dimanche 10 novembre et mardi 12 novembre dans les chefferies de Kamango et de Watalinga à Beni (Nord-Kivu), selon les autorités locales. Elles ont attribué ces faits à des présumés rebelles ougandais ADF/Nalu.

Beni demande à la MONUSCO de patrouiller avec les FARDC et la PNC « pour éviter d’être accusée de complicité avec les rebelles » | 15 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica

Militias urged to surrender in Shabunda, South Kivu
RDC: les groupes armés de Shabunda appelés à déposer les armes | 17 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Une forte délégation composée des notables, des autorités politico-administratives, les organisations de la société civile et les autorités judiciaires du territoire de Shabunda au Sud-Kivu a quitté le centre de Shabunda dimanche 17 novembre matin en direction du groupement de Bamuguba-sud à Biangama. Selon les sources sur place, cette mission de sensibilisation vise à persuader tous les miliciens, dont ceux du groupe Raïa Mutomboki, à déposer les armes.

Sud-Kivu : les FARDC prêtes à accueillir les groupes armés qui se rendent | 20 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
« Les portes sont grandement ouvertes à tout combattant congolais qui cherche à servir le pays sous le drapeau ou se faire démobiliser. Et toutes les conditions d’accueil sont réunies », a affirmé mercredi 20 novembre le général Pacifique Masunzu, chef de la 10e région militaire au Sud-Kivu. Il a indiqué que cet appel s’adresse particulièrement aux déserteurs de l’armée citant notamment Albert Kahasha dit Foka Mike (chef de la milice Raïa Mutomboki) et Daniel Maheshe du groupe Raïa Mukombozi. Ce dernier a djà annoncé sa reddition dans les médias.

Mai-Mai lay down arms in Uvira, South Kivu
Uvira: le président des Maï-Maï MPDC appelle ses hommes à déposer les armes | 20 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le président de la milice Maï-Maï Mouvement du peuple pour la défense du Congo (MPDC), Me Emmanuel Ndigaya Ngezi, a appelé ses hommes placés sous le commandement du général autoproclamé Mayele Wilondjaà déposer les armes et à s’apprêter pour leur intégration au sein de l’armée (FARDC).

Army violence and extortion in Mambasa, Ituri, Province Orientale
Ituri : l’armée accusée d’exactions et d’arrestations arbitraires de civils à Mambasa | 16 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Des éléments des Forces armées de la RDC (FARDC) sont accusés de commettre des exactions contres des civils ainsi que des arrestations arbitraires à Mambasa, en Ituri (Province Orientale). Dans un communiqué de presse publié vendredi 15 novembre, l’ONG de défense des droits de l’homme « groupe Equitas» accuse les militaires de prélever de force quelques grammes d’or auprès des creuseurs dans les carrières minières. Cette ONG fustige également les arrestations arbitraires des leaders locaux accusés gratuitement de connivence avec les miliciens de Sadala Morgan.

Unidentified armed group active in Wamba, Province Orientale
Province Orientale : 11 personnes enlevées par des hommes armés à Wamba | 16 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Onze personnes, dont un chef de localité, son épouse et ses deux enfants, un infirmier ainsi que des enfants de trois à douze ans, ont été enlevées mercredi 13 novembre par des hommes armés à Wamba, en Province Orientale.

Province Orientale: les combats entre les FARDC et une milice font plus de 20 000 déplacés à Wamba | 17 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Plus de vingt mille personnes ont fui les combats survenus, depuis une semaine, entre les Forces armées de la RDC (FARDC) et un groupe armé non encore identifié dans une dizaine de groupements du territoire de Wamba, à 400 Km à l’Est de Kisangani (Province Orientale).

Clashes FARDC – Raia Mutomboki in Maniema
Kindu: les combats entre FARDC et Raïa Mutomboki font 2 morts | 15 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Trois personnes sont mortes et une dizaine autre blessée dans les affrontements qui ont opposé depuis le début de la semaine dernière les militaires des FARDC et les miliciens de Raïa Mutomboki dans la localité de Lokolia, 90 km de Kasese (Maniema), à la frontière entre Shabunda au Sud-Kivu et Walikale au Nord-Kivu.

Mai-Mai activity, and surrender, in Katanga
Katanga: les miliciens détruisent la flore et la faune du parc Kundelungu | 15 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Les miliciens, qui s’adonnent au braconnage et au déboisement dans le parc Kundelungu (Katanga), menacent plusieurs espèces d’extinction, a dénoncé mercredi 13 novembre le chef d’équipe adjoint de ce parc, William Kabeya.

Katanga : un milicien tué et un autre blessé dans des combats entre FARDC et Maï-Maï | 18 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Un milicien a été tué et un autre blessé dans les affrontements qui ont opposé dimanche 17 novembre les militaires de la force navale à des combattants Maï-Maï de l’ex chef milicien Mangi Yulu à Kapako, dans le Katanga.

Katanga : au moins 800 miliciens appelés à se rendre aux FARDC à Manono | 19 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Au moins 800 miliciens sont invités à déposer leurs armes et à se rendre aux Forces armées de la RDC à Manono, à 450 Km au sud-ouest de Kalemie, dans le Katanga. Déjà, un mouvement de reddition s’observe depuis 5 jours dans ce territoire.

FARDC
RDC : les députés nationaux vont cotiser pour soutenir les militaires à l’Est | 15 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Les députés nationaux ont convenu mercredi 13 novembre de cotiser entre 500 et 1000 dollars américains chacun pour soutenir les militaires engagés contre les groupes armés dans l’Est de la RDC.

How the Congolese army perceives itself | 16 November 2013 | Congo Siasa
During the recent military escalation in the Kivus, the Congolese army fared far better than in the past, defeating a weakened M23. While the army leadership made an effort to streamline the chain of command and to ensure adequate supplies, army reform will have to be far more deep-rooted.

Amani Itakuya essay series
Leadership Renewal for a Sustainable Peace in Eastern Congo | 16 November 2013 | ChristophVogel.net
Amani Itakuya #16, by Robert Falay
If I was asked, as a Congolese, to point out the cause of the ongoing instability in eastern Congo, my answer would be without hesitation the lack of strong, competent and visionary leadership. For decades the Congolese government has been totally absent from its most fundamental duty, which is to ensure people and property safety within the borders.

“The woodpecker in the dead tree”: armed conflict and peacebuilding in Eastern DRC | 18 November 2013 | ChristophVogel.net
Amani Itakuya #17, by Bram Verelst
In preparation of my contribution to this Amani Itakuya series, I found it useful to first try to unravel current dialogues and debates on conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It comes to no surprise that I stumbled upon a whole panoply of voices and opinions that seek to explain the root causes of conflict, which make the road to peace in the DRC as bumpy and winding as many roads in the Kivus.

La paix… | 20 November 2013 | ChristophVogel.net
Amani Itakuya #18, by Soraya Aziz Souleymane
J’ai 32 ans et je me demande ce que ce mot signifie vraiment.

 

Uganda

LRA
Kony’s Former Captives Demand Ugandan Action to End Insurgency | 18 November 2013 | Bloomberg
More than 3,500 people from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic signed a petition calling for renewed debate over the “continued LRA threat” to regional stability, according to Invisible Children, a U.S.- based advocacy group.

 

Rwanda

Rwanda – RDC : ennemis intimes | 18 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
Pomme de discorde entre la RDC de Kabila et le Rwanda de Kagamé, les rebelles du Mouvement du 23-Mars ont finalement concédé une défaite historique. Mais la méfiance entre les deux voisins reste tenace.

 

Burundi

La FDN salue la résolution du Conseil de sécurité de renforcer l’Amisom | 20 November 2013 | Iwacu
L’armée burundaise a annoncé, ce lundi 18 novembre, sa satisfaction après la Résolution 2124 du Conseil de sécurité du 12 novembre. Cet organe demande à l’Union africaine de porter les effectifs de l’AMISOM (African Mission in Somalia) de 17.731 à 22.126 hommes.

 

Central African Republic

Security situation
RCA : le ministre de la Sécurité veut «cantonner et caserner» les éléments de la Seleka | 14 November 2013 | RFI
Après une période d’accalmie, Bangui est à nouveau théâtre d’épisodes meurtriers quasi-quotidiens depuis dimanche. Josué Binoua est ministre de la Sécurité, de l’immigration-émigration et de l’ordre public au sein du gouvernement de transition.

Centrafrique : à Bangui, révélations sur un centre illégal de détention et de torture | 15 November 2013 | RFI
En Centrafrique, des informations font état depuis quelques jours de l’existence d’un centre de détention illégal à Bangui dans le bâtiment du Comité extraordinaire pour la défense des acquis démocratiques (Cedad), un service de renseignement officiel dirigé par le très influent Noureddine Adam.

Centrafrique: Michel Djotodia remet des armes aux forces de sécurité | 17 November 2013 | RFI
En Centrafrique, face à la recrudescence des actes de violence de ces derniers jours dans la capitale Bangui, le président de la transition Michel Djotodia, a remis hier, samedi 16 novembre, des armes aux éléments de la police et de la gendarmerie.

Cameroon says army repulses attack from Central African Republic | 17 November 2013 | Reuters
Armed Men From CAR Attack Cameroon | 18 November 2013 | Voice of America
Cameroun: accrochages à la frontière centrafricaine | 18 November 2013 | RFI
Cameroon ‘repels attack’ from Central African Republic | 18 November 2013 | BBC Africa
Sept morts dans l’est du Cameroun | 18 November 2013 | BBC Afrique
Cameroun: de nombreuses questions après l’attaque d’un village à la frontière centrafricaine | 19 November 2013 | RFI
Assailants from the Central African Republic raided a village in eastern Cameroon but the army repulsed the attack, killing five gunmen, Cameroon Defense Minister Edgar Allain Mebe Ngo’o said on Sunday.

CAR judge shot dead by ex-rebels | 18 November 2013 | Al Jazeera
2 Killed as Violence Erupts in CAR | 18 November 2013 | Voice of America
RCA: un haut magistrat assassiné à Bangui | 18 November 2013 | RFI
RCA : trois ex-Seleka tués dimanche dans des accrochages à Bangui | 18 November 2013 | La Voix de l’Amérique
Colère en Centrafrique après l’assassinat d’un haut magistrat | 18 November 2013 | RFI
RCA : grève des magistrats | 19 November 2013 | BBC Afrique
Bangui : Un mort et deux blessés, bilan d’une nouvelle attaque armée | 19 November 2013 | Radio Ndeke Luka
At least two people were killed in clashes in the Central African Republic in violence that erupted after former members of the Seleka rebel groups killed a leading magistrate and his assistant on Sunday.

Thousands flee fresh fighting in Central African Republic | 19 November 2013 | Reuters
Thousands of villagers in Central African Republic fled clashes between former rebels and local militias on Tuesday, residents said, increasing concerns about growing violence between Muslims and Christians.

CAR president promises return to security | 20 November 2013 | Al Jazeera
Centrafrique: Des “mesures exceptionnelles” | 20 November 2013 | DW | allAfrica
Michael Djotodia says he is determined to restore security as violence continues to wreak havoc across country.

CAR Govt says negotiated with Joseph Kony
Warlord Kony negotiated with Central Africa president: UN | 20 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
Central African Republic held surrender talks with warlord Kony: U.N., A.U. | 20 November 2013 | Reuters
LRA leader Joseph Kony ‘in surrender talks’ with CAR | 20 November 2013 | BBC Africa
Centrafrique : Joseph Kony négocie-t-il avec les autorités de Bangui ? | 20 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
RCA : Bangui en discussion avec le chef de la rébellion ougandaise pour négocier sa réddition | 21 November 2013 | RFI
The government of the Central African Republic has been in contact with warlord Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army fighters to urge them to surrender, but Kony’s whereabouts are still unknown, the United Nations and the African Union said on Wednesday.

United Nations
UNICEF calls for probe into alleged killings of children in Central African Republic | 14 November 2013 | UN News Center
RCA: l’UNICEF demande l’ouverture d’enquêtes sur des allégations de meurtres d’enfants | 14 November 2013 | UN News Center
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Fears Genocide in CAR | 14 November 2013 | Voice of America
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the transitional government in the Central African Republic (CAR) to immediately investigate recent allegations of killings of children amid the renewed violence in the country.

Centrafrique : Louise Arbour demande à l’ONU d’agir au plus vite | 15 November 2013 | Afrikarabia
Dans une lettre au Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU, la présidente d’International Crisis Group (ICG) demande “une action internationale urgente et concertée afin d’enrayer le chaos”.

Central African Republic shaken by new spate of killings and robbery, UN reports | 18 November 2013 | UN News Centre
République centrafricaine : l’ONU préoccupé par une recrudescence de la violence dans la capitale Bangui | 18 November 2013 | UN News Centre
CAR communal violence spiralling out control – UN chief | 19 November 2013 | BBC Africa
A spate of armed robberies and extrajudicial killings, including those of army soldiers and a senior magistrate, has shaken Bangui, capital of the conflict-torn Central African Republic (CAR), for more than week, the United Nations reported today, calling on the transitional Government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

U.N. preparing for possible Central African Republic peacekeeping force | 18 November 2013 | Reuters
Risque de génocide en Centrafrique : l’ONU prête à déployer une force | 18 November 2013 | Afrik.com
L’ONU envisage de déployer 6 000 casques bleus en Centrafrique | 19 November 2013 | RFI
Ban Ki-moon favorable à l’envoi des Casques bleus en Centrafrique | 19 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
RCA: Ban vise 5 options pour la sécurité | 19 November 2013 | BBC Afrique
L’ONU pour le déploiement des casques bleus | 19 November 2013 | Africa Info (Douala) | allAfrica
Centrafrique: cinq options pour un soutien international à la Misca | 20 November 2013 | RFI
Centrafrique: Enfin, l’ONU ! | 20 November 2013 | Cameroon Tribune | allAfrica
The United Nations is preparing to possibly deploy peacekeepers to Central African Republic, but if the crisis there worsens quickly before such a force is ready, it could redeploy troops from nearby U.N. missions, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said on Monday.

African Union
Centrafrique : Buyoya à la tête de la Misca ? | 15 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
L’ancien président burundais, Pierre Buyoya, serait bien placé pour prendre la tête de la Misca en Centrafrique.

France
L’armée française se positionne-t-elle pour une intervention en Centrafrique? | 15 November 2013 | RFI
Un bâtiment de la Marine nationale, le bateau de projection et de commandement (BPC) Dixmude, doit appareiller prochainement de Toulon avec environ 300 soldats à bord pour venir se positionner dans le golfe de Guinée.

La France dénonce les exactions en Centrafrique | 20 November 2013 | RFI
Chaos en Centrafrique : Hollande somme la communauté internationale d’agir | 20 November 2013 | Afrik.com
Le Président français, François Hollande, a appelé aujourd’hui la communauté internationale à agir en Centrafrique, dénonçant les exactions qui se déroulent dans le pays.

Centrafrique : Hollande passe à l’offensive | 20 November 2013 | Jeune Afrique
“La France apportera son soutien” au déploiement de la Misca en Centrafrique, a déclaré, mercredi, la porte-parole du gouvernement Najat Vallaud-Belkacem. Paris envisage même de faire passer ses effectifs sur place de 410 à 1 200 hommes.

United States
Les Etats-Unis conseillent à leurs ressortissants de quitter la République centrafricaine | 16 November 2013 | RFI
Devant la détérioration de la situation, le gouvernement américain vient de conseiller à ses ressortissants se trouvant en Centrafrique de quitter le pays « immédiatement ».

Le Congrès se penche sur la crise en Centrafrique | 20 November 2013 | La Voix de l’Amérique
Crisis in the Central African Republic | 19 November 2013 | US Department of State
Pour les Etats-Unis, la Centrafrique est en situation de «pré-génocide» | 20 November 2013 | RFI
RCA: situation «prégénocidaire» analysée par de plus en plus d’experts | 20 November 2013 | RFI
Crisis in the Central African Republic. Testimony of Philippe Bolopion | 19 November 2013 | Human Rights Watch

Support for the African Union International Support Mission in the Central African Republic | 20 November 2013 | US Department of State
U.S. pledges $40 million for Central Africa peacekeepers as violence escalates | 20 November 2013 | Reuters
US Readying $40 Million for CAR Peacekeepers | 21 November 2013 | Voice of America
The United States expressed concern on Wednesday about growing violence and lawlessness in Central African Republic and pledged $40 million toward an African Union-led peacekeeping force to bolster security throughout the country and protect civilians.

 


Refugee and IDP Reports

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


DRC

M23’s insurgency is over but crisis and displacement continues | 14 November 2013 | Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre | Reliefweb

Leila Zerrougui à Kinshasa pour évaluer la situation des enfants touchés par des conflits | 15 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
La Représentante de l’ONU pour les enfants et les conflits armés se rend en RDC | 15 November 2013 | UN News Center
Journée mondiale de l’enfance : Pour que les violations contre les enfants de la RDC appartiennent définitivement au passé de la RDC | 20 November 2013 | UNICEF, MONUSCO | Reliefweb

DR Congo Nun Seeks to Expand Efforts to Help Victims | 15 November 2013 | Voice of America

Ituri : plus de 6000 déplacés vivent dans des conditions déplorables à Komanda | 18 November 2013 | Radio Okapi

Nord-Kivu : 8 000 déplacés se partagent une seule latrine au camp Monusco de Kiwanja | 19 November 2013 | Radio Okapi

UNOCHA bulletins & maps
RDC – Sud-Kivu : Incidents sécuritaires contre les humanitaires (octobre 2013) | 14 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

RD Congo/Nord-Kivu : Mouvements de population au 25 octobre 2013 | 18 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Flash update LRA dans les Uele au 18 novembre 2013 | 18 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province du Maniema No 33/13, 14 novembre 2013 | 15 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire, Province du Sud-Kivu, N° 47/13, 19 novembre 2013 | 19 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province Orientale No 45/13, 19 novembre 2013 | 19 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

Bulletin d’Information Humanitaire – Province du Nord-Kivu No 39/13, 19 novembre 2013 | 20 November 2013 | UNOCHA | Reliefweb

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

 

Uganda

Obstacles to return in eastern DRC | 18 November 2013 | IRIN
Les obstacles au retour dans l’est de la RDC | 19 November 2013 | IRIN
Nyakabande (Uganda) – Tens of thousands of refugees and displaced people are starting to return to their homes in the two territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) previously occupied by the M23 rebels.

 

Burundi

Burundi UNHCR Fact Sheet octobre 2013 | 14 November 2013 | UNHCR | Reliefweb

Burundi’s land conundrum | 14 November 2013 | IRIN
Burundi is preparing to receive thousands of its refugees from Uganda in a voluntary repatriation exercise. Their return will follow that of around 30,000 compatriots expelled by Tanzania earlier in 2013, and that of a similar number obliged to return in late 2012 after they lost their refugee status.

From refugee to returnee to asylum seeker: Burundian refugees struggle to find protection in the Great Lakes region | 18 November 2013 | International Refugee Rights Initiative | Reliefweb

 

Central African Republic

CAR refugees: Sub-regional Snapshot: November 2013 | 15 November 2013 | UNICEF, UNHCR | Reliefweb

In Conflict-Torn CAR, One Father Tells of His Struggle to Save His Son | 15 November 2013 | WFP | allAfrica
Bossangoa — More than a million people in the Central African Republic (CAR) risk going hungry after months of conflict.

 


Justice and Tribunals

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

Africa fails to get Kenya ICC trials deferred at United Nations | 15 November 2013 | Reuters
UN Security Council Rejects Delay of Kenyatta, Ruto Trials | 15 November 2013 | Voice of America
An African bid to postpone the International Criminal Court trials of Kenya’s president and his deputy failed at the United Nations on Friday, which Kenya called a humiliation for Africa.

ICC/ States – Assembly of States Parties starts amid rift between Africa and the West | 19 November 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
Une assemblée des Etats-parties sur fond de divergences entre l’Afrique et l’Occident | 19 November 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
International Court Member States Meet Wednesday | 19 November 2013 | Voice of America
The twelfth session of the ICC Assembly of States Parties is set to open Wednesday in the Netherlands amid a deep rift between African and Western countries. After African diplomats last week failed to get the UN Security Council to defer the trials of Kenya’s top two leaders, they now plan to ask in The Hague for an amendment to the International Criminal Court’s founding statute.

ICC: Africa Should Reject ‘Free Pass’ for Leaders | 18 November 2013 | Human Rights Watch
ICC: Support Justice, Reject Immunity | 19 November 2013 | Human Rights Watch
Member countries of the International Criminal Court (ICC) should reject efforts to provide immunity from prosecution to sitting government leaders, Human Rights Watch said today.

 


 DRC

Soldiers on trial for Minova mass rapes
Forty-one DR Congo soldiers go on trial for rape | 20 November 2013 | AFP | Reliefweb
DR Congo officers in rape and war crimes trial | 20 November 2013 | BBC Africa
RDC: ouverture du procès Minova des viols massifs à Goma | 20 November 2013 | RFI
RDC : une quarantaine de militaires jugés pour viol à Minova | 20 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday began trying 41 soldiers for rape and other war crimes in the volatile east of the country, officials said.

Trial for attack on presidential residence
Attaque de la résidence de Kabila: la défense accuse le ministère public de falsifier les PV | 19 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
La Cour militaire de Kinshasa a repris lundi 18 novembre devant à la Prison centrale de Makala ses audiences foraines dans l’affaire des présumés auteurs de l’attaque de la résidence du chef de l’Etat Joseph Kabila février 2011. La défense a accusé le ministère public d’avoir falsifié les Procès-verbaux (PV), en imitant l’écriture et la signature des prévenus.

ICC – Bemba trial
Former MLC Soldier Says He Was Scared of Being Prosecuted | 13 November 2013 | Bemba trial website | allAfrica

Witness Details Logistics Support Central Africans Gave Bemba’s Fighters | 14 November 2013 | Bemba trial website | allAfrica
A soldier, who was among war crimes accused Jean-Pierre Bemba’s troops that are accused of brutalizing civilians in the Central African Republic (CAR), has detailed the logistics support provided to his contingent by that country’s army.

Witness Called By Judges Takes Stand in Bemba Trial | 18 November 2013 | Bemba trial website | allAfrica

ICC – Katanga trial
Katanga case: Judgment to be delivered on 7 February 2014 | 19 November 2013 | ICC/CPI
ICC/Katanga – ICC to hand down its third judgment in February | 20 November 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) will hand down its judgment in the war crimes trial of Congolese Germain Katanga on February 7, 2014 , according to a Court press release. This will be the ICC’s third judgment since it was set up in 2002.

 

Rwanda


French court rules for extradition genocide suspects
Paris court rules for extradition of Rwanda genocide suspects | 14 November 2013 | RFI English
La France pourrait extrader deux Rwandais | 14 November 2013 | BBC Afrique
Rwandans Face Extradition over Genocide | 14 November 2013 | Al Jazeera | IPS
Extradition vers le Rwanda : une association française salue l’évolution de la Cour d’appel de Paris | 14 November 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
A French appeal court on Wednesday approved the extradition of two Rwandans wanted at home for their alleged role in the 1994 genocide that claimed about 800,000 lives. But they are appealing against the recommendation.

Ilegally repatriated former presidential guard charged with terrorism
Terror Suspect Mutabazi Appears in Court | 14 November 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
Lt. Mutabazi, a former Rwanda Defence Force officer, appeared before Nyamirambo Military Tribunal in the morning, where multiple charges levelled against him and his co-accused were read out. He appeared before the court with 14 other suspects, including three women.

ICTR
Jugement d’appel le 16 décembre pour l’ex-Maire Grégoire Ndahimana | 15 November 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
La chambre d’appel du Tribunal pénal international pour le Rwanda (TPIR) rendra son arrêt le 16 décembre prochain dans le procès de l’ancien maire Grégoire Ndahimana condamné, en première instance, à 15 ans de prison pour génocide et extermination, a annoncé vendredi le tribunal.

Jugement d’appel le 11 février 2014 pour les ex-chefs de l’armée et de la gendarmerie rwandaise | 18 November 2013 | Hirondelle News Agency
La chambre d’appel du Tribunal pénal international pour le Rwanda (TPIR) rendra son arrêt le 11 février 2014 dans le procès de quatre officiers des ex- Forces armées rwandaises (FAR), parmi lesquels les anciens chefs d’état-major de l’armée et la gendarmerie, a annoncé lundi cette cour.

 


Natural Resources in the Great Lakes Region

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



ICGLR-OECD-UN GoE multi-stakeholder forum on implementing due diligence for responsible mineral supply chains, Kigali, Rwanda
Mining Sector Stakeholders Meet in Kigali to Discuss Responsible Sourcing of Minerals | 13 November 2013 | Government of Rwanda | allAfrica
Rwanda is hosting the 6th ICGLR-OECD-UN GoE Forum on due diligence in the Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten and Gold supply chains. The meeting, which is being held in Great Lakes Region for the first time, brings together concerned stakeholders to build responsible supply chains of minerals that contribute to long term growth in the region.

Kigali Summit Focuses On ‘Conflict Minerals’ | 14 November 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
The sixth edition of the Summit on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains kicked off in Kigali, yesterday, with delegates discussing the highly controversial mineral trade in the great lakes region.

Leverage Mining Summit to Create Strategic Partnerships | 14 November 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
People Too Have a Right to Minerals Trade | 15 November 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica

Mineral Summit Ends, Roots for Regulation | 16 November 2013 | The New Times | allAfrica
The chairperson of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Roel Nieuwenkamp, has urged global mineral dealers not to shy away from buying Rwanda’s minerals, saying the system in place is transparent.

Elephant poaching
US Authorities Crush Ivory to Send Anti-Poaching Message | 15 November 2013 | Voice of America
Ivory Crush Highlights Wildlife Anti-Trafficking Campaign | 14 November 2013 | US Department of State | allAfrica
On Thursday, U.S. officials sent a powerful anti-poaching message by destroying nearly 6,000 kilograms of confiscated ivory tusks, carvings and jewelry. Africa’s elephants are being slaughtered at a record pace by poachers who hope to get rich by selling their ivory tusks.

Palm oil & land conflicts
Demand for Palm Oil Fuels Land Conflicts in Africa, Southeast Asia | 14 November 2013 | Voice of America
As the world’s demand for palm oil increases, deforestation and the resulting release of carbon dioxide emissions continue to be a concern. However, The Forest Peoples Programme, a human rights advocacy organization dedicated to securing the rights of people who live in forests, recently released a report that said the growing global demand for palm oil that is fueling the large-scale expansion of palm oil plantations across the forests of Southeast Asia and Africa, is also a human rights issue.

 


DRC

Child labour in Bisie mine (Walikale, North Kivu)
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.

Protests against semi-industrial gold exploitation in Ituri (Province Orientale)
Province Orientale: marche des habitants de Soleniama contre les sociétés d’exploitation de l’or | 17 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
La population de la zone minière de Soleniama dans la chefferie de Baboa Bokoe en Ituri a organisé vendredi 15 novembre une marche de protestation contre l’exploitation de l’or par les sociétés semi industrielles dans son entité.

Five dead in mine collapses in Katanga
Katanga: 5 personnes tuées par des éboulements dans des mines près de Kolwezi | 20 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Cinq creuseurs clandestins ont trouvé la mort et trois autres ont été blessés dans deux éboulements survenus il y a deux jours dans les carrières minières de Biwaya et de Kov, respectivement à 15 et 5 Km de la cité de Kolwezi, dans le Katanga.

Hydropower – Inga
Can DR Congo’s Inga dam project power Africa? | 15 November 2013 | BBC Africa
The roaring waters of the Congo River have the power to light up much of Africa – such is its huge hydroelectric potential.

La pesanteur économique est plus dominante que celle politique dans la décision de la construction du grand barrage d’Inga | 18 November 2013 | ACP | Digitalcongo.net

AfDB injects another $68m into Inga hydropower project | 20 November 2013 | Engineering News
DRC Inga mega hydropower plant implementation advances with AfDB support | 20 November 2013 | African Development Bank Group
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) Inga site development and electricity access support project (Pasel) on Wednesday received a boost when the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) committed to finance nearly half of the $169-million hydropower project.

Electricity law voted
RDC: la loi sur la libéralisation du secteur de l’électricité votée au Sénat | 16 November 2013 | Radio Okapi

Oil exploration threatens Virunga Park, North Kivu
A murky deal for the Congo as oil exploration threatens corruption and environmental damage – and London-based Soco International is first in the queue | 18 November 2013 | The Independent (Kampala)
Weeks after putting down a rebellion, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing new oil laws that could open it up to vast corruption and put its most important nature reserve at risk.

Militias devastate Kundelungu Park, Katanga
Katanga: les miliciens détruisent la flore et la faune du parc Kundelungu | 15 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Les miliciens, qui s’adonnent au braconnage et au déboisement dans le parc Kundelungu (Katanga), menacent plusieurs espèces d’extinction, a dénoncé mercredi 13 novembre le chef d’équipe adjoint de ce parc, William Kabeya.

Water
Les députés informés sur les enjeux de la législation sur l’eau | 18 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Les prochaines guerres en République démocratique du Congo risquent d’avoir comme cause principale l’eau. Selon des statistiques, 9 à 13% d’eau douce de la planète se trouverait logée en terre congolaise. Un avantage, mais aussi objet de convoitises de ceux qui n’en disposent pas en quantité suffisante.

 

Uganda

Oil
Understanding the Role of a National Oil Company | 19 November 2013 | The Observer (Kampala) | allAfrica
At the height of World War I, the leader of France, Benjamin Clemenceau, called his American counterpart Thomas Woodrow Wilson with a plea: “the allies must not let France run out of petrol which is as necessary as blood in the battles of tomorrow”.

 

Rwanda

Mineral export certificates
Rwanda gets mineral exports boost | 15 November 2013 | The Independent (Kampala)
Being first country to issue mineral export certificates could triple mineral export earnings to $410 million.

 

Burundi

New mining code
Nouveau Code Minier : il y a loin de la coupe aux lèvres | 19 November 2013 | Iwacu
Introduction de nouvelles taxes, rigueur dans l’octroi du permis d’exploitation, réhabilitation de l’environnement… L’Olucome craint pour la mise en application effective du Nouveau Code Minier (NCM).

 

Central African Republic

Suspension from Kimberley Process
Diamants de la guerre, Kimberley et Centrafrique: éclairages de Claude Kabemba | 20 November 2013 | RFI

 


Extractive Companies, Energy, Trade and Foreign Investment

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



Pillage of natural resources by companies
Punish Companies That Pillage | 14 November 2013 | The New York Times
Op-Ed by James G. Stewart
Vancouver, British Columbia — Pillage is a war crime. And yet, when it comes to natural resources, companies doing business in war zones have largely been free to plunder with impunity — until now.

Gold production
Gold mine output set to reach record, disappoint bulls | 20 November 2013 | Reuters | Mining Weekly
London – Output from the world’s gold mines is set to hit record highs this year, disappointing bulls who are impatiently waiting for production cuts following this year’s 24% plunge in prices.

 


DRC

Regal Resources
Regal shares soar on DRC buy | 15 November 2013 | Mining Weekly
The share price of ASX-listed Regal Resources spiked by nearly 89% on Friday, on news that the company was looking to acquire an initial 30% equity in an advanced copper/cobalt project, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Regal has signed a memorandum of understanding with Traxys Europe SA to acquire, explore and develop the Kalongwe copper and cobalt project.

Ivanhoe Mines
Ivanhoe scopes for $1.4bn DRC mine | 18 November 2013 | Mining Weekly
Ivanhoe Mines Announces Updated Independent Preliminary Economic Assessment of its Kamoa Copper Discovery | 18 November 2013 | Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. | Marketwired
Toronto-quoted Ivanhoe Mines on Monday announced the results of a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) at its Kamoa copper discovery, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which gave the asset a $4.3-billion pre-tax net present value (NPV) at an 8% discount rate and confirmed Kamoa to be in a class of its own.

Mawson West
Crucial turning point for Mawson West | 19 November 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence
A small producer of copper in Congo-K since 2010, Australia’s Mawson West Ltd., listed in Toronto and partly owned by MMG (China MinMetals Corp), JP Morgan, Black Rock and others, finds itself in the midst of a critical period that will determine its future growth.

Mawson West Limited: Kapulo Project Drilling Update | 19 November 2013 | Mawson West Limited | Marketwired
Perth, Australia – Mawson West Limited is pleased to provide an update on the results of ongoing drilling at the Company’s Kapulo copper project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”).

Triomf
Triomf zeros in on Lower Congo phosphates | 19 November 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence
A newcomer in Congo-K’s phosphates, the South African firm Triomf which specializes in the branch, plans to set up a local company named Triomf RDC next June to install a phosphate fertilizer production unit in Lower Congo province.

Tiger Resources
Tiger targets cathode production in Q2 | 20 November 2013 | Mining Weekly
Perth – Copper miner Tiger Resources is expecting to produce its first copper cathode from the Kipoi project, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, by the second quarter of next year.

Miba
La dette de la Miba envers le fisc estimée à 9 millions USD | 20 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
La dette de la Minière de Bakwanga (Miba) envers le fisc de la République démocratique du Congo serait de 9 millions USD, selon le gouverneur du Kasaï Oriental.

Semi-industrial gold exploitation in Ituri
Province Orientale: marche des habitants de Soleniama contre les sociétés d’exploitation de l’or | 17 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
La population de la zone minière de Soleniama dans la chefferie de Baboa Bokoe en Ituri a organisé vendredi 15 novembre une marche de protestation contre l’exploitation de l’or par les sociétés semi industrielles dans son entité. Selon la société civile d’Irumu, cette population accuse ces sociétés de ne pas tenir compte des intérêts des autochtones en réalisant des projets communautaires.

SOCO International
A murky deal for the Congo as oil exploration threatens corruption and environmental damage – and London-based Soco International is first in the queue | 18 November 2013 | The Independent (Kampala)
Weeks after putting down a rebellion, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing new oil laws that could open it up to vast corruption and put its most important nature reserve at risk.

 

Central African Republic

AXMIN
AXMIN-Update on the Central African Republic Operations | 15 November 2013 | AXMIN Inc. | Marketwired
Vancouver, British Columbia – AXMIN Inc. wishes to provide an update to the press release issued by the Company on September 16th, 2013 regarding its operations in the Central African Republic (“CAR”).

 


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 – Plenary meeting
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.

Kimberley Process Seeks to Tighten Flow of Blood Diamonds | 19 November 2013 | DW | allAfrica
Johannesburg — The world’s diamond watchdog has begun a four day plenary meeting in Johannesburg. South Africa says a lot of progress has been made in curbing conflict diamonds. Civil society groups disagree.

KPCS reforms more important than ever for diamond industry – Shabangu | 19 November 2013 | Mining Weekly
Kimberley Process Meeting Reflects On Progress | 20 November 2013 | SAnews.gov.za | allAfrica
Pretoria — Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu says given the turbulent times faced by the diamond industry since the global financial crisis, the work of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was more important than ever.

Diamants de la guerre, Kimberley et Centrafrique: éclairages de Claude Kabemba | 20 November 2013 | RFI
Faut-il inclure les droits de l’Homme dans la lutte contre les «diamants du sang» ? Voilà l’une des questions qui est posée à Johannesburg où s’est ouverte, ce mardi 20 novembre 2013, la réunion annuelle des pays membres du Processus de Kimberley, mis en place il y a dix ans, qui vise à lutter contre le financement des conflits par les diamants. Certaines ONG et certains pays voudraient désormais y inclure la défense des droits de l’Homme, mais les grands producteurs de diamants sont réticents comme l’explique Claude Kabemba, le directeur de l’Observatoire des ressources naturelles d’Afrique australe.

EU conflict minerals law
EU conflict minerals law hangs in the balance | 15/18 November 2013 | EurActiv
A planned certification scheme to prevent warlords funding their militias by selling minerals to European firms has been delayed, EurActiv has learned, and fears are growing for its future.

‘Pillage’ of natural resources by companies
Punish Companies That Pillage | 14 November 2013 | The New York Times
Op-Ed by James G. Stewart
Pillage is a war crime. And yet, when it comes to natural resources, companies doing business in war zones have largely been free to plunder with impunity — until now.

 


DRC

EITI
Les officiers de l’armée sensibilisés à l’importance de l’ITIE | 14 November 2013 | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Chose rare que heureusement personne ne condamne, des officiers des Forces armées congolaises ont été sensibilisés à l’importance du processus de l’initiative pour la transparence dans les industries extractives.

RDC: l’ITIE dispose de toutes les données pour publier son rapport 2011 | 15 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le rapport 2011 sur les mines et les hydrocarbures exigé par l’Initiative pour la transparence des industries extractives (ITIE), au 31 décembre, pourrait être publié avant cette date buttoir. La RDC, déjà suspendue, pourrait ainsi échapper à son exclusion de ce processus.

EITI: Congo-K threatened with permanent ban | 19 November 2013 | Africa Mining Intelligence
The Democratic Republic of Congo could be on the verge of being banned from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) once and for all.

The Extractive Industries: The Case for Greater Transparency | 19 November 2013 | The Huffington Post
The perennial paradox of international development is that countries with the most plentiful natural resources – whether oil, gas or diamonds – often tend to be relatively poor, undemocratic and economically stagnant. The starkest example of all must be the Democratic Republic of Congo. Possessing $24trillion in untapped deposits of minerals, diamonds and gold, the DRC is the world’s richest country when judged by the value of its natural resources, yet the scourge of war, humanitarian disaster and the long-lasting effects of colonial conquest have put the country in last place for levels of GDP per capita.

Committee to evaluate CSR in Sakania, Katanga
Katanga : un comité pour évaluer les actions sociales des entreprises minières à Sakania | 16 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
La communauté de Sakania a mis en place un comité pour évaluer les actions sociales des entreprises minières implantées dans leur territoire. Ce comité a participé vendredi 15 novembre une tripartite entre l’autorité territoriale et l’entreprise minière Eurasian national ressource in Congo (ENRC).

 

Burundi

New mining code
Nouveau Code Minier : il y a loin de la coupe aux lèvres | 19 November 2013 | Iwacu
Introduction de nouvelles taxes, rigueur dans l’octroi du permis d’exploitation, réhabilitation de l’environnement… L’Olucome craint pour la mise en application effective du Nouveau Code Minier (NCM).

 

Central African Republic

Suspension from Kimberley Process
Diamants de la guerre, Kimberley et Centrafrique: éclairages de Claude Kabemba | 20 November 2013 | RFI

 


Other


 

DRC

Martin Kobler: «La promotion et le déroulement des élections, c’est une des priorités de la Monusco» | 17 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le processus électoral congolais (2013-2016) bénéficiera du soutien des Nations unies.

RDC: doutes sur la volonté du pouvoir à organiser les élections dans les délais | 18 November 2013 | RFI

RDC : Martin Kobler a rencontré Etienne Tshisekedi | 18 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
Le Chef de la Monusco, Martin Kobler, a rencontré lundi 18 novembre le président de l’Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social (UDPS), Etienne Tshisekedi.

Vital Kamerhe rassemble des opposants dans la coalition «Sauvons la RDC» | 19 November 2013 | Radio Okapi
RDC: la coalition «Sauvons la RDC» réclame un calendrier électoral | 19 November 2013 | RFI
La Coalition pour le vrai dialogue (CVD) de Vital Kamerhe, les Forces acquises au changement (FAC) de Martin Fayulu et une frange de la Société civile ont annoncé lundi 18 novembre leur regroupement au sein d’un mouvement politique baptisé «Sauvons la RDC».

 


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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