NEWS IN BRIEF

Violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to intensify, with UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres describing the situation as a “humanitarian catastrophe of unspeakable proportions,” and the International Criminal Court (ICC) announcing plans to open a preliminary investigation into alleged war crimes.

Rights groups and the UN say an “ethnic-religious cleansing” of the country’s Muslim minority is taking place, carried out by anti-balaka militias as a payback for abuses committed by the Seleka rebel coalition. International peacekeepers are being criticised for failing to prevent the ethnic cleansing, and tens of thousands of Muslims are fleeing to neighbouring countries.

The previous week armed Seleka commanders and fighters had left their bases in Bangui and regrouped in towns to the northeast and east. Allegedly, Chadian peacekeeping troops have facilitated the movement of armed Seleka leaders complicit in grave abuses in the area.

In DR Congo, the FARDC announced that they had dislodged the APCLS rebel group from three towns (Kibarizo, Muhanga and Butare) in Masisi. Colonel Olivier Hamuli, spokesman for the FARDC in North Kivu, has affirmed that the FARDC are now advancing on Kahira, considered the headquarters of APCLS.

On 10 February the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) heard evidence against the Congolese rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda, in a short hearing to determine whether the case against him should proceed to trial. In the previous week, Congolese parliament voted an amnesty for “acts of insurgency, acts of war and political offences” committed in the DRC between 8 February 2006 and 20 December 2013.

The first French trial over Rwanda’s genocide has opened, two decades later. Pascal Simbikangwa, a 54-year-old former intelligence chief, is facing charges of complicity in genocide and war crimes.

After protracted negotiations, the Government of Uganda has signed a long-awaited memorandum of understanding (MOU) with three oil companies – U.K.’s Tullow Oil, France’s Total and China’s Cnooc – regarding an oil refinery and pipeline.

IPIS’ Latest Publications

Mapping Conflict Motives: the Sudan – South Sudan border (2012-2013) | 5 February 2014 | IPIS
In “Mapping Conflict Motives: the Sudan-South Sudan border”, IPIS analyses the conflict dynamics in the wider border area spanning Sudan and South Sudan. The analysis specifically looks into the motivations and interests of the parties involved in the interstate, intrastate and local conflicts in this area.
Together with the report, a series of maps of the area of focus is available at www.ipisresearch.be/mapping/webmapping/bordersudans.

Boundary spanning: moving towards strategic stakeholder engagement | 3 February 2014 | IPIS
By Anna Bulzomi
To address complex human rights impacts, companies need to move away from responding to crises and work with communities towards creating shared value.

IPIS Insights: The 2nd Annual United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights, Geneva 2013 | January 2014 | IPIS
From the 2 – 4 December 2013, IPIS attended the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights. The Forum was established by the Human Rights Council and is under the guidance of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. IPIS’ researchers Gabriella Wass and Anna Bulzomi offer some insights into topics at the Forum that struck them as particularly interesting.

Practice What You Preach: Theory and Practice of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)’s Stakeholder Engagement Plan in Chad | 9 January 2014 | IPIS
The past decade has seen a staggering increase in Chinese investment flows in Africa, leaping from USD 392 million in 2005 to USD 2520 million in 2012. Chinese Government officials often describe the burgeoning Sino-African ties as ‘win-win partnerships’, emphasizing how their ‘non-interference’ policy truly allows African countries to choose their own development path.
Against this background, doubts may arise with regard to the environmental and social standards applied by Chinese companies conducting business overseas, especially in post-conflict states with poor human rights records and inadequate governance structures.
The case discussed in this paper concerns the operations of the Chadian branch of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

Business, Human Rights, and Uganda’s Oil – Part II: Protect and Remedy: Implementing State duties under the UN Framework on Business and Human Rights | December 2013 | IPIS
The following is the second in a series of four reports exploring business and human rights issues in Uganda’s oil sector. This series is a collaboration between IPIS vsw and ActionAid Uganda.
In accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, this second report assesses the duty of the Ugandan, British, French and Chinese States to prevent, investigate, punish and redress human rights abuse by businesses.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conflict and security

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

UN, AU agreement against sexual violence

UN, African Union sign landmark agreement to curb sexual violence in African countries | 6 February 2014 | UN News Centre
L’ONU signe un accord avec l’Union africaine sur la lutte contre la violence sexuelle dans les conflits | 6 February 2014 | UN News Centre
The United Nations and the African Union (AU) affirmed their common commitment “to put an end to history’s oldest and least condemned crime” by signing landmark agreement on the prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence in Africa, a senior UN official today said.

Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)

LRA Crisis Tracker Annual Security Brief, January-December 2013 | 12 February 2014 | Reliefweb | Invisible Children, The Resolve
LRA Crisis Tracker : Dossier de Sécurité Annuel 2013 | 12 February 2014 | Reliefweb | Invisible Children, The Resolve
Today, Invisible Children and The Resolve released the 2013 LRA Crisis Tracker Security Brief. This annual report provides analysis on all data collected as part of the LRA Crisis Tracker, providing actionable intelligence for counter-LRA actors and valuable information for the public.

Conflict in Africa

Why do we continually misunderstand conflict in Africa? | 10 February 2014 | African Arguments
By Lucy Hovil
Violence in Africa seems particularly prone to the scourge of one-dimensional descriptions. Often described as ethnic or tribal, and sometimes as sectarian, the media prescribes an adjective that quickly becomes accepted as gospel and this explanation is then hard to shift. Thus we are told that the recent outbreak of violence in South Sudan is ethnic (Nuer against Dinka); and fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) is sectarian (Christians against Muslims). It is seldom described in political terms.

DRC

Military operation against ADF/Nalu, North Kivu

Nord-Kivu: les activités ont repris sur l’axe Beni-Eringeti après la défaite des ADF | 6 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Les activités ont repris sur l’axe Beni-Eringeti, après que les Forces armées de la RDC (FARDC) ont délogé les rebelles ougandais de l’ADF dans cette partie du Nord-Kivu.

Traques des ADF à Beni : la société civile d’Oïcha assiste les FARDC en vivres | 9 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
La société civile de la cité d’Oïcha, à 30 kilomètres au Nord de Beni (Nord-Kivu), assiste les Forces armées de la RDC (FARDC) en vivres pour les encourager dans l’opération de désarmement des rebelles ougandais des ADF, coupables de plusieurs exactions contre les populations civiles dans ce territoire.

Museveni Hails Kabila On ADF Operations | 10 February 2014 | allAfrica | The Observer (Kampala)
President Museveni is all praises for his Congolese counterpart Joseph Kabila following what he describes as successful operations against ADF rebels in eastern DR Congo.

Beni-Mbau : la population invitée à reprendre ses activités dans les villages pacifiés | 11 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Plusieurs villages du secteur de Beni-Mbau, jadis occupés par les miliciens ougandais des ADF [Forces démocratiques alliées], sont pacifiés et contrôlés par l’armée régulière depuis le début de l’opération « Sokola » [Nettoyez] en mi-janvier.

ADF called to lay down arms

Congo-Kinshasa: Nord-Kivu – Martin Kobler appelle les ADF au désarmement volontaire à Beni | 12 February | Radio Okapi | allAfrica
Le représentant spécial du secrétaire général de l’Onu en RDC, Martin Kobler, a appelé mardi 11 février à Beni les rebelles ougandais des Forces démocratiques et alliés (ADF) à déposer volontairement leurs armes. Il s’exprimait à la cérémonie d’hommage à Hamza Katsambya, agent congolais de la Monusco, abattu début février dans la ville de Beni, au Nord-Kivu.

Fighting between FARDC and APCLS in Masisi, North Kivu

Masisi: reprise progressive des activités dans 4 localités après les combats entre FARDC et APCLS | 6 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Les activités socioéconomiques reprennent progressivement à Kahira, Katembere, Muhanya et Tambi trois jours après les affrontements entre militaires congolais et miliciens de l’Alliance du peuple pour un Congo libre et souterrain (APCLS).

Nord-Kivu : les combattants APCLS délogent les FARDC de 2 localités | 8 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Des violents combats ont opposé les combattants APCLS (Alliance des patriotes pour un Congo libre et souverain) et leurs alliés Nyaturas vendredi 7 février dans les localités de Ndondo, Kibarizo et Muhanga, près de Kitchanga.

Nord-Kivu : les FARDC lancent une contre-offensive contre les miliciens APCLS à Kitchanga | 9 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Des militaires congolais ont lancé, tôt dans la matinée de dimanche 9 février, une contre-offensive contre les miliciens de l’Alliance des patriotes pour un Congo libre et souverain (APCLS) et leurs alliés les Nyatura dans les villages de Kibarizo, Muhanga, Butare, situés à une vingtaine de kilomètres à l’ouest de Kitshanga au Nord-Kivu.

Nord-Kivu : les FARDC délogent les APCLS de 3 localités à Masisi | 9 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Les militaires congolais ont délogé ce dimanche 9 février en début d’après-midi les miliciens de l’Alliance des patriotes pour un Congo libre et souverain (APCLS) des localités de Kibarizo, Muhanga et Butare dans le territoire de Masisi au Nord-Kivu.

Nord-Kivu: accalmie à Kitshanga après des combats entre FARDC et APCLS | 10 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Une accalmie s’observe depuis la matinée du lundi 10 février dans la zone de Kibarizo, à environ 27 km à l’ouest de Kitshanga, dans le territoire de Masisi (Nord-Kivu). Toute la nuit dernière, les FARDC se sont affrontées avec les combattants Maï-Maï de la coalition APCLS (Alliance des Patriotes pour un Congo Libre et Souverain) et Nyatura aux alentours de la localité de Kibarizo, selon des sources administratives dans la région.

Walikale, North Kivu

Nord-Kivu : la Société civile plaide pour le regroupement d’ex-combattants à Walikale | 7 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
La Société civile de Walikale, dans le Nord-Kivu, plaide pour la création d’un centre de regroupement de membres de groupes armés dans ce territoire. Selon le président de cette structure, Blaise Ngereza, l’éloignement du centre de Bweremana sert de prétexte à certains combattants pour ne pas se rendre et continuer à commettre des exactions contre les populations civiles.

FDLR

Will FDLR rebels ever leave Congo and return to Rwanda? | 11 February 2014 | BBC Africa
Twenty years after the Rwandan genocide, some of those responsible are still wreaking havoc in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, where they are terrorising the local population and profiting from the area’s rich natural resources. The BBC’s Grainne Harrington reports on the UN’s attempts to persuade them to lay down their weapons and return home.

FNL rebels killed in Uvira, South Kivu

Uvira : 3 rebelles FNL tués à la frontière burundaise | 10 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Des rebelles des Forces nationales pour la libération du Burundi (FNL) ont été tués dans la nuit de vendredi 7 au samedi 8 février à la frontière séparant la RDC du Burundi. Des bergers locaux affirment que les miliciens ont lancé l’attaque contre deux positions des militaires burundais situés à l’endroit dénommé secteur 6 sur le territoire congolais. Les militaires ont alors riposté et tué trois rebelles. Le commandant du 104è secteur opérationnel des Forces armées de la RDC (FARDC) à Uvira, colonel Patrick Opia a déclaré en revanche que l’attaque a eu lieu sur le territoire burundais et non pas en RDC.

Province Orientale

Flash update LRA au 7 février 2014 | 7 February 2014 | Reliefweb | UNOCHA
Dans les Uele : La LRA, peut-être moins active, mais toujours capable de nuire. Tueries et enlèvements en augmentation de 2012 à 2013.

Ubundu: un chef milicien soumet les habitants de 3 secteurs aux travaux forcés | 7 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
L’administrateur intérimaire du territoire d’Ubundu, Komisele-Ali-Bilali, affirme que depuis plus de deux ans, le chef milicien Thomas Mesandu et ses hommes soumettent aux travaux forcés les habitants des secteurs de Mituku-Basikake, Mituku-Bamoya et Walengola-Lowa.

Province Orientale : les Mbororo demandent une terre pour s’établir à Dungu | 11 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Les éleveurs nord-africains Mbororo immigrés en Province Orientale demandent des terres pour s’installer définitivement à Dungu. Selon l’administrateur de ce territoire, ces 77 hommes, armés, sont déjà présents dans le parc de la Garamba où ils font paître leurs troupeaux de quelque 3 000 bêtes. L’armée affirme avoir stoppé leur progression vers Dungu Centre.

Province Orientale: 5 000 personnes fuient les attaques des présumés LRA à Nambia | 12 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Plus de 5 000 habitants d’une dizaine de villages de la chefferie Manziga dans le territoire de Niangara (Province Orientale) ont trouvé refuge à Nambia, chef-lieu de cette chefferie, depuis jeudi 6 février. Ces personnes fuient les attaques d’hommes armés identifiés comme des rebelles de la LRA, indique le président de la société civile de Niangara.

Vers la formation d’un autre M23 autour de Roger Lumbala et de Bugera en Ituri | 12 February | Digital Congo
Des sources concordantes, il nous revient qu’un mouvement rebelle serait en gestation en Ituri dans la Province Orientale. Cette rébellion qui serait opérationnelle d’ici quatre matins, serait dirigée par Deogracias Bugera et Roger Lumbala, qui seraient entourés d’autres anciens rebelles du M23, CNDP, RCD/N. Ce nouveau mouvement rebelle serait parrainé par l’Ouganda et le Soudan du Sud.

Katanga

Katanga: 7 000 personnes ont fui les attaques des miliciens Bakata Katanga à Pweto | 6 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Dans son bulletin hebdomadaire publié mercredi 5 février, le Bureau de coordination des affaires humanitaires (Ocha) indique qu’environ 7 000 personnes ont fui les attaques des miliciens Bakata Katanga à Kasama, Kipongola, Kizabi et Luantete au cours du mois de janvier.

RDC: les civils, premières victimes du conflit au Katanga | 7 February 2014 | RFI
C’est un peu la crise humanitaire oubliée en RDC, celle qui sévit au Katanga, dans le sud-est du pays. Ces dernières semaines, 7 000 civils, parmi lesquels plus de la moitié d’enfants ont été forcés de fuir les attaques de milices armées des Kata Katanga dans le triangle formé par les territoires de Mitwaba, Manono et Pweto. Les organisations humanitaires tirent la sonnette d’alarme, car les milices ont recours à des méthodes de plus en plus violentes.

Katanga: Martin Kobler appelle les miliciens à déposer les armes | 7 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Sécurité au Katanga – La MONUSCO s’engage à mettre hors d’état de nuire les Bakata-Katanga | 11 February 2014 | allAfrica | Le Potentiel
En visite à Lubumbashi, le chef de la Monusco, Martin Kobler, a invité, vendredi 7 février, tous les groupes armés à déposer les armes. Il a expliqué que la mission onusienne était prête à user de la force pour neutraliser les milices actives dans cette province si cet appel au désarment volontaire n’était pas entendu.

Katanga : Martin Kobler appelé à déployer les casques bleus en urgence | 8 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
La Société civile du Katanga a demandé au patron de la Monusco, Martin Kobler, de déployer urgemment les troupes des casques bleus à Pweto, Mitwaba et Malemba Nkulu, en proie à l’insécurité causée par les miliciens Mai-Mai Bakata Katanga.

RDC: les repentis de Manono ont pris les armes pour interpeller “Papa” Kabila | 9 February 2014 | Reliefweb | AFP
Pauvreté et promesses non tenues des autorités: à Manono, dans le sud-est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC), des rebelles ayant cessé le combat expliquent les raisons qui les ont poussés à prendre les armes.

Congo-Kinshasa: Katanga – Des centaines de personnes fuient la politique de la « terre brûlée » | 12 February | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Là où les enfants jouaient autrefois avec des perles et des roues de vélo, ne subsistent plus aujourd’hui que les squelettes de leurs maisons : des poutres de bois noirci, des marmites fondues par les flammes, et des blocs de boue détachés des pans de murs ramollissant sous la pluie.

New amnesty law

New DR Congo amnesty law welcomed by UN envoys | 5 February 2014 | UN News Centre
RDC : la communauté internationale salue une loi d’amnistie «historique» | 6 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Senior United Nations officials today welcomed parliamentary approval of an amnesty law covering acts of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) dating back to mid-2000 as “the next step in bringing sustainable peace.”

RDC: la Voix des sans voix craint que «la loi d’amnistie consacre l’impunité» | 6 February 2014 | RFI
Une loi d’amnistie pour les anciens rebelles du M23. C’était une promesse du président Kabila. Et mardi, cette loi a bien été votée par le Parlement. Plus intéressant encore, députés et sénateurs ont décidé que le bénéfice de cette loi serait élargi à tous les auteurs d’infractions politiques depuis 2006. L’avis de Rostin Manketa, directeur adjoint de l’ONG congolaise la Voix des sans voix.

DRC president declares amnesty for former M23 rebels | 12 February | Agence France-Presse
The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, announced an amnesty on Wednesday for former members of the defeated M23 rebel army. The amnesty covers “acts of insurgency, acts of war and political offences” committed in the DR Congo up to December 20, 2013, when the bill was approved by the government.

Child soldiers

Equateur : 51 anciens enfants soldats se plaignent de leur séjour prolongé à Kotakoli | 11 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Cinquante-et-un enfants de moins de 18 ans, sortis des groupes armés, ont été envoyées en décembre 2013 à Kotakoli, à 90 km de Gbadolite (Equateur), en vue d’être préparés à une réinsertion sociale.

Nord-Kivu: 2000 enfants sont sortis des groupes armés en 2013, selon l’Unicef | 11 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Deux mille enfants ont été sortis des groupes armés au Nord-Kivu en 2013, mais des milliers d’autres restent encore sous l’emprise des milices.

RDC: début de la campagne de prévention du recrutement d’enfants dans les groupes armés | 11 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
La campagne de prévention du recrutement d’enfants au sein des forces et groupes armés a été lancée à Kinshasa ce mardi 11 février, à la veille de la célébration de la journée internationale de l’enfant soldat.

Congo-Kinshasa: La MONUSCO lance la campagne de sensibilisation contre le recrutement d’enfants soldats en RDC | 12 February | Le Potentiel | allAfrica
Congo-Kinshasa: Journée internationale de l’enfant soldat – Lancement d’une campagne de sensibilisation sur les méfaits du phénomène | 12 February | ADIAC | allAfrica
Avec l’appui de la Belgique En marge de la Journée internationale de l’enfant soldat célébrée le 12 février de chaque année, la Monusco a lancé officiellement, hier mardi, la campagne de sensibilisation contre le recrutement de mineurs dans les rangs de groupes armés en RDC.

Visualising M23

Visualizing Armed Groups: The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s M23 in Focus | 10 February 2014 | Stability: International Journal of Security & Development
By Nangini, C, Jas, M, Fernandes, H.L. and Muggah, R
New information technologies can help unpack the relationships and tendencies that persist in complex networks. We present an interactive, web-based visualization that captures interlocking networks related to the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to demonstrate the utility of visually summarizing relationships in a multi-dimensional dataset.

Thoughts

Some thoughts and facts about the ongoing crisis in the DRC (Part 1) | 7 February 2014 | Kongomani (blog Marc Hoogsteyns)
Trouble in Katanga
Some thoughts and facts about the ongoing problems in the DRC (Part 2) | 8 February 2014 | Kongomani (blog Marc Hoogsteyns)
Trouble in the Kivu’s. About M23, ADF-Nalu, the FDLR

Rwanda

Ouganda: disparition inquiétante de deux réfugiés rwandais | 10 February 2014 | RFI
En Ouganda, Charles Sande, un ancien militaire rwandais, et Christopher Busigo, un pasteur, ont disparu depuis lundi 3 février, selon leurs proches. Fin janvier, des informations faisaient état d’une demande de Kigali à Kampala pour extrader sept réfugiés. Mais rien ne prouve pour l’instant qu’il y a véritablement eu kidnapping.

Burundi

Land reform and conflict

Burundi: Fields of Bitterness (I) – Land Reform in Burundi | 12 February | ICG | allAfrica
Les terres de la discorde (I) : la réforme foncière au Burundi | 12 February | ICG | Reliefweb
Burundi, whose population lives mainly in rural areas, is facing two land problems. The first is structural and due to poor land management, particularly in a context of high population growth, which generates violence and crime. The second is a legacy of the civil war that deprived hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced people of their properties. Only renewed focus and fresh thinking can help prevent rural criminal violence. However, instead of meaningful reform, only a review of the land code has been implemented. The impact of the absence of a comprehensive change in land governance, especially on conflict resolution, will continue to fuel public resentment, especially for those who have been dispossessed of their properties or have limited access to land ownership. The sense of injustice and the pressing need for land will likely contribute to future conflicts unless the government adopts a new approach.

Uganda

Ugandan troops in South Sudan

Uganda’s Role in South Sudan May Derail Peace Talks, Rebels | 6 February 2014 | allAfrica | Sudan Tribune
A member of the SPLM in Opposition – a rebel entity that emerged following a split within South Sudan’s ruling party on Thursday claimed his team was less optimistic about prospects of success in the next round peace talks with government.

Uganda to Incur Costs of Military Involvement in S. Sudan | 7 February 2014 | allAfrica | Sudan Tribune
Uganda may have helped restore stability in South Sudan, but its military involvement in the latter’s weeks of conflict would be at its own costs, according to the status of forces agreement signed by both countries.

S Soudan : ‘Les troupes ougandaises restent’ | 12 February 2014 | BBC Afrique
Le ministre des Affaires étrangères du Soudan du Sud, a défendu la présence de troupes ougandaises dans son pays. Les États-Unis et l’Ethiopie ont demandé leur retrait, l’une des conditions définie par les rebelles suite a leur participation aux pourparlers de paix.

South Sudan: Mission Accomplished – Uganda Should Leave South Sudan | 12 February | Simon Allison | Daily Maverick | allAfrica
Uganda was the country to respond as South Sudan threatened to slide into full-blown civil war late last year. Their intervention helped prop up the government, securing a vital market for Ugandan exports in the process. But now their presence is sabotaging peace talks – the rebels, furious with the foreign intervention, want them out. Uganda should listen

Possible terrorist threat

US Warns of Possible Terror Threat in Uganda | 11 February 2014 | Voice of America
The U.S. embassy in Uganda is warning of a possible terrorist attack in the country’s capital, Kampala. In a message released late Monday, the embassy said it has received information that “a group of attackers is possibly in place and ready to strike targets inside Kampala in February or March.”

Uganda Police on ‘High Alert’ after Terror Threat Warning | 12 February | VoA
Uganda police “swung into action” and have placed security officers on high alert after the US embassy in the country warned of a planned terrorist attack in the capital, Kampala, according to Judith Nabakooba, Uganda Police’s national spokesperson.

Sexual Violence

Uganda: Lord’s Resistance Army Politicizing Sexual Violence | 5 February | Tabu Butagira And Barbara Among | Pambazuka | allAfrica
Sexual and gender based violence in Uganda fails to be adequately addressed by the Ugandan government that fails to consult with women on this issue. It seems sexual and physical attacks on women are new ‘weapons to discipline women’ in to submission

CAR

HRW: Seleka figthers regroup in northeast – Chadian peacekeepers reportedly facilitate

Central African Republic: Seleka Fighters Regroup in North | 5 February 2014 | Human Rights Watch
RCA: d’après une ONG, certains soldats tchadiens de la Misca jouent un double jeu | 6 February 2014 | RFI
Armed Seleka commanders and fighters are leaving their bases in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, regrouping in northeastern towns, and engaging in a new wave of horrific attacks against civilians. In some cases, Chadian peacekeeping troops have facilitated the movement of armed Seleka leaders complicit in grave abuses.

Centrafrique: le gouvernement tchadien dément tout agissement en dehors du cadre de la Misca | 7 February 2014 | RFI

RCA: le CNT dénonce les exactions des forces tchadiennes | 7 February 2014 | RFI
En Centrafrique, le Conseil national de transition (CNT) est réuni, depuis le jeudi 6 février 2014, pour évoquer les questions sécuritaires. Plusieurs membres du CNT ont dénoncé l’attitude d’éléments tchadiens venus effectuer des opérations de rapatriement à l’intérieur du pays et ont demandé une clarification du statut de ces troupes tchadiennes.

Continued violence – exodus of Muslims

Centrafrique : l’ONU réclame une enquête sur des incidents en marge d’une cérémonie officielle | 6 February 2014 | UN News Centre
Centrafrique: les Nations unies condamnent fermement le lynchage d’un homme par les Faca | 6 February 2014 | RFI
Centrafrique: réactions d’horreur et condamnations après le lynchage d’un militaire | 6 February 2014 | RFI

Central African Republic: Justice Needed for Lynching | 6 February 2014 | Human Rights Watch
The Central African Republic government should immediately investigate and prosecute uniformed army officers who publicly lynched a man they suspected of being a Seleka fighter, Human Rights Watch said today. The extrajudicial killing and mutilation took place on February 5, 2014, immediately after the new president, Catherine Samba-Panza, addressed thousands of regrouped military officers, expressing her pride in the reconstituted army.

Man lynched in Central African Republic, court plans investigation | 7 February 2014 | Reuters
An angry crowd killed and mutilated a man who fell from a truck filled with Muslims fleeing the capital of Central African Republic on Friday, witnesses said, while an international court said it would investigate alleged crimes committed there.

UN agency warns thousands fleeing sectarian violence in Central African Republic | 7 February 2014 | UN News Centre
The United Nations refugee agency warned today that the violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has sent thousands of people streaming into neighbouring countries, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced plans to open a preliminary investigation into alleged war crimes being committed amid the ongoing sectarian bloodshed.

Mob Attacks in CAR as Muslims Flee Bangui | 7 February 2014 | Voice of America
L’exode des musulmans en Centrafrique | 7 February 2014 | RFI
Witnesses say a mob attacked and killed a Muslim man who was trying to flee from the Central African Republic, while a Christian was fatally beaten by Muslims in a separate incident.

Central African Republic’s Muslim civilians ‘at risk’ | 7 February 2014 | BBC Africa
Muslim communities in many towns in the Central African Republic are threatened from reprisal attacks on civilians, a medical charity has warned.

Mauritanians Fleeing CAR Violence Stranded in Cameroon | 7 February 2014 | Voice of America
More than 200 Mauritanians fleeing the troubled Central African Republic have been stranded in Cameroon. These people tell terrible stories of their experiences in the C.A.R.

ICC opens CAR ‘war crimes’ preliminary investigation | 7 February 2014 | BBC Africa
La CPI ouvre un examen préliminaire sur les crimes commis en Centrafrique | 7 February 2014 | RFI
Centrafrique : la CPI ouvre un examen préliminaire sur les graves crimes présumés | 7 February 2014 | UN News Centre
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda says she has opened a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Le pillage d’un convoi évité à Gobongo | 7 February 2014 | Radio Ndeke Luka
Une intervention de soldats burundais de la Mission Internationale de Soutien à la République Centrafricaine (MISCA) a permis d’éviter un pillage à Gobongo dans le 4e arrondissement de Bangui ce 7 février 2014 peu après 11h00.

Central African Republic. Fears for the new regime | 7 February 2014 | Africa Confidential
The new government has little time to assert its authority and end the sectarian slaughter. Some militants are even threatening to secede.

Centrafrique: la Misca menace | 8 February 2014 | BBC Afrique
Centrafrique : la MISCA menace de recourir à la force | 9 February 2014 | Afrik.com
Samedi, le commandant de la MISCA, le général Martin Tumenta Chomua, a menacé les groupes armés de recourir à la force pour arrêter assassinats, lynchages et pillages.

Tens of thousands of Muslims flee Christian militias in Central African Republic | 8 February 2014 | Washington Post
Tens of thousands of Muslims are fleeing to neighboring countries by plane and truck as Christian militias stage brutal attacks, shattering the social fabric of this war-ravaged nation.

L’exode des musulmans de Centrafrique se poursuit | 8 February 2014 | RFI
Centrafrique : derrière l’exode massif des musulmans… | 10 February 2014 | Afrik.com
L’exode des musulmans de la capitale centrafricaine s’est poursuivi ce samedi avec un nouveau vol de rapatriement vers Ndjamena. Depuis la fin décembre, ils sont 17 000 à avoir fui vers le Cameroun, 52 000 vers le Tchad.

Violence could force out CAR’s Muslim population – HRW | 9 February 2014 | BBC Africa
Religious violence in the Central African Republic could force its entire Muslim population to flee, a senior human rights worker has told BBC News.

10+ dead in Bangui as French defence minister visits central Africa | 9 February 2014 | RFI English
Centrafrique : plus de dix morts dans des violences à Bangui | 9 February 2014 | Afrik.com
At least 10 people were killed in the Central African republic (CAR) capital, Bangui, this weekend, as French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian started a tour of the region to discuss the crisis in the violence-racked country.

Rwandan troops kill one person, halt lynching in Central African Republic | 9 February 2014 | Reuters
Rwandan peacekeepers intervened on Sunday to halt a lynching of Muslims, shooting dead one member of a crowd that had killed two Muslims in the capital of Central African Republic, a Rwandan military spokesman said.

Politician gunned down in Central African Republic capital | 10 February 2014 | Reuters
Centrafrique: un parlementaire assassiné à Bangui | 9 February 2014 | RFI
RCA: colère des parlementaires après l’assassinat d’un des leurs | 10 February 2014 | RFI
Gunmen murdered a politician outside his house in Central African Republic’s capital overnight, officials said, in a blow to the new president’s efforts to restore order in the divided nation.

Central African Republic: UN condemns killing of politician, latest violence | 10 February 2014 | UN News Centre
Centrafrique : l’ONU condamne l’assassinat d’un membre du Conseil de transition | 10 February 2014 | UN News Centre
A senior United Nations official today condemned the latest wave of violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui, including the killing of a member of the National Transitional Council, and called for those responsible to be brought to account.

‘I’ll be last Muslim in CAR’ | 10 February 2014 | BBC Africa
A government minister in the Central African Republic, Gaston Makouzemba, has warned there is a risk of a genocide as communities fight each other on religious and ethnic lines. All communities have been affected by the violence and now many Muslims are fleeing the country, afraid for their lives. One imam in the capital Bangui shared his fears with the BBC’s Newsday programme.

Central African Republic: UN rights office warns of worsening insecurity in Bangui | 11 February 2014 | UN News Centre
Centrafrique : l’ONU juge nécessaire d’accroître les efforts pour faire cesser la violence | 11 February 2014 | UN News Centre
The security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital of Bangui continues to deteriorate, with targeted assassinations and rising violence and criminality on the streets, the United Nations human rights office today warned, adding that it is particularly worried about the “climate of complete impunity” in the country.

U.N.’s Ban to France: Mull more troops for Central African Republic | 11 February 2014 | Reuters
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday he has asked France to consider sending more troops to the Central African Republic because the international response to the crisis “does not yet match the gravity of the situation.”

UN chief warns CAR could break up | 12 February 2014 | Al Jazeera
Ban Ki-Moon says de facto partition of Central African Republic into Christian and Muslim regions is “a distinct risk”.

Traders flee as widespread violence pushes Central African Republic into major food crisis | 10 February 2014 | Oxfam International
Muslims Flee CAR Violence, Economy Suffers | 11 February 2014 | Voice of America
Muslim exodus threatens food crisis in Central African Republic | 11 February 2014 | Reuters
CAR exodus may cause ‘catastrophic market collapse’ | 11 February 2014 | BBC Africa
Centrafrique: pénurie alimentaire après la fuite de nombreux musulmans | 11 February 2014 | RFI
Violence in Central African Republic has seen many large traders and herders targeted and chased from the country, raising fears of a market collapse that would exacerbate the current food crisis, warned international aid organizations today.

Social Media Dispatches: Death and Destruction in Central African Republic | 11 February 2014 | The New York Times
Witnesses have been documenting the violence in the Central African Republic over the past few days, with relentless slaughter and traces of entire communities wiped out as thousands of Muslims fled their homes to escape retaliatory attacks.

Plus de 800 habitations brûlées à Bogoura | 11 February 2014 | Radio Ndeke Luka
882 maisons sont parties en fumée le 15 janvier 2014 à Bogoura, localité située à 35 km de Boali dans la préfecture de l’Ombella M’Poko. Selon la Croix Rouge locale, ces forfaits ont été commis par des éléments de l’ex-Séléka.

Centrafrique: « Massacre » à Nzakoun | 11 February 2014 | allAfrica | DW
De graves exactions sont toujours signalées en Centrafrique. Dans le village de Nzakoun près de la frontière avec le Tchad, plus de vingt personnes auraient été tuées au début du mois de février.

Central African Republic: Ethnic cleansing and sectarian killings | 12 February 2014 | Amnesty International
Amnesty: Peacekeepers Failed to Prevent Ethnic Cleansing in CAR | 12 February 2014 | Voice of America
Selon Amnesty International, un “nettoyage ethnique” se déroule en Centrafrique | 12 February 2014 | Jeune Afrique
Amnesty International dénonce un «nettoyage ethnique» en Centrafrique | 12 February 2014 | RFI
International peacekeepers have failed to prevent the ethnic cleansing of Muslim civilians in the western part of the Central African Republic, Amnesty International said in a report issued today.

Central African Republic: Muslims Forced to Flee | 12 February 2014 | Human Rights Watch
The minority Muslim population in the Central African Republic is being targeted in a relentless wave of coordinated violence that is forcing entire communities to leave the country, Human Rights Watch said today.

La pression monte sur les anti-balaka | 12 February 2014 | RFI
Après l’assassinat d’un député du Parlement de transition et la poursuite des exactions commises dans Bangui et sur l’ensemble du pays, les anti-balaka sont désormais dans le collimateur des autorités. Mais ceux-ci apprécient diversement les propos tenus à leur encontre.

Stuck on the Edge of the Periphery in the CAR | 12 February 2014 | Chatham House
By Ben Shepherd
Western countries and traditional donors have little stake in the sectarian crisis in the Central African Republic. The country has a capable interim president, but without outside support, the population is unlikely to see a respite in the conflict any time soon.

Briefing: Who are the anti-balaka of CAR? | 12 February | IRIN News
This IRIN briefing looks at the threat posed by the anti-balaka to Muslims and to the CAR population in general.

RCA: il a mangé sa victime par vengeance | 12 February | BBC
En Centrafrique, le nouveau président par intérim Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet a promis de mettre fin aux violences. Mais ces derniers jours, les habitants ont assisté à des scènes de lynchage, et même de cannibalisme. Pour se venger du meurtre de sa famille, dit-il, un homme a découpé sa victime musulmane, avant de la manger. Il se fait appeler “chien méchant”. La BBC l’a retrouvé. (Commentaire: Venuste Nshimiyimana)

Central African Republic: Chad’s Role Behind the Scenes in the Central African Republic | 12 February | Deutsche Welle | allAfrica
A bloody conflict is threatening to tear the Central African Republic (CAR) apart. The African Union has sent troops, the EU wants to follow suit – but it is Chad which is pulling the strings militarily and politically. The Central African Republic’s northern neighbor, Chad, is a military heavyweight in the region. Under the leadership of President Idriss Deby Itno, it is a driving force behind key decisions in the current crisis.

CAR: A Country Plunged Into Sectarian, Humanitarian Crisis | 12 February | Cecily Hilleary | VoA
Some analysts have cast the conflict as a religious war, part of a greater struggle for Islamist domination of the continent, especially in light of reprisals by Christians against the Muslim population of the CAR. But most analysts believe that it began when political rivals appealed to religious identity to boost political ambitions. In the end, it has pitted religious groups against one another in a brutal conflict that some fear could lead to partitioning the country.

Central African Republic: Humanitarian Snapshot (as of 10 Feb 2014) | 10 Feb | UNOCHA

Report Details Atrocities in Central African Republic | 12 February | Christine Hauser | New York Times
In a report released on Tuesday, Amnesty International laid out the results of weeks of investigation and more than 100 firsthand testimonies of large-scale anti-balaka attacks, such as those described by the survivor in Boyali.

Central African Republic: UNHCR Chief Decries “Humanitarian Catastrophe” in Car, Including Massive Ethno-Religious Cleansing | 12 February | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees | allAfrica
UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres on Wednesday said he was “deeply distressed” about the situation in Central African Republic and described what he had seen during a brief visit to the country as “a humanitarian catastrophe of unspeakable proportions.”

Muslims Under Threat in CAR | 12 February | VoA
The United Nations and international human rights groups say militias in the Central African Republic, known as the anti-Balaka, are carrying out an “ethnic cleansing” of the country’s Muslim minority. Muslims are being targeted as payback for abuses committed by the recently ousted Seleka rebel coalition. Muslim residents in the western town of Boali have been living in a church for protection for the past month.

“Purification ethnique” en RCA, selon Amnesty | 12 February | BBC Afrique
Amnesty International dénonce la “purification ethnique” à grande échelle en Centrafrique. L’organisation de défense des Droits de l’Homme estime que les soldats de la force internationale dans le pays ne parviennent pas a mettre fin aux exactions contre les musulmans dans l’ouest du pays

Rights groups warn of ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Central African Republic | 12 February | CNN

Centrafrique: La France favorable à une opération de maintien de la paix sous Casque bleu « le plus rapidement possible » | 12 February | ADIAC | allAfrica
Le Quai d’Orsay et les Nations Unies envisagent le déploiement de troupes supplémentaires en Centrafrique, notamment françaises dans le contingent de la future force Eufor-RCA, conformément au mandat fixé par la résolution 2127 du Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies, en soutien aux forces africaines de la Misca.

Images from CAR | 12 February | VoA

UNHCR Chief Guterres ‘Deeply Distressed’ By Situation in CAR | 12 February | UNHCR | allAfrica

Central African Republic: Muslims Forced to Flee – Christian Militias Unleash Waves of Targeted Violence | 12 February | Human Rights Watch | allAfrica

Mass grave found in Central African Republic, U.N. warns of ‘cleansing’ | 12 February | Reuters
African Union peacekeepers on Wednesday uncovered a mass grave at a military camp in Bangui occupied by the Muslim Seleka rebels, as a top U.N. official warned Central African Republic was succumbing to “ethnic-religious cleansing”.

RCA: to Mbaïki Catherine Samba-Panza calls for national unity | 12 February |
Catherine Samba-Panza, la nouvelle présidente de Centrafrique, et Jean-Yves Le Drian, le ministre français de la Défense, se sont rendus ensemble à Mbaïki, au sud-ouest de la capitale centrafricaine. Les ex-Seleka ont fui cette partie de la Centrafrique.

Peacekeepers Find Mass Grave in CAR Military Camp | 12 February | VoA
African Union peacekeepers have uncovered a mass grave at a military camp in central Bangui occupied by the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels, according to a Reuters witness, who saw at least a dozen bodies.

CAR President Samba-Panza ‘declares war’ on militias | 12 February | BBC
RCA: “déclarer la guerre” aux milices | 12 February | BBC
Central African Republic President Catherine Samba-Panza has said she will “go to war” with Christian militias who are slaughtering Muslims. She said the militias, called anti-balaka, had “lost their sense of mission” and had become “the ones who kill, who pillage, who are violent”.

Town in the Central African Republic braces for war between Christians and Muslims | 12 February | Washington Post
Heavily armed Muslim soldiers from the former Seleka rebel movement control this town, patrolling and manning checkpoints. On the outskirts, Christian militias have set up camp, determined to seize power.

Centrafrique: Changement de pouvoir sur fond d’exécutions publiques | 12 February | IRIN | allAfrica
Deux meurtres commis ce week-end sous les yeux des médias et des Casques bleus français en République centrafricaine (RCA) soulèvent des questions quant à l’insécurité et aux rapports de force dans la capitale, Bangui.

Afrique: “A Bangui, nous voyons les horribles conséquences des combats quotidiens” | 12 February | MSF | allAfrica
Depuis début décembre, MSF a fourni des soins médicaux à plus de 1 000 patients blessés au cours des violences qui ont éclaté aux alentours et dans l’enceinte même de l’aéroport de Bangui, capitale de la République centrafricaine (RCA), où environ 100 000 personnes déplacées ont trouvé refuge après une vague d’affrontements qui s’est depuis propagée à tout le pays. Au cours de la seule semaine dernière, 100 patients ont été pris en charge pour des blessures par balle et coups de machette.

France

France likely to extend mission in Central African Republic: minister | 6 February 2014 | Reuters
France condemns CAR lynching, may prolong military presence | 6 February 2014 | RFI English
France on Thursday called for “exemplary punishment” for the Central African (CAR) soldiers who lynched a suspected ex-rebel after a military ceremony addressed by new Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza. The French defence minister on Thursday said that the France’s six-month mission to the violence-torn country will probably be prolonged.

Centrafrique: le chef de Sangaris met en cause les anti-balaka | 10 February 2014 | RFI
En Centrafrique, le général Francisco Soriano, le chef de la force française Sangaris, a mis en cause très clairement les milices anti-balaka. Selon lui, ces milices villageoises, appuyées par d’anciens éléments de l’armée centrafricaine sont désormais « les principaux ennemis de la paix ».

Les musulmans visés en Centrafrique: «inadmissible» pour Le Drian | 11 February 2014 | RFI
Le ministre français de la Défense, Jean-Yves Le Drian, en tournée en Afrique, est au Congo pour fêter le 25ème anniversaire du protocole de Brazzaville. En exclusivité pour RFI, il fait le point sur la situation en Centrafrique, juste avant son départ pour Bangui, mercredi 12 février.

RCA : “neutraliser si besoin par la force” | 11 February 2014 | BBC Afrique
Le ministre français de la Défense Jean-Yves Le Drian a appelé mardi à Brazzaville à neutraliser les milices “si besoin par la force”.

LRA in 2013

Joseph Kony’s LRA exploits Central African Republic upheaval by launching massive attacks on civilians | 10 February 2014 | Reliefweb | The Resolve
Large-scale raids by the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), have surged in areas of eastern Central African Republic (CAR) under the authority of Seleka fighters who overthrew the country’s central government last March. According to a new brief released today by the LRA Crisis Tracker project, LRA attacks in those areas of CAR increased significantly in 2013 and the group may be using looting raids there to resupply Kony and other senior commanders.

Humanitarian news

Non-comprehensive overview of humanitarian news & events, including refugee and IDP issues.

DRC

Uganda

Seeking Safety in Uganda | 10 February 2014 | Reliefweb | Refugees International
On December 16 last year, refugees began to flood across the border from South Sudan into Uganda as a result of an outbreak of violence in their country of origin. In the past two months the number of new arrivals has grown to roughly 66,000.

CAR

Central African Republic Fact Sheet 31 January 2014 | 6 February 2014 | Reliefweb | UNHCR

Aid and evacuations under threat in CAR | 5 February 2014 | IRIN

Obstacles à l’aide et aux évacuations en RCA | 10 February 2014 | IRIN

Nigeria: CAR Refugees Narrate Ordeal | 6 February 2014 | allAfrica | Daily Trust

Almost 9,000 people flee from CAR to Cameroon to escape fresh tension and violence | 7 February 2014 | Reliefweb | UNHCR

UN agency warns thousands fleeing sectarian violence in Central African Republic | 7 February 2014 | UN News Centre

Mauritanians Fleeing CAR Violence Stranded in Cameroon | 7 February 2014 | Voice of America

Rescue Flights From Bangui May Be Put On Hold | 7 February 2014 | Voice of America
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it may have to discontinue rescue flights for people at risk of violence in the Central African Republic unless more funding arrives quickly.

A Bangui, les enfants comptent parmi les victimes les plus vulnérables | 9 February 2014 | RFI

Central African Situation : UNHCR External Regional Update n°1 – December 2013/6 February 2014 | 10 February 2014 | Reliefweb | UNHCR

A Town in Danger of Losing Its Soul | 12 February 2014 | allAfrica | UNHCR

RCA: restaurer les quartiers pour le retour des réfugiés | 12 February | RFI
En RCA, la nouvelle urgence, c’est le retour des réfugiés chez eux. A Bangui, les autorités tâchent de rassurer la population pour l’inciter à quitter l’aéroport, sécurisé par les militaires français. Le Programme alimentaire mondial vient également de mettre en place un pont aérien humanitaire vers la capitale centrafricaine.

Justice and Tribunals

Selected articles on criminal justice proceedings regarding crimes committed in the Great Lakes Region.

DRC

Bosco Ntaganda before ICC

Q&A: Hearing to Confirm the Charges Against Bosco Ntaganda at the International Criminal Court | 6 February 2014 | Human Rigths Watch
On February 10, 2014, the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will hear evidence against Bosco Ntaganda, a rebel leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a short hearing to determine whether the case against him should proceed to trial.

Case against Congolese militia leader is test for global court | 9 February 2014 | Reuters
Ntaganda’s Confirmation of Charges Hearing Opens At ICC | 10 February 2014 | allAfrica | Lubanga trial website
Ex-Congolese Warlord Appears at War Crimes Court | 10 February 2014 | Voice of America
CPI : ouverture des audiences de confirmation des charges contre Bosco Ntaganda | 10 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
CPI : première audience de confirmation des charges dans l’affaire Bosco Ntaganda | 10 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
CPI : ouverture de l’audience de confirmation des charges dans l’affaire Bosco Ntaganda | 10 February 2014 | UN News Centre
Congolese militia leader Bosco Ntaganda appears at the International Criminal Court on Monday charged with war crimes and other atrocities in a hearing that will be a test for the global legal institution after a string of troubled cases.

Congo militia leader ordered rapes, massacres: prosecutor | 10 February 2014 | Reuters
A Congolese militia leader widely known as “the Terminator” led fighters, including child soldiers, in a campaign of ethnically-motivated rape and murder, the International Criminal Court was told on Monday.

Congo warlord Bosco Ntaganda led ethnically motivated murder, ICC told | 10 February 2014 | The Guardian
Bosco Ntaganda, « Le Terminator » accusé de persécution ethnique | 10 February 2014 | allAfrica | Hirondelle News Agency
Bosco Ntaganda accusé de crimes ethniques par la procureure de la CPI | 11 February 2014 | RFI
Prosecutors say he was key in planning attacks on civilians in north-east DRC, but defence denies ethnic character of conflict.

Prosecutor – Ntaganda Killed a Priest, Ordered Soldiers to Rape | 11 February 2014 | allAfrica | Lubanga trial website
Bosco Ntaganda shot a priest and gave his bodyguards orders to rape, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors claimed during the confirmation of charges hearing.

Point de vue : Un chef de guerre congolais devant la justice | 10 February 2014 | Human Rights Watch
« Je m’appelle Bosco Ntaganda. Je suis né le 5 novembre 1973 au Rwanda et j’étais commandant dans l’armée avant d’arriver ici. » Ces mots ont eu une résonance particulière ce matin pour les victimes d’atrocités venues de l’est de la République Démocratique du Congo, qui attendaient ce jour– le jour où le tristement célèbre chef rebelle affronte finalement la justice – depuis plusieurs années.

Bosco Ntaganda: a Hearing of Great Significance in the Fight Against Impunity | 10 February 2014 | FIDH

Audience Ntaganda – la CPI répond à nos followers | 12 February 2014 | allAfrica | Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Le 10 février dernier s’est ouverte l’audience de confirmation des charges dans l’affaire Le Procureur c. Bosco Ntaganda. La CPI répond aux questions posées par les followers de Radio Nederland Worldwide et qui ont suivi la première comparution de Bosco Ntaganda le 26 mars 2013.

Congo-Kinshasa: CNDP-M23 – Embêtante révélation de Bosco Ntaganda à la CPI | 12 February | Le Phare | allAfrica
Le lundi 10 février 2014, la Chambre Préliminaire de la Cour Pénale Internationale (CPI) a organisé l’audience de confirmation des charges retenues par l’accusation contre Bosco Ntaganda, ex-général des FARDC (Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo) et chef du CNDP (Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple) poursuivi pour crimes de guerre et crimes contre l’humanité. Ce qui a le plus fait mal aux Congolaises et Congolais de souche, c’est la déclaration solennelle du responsable du panel de ses avocats selon laquelle son client est un citoyen rwandais.

ICC – Bemba

Victims’ Lawyer in Bemba Trial Dies | 10 February 2014 | allAfrica | Bemba trial website

Lawyer Asks Judges to End Monitoring of Bemba’s Communications | 11 February 2014 | allAfrica | Bemba trial website
The defense for Jean-Pierre Bemba has asked judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to order a stop to the monitoring and recording of privileged communications between Mr. Bemba and his lawyers.

ICC – Lubanga

Prosecutor Denies Withholding Exculpatory Evidence From Lubanga’s Lawyers | 6 February 2014 | allAfrica | Lubanga trial website
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has denied withholding exculpatory information from the defense of Thomas Lubanga, who was convicted in 2012 of using child soldiers.

Minova rape trial

Procès Minova en RDC: les victimes présumées de viols vont témoigner | 10 February 2014 | RFI
En République démocratique du Congo (RDC), c’est la partie la plus délicate du procès qui démarre ce mardi 11 février, à savoir celle qui porte sur les accusations de viol dans le procès de Minova. Ce procès doit juger 39 membres de l’armée congolaise accusés de graves violations des droits de l’homme dont des pillages et des viols massifs commis en novembre 2012 dans l’est du pays.

Procès Minova en RDC: témoignages de victimes présumées de viol | 12 February | RFI
En République démocratique du Congo (RDC), les victimes du procès Minova ont commencé à être auditionnées, ce mercredi 12 février. Ce procès doit juger 39 membres de l’armée congolaise accusés de graves violations des droits de l’homme dont des pillages et des viols massifs commis en novembre 2012 dans l’est du pays. Un peu plus de deux mois après l’ouverture de la procédure judiciaire et l’audition des 39 prévenus, ce mercredi c’était au tour des victimes présumées de passer à la barre, à Minova, la ville même où ont eu lieu les faits et où le procès s’est déplacé pour l’occasion.

US in favour of special tribunal for DRC

Les Etats-Unis souhaitent la création d’un tribunal spécialisé pour la RDC | 10 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
La VSV et l’Asadho favorables à la mise en place d’un tribunal spécialisé en RDC | 11 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
L’ambassadeur des Etats-Unis en charge de la politique américaine contre les crimes de guerre et crimes contre l’humanité plaide pour la mise en place d’un tribunal mixte et spécialisé pour la RDC pour juger les auteurs des crimes graves commis particulièrement dans l’Est de la RDC.

Rwanda

First genocide trial in France

Génocide rwandais: examen de la personnalité de l’accusé Simbikangwa au procès de Paris | 6 February 2014 | RFI
A Paris, deuxième jour, ce mercredi 5 février, du premier procès en France d’un présumé génocidaire rwandais. L’ancien officier de l’armée rwandaise, Pascal Simbikangwa, est jugé pour complicité de génocide et crimes contre l’humanité.

Génocide rwandais: Pascal Simbikangwa nie en bloc les accusations à son procès | 6 February 2014 | RFI

Procès de Pascal Simbikangwa: l’accusé reconnaît le génocide des Tutsis au Rwanda | 8 February 2014 | RFI

Du Rwanda jusque Mayotte, de Mayotte jusqu’à la Cour d’Assisses de Paris: la longue route de Pascal Simbikwanga | 11 February 2014 | Le carnet de Colette Braeckman

Procès Simbikangwa : un officier français dit avoir enquêté en vain sur l’accusé | 12 February 2014 | Jeune Afrique
Michel Robardey, un ancien officier français en poste au Rwanda, a affirmé mardi n’avoir pu corroborer les accusations de tortures et qualifié de fausses celles de participation à des “escadrons de la mort” contre Pascal Simbikangwa.

Procès de Pascal Simbikangwa: témoignage d’un ancien officier français | 12 February 2014 | RFI

International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)

TPIR/Karemera – Procès en appel des anciens chefs du parti de Juvénal Habyarimana | 10 February 2014 | Hirondelle News Agency
Le procès en appel de deux anciens responsables de l’ex-parti présidentiel rwandais s’est ouvert lundi devant le Tribunal pénal international pour le Rwanda (TPIR) siégeant à Arusha, en Tanzanie.

Rwanda: ICTR Acquits Former Police Chief | 12 February | Rwanda Focus | allAfrica
U.N. Court, on Appeal, Acquits 2 Rwandans in 1994 Genocide | 11 February 2014 | The New York Times
Rwanda’s Augustin Ndindiliyimana cleared of genocide | 11 February 2014 | BBC Africa
Deux acquittements au TPIR | 11 February 2014 | BBC Afrique
TPIR/Militaires II – Acquittement en appel de deux ex-responsables militaires condamnés en première instance | 11 February 2014 | Hirondelle News Agency
Twenty years after the small African nation of Rwanda descended into a frenzy of killing, a special United Nations court announced Tuesday that two high-ranking Rwandan officers convicted of taking part in the 1994 genocide had been acquitted on appeal.

Genocide survivors denounce military officials’ acquittal

LE RWANDA DENONCE LES DEUX NOUVEAUX ACQUITTEMENTS | 12 February | ICC | Hirondelle
Les rescapés du génocide des Tutsis et le parquet général à Kigali ont dénoncé l’acquittement mardi, par la chambre d’appel du Tribunal pénal pour le Rwanda (TPIR), de deux anciens responsables militaires qui avaient été condamnés en première instance.

Natural resource exploitation, governance and trade

Minerals, energy (oil & gas, hydro and solar), poaching, logging, foreign investment, trade, environmental issues.

Africa Mining Vision

Mining Sustainability Actors Concur On Urgent Implementation of the Africa Mining Vision | 10 February 2014 | allAfrica | UN Economic Commission for Africa
As the thousands of exhibitors, investors and industry experts scrambled for last minute business cards in the winding down of the 3-5 March Mining Indaba, an issue that resonated prominently at the sustainable mining discussions was the importance of the Africa Mining Vision, which sessions agreed, needs partnerships and must be fast tracked at the national level in order to catch up with the rapid developments on the continent.

US strategy against poaching and wildlife trafficking

US, World Act to Save Elephants | 12 February 2014 | Voice of America
New National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking | 11 February 2014 | allAfrica | US State Department
The Obama administration has unveiled a comprehensive strategy for combating wildlife trafficking in hopes of curbing illicit poaching that is threatening to wipe out elephants, rhinoceros and other endangered species in Africa. The document issued Tuesday places an almost complete ban on the ivory trade in the United States. Meanwhile, representatives of many African countries are meeting with world’s leading conservationists in London to discuss how to stop the illegal sale of ivory.

EU on conflict minerals

European Union seeks to stem use of conflict minerals | 5 February | Francesco Guarascio | Reuters
The EU’s trade chief will present a voluntary scheme in March aimed at stemming the import of minerals from conflict zones and prevent mining them from financing war and strife, EU officials said on Wednesday.

DRC

Oil

Global Witness response to allegations over Congo oil report | 10 February 2014 | Global Witness
A Global Witness report last month on a controversial oil deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo received wide media coverage and focused attention on how the country’s oil wealth is being managed.

Perenco tangles with army | 11 February 2014 | Africa Energy Intelligence
According to our sources, the Congolese army recently sent staff (…)

Hydropower

Électricité – premier revers pour Inga III | 6 February 2014 | allAfrica | Les Dépêches de Brazzaville
Le conseil d’administration de la Banque mondiale (BM) a annoncé le report de la réunion du 11 février à l’issue de laquelle les 188 États-membres seront appelés à valider le prêt de 73 millions de dollars américains en faveur de ce vaste projet hydroélectrique en RDC.

La Banque mondiale assure ne pas se désengager du projet Inga III | 7 February 2014 | Digitalcongo.net | AFP
La Banque mondiale a assuré mercredi 5 février ne pas se désengager du vaste projet de centrale hydroélectrique baptisé Inga III en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), qui suscite des craintes de la société civile.

Electricité – Des avancées significatives dans la réalisation du projet Inga 3 | 10 February 2014 | allAfrica | Les Dépêches de Brazzaville
L’Afrique du Sud, le Nigéria et d’autres partenaires qui suivent de près le projet ne cessent d’afficher leur satisfaction quant à l’évolution des différentes étapes.

DRC Mega-Dam to Be Funded by Private Sector, Groups Charge | 11 February 2014 | IPS
Washington – Watchdog groups here are warning that a deal has been struck that would see Chinese investors fund a massive, contentious dam on the Congo River, the first phase of a project that could eventually be the largest hydroelectric project in the world.

Miners still come to Inga’s rescue | 11 February 2014 | Africa Energy Intelligence
The problem of silt and sand in canals leading to the Inga 1& 2 dams could be resolved with the help of mining firms.

La centrale hydroélectrique de Nseke en pleine réhabilitation | 8 February 2014 | Digitalcongo.net | ACP
La centrale hydroélectrique de Nseke, dans la province du Katanga, avec une puissance installée de 260 mégawatts, dotée de 4 groupes de 65 mégawatts chacun, est en pleine réhabilitation, grâce aux efforts internes de la Société nationale d’électricité (SNEL).

New delay for Katende | 11 February 2014 | Africa Energy Intelligence
Construction of the 64 MW hydro power dam at Katende (…)

Artisanal mining

Katanga : femmes et enfants toujours actifs dans les mines à Kamantanda | 10 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Le Cadre de concertation de la société civile de Likasi a confirmé la présence des femmes et des enfants mineurs dans la carrière de Kamantanda au Katanga.

Forests

Province Orientale: 20 hectares de forêt ravagés par des feux de brousse | 6 February 2014 | Radio Okapi
Les feux de brousse ont ravagé près de 20 hectares de forêt en un mois dans la réserve de biosphère de l’Institut national d’études et de recherche agronomiques (Inera) à Yangambi (Province Orientale).

Rwanda

Mining

Confidence in Mining Sector Critical | 6 February 2014 | allAfrica | The New Times
A report released this week by Global Business Reports, titled Mining in Africa Country Investment Guide 2014, that named Rwanda among the 20 most exciting mineral jurisdictions on the continent, is the shot in the arm that the sector needed at the moment. Despite steady the progress local mining industry has registered over the last decade, it has continued to be affected by speculations surrounding minerals from the region.

Oil

Rwanda to Hold Regional Oil Depot | 6 February 2014 | allAfrica | The New Times
Some regional countries will be importing petroleum products from Rwanda if a plan to construct a regional oil-pipeline that will connect Kigali and Eldoret via Kampala is achieved.

Bad news across board for Vanoil | 11 February 2014 | Africa Energy Intelligence
A change in management at the Canadian firm hasn’t stopped the bad news from piling up.

Uganda

Oil deal

Total, Tullow, Cnooc Sign Uganda Deal Opening Way for Oil Output | 6 February 2014 | Bloomberg
Uganda Signs Development Deal with Major Oil Companies | 7 February 2014 | Voice of America
The Ugandan government signed a deal with the U.K.’s Tullow Oil, France’s Total and China’s Cnooc, on an oil refinery and pipeline, which may clear the way for the start of crude output.

Uganda Edges Closer to Oil Production | 9 February 2014 | allAfrica | The Observer (Kampala)
Oil Firms Accept Uganda Blueprint | 10 February 2014 | allAfrica | East African Business Week
Government’s signing of the long-awaited memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the three oil companies last week ended months of protracted negotiations and opened a new phase in the development of Uganda’s petroleum resources.

Oil Deal Points to Many Unanswered Questions | 11 February 2014 | allAfrica | The Observer (Kampala)
Finally, the deadlock is broken. More than a year after the government and the three oil companies started haggling over how Uganda’s oil fields should be developed, a deal has been reached. From the few details available, the two sides will help each other achieve their objectives; the government, in its bid to build the refinery, and the oil companies in their attempt to export as much crude as they possibly can.

Mining

Mining companies in Uganda must consult to keep their licence to operate | 7 February 2014 | The Guardian
With mining in Karamoja at an early stage, companies must opt for genuine community consultation or face costly social conflicts.

Mining Companies Fail Social Responsibility Test | 11 February 2014 | allAfrica | The Observer (Kampala)
For decades, Karamoja has remained that forgotten semi-arid patch in northeastern Uganda that not many outsiders are eager to go to.

Human rights, gold and Karamoja

Report Faults Govt, Mining Companies On Human Rights In Karamoja | 12 February | URN
HRW: Mining Industry Could Harm Uganda’s Karamoja | 5 February | VoA
Mineral deposits in Uganda’s Karamoja heighten human rights abuse – report | 5 February | Guardian
A report by Human Rights Watch reveals that mining in Karamoja could transform the region from the stories of malnutrition and poverty levels often heard. The report, “How Can We Survive Here? The Impact of Mining on Human Rights in Karamoja, Uganda,” points out that in the drive to attract investment in the region, government should also take note of the rights of the indigenous people.

CAR

La commercialisation du diamant interdite dans les zones frontalières avec la RCA | 11 February 2014 | allAfrica | Les Dépêches de Brazzaville
Le secrétariat permanent du Processus de Kimberley a lancé au Cameroun, le week-end dernier, une campagne de sensibilisation sur le risque de voir la commercialisation des diamants centrafricains financer les acteurs de la crise politique qui sévit dans ce pays.

Regulation, voluntary initiatives, and CSR

Selected articles on legal and voluntary initiatives relating to natural resources and good governance.

Uganda

Other

Burundi: la crise politique se mue en crise institutionnelle | 8 February 2014 | RFI
Une semaine après la décision du ministre burundais de l’Intérieur de limoger le président de l’Uprona, le pays ne parvient pas à se doter d’un nouveau premier vice-président – qui doit provenir de l’Uprona -, malgré plusieurs tentatives, dont la dernière s’est soldée par un échec cuisant pour le pouvoir du président Pierre Nkurunziza.

Death toll in Burundi’s torrential rains rises to 77 – Red Cross | 11 February 2014 | Thomson Reuters | Reuters
Torrential rains and landslides have left at least 77 people dead and about 12,000 displaced in Burundi, the Burundi Red Cross said on Tuesday.

IPIS Recent Publications

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.

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.

To see the sources of IPIS’ briefings, please click here.

Weekly Briefing: 5TH – 11TH February 2014

NEWS IN BRIEF

IPIS’ Latest Publications

Conflict and security

UN, AU agreement against sexual violence

Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)

Conflict in Africa

DRC

Military operation against ADF/Nalu, North Kivu

ADF called to lay down arms

Fighting between FARDC and APCLS in Masisi, North Kivu

Walikale, North Kivu

FDLR

FNL rebels killed in Uvira, South Kivu

Province Orientale

Katanga

New amnesty law

Child soldiers

Visualising M23

Thoughts

Rwanda

Burundi

Land reform and conflict

Uganda

Ugandan troops in South Sudan

Possible terrorist threat

Sexual Violence

CAR

HRW: Seleka figthers regroup in northeast – Chadian peacekeepers reportedly facilitate

Continued violence – exodus of Muslims

France

LRA in 2013

Humanitarian news

DRC

Katanga

UNHCR

UNOCHA bulletins

Uganda

CAR

Justice and Tribunals

DRC

Bosco Ntaganda before ICC

ICC – Bemba

ICC – Lubanga

Minova rape trial

US in favour of special tribunal for DRC

Rwanda

First genocide trial in France

International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)

Genocide survivors denounce military officials’ acquittal

Natural resource exploitation, governance and trade

Africa Mining Vision

US strategy against poaching and wildlife trafficking

EU on conflict minerals

DRC

Oil

Hydropower

Artisanal mining

Forests

Rwanda

Mining

Oil

Uganda

Oil deal

Mining

Human rights, gold and Karamoja

CAR

Regulation, voluntary initiatives, and CSR

Uganda

Other

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