Democratic Republic Of The Congo Conflict
Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo
A deteriorating security situation in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo undermines the peace process. Economic development and the provision of services to people living in that area will suffer as a consequence of the fighting. In this context, we welcome the Government of Rwanda’s statement that it will work with the international community to deal with the Interhamwe and other negative forces threatening the security of both the Congo and Rwanda. ... [Read More]
Conflict in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
We share Rwanda’s concern about the threat posed to Rwanda’s security, and that of the Congo and Uganda, by armed groups in eastern Congo. For several months the United States has facilitated regular meetings at the ministerial level between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda to resolve their differences. That process will continue in coming days with consultations in Kigali and Kinshasa. We have also strongly supported the efforts of the United Nations to create a Joint Verification Mechanism to monitor the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. We urge both countries to apply the principles of the agreements they have signed and use tools created therein, particularly the Joint Verification Mechanism and other diplomatic means, to resolve the current crisis. ... [Read More]
Congo (Kinshasa) (06/05)
The area known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo was populated as early as 10,000 years ago and settled in the 7th and 8th centuries A.D. by Bantus from present-day Nigeria. Discovered in 1482 by Portuguese navigator Diego Cao and later explored by English journalist Henry Morton Stanley, the area was officially colonized in 1885 as a personal possession of Belgian King Leopold II as the Congo Free State. In 1907, administration shifted to the Belgian Government, which renamed the country the Belgian Congo. Following a series of riots and unrest, the Belgian Congo was granted its independence on June 30, 1960. Parliamentary elections in 1960 produced Patrice Lumumba as prime minister and Joseph Kasavubu as president of the renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo. ... [Read More]
Congo, Republic of
A local FM radio station rebroadcast Radio France International, VOA, and the BBC. Radio and television broadcasts from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were received in Brazzaville. The private independent radio station, Radio Liberte, continued to broadcast as well as the new privately owned radio station DR-Radio. Local rebroadcasts of the Gabon-based Africa Number One also continued during the year. A Christian missionary group in Pointe Noire broadcast during daylight hours; it voluntarily provided its material to the Government prior to broadcast. Government broadcast media primarily focused their attention on the activities of government officials, but also provided news on other activities by international and local NGOs. During the year, the broadcasts included airing of alternative political views of some opposition members in talk show format, but overall opposition political parties did not have access to the governme ... [Read More]
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
UDPS Economic Advisor Jean-Baptiste Mulumba, who was arrested in May 2002 by ANR officers in Katanga, was released on May 10 as part of the April general amnesty (see Section 1.e.). Pre-trial detention was systematically prolonged. Human rights NGOs reported that less than 20 percent of the inmates at Makala had been charged or sentenced. Many prisoners released under an April amnesty likely served time without a fair trial or due process (see Section 1.e.). Prisoners were often held in detention after their sentences had expired (see Section 2.a.). In a few instances, when these cases were brought to the attention of the Government, prisoners were released. For example, in September, 28 Rwandan Hutu soldiers and a civilian who had been detained for approximately 5 years were released from Makala after a July visit to the facility by the Human Rights Minister. In areas not under ce ... [Read More]
U.S. Hosts Meeting to Foster Peace in African Great Lakes - US Department of State
More than three and a half million people have died as a result of deprivation and conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the past six years. This is the highest death toll in any conflict since the end of World War II. Although conditions have improved, there are continuing incidents of violence in eastern Congo and the situation remains volatile. It is urgent that the countries of the region, with the support of the international community and the United States, take action to address the causes. ... [Read More]
$10 Million Toward Refugee Emergency in Congo
The United States Government will provide emergency funding of $10 million for assistance to refugees and conflict victims, allocated as follows:$3.5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for Congolese refugees in neighboring states and refugee populations within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. $2.5 million to the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund for the procurement and distribution of essential pharmaceuticals in Congo. $2.0 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure field coordination and to fund quick impact projects in Congo. $1.5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross for emergency assistance programs to internally displaced persons. $500,000 to the United Nations Security Coordinator for the deployment of field security advisors to help ensure safe working conditions for United Nations and Non-Governmental relief workers ... [Read More]
UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC)
To work in cooperation with the Joint Military Commission (JMC) established by the Agreement to monitor the implementation of the Lusaka Cease-fire Agreement of July/August 1999 and investigate violations; to maintain liaison with the parties to the Agreement, and with their field headquarters; to develop an action plan for the overall implementation of the Agreement. In addition, MONUC will supervise and verify the disengagement of the parties and will provide support and technical assistance to the Facilitator of the Congolese National Dialogue. ... [Read More]
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is nominally a highly centralized republic with extensive powers vested in President Joseph Kabila, head of a national Transitional Government, which was formed in June 2003 and is composed of former belligerent factions, including representatives from the former government, former rebel groups, civil society, and the political opposition. President Kabila came to power in 2001 after the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire Kabila. There have not been free elections since independence in 1960; however, the Transitional Constitution, which resulted from political negotiations that ended 4 years of war in the country, provides for national general elections in 2005. Elections may be delayed for two 6-month periods with Parliament's approval. Although the law provides for a unified, strong central government, in practice the Government remained divided and weak. The country remained effectively divided into territor ... [Read More]
UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC)
Key Dates March 30, 2005: The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution UNSCR 1592 (2005), extending the present mandate of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) for another six months, until October 1, 2005, "with the intention to renew it for further periods." August 6, 1999, Resolution 1258 established UN liaison mission to the Congo. February 24, 2000, Resolution 1291 established MONUC cease-fire observer mission; UNSCR 1493 extended mandate of MONUC to July 31, 2004, expanded troop ceiling of MONUC by 2,100 troops to allow deployment of additional battalions in the Ituri region, expanded the use of Chapter VII force, and set up an arms embargo in the eastern DRC. ... [Read More]
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