Congo Democratic Politics Republic Woman

The Democratic Republic of the Congo remained divided into territories controlled by the Government and several rebel factions. On January 16, President Laurent Desire Kabila, whose Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (AFDL) overthrew the authoritarian regime of Mobutu Sese Seko by armed force in 1997, was assassinated by one of his guards. On January 26, the Government installed his son Joseph Kabila as president. Joseph Kabila ruled by decree, and the Government continued to operate without a constitution. The State continued to be highly centralized formally, although in practice the country's dilapidated transportation and communications infrastructure impaired central government control. On May 17, the Government adopted a law liberalizing political activity; however, the Government continued to restrict political activity in practice. The judiciary continued to be subject to executive influence and corruption. ... [Read More]

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

In territory under central government control, the Transitional Government's security forces consisted of a national police force and an immigration service, both under the Ministry of Interior; the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) and the Special Group for Presidential Security (GSSP), both reporting directly to the President; and the Armed Forces, which were integrated at headquarters level only by year's end. The Office for the Military Detection of Anti-Patriotic Activities (DEMIAP), the military's intelligence service, was technically disbanded but continued to operate under the new chief of military intelligence, who was the former chief of DEMIAP. The ANR was responsible for internal and external security, including border security matters. The Armed Forces retained some residual police functions. Military police had jurisdiction over armed forces personnel, but also had domestic security responsibilities, including the patrolling of urban areas. Security forces were poorly tr ... [Read More]

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

As the war grew into an increasing stalemate, government forces controlled less than half of the country.  Several rebel groups, the Congolese Rally for Democracy based in Goma (RCD/Goma), the Movement for the Liberation of the Congo (MLC), and the Congolese Rally for Democracy based in Bunia (RCD/ML) controlled the remaining territory, with the active military support of the Rwandan and Ugandan Governments.  The RCD/Goma remained dominated by members of the Tutsi ethnic minority and continued to be supported by the Government of Rwanda; the RCD/ML commanded fewer troops and, like the largely non-Tutsi MLC, was supported by the Government of Uganda.  War broke out in August 1998, when Kabila tried to expel Rwandan military forces that had helped him overthrow Mobutu.  Congolese Tutsis as well as the Governments of Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda all relied on the Rwandan military presence for protection against hostile armed groups operating from the eastern part of the ... [Read More]

Africa

The Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged in 2002 from a war that claimed more than three million lives. With the assistance of the international community, the former government, rebel groups, civil society, and the political opposition formed a transitional government in 2003. The Transitional Government is preparing for democratic elections in 2005, the first elections in more than 40 years. The Transitional Government has made some progress in unifying the country; however, the country remains effectively divided into two zones: territory under the control of the Government (areas that remained under the nominal control of the Kinshasa-based Government throughout the conflict) and most of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is territory under marginal government control (areas controlled by various rebel groups during the conflict). Echoes of the war still haunt Congolese civilians, especially in the east, where they continue to be chased from their homes, attack ... [Read More]

Central African Republic

The Central African Republic is a constitutional democracy with a multiparty legislature. Ange-Felix Patasse, leader of the Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), who first was elected President in 1993, was reelected with a narrow majority in September 1999. The Presidential election, like the National Assembly elections held in late 1998, generally was free but was controlled by the Government and was marred by irregularities that tended to favor the ruling party candidate. The Government is headed by a Prime Minister and Cabinet appointed by the President. Although the Constitution provides for separation of powers, the Legislature is vulnerable to manipulation by the President, who dominates the Government. The President can veto legislation, although two-thirds of the unicameral legislature can override his veto, and he can rule by decree under special conditions. On April 1, President Patasse replaced the Prime Minister, Anicet Georges Dologuele, with M ... [Read More]

Working for Women, Worldwide: The U.S. Commitment

In Cambodia, with U.S. funding, the National Democratic Institute sponsored "Women in Politics" conferences, while the local NGO Women for Prosperity held public forums with female candidates on "Women in Politics," which were taped and later broadcast on local radio stations. The Girl Guides Association built the capacity of girls and young women for self-reliance, self-esteem, and assistance to their own communities, including training focused on rights and responsibilities, democracy, and the culture of peace. The "Mobilized to Develop Women" program used U.S. funds to provide advocacy and legal-rights training to disadvantaged women, with emphasis on women's rights and rule of law. ... [Read More]

Remarks at the Memorial Museum of Juscelino Kubitschek

And to the degree that we have concerns about that in this hemisphere, in Venezuela, for instance, it is not an issue that is just between the United States and Venezuela. This is an issue of what happens to democratic processes and democratic opportunity in Venezuela. Is there going to be a free press? Will there be the opportunity for opposition to mobilize? How will the congress be treated? What happens to people who are critical of their government? These are the essential values that underscore the great democratic transformation that has taken place in this region and that is taking place across the world. ... [Read More]

Remarks at the 2005 Global Classrooms: Washington, D.C. Model United Nations Conference

The United States has had a billion dollar famine relief program for Africa. And we've been very involved in conflict resolution whether it's in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or in Liberia where the United States in getting Charles Taylor to leave Liberia through help with the -- through the ECOWAS -- President Obasanjo and President Kufuor. We've had real partnerships with African leaders on solving these problems in Africa. ...

QUESTION: My other question is: Have you found it hard to climb in the hierarchy of the government, being a woman? Is it hard for you? ... [Read More]

Africa

Kenya held successful multiparty general elections on December 27, 2002; election observers concluded the polling broadly reflected the popular will and was free and fair. For the first time since independence in 1963, the Kenya African National Union (KANU) lost the presidency and the majority of seats in Parliament. The National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), a grouping of opposition political parties and former KANU leaders, swept the presidential and parliamentary results. Torture continues to be a problem in Kenya. While the Constitution prohibits such acts, security forces continued during recent years to use torture and physical violence during interrogation and to punish both pretrial detainees and convicted prisoners. The Embassy provided a $1.4 million three-year grant to the U.S. International University to develop a training program and a comprehensive service-support system program for trauma and torture victims. USAID also a ... [Read More]