DOCSLIB.ORG

Amnesty International Report 2014/15 the State of the World's

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Amnesty International Report 2014/15 the State of the World's launched a series of attacks, killing and DEMOCRATIC kidnapping civilians.1 Other armed groups remained active in REPUBLIC OF North Kivu, Katanga, South Kivu and Ituri, committing serious human rights abuses THE CONGO against civilians. Some fighters from the Forces Democratic Republic of the Congo Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda Head of state: Joseph Kabila (FDLR) participated in a demobilization Head of government: Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon programme run by MONUSCO and a few were confined in government camps. However, others carried on armed activities The security situation in eastern Democratic in the east of the country. The MONUSCO Republic of the Congo (DRC) remained Demobilization, Disarmament, Repatriation, dire and an upsurge in violence by armed Resettlement and Reintegration programme groups claimed the lives of thousands of included former FDLR child soldiers. civilians and forced more than a million In July, President Kabila appointed people to leave their homes. Human rights Jeannine Mabunda as his special envoy abuses, including killings and mass rapes, on sexual violence and recruitment of were committed by both government child soldiers. security forces and armed groups. Violence In November, several hundred magistrates against women and girls was prevalent went on strike over pay. throughout the country. Plans to amend the Constitution to allow President Kabila ABUSES BY ARMED GROUPS to stay in office beyond 2016 prompted Armed groups committed atrocities against protests. Human rights defenders, civilians in eastern DRC, especially in journalists and members of the political northern Katanga, Ituri, North Kivu and South opposition were threatened, harassed and Kivu. Abuses included unlawful killings, arbitrarily arrested by armed groups and by summary executions, forced recruitment government security forces. of children, rape and sexual violence, large-scale looting, burning of homes BACKGROUND and destruction of property. Attacks were The Congolese army, with the support of the characterized by extreme violence, sometimes UN peacekeeping force MONUSCO (UN ethnically motivated. Some of the fighting was Organization Stabilization Mission in the for control over natural resources and trade. DRC), succeeded in defeating and disbanding The violence was facilitated by easy access to the armed group March 23 (M23) in 2013. weapons and ammunition. However, the conflict in eastern DRC did Armed groups that committed abuses not end and other armed groups expanded against civilians included: the FDLR; the ADF; their areas of operation and continued to Nyatura; the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA); target civilians. the Nduma Defence of Congo (NDC) known In January, the government launched as Mai Mai Sheka; and various other Mai Mai a military operation against the armed groups including Mai Mai Lafontaine, Mai Mai group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Simba and Mai Mai Bakata Katanga. Beni territory, North Kivu province. While In June, attacks by Nyatura in Rutshuru “Operation Sokola 1” (“Operation Clean-up” territory, North Kivu, left at least four civilians in Lingala) forced the ADF rebels from their dead and dozens of houses burned to forest base, they regrouped and in October the ground. 128 Amnesty International Report 2014/15 On the night of 6 June, in Mutarule, Uvira fighters, in Misau and Misoke villages, territory, South Kivu, at least 30 civilians were Walikale territory, North Kivu province. killed in an attack by an unidentified armed group. Most of the victims were from the CHILD SOLDIERS Bafulero ethnic group. The attack took place Armed groups recruited children. Many just a few kilometres from a MONUSCO base. were subjected to sexual violence and cruel Between early October and late December, and inhuman treatment while being used the ADF allegedly carried out a spate of as fighters, carriers, cooks, guides, spies attacks on civilians in several towns and and messengers. villages in Beni territory, North Kivu, and Ituri district, Province Orientale, killing at least 270 INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE civilians and abducting others. The assailants The demise of the M23 armed group in also looted civilians’ property. 2013 facilitated the progressive closure of Between 3 and 5 November, FDLR fighters camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) killed 13 people in Misau and Misoke villages, around the city of Goma. However, due to Walikale territory, North Kivu. the upsurge of armed group violence against civilians, new IDP camps had to be set up VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS for people fleeing human rights abuses. By Rape and other forms of sexual violence 17 December, about 2.7 million people were against women and girls remained endemic, internally displaced within DRC. Most of the not only in areas of conflict, but also in displacement took place in connection with parts of the country not affected by armed the armed conflicts in North Katanga, North hostilities. Acts of sexual violence were Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri districts. committed by armed groups, by members of the security forces and by unarmed civilians. TORTURE AND OTHER ILL-TREATMENT The perpetrators of rape and other sexual Torture and other ill-treatment were endemic violence enjoyed virtually total impunity. throughout the country, and often took place Mass rapes, in which dozens of women during unlawful arrests and detention by state and girls were sexually assaulted with extreme security services. Some cases of death under brutality, were committed by armed groups torture were reported. Police, intelligence and by members of the security forces officers and members of the presidential during attacks on villages in remote areas, guard were all accused of responsibility for particularly in North Kivu and Katanga. Such torture and other ill-treatment. attacks often also involved other forms of torture, killings and looting. COMMUNAL VIOLENCE Between 4 and 17 July, Mai Mai Simba In Tanganyika district, Katanga, tensions combatants reportedly raped at least 23 between the Batwa and Luba intensified and women and girls in Mangurejipa village and led to a violent confrontation between the two mining sites located in surrounding areas in communities. This added to the insecurity Lubero territory, North Kivu. already caused by the activities of the armed In October, dozens of women and girls group Mai Mai Bakata Katanga. The violence were raped in Kansowe village, Mitwaba was marked by a deliberate targeting of territory, Katanga province by special civilians and serious human rights abuses. commando soldiers of the Congolese army Members of both communities committed deployed there to fight the Mai Mai Bakata killings, abductions and acts of sexual Katanga armed group. violence. They used children in the violence Between 3 and 5 November, at least and burned down and looted houses. 10 women were raped, allegedly by FDLR Amnesty International Report 2014/15 129 In June and July, more than 26 Batwa UNFAIR TRIALS women and girls were captured and raped The judicial system was weak and suffered in Longa village, Kabalo territory, Katanga. from a lack of resources. The courts were Another 37 women from the same village often not independent of outside influence were kidnapped and kept for sexual purposes and corruption was widespread. Legal aid was by alleged Luba militias in Luala. At least 36 not available, so that many defendants did not more women were raped when they were have a lawyer, and the rights of defendants trying to flee to Nyunzu. were frequently violated. IMPUNITY PRISON CONDITIONS Impunity continued to fuel further human The prison system continued to be under- rights violations and abuses. Efforts by funded. Prisoners and detainees were held judicial authorities to increase the capacity in decaying facilities, with overcrowding and of the courts to deal with cases, including unhygienic conditions. Dozens died as a cases involving human rights abuses, had result of malnutrition and lack of appropriate only limited success. Efforts to ensure medical care. accountability for crimes under international Insecurity for inmates was increased by law committed by the Congolese army the failure to separate women from men, pre- and armed groups also achieved few trial detainees from convicted prisoners and visible results. members of the military from civilians. The verdict in the trial for the mass rape of more than 130 women and girls, murder and HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS looting committed in and around the eastern The demise of the M23 armed group town of Minova by Congolese soldiers fleeing contributed to some improvement in the the advance of M23 rebels in November and situation for human rights defenders in December 2012 was handed down on 5 Rutshuru and Nyiragongo territories. May 2014. Despite overwhelming evidence However, human rights defenders and trade of mass rape in Minova, including victim unionists across the country continued and witness testimonies, only two soldiers of to face threats, intimidation and arrest by the 39 on trial were convicted of rape. Other state security services and armed groups. accused were convicted of murder, looting Some were forced to flee after they received and military offences. repeated death threats through text The M23 leader, General Bosco Ntaganda, messages, anonymous phone calls, and visits had turned himself in at the US embassy in at night by armed men. Kigali in 2013 and asked to be transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which ARBITRARY ARRESTS AND DETENTIONS had issued a warrant for his arrest in 2006. Arbitrary arrests and detentions continued to Other M23 leaders in exile in Uganda and be routine throughout the country. Security Rwanda continued to enjoy impunity for the services, in particular the national police, crimes they had reportedly committed in the intelligence services and the national Rutshuru and Nyiragongo territories. army, carried out arbitrary arrests. They In May, parliament rejected a legislative also frequently extorted money and items of proposal on the domestication of the Rome value from civilians during law enforcement Statute of the ICC, along with a proposal operations or at checkpoints.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Asset Freezing Measures at the International Criminal Court and the UN Security Council
    International international criminal law review Criminal Law 20 (2020) 983-1025 Review brill.com/icla Coexistent but Uncoordinated: Asset Freezing Measures at the International Criminal Court and the UN Security Council Daley J. Birkett Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Fellow, Northumbria Law School, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; Amsterdam Center for International Law, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected]; [email protected] Abstract Both the International Criminal Court (icc) and the UN Security Council (unsc) are vested with the capacity to request States to freeze individuals’ assets. The two bodies are also bound to cooperate closely under the terms of their relationship agreement ‘with a view to facilitating the effective discharge of their respective responsibilities’. This article examines whether this obligation extends to the unsc coordinating its targeted sanctions regime to support the icc in respect of the enforcement powers with which the latter is equipped. It does so by analysing eight cases where unsc action (could) have coincided with icc operations, with a particular focus on the (non-)parallel implementation of the two bodies’ asset freezing procedures. The ar- ticle demonstrates that, though the activities of the unsc and the icc in this sphere of their respective operations might have overlapped on a number of occasions, they have rarely been deliberately coordinated. This leads the author to conclude that close cooperation as envisaged in the relationship agreement between the two bodies is un- likely on this front. Keywords asset freezing – International Criminal Court (icc) – UN Security Council (unsc) – peace and security – targeted sanctions – Rome Statute – UN Charter – icc-UN Relationship Agreement © DALEY J.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Annex
    ICC-01/04-01/10-396-Anx 02-09-2011 1/6 CB PT Public Annex ICC-01/04-01/10-396-Anx 02-09-2011 2/6 CB PT I. General contextual elements on the recent FLDR activities in the KIVUS: 1. Since the beginning of 2011, the FARDC conducted unilateral military operations under the “AMANI LEO” (peace today) operation against the FDLR and other armed groups in North Kivu, mainly in Walikale and Lubero territories, and in South Kivu, mainly in Fizi, Uvira and Shabunda territories. 1 2. The UN Group of Experts in its interim report on 7 June 2011 states that the FDLR remain militarily the strongest armed group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.2 3. The UN Secretary-General further reported on 17 January 2011 that “the FDLR military leadership structure remained largely intact, and dispersed”.3 The FDLR established their presences in remote areas of eastern Maniema and northern Katanga provinces 4 and have sought to reinforce their presence in Rutshuru territory.5 4. The UN GoE reported as late as June 2011 on the FDLR’s continued recruitment 6 and training of mid-level commanders 7. The FDLR also 1 Para 5, page 2 S/2011/20, Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 17 January 2011 (http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2011/20 ), Para 32, page 9, S/2011/345 Interim report of the Group of Experts on the DRC submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of Security Council resolution 1952 (2010), 7 June 2011 (http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2011/345
    [Show full text]
  • Reconciling the Protection of Civilians and Host-State Support in UN Peacekeeping
    MAY 2020 With or Against the State? Reconciling the Protection of Civilians and Host-State Support in UN Peacekeeping PATRYK I. LABUDA Cover Photo: Elements of the UN ABOUT THE AUTHOR Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s PATRYK I. LABUDA is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the (MONUSCO) Force Intervention Brigade Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a Non-resident and the Congolese armed forces Fellow at the International Peace Institute. The author’s undertake a joint operation near research is supported by the Swiss National Science Kamango, in eastern Democratic Foundation. Republic of the Congo, March 20, 2014. UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Disclaimer: The views expressed in this paper represent those of the author The author wishes to thank all the UN officials, member- and not necessarily those of the state representatives, and civil society representatives International Peace Institute. IPI welcomes consideration of a wide interviewed for this report. He thanks MONUSCO in parti - range of perspectives in the pursuit of cular for organizing a workshop in Goma, which allowed a well-informed debate on critical him to gather insights from a range of stakeholders.. policies and issues in international Special thanks to Oanh-Mai Chung, Koffi Wogomebou, Lili affairs. Birnbaum, Chris Johnson, Sigurður Á. Sigurbjörnsson, Paul Egunsola, and Martin Muigai for their essential support in IPI Publications organizing the author’s visits to the Central African Adam Lupel, Vice President Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Albert Trithart, Editor South Sudan. The author is indebted to Namie Di Razza for Meredith Harris, Editorial Intern her wise counsel and feedback on various drafts through - out this project.
    [Show full text]
  • Annex to Notice
    ANNEX TO NOTICE FINANCIAL SANCTIONS: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 1275/2014 AMENDING ANNEX I TO COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1183/2005 REGIME: Democratic Republic of the Congo ADDITIONS Entity 1. ADF a.k.a: (1) ADF/NALU (2) Forces Democratiques Alliees-Armee Nationale de Liberation de l'Ouganda (3) Islamic Alliance of Democratic Forces Address: North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other Information: Created in 1995 and is located in the mountainous DRC-Uganda border area. The ADF's military commander is Hood LUKWAGO and its supreme leader is the sanctioned individual Jamil MUKULU. Group ID: 13189. DELISTING Entity 1. GREAT LAKES BUSINESS COMPANY (GLBC) Address: (1) Gisenyi, Rwanda. (2) PO Box 315, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other Information: Owned by Douglas Mpamo. As of Dec 2008, GLBC no longer had any operational aircraft, although several aircraft continued flying in 2008 despite UN sanctions. Group ID: 9071. Note this entity has been merged with COMPAGNIE AERIENNE DES GRANDS LACS (CAGL) – see amended entry below AMENDMENTS Additions are shown in italics and underlined. Deleted text is shown in strikethrough. INDIVIDUALS 1. BADEGE, Eric Title: LT. Colonel DOB: --/--/1971. Group ID: 12838. i 2. IYAMUREMYE, Gaston Title: Brigadier General DOB: --/--/1948. POB: (1) Musanze District (Northern Province) (1) Musanze District, Northern Province, Rwanda (2) Ruhengeri, (1) Rwanda (2) Ruhengeri, Rwanda a.k.a: (1) BYIRINGIRO, Michel (2) RUMULI, Byiringiro, Victor (3) RUMURI, Victor Nationality: Rwandan Address: Kalonge, North Kivu Province (as of June 2011). Position: FDLR President and 2nd Vice-President of FDLR-FOCA Other Information: Also referred to as Rumuli.
    [Show full text]
  • Le Président Du Conseil De Sécurité Présente
    Le Président du Conseil de sécurité présente ses compliments aux membres du Conseil et a l'honneur de transmettre, pour information, le texte d'une lettre datée du 2 juin 2020, adressée au Président du Conseil de sécurité, par le Groupe d’experts sur la République démocratique du Congo reconduit suivant la résolution 2478 (2019) du Conseil de sécurité, ainsi que les pièces qui y sont jointes. Cette lettre et les pièces qui y sont jointes seront publiées comme document du Conseil de sécurité sous la cote S/2020/482. Le 2 juin 2020 The President of the Security Council presents his compliments to the members of the Council and has the honour to transmit herewith, for their information, a copy of a letter dated 2 June 2020 from the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo extended pursuant to Security Council resolution 2478 (2019) addressed to the President of the Security Council, and its enclosures. This letter and its enclosures will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/2020/482. 2 June 2020 UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES POSTAL ADDRESS-ADRESSE POSTALE: UNITED NATIONS, N.Y. 10017 CABLE ADDRESS -ADRESSE TELEGRAPHIQUE: UNATIONS NEWYORK REFERENCE: S/AC.43/2020/GE/OC.171 2 juin 2020 Monsieur Président, Les membres du Groupe d’experts sur la République démocratique du Congo, dont le mandat a été prorogé par le Conseil de sécurité dans sa résolution 2478 (2019), ont l’honneur de vous faire parvenir leur rapport final, conformément au paragraphe 4 de ladite résolution.
    [Show full text]
  • From Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’ Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’
    paper 50 From Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’ Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) From Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’ Transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by Björn Aust and Willem Jaspers Published by ©BICC, Bonn 2006 Bonn International Center for Conversion Director: Peter J. Croll An der Elisabethkirche 25 D-53113 Bonn Germany Phone: +49-228-911960 Fax: +49-228-241215 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.bicc.de Cover Photo: Willem Jaspers From Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’ Table of contents Summary 4 List of Acronyms 6 Introduction 8 War and war economy in the DRC (1998–2002) 10 Post-war economy and transition in the DRC 12 Aim and structure of the paper 14 1. The Congolese peace process 16 1.1 Power shifts and developments leading to the peace agreement 17 Prologue: Africa’s ‘First World War’ and its war economy 18 Power shifts and the spoils of (formal) peace 24 1.2 Political transition: Structural challenges and spoiler problems 29 Humanitarian Situation and International Assistance 30 ‘Spoiler problems’ and political stalemate in the TNG 34 Systemic Corruption and its Impact on Transition 40 1.3 ‘Violent peace’ and security-related liabilities to transition 56 MONUC and its contribution to peace in the DRC 57 Security-related developments in different parts of the DRC since 2002 60 1.4 Fragility of security sector reform 70 Power struggles between institutions and parallel command structures 76 2. A Tale of two cities: Goma and Bukavu as case studies of the transition in North and South Kivu
    [Show full text]
  • Sylvestre MUDACUMURA
    Le Bureau du Procureur The Office of the Prosecutor FACTSHEET Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Sylvestre MUDACUMURA 14 May 2012 1 / 5 PROFILE – Sylvestre MUDACUMURA génocidaires re-grouped within refugee camps in the DRC, organized themselves and launched attacks in Rwanda, with the goal of removing its then new Government by force. The FDLR was involved in the two Congo wars, from 1996 until 2003, that caused, directly or indirectly, an estimated 4 million 1 victims. This is the largest single number of conflict-related civilian deaths since the Name: MUDACUMURA, Sylvestre Second World War. Also know as: “Bernard Mupenzi”, Since 2002, the FDLR has been committing “Mpezi”, “Commandant Pharaon” or crimes against civilians. The Security Council has consistently characterized the “Pharaoh”, “Mudac”, “Mukanda” or FDLR as a threat to the peace and security of “Radja” the Great Lakes region, a cause of regional Sex: Male insecurity and instability and a threat to the Year of Birth: 1954 local civilian population. Location of Birth: Gatumba sector, Sylvestre MUDACUMURA is a member of Gisenyi prefecture, Rwanda the FDLR’s Steering Committee and head of Nationality: Rwandan the FDLR military wing. As Supreme Current Position: Supreme Commander Commander of the Army and President of its of the Army and President of the High High Command, MUDACUMURA is the Command of the Forces Démocratiques highest-ranking military commander in the pour la Libération du Rwanda – Forces FDLR. He is subject to UN and EU sanctions. Combattantes Abacunguzi (FDLR – FOCA) Relevant Background Information Mr. Sylvestre MUDACUMURA is the supreme commander of the FDLR.
    [Show full text]
  • Walikale Nicholas Garrett Artisanal Cassiterite Mining and Trade in North Kivu June 1, 2008 Implications for Poverty Reduction and Security
    Walikale Nicholas Garrett Artisanal Cassiterite Mining and Trade in North Kivu June 1, 2008 Implications for Poverty Reduction and Security 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was prepared by Nicholas Garrett for the Communities and Artisanal & Small-scale Mining initiative (CASM). Nicholas Garrett is a Mining Consultant from the UK Resource Consulting Services Ltd (RSS), and specialising in conflict and post-conflict minerals management and corporate social responsibility in high-risk environments. The contribution of Estelle A. Levin and Harrison Mitchell (RSS) and of those who have reviewed the final report is acknowledged, as well as to everyone who provided support to the author to conduct extensive research on the ground in the DR Congo. Front cover photo: Artisanal cassiterite mining in Bisie, North Kivu/DRC © Nicholas Garrett Disclaimer: The views expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CASM or other organizations. 2 CONTENTS List of Acronyms 5 Sections Preface and Methodology 6 Synopsis 7 Background and Context 12 Legal Framework 18 Governance 23 Geography, Physical Access, Infrastructure and Transport 32 Structure of Production 37 Economics of Production 41 Economics of Trade 43 Payments to Authorities 56 Demography and Poverty 63 External Stakeholders and Development Assistance 62 Conclusion and Recommendations 76 Bibliography 87 Fact Boxes Box 1: What is Cassiterite? 13 Box 2: Key Features of Artisanal Mining (AM) in North Kivu 16 Box 3: SAESSCAM 22 Box 4: Workers’ Income in Bisie
    [Show full text]
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Page 1 of 54
    2010 Human Rights Report: Democratic Republic of the Congo Page 1 of 54 Home » Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs » Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor » Releases » Human Rights Reports » 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices » Africa » Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2010 Human Rights Report: Democratic Republic of the Congo BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Report April 8, 2011 The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a nominally centralized republic with a population of approximately 68 million. The president and the lower house of parliament (National Assembly) are popularly elected; the members of the upper house (the Senate) are chosen by provincial assemblies. Multiparty presidential and National Assembly elections in 2006 were judged to be credible, despite some irregularities, while indirect elections for senators in 2007 were marred by allegations of vote buying. There were many instances in which state security forces acted independently of civilian control and of military command. In all areas of the country, state security forces continued to act with impunity throughout the year, committing many serious abuses, including unlawful killings, disappearances, torture, rape and engaging in arbitrary arrests and detention. Severe and life-threatening conditions in prison and detention facilities, prolonged pretrial detention, lack of an independent and effective judiciary, and arbitrary interference with privacy, family, and home also remained serious problems. Members of the state security forces continued to abuse and threaten journalists, contributing to a decline in press freedom. Internally displaced persons remained a major problem, and the integration of ex-combatants and members of rebel and militia groups (RMGs) into state security forces and governance institutions was slow and uneven.
    [Show full text]
  • Press Release Local Voices EN Best Final
    Tapez pour saisir le texte LOCAL VOICES Congolese Communities & The Kivu Conflict ! press release A Series of Photostories on Local Realities of Conflict in Eastern DRC “Our drama is that armed groups are supposedly formed in order to protect their community, but at the end of the day, it is the very same armed groups that kill their own community.” A community leader from Goma, North Kivu ! ! “All our troubles [of armed conflict] came from bad governance. We succeeded institutionalizing the culture of corruption in our country.” A Civil Society activist from Goma, North Kivu. ! ! “As long as armed groups remain, we will never be able to return to our villages!” A woman among the two millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) that are forced to live in a camp because of armed violence in North and South Kivu. local voices - congolese communities & the kivu conflict - www.localvoicesproject.com A member of APCLS armed group is leaving its military base to fight Cheka armed group in Pinga, Walikale territory. Both groups fight for the control of Pinga and the mineral resources that are abundant in Walikale territory. Lukweti, Masisi territory, North Kivu, August 2013. local voices - congolese communities & the kivu conflict - www.localvoicesproject.com Tapez pour saisir le texte LOCAL VOICES - Congolese Communities & The Kivu Conflict ! A Series of photostories helps make local voices heard on DRC conflict Local Voices, Search For Common Ground and International Alert are proud to announce the launch of their joint project Local Voices – Congolese Communities & The Kivu Conflict on December 5, 2013. ! ! Local Voices – Congolese Communities & The Kivu Conflict aims to share the experiences of the local populations who, in remote areas of Kivu, have been facing militias and armed violence for 20 years.
    [Show full text]
  • DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of the CONGO Hundreds of Schools Were Looted, Damaged, and Destroyed Or Used for Military Purposes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Global Coalition EDUCATION UNDER ATTACK GCPEA to Protect Education from Attack COUNTRY PROFILES DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Hundreds of schools were looted, damaged, and destroyed or used for military purposes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Armed parties also reportedly threatened, abducted, injured, and killed students and education personnel. Both boys and girls were recruited from schools or along school routes, and reports indicated that girls were taken specifically for sexual purposes. Context Already ongoing for more than two decades, conflict continued in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. 678 A new conflict began in the Greater Kasai region in April 2016, when tensions between the government and traditional chiefs led to the emergence of the Kamuina Nsapu militia. 679 This violence surged in 2017, with conflict also escalating in North and South Kivu and Tanganyika provinces. 680 The armed parties included the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) (FARDC) and more than 120 non-state armed groups. 681 Most armed groups were small. One of the largest remaining groups was the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) (FDLR), which was estimated to have between 500 and 1,000 fighters in 2017. 682 The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which began its peacekeeping mission in 1999, also continued to operate in the country. 683 As of August 2017, 3.8 million people were internally displaced throughout DRC. 684 State and non-state parties reportedly raped, sexually enslaved, and forcibly impregnated women and girls because of their ethnicity.
    [Show full text]
  • In Search of Peace: an Autopsy of the Political Dimensions of Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo
    IN SEARCH OF PEACE: AN AUTOPSY OF THE POLITICAL DIMENSIONS OF VIOLENCE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO By AARON ZACHARIAH HALE A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2009 1 © 2009 Aaron Zachariah Hale 2 To all the Congolese who helped me understand life’s difficult challenges, and to Fredline M’Cormack-Hale for your support and patience during this endeavor 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I was initially skeptical about attending The University of Florida (UF) in 2002 for a number of reasons, but attending UF has been one of the most memorable times of my life. I have been so fortunate to be given the opportunity to study African Politics in the Department of Political Science in a cozy little town like Gainesville. For students interested in Africa, UF’s Center for African Studies (CAS) has been such a fantastic resource and meeting place for all things African. Dr. Leonardo Villalón took over the management of CAS the same year and has led and expanded the CAS to reach beyond its traditional suit of Eastern and Southern African studies to now encompass much of the sub-region of West Africa. The CAS has grown leaps and bounds in recent years with recent faculty hires from many African and European countries to right here in the United States. In addition to a strong and committed body of faculty, I have seen in my stay of seven years the population of graduate and undergraduate students with an interest in Africa only swell, which bodes well for the upcoming generation of new Africanists.
    [Show full text]