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Blog Posts in Eastern Congo

Groups Push for Unity of African States at A.U. 50th Anniversary Summit
Posted by David Carden on May 23, 2013
Heads of the African States pose in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

More than 70 Heads of State will gather this week to attend the 21st Africa Union summit which coincides with a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the continental institution.  The summit’s theme “Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance” will unfold with a call for Africans to “realize the dream of the founding fathers for a peaceful, prosperous, and united Africa”. 

Stars and Stripes Op-ed: More U.S. can do to reform Congolese military
Posted by Enough Team on May 23, 2013
Congolese government soldiers (FARDC) patrol the streets of Minova.

The Congolese military has again been accused of significant human-rights abuses, including mass rape. Recently, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office released a report concerning abuses by the Congolese Army (FARDC) as it retreated from advancing M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo between Nov. 15 and Dec. 2.

Field Update: Goma's Destiny
Posted by Timo Mueller an... on May 21, 2013
Displaced civilians in eastern Congo camped outside of MONUSCO military base.

On Monday morning, the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army, or FARDC, clashed in the village of Mutaho, approximately six miles northwest of the provincial capital of Goma. The fighting comes after six months of relative calm between the warring parties following the 12-day occupation of Goma by M23 in November 2012.

Conflict-Free in Canada
Posted by Rachel Finn on May 3, 2013
Gold traders weigh gold at mines on small scales, but miners earn very little fr

The conflict-free movement is gaining momentum worldwide, with the newest development happening in Canada.  In March 2013, New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar introduced a comprehensive conflict-free mineral bill to the Canadian Parliament.  Bill C-486 requires companies to regularly report how they obtain their supply of minerals such as gold, tin, tungsten, and tantalum from Central Africa, particularly Congo.

HuffPo Op-ed: On Our Watch
Posted by John Prendergast on May 2, 2013
Refugee children in Djabal Refugee Camp, Chad

As we gather to mark April as Genocide Awareness month, to recognize atrocities across the world and throughout history, it's important not just to recognize the past, but to learn from it.