News | Armed Groups
| Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in DR Congo | |
UN News - June 28, 2011 | |
 | The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a year, with the force now scheduled to stay at least until 30 June 2012. The Council resolution, adopted unanimously, “reaffirms that the protection of civilians must be given priority” by the mission MONUSCO, which last year succeeded an earlier mission known as MONUC. |
| Rights Groups: Strengthen Civilian Protection Before Elections | |
Human Rights Watch - June 9, 2011 | |
 | The United Nations Security Council should ensure that the UN mission in Congo has adequate and appropriate resources to protect civilians from attacks by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and to avert election-related violence, a coalition of 47 international and Congolese organizations said today. |
| Opportunity for change in eastern Congo's mines must be seized | |
Global Witness - May 18, 2011 | |
 | Shifts in the control of eastern Congo's mines have created opportunities to begin breaking the links between the mineral trade and the conflict that has plagued civilians for over a decade, says a new report from Global Witness today. |
| New Law Aims to Halt Sale of Conflict Minerals | |
Heather Murdock | VOA News - April 18, 2011 | |
 | In the Congolese countryside, there is said to be $24 trillion worth of precious minerals like tantalum, tungsten, gold and tin. They are used to make everything from light bulbs to airplanes, and have long funded the conflict in the country’s tumultuous eastern provinces. |
| Plight of the Congo Is Focus of U.S. Congress Hearing | |
chrissmith.house.gov - March 8, 2011 | |
 | The tragedy and hopes for peace in the Congo was the focus of a hearing held today by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Africa, Global Health and Human Rights Subcommittee. Actor Ben Affleck testified about the work of the Eastern Congo Initiative, including his travel to the DRC. |
| Mining ban fails to end armed control of trade, says Global Witness | |
Global Witness - March 4, 2011 | |
 | The Congolese government's decision this week to lift a ban on the mining and export of minerals from the country's eastern provinces is long overdue, says Global Witness today. The campaign group questioned what has been achieved since restrictions were imposed nearly six months ago. |
| Foreign 'gold smugglers' arrested in eastern Congo | |
BBC News - February 7, 2011 | |
 | Eight foreigners - from the US, France and Nigeria - have been arrested on allegations of gold smuggling in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, officials say. "Millions of dollars" and 436kg of gold were seized, the local governor said. |
| UN launches patrols to head off rebel violence during holiday season | |
UN News Service - December 1, 2010 | |
 | The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has deployed troops as a preventive measure in Orientale Province ahead of the end-of-year holiday season, which has in the past seen increased attacks by illegal armed groups. |
| UN Report: CNDP, Congolese Soldiers Involved in Illegal Mining Operations | |
Congo News Agency - November 30, 2010 | |
 | A report by a group of experts monitoring UN sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo has implicated former CNDP soldiers, now part of the Congolese Armed Forces, in the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in eastern Congo. The report says that “units of the former Congrès national pour la défense du peuple (CNDP) in FARDC have gained military control over most of the strategic areas rich in natural resources in the Kivus, presenting a challenge to their integration into FARDC.” |
| Women March against Sexual Violence in Eastern Congo | |
Congo News Agency - October 17, 2010 | |
 | First Lady Olive Lembe Kabila led a march by thousands of women through the streets of Bukavu, in eastern Congo, on Sunday. They were marching against the sexual violence – and violence in general – that has plagued the region, where rape has been used as a weapon of war by armed groups for years. |
