RDC: Rassemblement – Communique de Presse (24.10.2017)

UNHCR warns of worsening displacement in Democratic Republic of the Congo (24.10.2017)

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 24, 2017 – This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva:

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is increasingly concerned by escalating displacement we are seeing in several key regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since 2015 the number of people displaced internally has more than doubled and now stands at 3.9 million people – some 428,000 of these having been displaced in the past three months alone. Over the past year, some 100,000 Congolese have fled to neighbouring countries as refugees. With widespread militia activities, and unrest and violence fueled by ethnic and political conflict affecting many areas, the risk of further displacement is high. The challenges of getting aid to people in need are growing fast.

Tanganyika province

In the eastern province of Tanganyika, where some 584,000 people are internally displaced, intercommunal conflict between the Twa and Luba groups spilled into neighboring Haut-Katanga province earlier this year. Clashes with the army continue and there is wide prevalence of armed militia. Scores of civilians have been forced to flee, and there have been reports of murders, looting and extortion, and torture or other inhumane treatment. With people finding it difficult to sustain their livelihoods, more are becoming dependent on aid.

Refugees crossing from DRC into neighbouring Zambia are hosted temporarily at the Kenani transit center, close to the border. Over 5,400 people are currently staying at the center, receiving assistance from the authorities, UNHCR and partners. As the rainy season has started, it is becoming urgently important to beef up public health, sanitation and water supplies to prevent diseases. Psychosocial support, as well as care for people with specific needs – some 27 per cent of the refugee population – is also urgently required.

North and South Kivu provinces

Further north in the east of DRC, violence involving mostly local armed groups is also plaguing North and South Kivu provinces. In North Kivu alone, over one million people are displaced. In South Kivu, where 545,000 people are internally displaced, the security situation further deteriorated in September as conflicts escalated between militias and the armed forces in the territories of Fizi and Uvira. Fear is widespread, including among the 30,000 Burundian refugees hosted at Lusenda camp in Fizi.

Congolese from North Kivu have mainly been fleeing to Uganda, and those from South Kivu to Tanzania – usually transiting through Burundi to escape attacks in their villages. Currently, Uganda hosts the largest number of DRC refugees, over 236,500 people, mostly in the south-west. In Tanzania, there were 76,890 DRC refugees as of the end of September.

The Kasai region

Meanwhile, in the Kasai region in central-southern DRC, displaced people and refugees who fled the violence that started over a year ago have begun to return. As of 23 October, over 710,000 people had gone back. Many are finding their property in ruins and family members killed. At present the situation in the Kasai region is far from stable and humanitarian access has only just become possible in many areas.

In total, over 762,000 people are displaced in the Kasai region. In Angola’s Lunda Norte province an additional 27,555 Congolese who have fled the Kasai conflict are being assisted by UNHCR and partners.

UNHCR is coordinating protection activities for the displaced from the Kasai conflict, returnees and other vulnerable civilians. We have also distributed basic relief items and are preparing additional support, particularly for the communities where returns take place.

In light of the situations in these three regions, UNHCR and partners have recently upgraded the situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo to level 3 – the highest level of emergency. UNHCR, as part of this response, will be fulfilling its responsibilities focusing on protection and assistance of the displaced populations, including through leadership of the Protection cluster.

Refugees

In all, there are today some 621,711 refugees from the DRC in more than eleven African countries. And funding is urgently needed. Of some US$236.2 million required for the needs of refugees, IDPs and other people of concern in the DRC, only US$49.7 million has been received so far – a fifth of the amount required.

At the same time, the number of refugees from neighboring countries seeking refuge inside Democratic Republic of the Congo has grown by a third since early 2016 and now stands at 526,000 people. We continue to see new arrivals from Burundi, the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

RDC: Declaration Politique de Direction Politique Nationale de L’UNC (23.10.2017)

MONUSCO calls for the immediate release of opposition activists arrested yesterday in Lubumbashi (23.10.2017)

Two incidents involving the use of firearms against the homes of Joseph Olengankoy and Alphonse Ntumba Luaba have also recently been reported in Kinshasa.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, October 23, 2017 – The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) condemns the arrest of many members of the Rassemblement des forces politiques et sociales de la République démocratique du Congo acquises au changement by Congolese defense and security forces yesterday in Lubumbashi, in the province of Haut-Katanga.

The members of the Rassemblement were attending a private meeting at the headquarters of the Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social (UDPS). Three vehicles of the Police nationale congolaise (PNC) surrounded the venue before calling on a commando unit of the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) to force entry of the meeting venue, where the members of the Rassemblement had barricaded themselves. The defense and security forces proceeded to arrest many individuals.

“I urge the Congolese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release those arbitrarily arrested yesterday in Lubumbashi,” said Maman Sidikou, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO. “I also wish to remind the Congolese authorities of their obligations to respect the fundamental freedoms and civil and political rights of all persons, in accordance with the Constitution and the international obligations of the DRC “.

MONUSCO is deeply concerned by ongoing acts of intimidation against opposition members. Two incidents involving the use of firearms against the homes of Joseph Olengankoy and Alphonse Ntumba Luaba have also recently been reported in Kinshasa.

MONUSCO recalls the primary responsibility of the Congolese authorities to ensure the protection of all citizens under all circumstances, and to take the necessary measures to shed further light on these incidents.

MONUSCO further deplores the restrictions on freedom of movement which have been imposed on Kyungu wa Kamwanza, the national president of the opposition political party Union nationale des fédéralistes du Congo (UNAFEC), who has been under de facto house arrest for several months.

“Such restrictions on fundamental freedoms are incompatible with ongoing efforts to promote dialogue and to establish conditions conducive to the holding of free, credible and independent elections in a timely manner” said Maman Sidikou.

“Once again I urge the Congolese authorities to urgently implement confidence-building measures, and to open up democratic space for all”.

RDC: Tripartite CNSA – Gouvernment – CENNI – “Sur l’Evalution du Processus Electoral” (18.10.2017)

RDC: LICOF – “Concerne: LICOF & Allies Demandent aux Congolais de ne Plus Obeir a Joseph Kabila et a la Communaute Internationale de le Sanctionner Severement” (13.10.2017)

Security Council Press statement – Democratic Republic of the Congo (11.10.2017)

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the peacekeepers killed, as well as to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, and to MONUSCO.

NEW YORK, United States of America, October 11, 2017 – The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attacks perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on 9 October 2017 in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, against a base of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which led to the death of two peacekeepers from the United Republic of Tanzania, as well as the injury of eighteen other peacekeepers.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the peacekeepers killed, as well as to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, and to MONUSCO. They wished the injured peacekeepers a speedy recovery.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MONUSCO by armed groups.

The members of the Security Council called on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to swiftly investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice. They called on all armed groups in the country to lay down their weapons and underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MONUSCO and expressed their deep appreciation to MONUSCO’s troop- and police-contributing countries.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Maman Sidikou, and to MONUSCO to fully implement their mandate.

MONUSCO repels deadly attack by suspected ADF in Mamundioma; reinforcements deployed to secure the location (10.10.2017)

The injured peacekeepers have been evacuated to Goma for medical assistance.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, October 10, 2017 – In the early hours of Monday morning, MONUSCO repelled an attack by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on a MONUSCO position in Mamundioma, North Kivu province, during which the Mission sustained casualties.

Initial reports suggest two peacekeepers are dead and several are wounded. The injured peacekeepers have been evacuated to Goma for medical assistance.

This follows an attack in the same region earlier on Sunday where presumed ADF ambushed a convoy of civilians on motorbikes on the road between Kamango and Mbau. According to initial reports, up to 20 civilians were killed.

“I strongly condemn these cowardly attacks targeting the civilian population and United Nations peacekeepers in the Beni area”, said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Maman Sidikou.

“This region has seen more than enough violence already, including horrific massacres of innocent civilians. I reiterate to all these armed groups who continue to threaten and kill civilians, MONUSCO will respond, and it will respond strongly”, added Sidikou.

MONUSCO has immediately deployed reinforcements, including a Quick Reaction Force and attack helicopters, to secure the location, ensure freedom of movement for the civilian population as well as protect the nearby villages

Opinion: You know that Kagame didn’t really win with 98,66% when he has to intimidate Rwigara!

I know I will shot-out of the gates and say that Paul Kagame, who won with 98,66 % in the Presidential Election in August 2017. Didn’t really win by that margin and have that sort of support. For some this might be controversial, others saying I’m hater. I will take that any part of the day and close my eyes in content. Kagame didn’t win by that margin and he didn’t have that massive support.

For the simple reason, ever since the election he has had to silence Diana Rwigara and her family. Latest stint was in Court this week. She has been arrested on unknown locations and been taken away from home. Why is Kagame so afraid of Rwigara? Well, he is afraid of being questioned and having real opposition. That is because Kagame does whatever he can to have none. The ones who has been is either in exile, detained or gotten the arrested for treason against the state. That means they don’t have loyalty to Kagame or his almighty Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).

If the President was a legitimate executive and head of state, he wouldn’t have cared about the candidacy of Rwigara. She wouldn’t have the party-organization or even the structure to compete. It would be like Jill Steins Campaign in 2016 in the United States. She would be a part of the race, but all the eyes would be on Clinton and Trump. It’s not like Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has a size, neither independent Phillippe Mpayimana. If the playing-field between the candidates was fair, they would have gained more popularity, but they are just needed props into the sham of an election.

That Forces Democratiques Unifiees (FDU-Inkingi) is not involved and other parties are not in the elections. Proves my point, that the mere sacrifice of Kagame to run again. Is mere a sham and his own rule is not on popularity, but on fear and oppression. If he was democratic he wouldn’t fear Rwigara and throw phony charges her way. He wouldn’t make a mockery of her family and associates. But he has too, because his popularity isn’t as soaring as he tries to make believe.

President Kagame, don’t have stomach or the bravery to play fair, because he came with the guns and will be like many before him. Only leave by the gun. He is like Rwandan answer to Museveni. If you have real competition, they either end in exile or they are treasonous against the state. Just ask the Ugandan opposition about their toils and intimidation.

Rwigara case is proof that Kagame don’t have the popularity he subscribes. He don’t, if he did he would never step beneath his office and done this to his citizens. But he has too, because he don’t have their support. The only way he keeps the system intact is to spread fear and intimidation. That is why he is charging and shaming Rwigara for opposing him. Peace.

DRC: The G7 Party hires Ballard Partners to lobby in the U.S. for Elections!

The Party G7 under the leadership of Vice President Oliver Kamitatu hired Ballard Partners 3rd October 2017 as their United States lobbying partner. The Group of Seven and using the partnership with one aim: “To bring about free and fair elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo”. This agreement was signed by Brian Ballard.

The G7 will compensate the firm for their lobbying of the United States government. This will cost $ 50,000 a month. The firm will be paid by June 15th 2018 will get total $600,000 by the Political group to lobby in the US. So the millionaire and presidential candidate Moise Katumbi plans to get noticed other places then in the DRC and Belgium.

What is interesting is that the opposition in the DRC are now using the same tricks that the lingering President Joseph Kabila, who never seem to leave. Not that its any sign of an election. Other than rampant militias in different regions like in Kasai, North Kivu, South Kivu and in Katanga. There are enough violence and killings that has happen on this presidents watch. The insecurity that is created is giving the President time, so he has excuses to postpone it.

This shows the steps of the opposition who has to flee away, that they have to go to this step to spread their news. As the Kabila government has spent fortunes on lobbyists to not create sanctions and stop their militant ways. The same sort of acts is happening through Ballard Partners. We can wonder about their connections in Washington DC. If they have the right connections to the State Department and close associates with Rex Tillerson. If they do have this, than they might have power, but if not. Then the money will be wasted. Maybe G7 Party feels that they have nothing to lose.

Since they have seen the insurgency and the militias uprising in various states, while the President are confident in Kinshasa. Where the President are acting like a king and waiting to see when he can officially become President for his third term. He don’t want to leave power and leave the Republic for someone else. That is why G7 see it needed to use funds to get the United States to care about the uncertain future election in Republic. Clearly, they know that this is not in the interest for Kabila. That is why it hasn’t happened and seems likely not to happen during 2017, maybe 2018. Who knows?

President Kabila is not feeling the opposition or fearing anyone. He feels secure and safe. Even as the regions are in trouble by militias and guerrillas in the provinces. While MONUSCO and FARDC are letting go on rampage. This is benefiting Kabila and its sad that it does. All the killings and insecurity are giving him time, so he can save the day and let the election be postponed again. That is why the G7 wants to try lobbying and hopefully get political pressure from Washington on Kabila. Then, things might change. Peace.