Category Archives: DRCongo

“Those responsible for war crimes even at the highest levels cannot expect to escape justice” US Dept of State

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Press Statement

John Kirby
Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs
Washington, DC
March 22, 2016

The United States welcomes yesterday’s verdict at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the case against Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, a former vice president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and previously a leader of a Congolese rebel group that committed widespread atrocities in the Central African Republic (CAR) from 2002 to 2003. His conviction for rape, murder, and pillaging as war crimes and crimes against humanity while a rebel leader brings an important measure of justice to the victims of these crimes and in particular advances the fight against impunity for sexual violence in conflict.

Those who are responsible for such heinous acts must be held accountable. Yesterday’s verdict, which recognizes Bemba’s command responsibility for atrocities committed by his forces, demonstrates that those responsible for such crimes—even those at the highest levels—cannot expect to escape justice. Secretary Kerry has reinforced this important principle, stating at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict that “responsibility goes straight to the top, even to the military commanders who knew or should have known about sexual violence and failed to act.”

The United States supports the ICC’s investigations in the Central African Republic, and we commend CAR’s commitment to ensuring accountability for serious crimes, including through its cooperation with the ICC in this matter as well as through domestic efforts to pursue justice. Yesterday’s decision follows other important recent efforts through both national and international judicial processes to begin to change the culture of impunity in the region. Recognizing the importance of this decision to many in Central Africa, we urge all stakeholders to respond in a measured and non-violent manner to this landmark judgment.

Le Burundi et la RDC demandent au Conseil de sécurité de dénoncer le Rwanda.

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Réunion du conseil de sécurité de l’ONU, le 1er mars, à New York. (archives)

Le Burundi et la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) ont demandé au Conseil de sécurité de rappeler à l’ordre le Rwanda, accusé de recruter des réfugiés burundais pour déstabiliser Bujumbura, dans des lettres rendues publiques mercredi.

L’ambassadeur burundais Albert Shingiro a réclamé une réunion d’urgence du Conseil afin de “prendre des mesures appropriées” pour s’assurer que Kigali ne cherche pas à déstabiliser le Burundi.

Dans une autre lettre au Conseil, l’ambassadeur de RDC Ignace Gata Mavita demande, lui, “d’inviter le Rwanda à respecter (ses) engagements internationaux et à arrêter sans délai ces recrutements et toutes les opérations qui s’en suivent”. Le Conseil doit “condamner sans atermoiements ce comportement” de Kigali, ajoute la lettre.

Des experts de l’ONU avaient accusé dans un récent rapport le Rwanda de recruter et d’entraîner des réfugiés du Burundi afin de renverser son président Pierre Nkurunziza.

Le gouvernement rwandais a toujours nié ces accusations.

Selon la lettre de la RDC, ces réfugiés, une fois entraînés au Rwanda, “sont infiltrés en RDC”, avec des fausses cartes d’électeurs “pour les faire passer comme des habitants de ce pays”, puis introduits ensuite au Burundi.

Le Burundi est plongé dans une profonde crise politique depuis la candidature fin avril 2015 du président Nkurunziza – réélu en juillet – à un troisième mandat, que l’opposition, la société civile et une partie de son camp jugent contraire à la Constitution et à l’Accord d’Arusha, qui avait mis fin à la guerre civile (1993-2006).

Plus de 400 personnes ont été tuées depuis le début de la crise, qui a poussé 230.000 personnes à l’exil.

Selon des diplomates, le secrétaire général de l’ONU Ban Ki-moon doit se rendre lundi au Burundi pour pousser Bujumbura à dialoguer avec l’opposition et à accepter une présence internationale accrue dans le pays afin d’apaiser les violences

 

– See more at: http://fr.africatime.com/rwanda/articles/le-burundi-et-la-rdc-demandent-au-conseil-de-securite-de-denoncer-le-rwanda#sthash.VonNxwvK.VWBQTNYT.dpuf

Special Envoy Perriello Travel to Belgium, Italy, Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC, Burundi, and Ethiopi

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Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 11, 2016

 

U.S. Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa Thomas Perriello departs today for an extended trip that will include stops in Brussels, Belgium; Rome, Italy; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Kigali, Rwanda; Bukavu, Goma, and Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); Bujumbura, Burundi; and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The trip is focused on supporting regional efforts to resolve the crisis in Burundi and to support upcoming elections in the DRC.

The U.S. Government strongly supports the regionally-mediated Burundian dialogue relaunched on December 28, 2015, and is urging all stakeholders to remain committed to the process without preconditions. An inclusive dialogue remains the best route for peacefully resolving the crisis in Burundi and restoring the stability achieved by the Arusha Agreement. The Special Envoy will engage with Burundian stakeholders and East African Community (EAC) leadership about next steps for advancing the dialogue, including moving the dialogue to Arusha, Tanzania.

The United States is committed to supporting the DRC in holding elections per the constitution. The Special Envoy will meet with Congolese stakeholders to discuss next steps in the electoral process and the importance of respecting human rights throughout an electoral cycle, including the rights to peacefully assemble and to free speech. While in the DRC, the Special Envoy will also continue to work to resolve the impasse over adoptions and engage with stakeholders working to counter the illegal trade in Congolese natural resources and promote conflict-free minerals.

The trip will culminate in Addis Ababa, where the Special Envoy will join the U.S. delegation to the African Union Summit.

Source: US Department of State

Belgium stands ready to contribute to a successful electoral process in the DR Congo

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The Deputy Prime Ministers Didier Reynders and Alexander De Croo, respectively Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Development Cooperation, met with members of the government, the opposition and the civil society during their joint mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), from 21 to 25 February 2015, in Kinshasa and Goma (North Kivu).

Belgium closely followed the developments related to the adoption of the new election law, and welcomes the publication of the timetable for the provincial, urban, municipal and local elections in 2015 and for the parliamentary and presidential elections in 2016. The Ministers Reynders and De Croo insisted that everything should be done to ensure that the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2016 are not subject to any delay because of the provincial, urban, municipal and local elections. They reiterated that Belgium stands ready to contribute to a successful electoral process.

Didier Reynders welcomed the willingness of the DRC for a military intervention by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in the eastern part of the country. Finding a solution for the problem of the armed groups is important, not only for the Congolese people, but also for the stability of the African Great Lakes region. In this context, Minister Reynders stressed the importance of a constructive synergy between MONUSCO, mandated by the UN Security Council, and the FARDC. Pragmatic solutions should be found to ensure the efficiency of the operations and the protection of the population.

The visit of both ministers to the DRC also underlined the continued support of Belgium for the development of the country. The objective is that everyone benefits from economic growth. The DRC is the largest beneficiary of Belgian development aid. Alexander De Croo confirmed this commitment, that favors a cooperation close to the people, particularly in the areas of education, rural development and health. In this context, Minister De Croo underlined that this partnership needs a greater involvement of the Congolese government. During the next months, Alexander De Croo wishes to develop a more integrated approach for the Belgian cooperation, where different actions are mutually reinforced and produce more results. He asked the Belgian Development Agency (BTC) as well as his administration to present proposals to develop this approach.

Didier Reynders and Alexander De Croo underlined that socio-economic development, as well as the rule of law and democracy imply respect for universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms. Following the events of January 2015 and the measures that have been taken, especially the freedom of the internet and the actions of the security forces were discussed with the Congolese government.

The working visit was also an opportunity to make progress on economic issues, in the aviation sector, port management and river transport. Individual consular cases were also discussed, in particular the situation of detained persons, including compatriots.

Security cooperation was discussed, with a mutual interest in preventing radicalization and violent extremism in Central and Eastern Africa.

Source:Diplomatie

Imyigaragambyo y’impuruza yabereye i Edinburgh mu Bwongereza yagenze neza

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Nk’uko byari byateguwe kandi bigatangazwa n’amashyaka ya opozisiyo y’u Rwanda, kuri uyu wa kane tariki ya 29 Mutarama 2015 imyigaragambyo y’impuruza yabereye ahantu hatandukanye ku isi yose yakorewe na hano i Edinburgh.

Iyo myigaragambyo igamije kwamagana icyemezo cya LONI cyo kurasa impunzi zicyihishe mu mashyamba ya Repubulika Iharanira Demokarasi ya Kongo no kuzishyira Kagame zimeze nk’iziboheye amaboko inyuma.  Iyo myigaragambyo igamije kandi gusaba Umuryango mpuzamahanga gufasha Abanyarwanda mu kuzana impinduka nziza mu Rwanda, hakurwaho ubutegetsi bw’igitugu bwa Paul kagame n’Agatsiko ke, ubutegetsi bwubakiye ku iterabwoba, ikinyoma n’ukwikubira ibyiza byose by’igihugu. Ubwo butegetsi bw’igitugu nibwo NYIRABAYAZANA ituma Abanyarwanda benshi bakomeza guhunga igihugu cyabo. Mu by’ukuri nta mpunzi yishimiye kuba ishyanga ariko igitugu n’ubwicanyi bya FPR, nibyo bibuza Impunzi gutahuka.

Tutitaye ku rubura n’imvura byagwaga twahagurutse ku isaha ya saa sita mu mujyi wa Glasgow twerekeza i Edingburgh kuri ambasade ya Leta zunze ubumwe z’Amerika. Tuhageze twakomeje kuririmba indirimbo zitandukanye dusaba ko umuryango w’abibumbye wareka gukomeza kuba igikoresha cya Paul Kagame uhora ashaka kumara impunzi kugeza n’aho zamuhungiye. Mu byapa twari twitwaje hari handtse amagambo nka: “Rwanda refugees want peace, UN wants War”  aribyo kuvuga ngo impunzi z’abanyarwanda zirashaka amahoro ariko LONI igashaka intambara.

Byaje kugera aho n’abatubonaga baza kutubaza icyo twigaragambiriza maze tubabwira ko impunzi zirimo kwicwa n’umuryango w’abibumbye kandi ari wo wagakwiye kuzirinda. Nabo bageze aho baza kudufasha.

Ndashimira abantu bose bitabiriye iki gikorwa kandi nsaba ko byaba intangiriro tukazaruhuka ari uko ikibazo cy’impunzi cyumvikanye neza aho kuraswa ahubwo ubutegetsi bwa Kagame bugatanga espace politique kugira ngo impunzi zibashe gutaha mu mahoro zitange umusanzu wazo mu buyobozi bw’igihugu binyujijwe muri Demokarasi, kandi zitikanga kwicwa, cyangwa se ngo zijugunywe muri Rweru, ngo zitikirwe muri Nyungwe  se, cyangwa ngo zifungirwe ubusa.

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Bamwe mu bari bayoboye imyigaragambyo bamaze kuvugana n’umukozi wa Ambasade y’Amerika.

Umwe mu bitabiriye imyigaragambyo

Glasgow, UK.

The United States stands ready to support the DRC in democratic process

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Press Statement

Jen Psaki
Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 25, 2015

The United States welcomes the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s approval of electoral legislation that sets the country on course towards timely elections in line with its Constitution. We applaud the efforts of the National Assembly and the Senate to reach consensus and ensure that presidential elections happen no later than December 2016. Parliament’s action today reflects the will of the Congolese people and upholds the DRC constitution. We urge President Kabila to expeditiously sign the electoral legislation as passed by the Parliament and reaffirm that Congo’s first peaceful transition of power will take place through presidential elections in 2016‎. We also call upon the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) to release a global electoral calendar promptly that is in line with Parliament’s action and the Constitution.

The actions the DRC Parliament has taken today, along with President Kabila’s expected signature, represent critical, albeit initial, steps towards national elections in 2016 and what could be the DRC’s first peaceful transfer in power in its almost 55 years since independence. We encourage all Congolese stakeholders, including the government, opposition, and civil society, to use this opportunity to undertake a peaceful, transparent, and inclusive dialogue about the electoral process moving forward. The United States stands ready to support the DRC in this process.

Source:US Department of State

Security Council calls on DR Congo leader to approve joint action to ‘neutralize’ rebels

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8 January 2015 – The Security Council today called on the authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to “swiftly approve” plans to begin joint operations between the Congolese military and the United Nations peacekeeping force to “neutralize” a rebel group with a long history of heinous crimes in the eastern regions of the vast country.

With the deadline for the unconditional surrender of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) having passed on 2 January, and no significant additional surrenders of FDLR combatants registered since June, the Council today called, in a presidential statement, on DRC President Joseph Kabila to swiftly approve and implement a joint Congolese and UN plan “to neutralize the FDLR by commencing military operations immediately.”

The Congolese military (FARDC) and the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, known by the French acronym MONUSCO, have been preparing for joint action since the rebel group missed the deadline set by the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The Council’s statement follows a 7 January telephone conversation between President Kabila and UNSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon in which the UN chief called for decisive action against the armed group and welcomed Mr. Kabila’s assurance that the DRC was ready to take action, with the available assistance of MONUSCO.

For its part, the Security Council reiterated the need to “put into sustained action the plans of the FARDC and MONUSCO through its Force Intervention Brigade…to neutralize the FDLR by commencing military operations immediately.”

Reiterating support for MONUSCO, the Council called on all parties, including troop-contributing countries, “to remain committed to the full and objective implementation of the mission’s mandate, including military operations to neutralize the FDLR.”

Also, the 15-member Council stressed that ending the threat of the FDLR, “including through robust military action” by the FARDC and MONUSCO, “is a critical and necessary component of civilian protection, and expresses its intention to take into account progress made in ending the threat of the FDLR in assessing next steps in the Great Lakes.”

Source:UNSC