SE DR Congo at risk of humanitarian disaster of ‘extraordinary proportions,’ warns UN refugee agency

By artappraiser on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 12:24am |

Cautioning that the Tanganyika region in south-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo could be engulfed by a humanitarian disaster of “extraordinary proportions,” the United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday urged the Government to ensure protection of civilians.

“The violence spreading across Tanganyika, which is three times the size of Switzerland with a population of some three million, has now internally displaced over 630,000 people,” Andrej Mahecic, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said at the regular news briefing in Geneva, adding that this number is almost double the 370,000 who were displaced within Tanganyika in December 2016.

“People fleeing for their lives near the provincial capital Kalemie have shared stories of horrific violence during attacks against their villages, including killings, abductions and rape.”

According to UNHCR, fierce clashes between the Congolese armed forces and militias have continued since the end of January. At the same time, insecurity has increased due to violence by new armed groups and entrenched intercommunal conflict, fuelling mass displacement [.....]

URL:

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/02/1003141

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by artappraiser on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 12:45am

Congo-Kinshasa: Villages Burnt, Schools Looted in Conflict

By Jean Kassongo @ CajnewsAfica via AllAfrica.com, Feb. 19

Kinshasa — RIVAL militia have burnt down more than 70 villages, looted three health centres and ransacked seven schools during ongoing violence in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

It is estimated the interethnic violence that has been ravaging the Ituri Province has interrupted classes in more than 100 schools, depriving 30 000 children of their schooling [....]

Congo-Kinshasa: 13 Million Congolese in Need of Emergency Assistance

East African Business Week (Kampala) via AllAfrica.com, Feb. 15

Congo's Mega-Crisis At Deadly Tipping Point

Press release by Norwegian Refugee Council via AllAfrica.com, Feb. 20

UNHCR alarmed over reported atrocities in DR Congo’s Tanganyika province

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

20 February 2018 , UNHCR.org

by artappraiser on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 12:43am

Switzerland imposes sanctions on allies of Congo's Kabila

@ Reuters, Feb. 21

ABIDJAN - Switzerland imposed sanctions including asset freezes and travel bans on 14 allies of Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Joseph Kabila on Wednesday amid a worsening political crisis linked to his refusal to step down [....]

by artappraiser on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 3:49pm

Congo's bishops denounce attempts to discredit church leaders

@ Catholic News Service, Feb. 21

KINSHASA, CONGO — Congo's Catholic bishops denounced attempts to discredit their church's leaders and demanded the government lift a ban on peaceful demonstrations.

The world "is witnessing poisonous campaigns of denigration and defamation, designed to weaken our church's moral force," said a statement from the bishops' conference.

"Unswerving in our faith in Jesus Christ, king of the universe, and faithful to our prophetic mission, we will never abandon our engagement for the advent of a state of law."

In a statement, carried by local newspapers Feb. 20 after a plenary meeting in the capital, Kinshasa, the bishops condemned the "bloody violence" used by government security forces to suppress marches by mostly Catholic protesters Dec. 31 and Jan. 21. They also pledged support for Kinshasa Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo after media and politicians loyal to President Joseph Kabila attempted to discredit him.

"Why were so many killed, injured, arrested and abducted, so many churches profaned and so many prayers interrupted? What crimes had been committed by these Christians and Congolese citizens?" the bishops asked.

The bishops have pressed Kabila to step down since his second and final term expired in December 2016 [....]

by artappraiser on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 3:57pm

Democratic Republic of Congo: a country on the brink

Despite what President Kabila and his supporters may say, everything is not 'fine' in DR Congo.

Op-Ed by Patrick Litanga @ AlJazeera.com, Feb. 22

Patrick Litanga is a PhD candidate in International Relations at American University in Washington DC.

Despite having the slant of an op-ed, also serves to provide something that I've found hard to find: a factual recounting of recent events with the main players, i.e.: what is really going on?. An excerpt:

[....]

A tale of two Congos

These days, there seems to be two Congos existing simultaneously. On one hand, there is the Congo of Kabila, Mende, and Tshibala where "everything is fine," and people can "freely" challenge the government and demand accountability. On the other hand, there is the Congo of the CLC and the Congolese people where calling the government into account is an act of defiance to Kabila, and speaking out against repression can land you in jail, in exile, or in the grave.

CLC spokeswoman Kandolo and many of her colleagues have now gone underground, as there is an arrest warrant on their names. But, in spite of the threats, the CLC is already planning to organise a third Christian march on February 25. Will this be the straw that breaks the camel's back? [....]

by artappraiser on Fri, 02/23/2018 - 5:17am

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