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Goma
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Seattle
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Conflict and Child Soldiers
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| Congo's army occupies rebel positions in breakthrough - Reuters
 8/30/13 In their biggest success in a year, government troops in Congo occupied strategic hills overlooking the eastern town of Goma on Friday after rebel fighters withdrew.
Rwanda accuses Congo of rocket attacks over border - The Guardian
David Smith
8/30/13
M23 rebels declare ceasefire and say they have withdrawn from frontline but fears of conflict escalating remain. |
Perspectives
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| Congo, beyond the conflict: Six reasons why it matters - CNN
 Vava Tampa 8/28/13
...But little by little, individuals and organizations in and outside Congo are creating glimmers of hope. The future of Congo still looks more exciting than its past and with a bit more push we can tilt the balance and awaken the world to a century, if not centuries, of "Made in Africa." Below are six reasons why saving the Congo is critical.
A more robust United Nations risks roiling neighbourly relations - The Economist
8/29/13
THE UN's intervention brigade in eastern Congo has fired its first shots in anger. Since August 21st the force, which has an assertive mandate empowering it to squash illicit armed groups in the region, has teamed up with the regular army of the Democratic Republic of Congo to attack rebels recently threatening to capture Goma, the country's north-eastern trading hub which they briefly overran last November. Attack helicopters, artillery and ground troops, mainly from South Africa and Tanzania, have been pressed into action. The aim is to push the M23 rebel group, comprising Congolese army mutineers, far enough away from Goma that their rockets and mortars can no longer threaten the city and its people. Only a Government With Democratic Legitimacy Can Bring Peace to Congo - Huffington PostMedard Mulangala Lwakabwanga, Senator, DRC
8/29/13
When Congo gained its independence a rumba tune "Independence Cha Cha" was a hit across the Continent. The lyrics spoke of Congolese political parties setting aside their differences and combining to win freedom, and of strong leaders who liberated the nation from foreign influence. If a country could be created by a song, then Congo would be one of the most united on earth. But today, because of a dysfunctional state and weak leadership, it barely exists at all.Congo-Kinshasa: Martin Kobler - "UN Is Not Congo's Enemy" - Deutsche Welle 8/27/13
DW: What exactly happened on Saturday (24.08.2013) outside the UN base in Goma?
Martin Kobler: We had an attack by the M23 from their positions in Goma and we reacted together with the Congolese army on those positions. But of course these kinds of events trigger a lot of unrest within the population, because the population is frustrated and impatient. This attack by the M23 on densely populated areas and on MONUSCO positions triggered a lot of unrest and demonstrations, that's why these demonstrations were directed against us, because the population is of the opinion that MONUSCO is not doing enough. Unfortunately during these demonstrations, two people were killed. We have launched an investigation in coordination with the Congolese government in order to find out the details. |
Economic Development
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| Democratic Republic of Congo gets $21.5 million green light to transform its vast forests - APO
8/30/13
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has won approval of a $21.5 million grant from the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) (http://www.afdb.org) to jump-start sustainable management of its critically important forest sector to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and strengthen forest governance.Africa's largest hydroelectric project may hit the rocks - Radio NetherlandsJohn Fraser and Maurice Wa ku Demba
8/27/13
There are big aspirations for one of Africa's largest hydroelectric projects, the Inga III, that is set to be built in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But analysts are not only sceptical that such an ambitious project will ever be realised, they are also concerned about the security risks in transferring the resulting power to South Africa.
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Peace and Reconciliation
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| MSF Scales Up Congolese Refugee Aid in Uganda - Voice of America
Mohammed Yusif
8/29/13
Humanitarian aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF - Médecins Sans Frontières) is scaling up operations in Uganda, where a new influx of refugees has arrived after renewed fighting between rebel group M23 and Democratic Republic of Congo forces.
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Other News from the DRC
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| How Congo's Guerrilas Are Hurting Congo's Gorillas - Time
Jessica Hatcher
8/25/13
Just over a year ago, Andre Bauma and his adopted daughter Ndakasi huddled together as bombs, rockets and mortars rent the air. Bauma recalls holding Ndakasi and stroking her thick, dark hair. They were by no means the only ones afraid that day; tens of thousands of families either hunkered down or fled the onslaught. What made them unique was that Ndasaki, Bauma's "daughter," was one of around 800 mountain gorillas remaining in the world. |
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