Posts tagged democratic republic of congo

Africa is a continent on the rise and with the emphasis on science and technology the continent, through various initiatives such as the Innovation Prize for Africa funded by the African Innovation Foundation, African solutions are being created to solve African problems. The 10 shortlisted nominees for this year’s award were announced. Solutions were provided in areas of agriculture, finance, health amongst others.

Former child soldier and a park ranger in the Democratic Republic of Congo Rodrigue Mugaruka Katembo who has spent years fighting against wildlife poaching and illegal mining has won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize. We applaud Katembo for his bravery and congratulate him on the recognition.

Joseph Kabila is the latest tyrant to lord it over and loot the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but Congolese youth won’t have none of this and are determined to fight for their rights, writes Kambale Musavuli.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has weighed in on the ongoing debate about the relevance of the the International Criminal Court (ICC), after damaging withdrawals from the institution by three African countries. Annan said Africa needs the Court more than ever “because the most heinous crimes must not go unpunished”. Annan has previously argued that the ICC does not target Africa, and victims of heinous crimes, and others who cannot get justice in their domestic courts should have a provision to seek justice abroad.

President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to vacate office has sparked protest in the DRC, especially by the youth, which was brutally repressed. Kambale Musavuli analyses the state of the Congolese nation in the run-up to what should be an election – and highlights the role of an American firm in the maintenance of a repressive regime.

Three opposition party headquarters in the DRC were torched killing four persons. This follows wide protests in Democratic Republic of Congo against the postponement of elections earlier slated for November by President Kabila. Many believe the postponement by Kabila is a bid to hold on to the Presidency.

Nineteen years ago on 17 May 1997, Laurent Désiré Kabila overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko, the president of what was then Zaire. Although he was supported by a regional coalition that had the tacit backing of key Western countries, the ousting of Mobutu was haphazard at best, Kabila himself a relative unknown with no experience of government.

The United Nations has revealed that it has received 44 new allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers and staff in UN missions in Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti. Following recommendations from rights groups, the UN says it is working on measures to offer protection and assistance to victims. The measures include vetting of all forces and supporting a Trust Fund, created to help victims of sexual abuse.

On Monday 21 March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) found former Congolese vice-president and former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Although the charges emanate from crimes committed in Central African Republic (CAR) in 2002 and 2003, his guilty verdict affects not one, but two African countries.

DRC Prime Minister, Augustin Matata Ponyo says Inga 3 hydroelectric project could begin by the end of 2016 or early 2017. The project is the first phase in the construction of the Grand Inga hydropower project, making it potentially the world’s largest hydropower site