View Full Version : Gazing in the Congo (DRC): the dark heart of Africa (2006-2017)
Michael F
10-03-2008, 02:09 PM
Congo rebel 'to expand rebellion' (copyright BBC)
General Nkunda called for "liberation" of all Congolese
Renegade Congolese General Laurent Nkunda has told the BBC he is now fighting to "liberate" the whole of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Until now, he had always claimed to be protecting his Tutsi people against Rwandan Hutu armed groups in the east.
Gen Nkunda said he was walking out of a January peace deal. Recent fighting between his troops and the army has led more than 100,000 people to flee.
DR Congo Defence Minister Chikez Diemu said his statement was "irresponsible".
Fighting talk
General Nkunda says he wants to expand his theatre of operations for his CNDP forces from eastern DR Congo to the whole country.
I am calling on the people of Congo to stand up for their liberty, for their freedom
Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda
Profile: Rogue general
"We are going to liberate the people of Congo," General Nkunda told the BBC's Focus on Africa.
"Our army is well trained; well disciplined," he said.
The BBC's Africa analyst Joseph Winter says this is a definite change of tone from a man who has always portrayed himself as a defender of his Tutsi people.
"I am calling on the people of Congo to stand up for their liberty, for their freedom," he said.
He says they are under threat from some of those who carried out the genocide of their fellow Tutsis in neighbouring Rwanda 14 years ago.
Such fighting talk will not go down well hundreds of kilometres away in the capital, Kinshasa, where President Joseph Kabila was largely elected on his promise to bring peace to the county after many years of war, says Joseph Winter.
There are some 17,000 United Nations peacekeepers in DR Congo, who will no doubt do their best to prevent the conflict from spreading any further.
The UN helped broker a peace deal in January in the east, which held, more or less, for seven months.
Congo rebel 'to expand rebellion' (copyright BBC) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7649020.stm)
General Nkunda called for "liberation" of all Congolese
Renegade Congolese General Laurent Nkunda has told the BBC he is now fighting to "liberate" the whole of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hey Michael,
I wonder, has the "August 2008 Border Closing" come into effect ? The DRC was keen to note their actions would otherwise preclude Nkunda's forces from obtaining munitions, in spite of the fact their soldiers were at peace exchanging precious metal.
On the other hand, looks like MONUC is back in action :eek:
United Nations attack helicopters firing rockets (http://allafrica.com/stories/200810030002.html)went into action in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today after rebels attempting to advance against the Government opened fire on UN reconnaissance planes.
The UN action was the latest in a series of strikes against the rebel Ituri Patriotic Resistance Front (FRPI) in Ituri province, and comes less than two weeks after peacekeepers from the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) sent in combat helicopters against another rebel group in North Kivu province, to the south.
Michael F
10-06-2008, 10:33 AM
Hey Michael,
I wonder, has the "August 2008 Border Closing" come into effect ? The DRC was keen to note their actions would otherwise preclude Nkunda's forces from obtaining munitions, in spite of the fact their soldiers were at peace exchanging precious metal.
On the other hand, looks like MONUC is back in action :eek:
Stan,
Tom and you surely know it better than i do, but the DRC-Rwanda-Uganda border area is actually geograpically an easy to cross border. A few well trained guys may cross between those countries with light equipment and ammo without being noticed. I would so consider the closure of the border as a mere diplomatic than effective move.
MONUC is in a difficult/paradoxal situation... For various reasons:
* It tries to enforce a disengagement plan but no faction (be it CNDP or FARDeC) applies it. Should they use force to enforce it, they would have to both target CNDP and/or FARDC forces (as both and especially the FARDeC do not respect it).
If it's not really problematic to target CNDP forces, targeting FARDeC forces would just trigger a massive popular reaction against MONUC around the whole country.
* MONUC by mandate should support the DRC government to reestablish its authority on its national territory....even using indirect military support (transport, logistic). It actually puts them in a tricky situation to mediate between Nkunda and the FARDC. For Nkunda, they are supporting its ennemies. For the FARDeC, MONUC should do more to support them militarily.
Michael F
10-06-2008, 10:37 AM
[QUOTE=Michael F;58017]Stan,
Hey Stan, you were spot on
Found on the UN in DRC website today (translated from French):
In a statement sent Saturday to the Kinshasa based ambassadors of the five members of the Security Council of the United Nations, the Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs accused the government of Rwanda to support the CNDP of Laurent Nkunda strengthening its positions in the Congolese border Bunagana, Kimbumba:).
The Congolese government has in this communication, called the United States, France, China, Britain and Russia, the five permanent members of the Security Council to play their full role in preventing and peacekeeping. Kinshasa calls on these nations to ensure compliance especially in earlier resolutions taken by the Security Council, in regard to the consequences that could result in bellicose statements on peace and security in the subregion.
About the support of Rwanda in CNDP the Congolese border, the DRC government considers this a violation of all the ongoing peace process and calls upon the Security Council to put pressure on Kigali to ensure peace in the region. In addition, the Congolese government supported the request by the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN in DRC to the Security Council for additional reinforcements MONUC needs to impose peace.
Meanwhile, ambassadors of the five countries unanimously condemned the statements of Laurent Nkunda they call a retreat from the Amani program and the release of Nairobi. They demand a cease-fire and advocate the peaceful resolution of the conflict
I think we're actually on historic deal number 5 or 6 now :wry:
Wasn't this amnesty supposedly provided to no longer have a reason to fight?
Rebels fighting government troops (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7691736.stm) in the Democratic Republic of Congo have captured a major army camp in the east of the country, UN peacekeepers say.
The rebels have also taken control of the headquarters of Virunga national park
Maybe better to offer Nkunda a job training Congolese troops.
Tom Odom
10-27-2008, 12:43 PM
That's OK
An end is in sight. Javier Bardem (Oscar Winner for No Country for Old Men) and John Prendergast (special advisor on Africa to the 2nd Clinton term) will stop it.
Commentary: Stop the 'vampires' in the Congo (http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/21/bardem.congo/index.html)
Editor's Note: Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem produced a documentary, "Invisibles," on suffering in the Congo and four other regions of the world. John Prendergast is co-chair of the Enough Project, an initiative to end genocide and other crimes against humanity. Prendergast was director of African affairs at the National Security Council and special adviser at the Department of State during the second Clinton term. He has written eight books on Africa.
Javier Bardem produced a film on suffering in Congo and four other regions of the world.
(CNN) -- Over the past decade, waves of violence have continuously crashed over eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in the world's deadliest war.
A study by the International Rescue Committee says the war has led to the deaths of 5.4 million people.
Of course the war started while Prendergast "advised" the White House and also while then Pres Clinton traveled to Africa including the stop in Kigali where he apologized for ignoring the genocide, then ignored the Congo War.
Great...
Tom
Hey Tom,
I loved the link and story :D
What's with this BTW ?
The perpetrators and orchestrators of this violence do so primarily in a mad scramble for one of the richest non-petroleum natural resource bases in the world.
... Vampires take many forms in Congo. They are the militia leaders who control the mines, and who use mass rape as a means of intimidating local populations and driving people away from areas they want to control.
Sorry, but going from computer and cell phone parts to lawless rape in one sentence has me a bit confused. Since when did one conclude that rape in the Congo was intended to drive people away? It would seem Nkunda should be moving his forces south where the bounty is, instead of protecting Tutsi tribes along the Goma border.
Hmmm, wonder if Javier got rid of his laptop and cellular :rolleyes:
Then there are innocent consumers like us -- completely unaware that our purchases of cell phones, computers and other products are helping fuel a shockingly deadly war halfway around the world, not comprehending that our standard of living is in some ways based on the suffering of others.
slapout9
10-27-2008, 06:21 PM
Interesting PDF from Air University on Genocide...Tom this looks like your area of expertise.
http://www.au.af.mil/au/aul/aupress/Books/Peifer/Peifer.pdf
Tom Odom
10-27-2008, 06:26 PM
Why?
Because they aren't doing enough to protect the people in the mobs
Mobs attack U.N. installations in Congo (http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/27/congo.united.nations/index.html#cnnSTCText)
(CNN) -- A United Nations mission in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was "under attack" on Monday, a U.N. spokesman told CNN.
U.N. vehicles on Monday pass between lines of civilians fleeing fighting north of Goma, Congo.
A mission staff member inside the U.N. compound, who did not want to give his name for security reasons, said U.N. security forces had returned fire in an attempt to disperse angry crowds near the U.N. compound. Gunshots could be heard as he spoke on the phone.
He said the attack had resulted in several deaths, but that could not be confirmed.
All I can say is the pictures of the area take me back
Wish we had had the UN BMPs though...
Stan,
I am sure that they will make fewer cell phone calls as a result of the greater awareness. And the frogs will soon open a flight school for slow learners :wry:
Tom
PS
That is frogs as in little amphibs that hop a lot
All I can say is the pictures of the area take me back
Wish we had had the UN BMPs though...
Stan,
I am sure that they will make fewer cell phone calls as a result of the greater awareness. And the frogs will soon open a flight school for slow learners :wry:
Tom
PS
That is frogs as in little amphibs that hop a lot
OMG, take me back to Chicago !
Soldiers who abandoned the military camp were retreating in vehicles on a main road outside of Goma on Monday, angrily honking their horns at civilians who got in their way, The Associated Press reported.
Sound familiar Tom :D
Slap, thanks for the link. A bit of a long read. Skipped past to Rwanda for now. Tons to digest.
Not too sure I agree with this logic. Seems to me the embassy had more than sufficient intel and the traffic to DC was relatively clear. Our folks concluded little, and that certainly led to a cluster foxtrot.
Page 84
In defense of the decision makers, this was a definite case of
information overload and very real confusion over whether or
not the massacres were genocide or a natural result of renewed
civil war, but it is possible that policy makers in Belgium, the
United States, France, and the United Nations understood or at
least suspected the threat of genocide.
Far too much emphasis on air power without a clue as to what Africans think or respond to.
Interdiction could have been used in the form of punitive
air strikes and might have coerced Rwanda’s interim government
leaders to stop the genocide and return to the Arusha
Accords. This would have required detailed and accurate intelligence
on what centers of gravity those leaders possessed.
Tom Odom
10-27-2008, 08:38 PM
In defense of the decision makers, this was a definite case of
information overload and very real confusion over whether or
not the massacres were genocide or a natural result of renewed
civil war, but it is possible that policy makers in Belgium, the
United States, France, and the United Nations understood or at
least suspected the threat of genocide.
I know that I don't as it is pure unadulterated bull####.
Richard Clarke as a member of the US decisionmaking apparaturs ran the show that put further African episodes after Somalia as below the US interest radar. In other words, the Rwandans weren't important enough so we did not use the "G: word lest we be forced to adhere to the treaties regarding genocide. The administration knew and they knew it was coming as did the UN. They chose first to ignore the warnings and shoot the messengers like Dallaire who gave the warnings (or get him pulled or later get UNAMIR pulled). Then they chose to delay recognition until the bodies washing ashore in Uganda or Zaire made it impossible to say other wise. Then they started demanding air shows over Goma so they could prove how concerned they all were--missing the point we were helping the killers.
Otherwise I will read the whole thing. Airpower as a tool against genocide? Maybe
Tom
slapout9
10-27-2008, 11:13 PM
Tom, Stan it was all way above my head so I thought I would get some expert analysis.:wry:
Tom Odom
10-28-2008, 07:53 PM
Yep peace is breaking out all over the Congo
Thousands flee rebel advance in Congo (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/28/congo.fighting/index.html)
(CNN) -- Rebel attacks north of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo prompted thousands more civilians to flee Tuesday, and U.N. officials said a U.N. convoy trying to provide security near Goma also was attacked.
Thousands of displaced Congolese on Tuesday line the road near the Kibati camp north of Goma, Congo.
"Five rockets were fired on two U.N. armored personnel carriers that were part of the convoy of MONUC Blue Helmets near Kalengera," according to a report on the Web site of the U.N. Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known by its French acronym, MONUC.
"MONUC reiterates that under its mandate it will continue to intervene with all of its means to ensure the protection of civilians and to protect the urban centers of North Kivu," MONUC said, referring to the province in eastern Congo.
The one thing about livin' in
Santa Carla -- or the Congo---I never could stomach...
All the damn vampires.
Tom
The attacks by rebels of the National Congress for the Defense of People, or CNDP, led civilians to seek refuge in Goma, the provincial capital, where national army forces surround the city ...
Tom, now that's a level of comfort wouldn't you say?
déjà vu me thinks :rolleyes:
Tom Odom
10-29-2008, 10:09 AM
Comfort with Congolese troops?
U.N. Blocked From Pulling Workers Out of Congo (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/world/africa/29congo.html?_r=2&ref=world&oref=slogin&oref=slogin)
...But the attempt to evacuate roughly 50 aid workers trapped in the battle zone deep in the forest was halted after furious villagers attacked the armed convoy and blocked the road, United Nations officials said. In the melee, even Congolese government forces fired on the convoy, the officials said.
“The situation was very chaotic,” said Ivo Brandau, a United Nations spokesman in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital. “The convoy had to turn back.”
United Nations troops deployed helicopters and established infantry lines to try to prevent the rebels from overrunning Rutshuru and from reaching Goma, the provincial capital, said Alan Doss, the top United Nations official in the country. The rebels were breaking up into small groups to try to get around the United Nations forces, he said, but the peacekeepers were determined to try to repulse any attack on Goma, if it came.
Tom Odom
10-29-2008, 10:36 AM
Sort of BBC backgrounder travelogue
How Congo's heaven became hell (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7696139.stm)
As Congolese government troops and UN peacekeepers engage in fierce fighting with rebel forces in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, BBC World affairs correspondent Mark Doyle assesses why it is such a volatile region.
Eastern DR Congo was once memorably described by the journalist Kate Thomas.
The place "looks like heaven", she wrote, "but it feels like hell".
She was right. There are towering volcanoes, rushing rivers and sparkling lakes. Heaven indeed. Eastern DR Congo feels like a different country to the capital, Kinshasa
It certainly is not, Kansas, Dorothy
Tom
Michael F
10-29-2008, 01:07 PM
I've been cruising the local and international press.
Battlefield:
Rebell forces after capturing Rumangabo on Sunday, moved South towards Goma and North Towards Rutshuru:
Goma: CNDP forces have been stopped by a joint UN-FARDC defensive position south of Kibumba (a village located between 02 volcanoes, making it a real bottleneck). UN gunships have bombed rebell positions but they seem to hold on as of now. In Goma, after a certain panic on Tuesday, the population returned to its "normal" activities despite the flow of refugees in the city and around.
Rutshuru: This morning, CNDP forces had reportedly infiltrated the city, left undefended by the FARDC. They stay out of sight of the MONUC unit in town.
Diplomacy:
Kabila has asked for a multinational force to deploy in Goma. The Eu FA ministers are considering the question but seem reluctant.
The MONUC head's request for 02 additionnal Bn has received a mixed answer from the UN security council...He won't get any reinforcement.
The DRC minister of Foreign affairs has been to Kigali to propose a global negotiation with Kagame. He was said Rwanda has nothing to do with DRC, except DRC should hunt down the FDLR.
Outlook
I don't think Nkunda will attack Goma (risky ops, overstreched forces, huge political consequences,...). He might want to get Kabila to do some concessions immediatly.
Reguards
Hey Michael !
Interesting synopsis.
I on the other hand think Goma is the target and Nkunda is counting on the Congolese to be at their typical best (assuming he won't come to Goma while they rustle locals, drink, loot, you name it). I hope I'm remotely wrong, but even here in the frozen north I have the ibie jeebies having just spoken to a Rescue Services friend working both in The Sudan and now Congo.
If Nkunda is intend on making a point, Goma it is :wry:
Regards, Stan
Michael F
10-30-2008, 12:51 PM
Hey Stan,
You might be right.
After a night of plundering, the FARDC left the city. MONUC Bde forces are locked inside their compounds and Nkunda proposed to "participate to the securization" of the city.
Surely, Kabila is in danger now. He lost the 3rd city of the country. (Coup plotters may consider it the best moment to take actions.
MONUC is also in trouble. It promised to defend Goma. If it fails, stays and has to be there "in company of CNDP", you can bet demonstrations around the country will target MONUC building and staff.
Lots of discussions in the EU about deploying a EU battlegroup (1.700 men) in Goma. Some nations are not so keen (high risks). It will take at least another 10 days for them to agree and a ad hoc BG should be established (BE, FR, SP ????)
Tom Odom
10-30-2008, 01:10 PM
Michael,
Good intsums. Always expect the ANC/FAZ?FADRC to do 2 things:
a. Loot and rape the locals
b. Run away
Personally I believe that the DRC is too big and will ultimately break up--as it has on may occasions--and stay that way. The overall impact of the Rwandan Civil War and its spread into Zaire/DRC was to hasten that break up. Kinshasa is too distant and too self-centered to effectively govern the hinterlands. When Belgium had the Congo and the roads, railroads, and river transport systems set the standard for the continent, those lines of communication backed with the Belgian-led ANC kept it together. None of that exists anymore as you know. I agree completely that Kabila is at risk.
As for the EU sending a combat force to the DRC, I have real doubts. How do they sell that to the public? What would its ROE and mandate be? Backstop MONUC, which already has 17K troops and wants more?
Tom
Michael F
10-30-2008, 03:06 PM
Michael,
Good intsums. Always expect the ANC/FAZ?FADRC to do 2 things:
a. Loot and rape the locals
b. Run away
Personally I believe that the DRC is too big and will ultimately break up--as it has on may occasions--and stay that way. The overall impact of the Rwandan Civil War and its spread into Zaire/DRC was to hasten that break up. Kinshasa is too distant and too self-centered to effectively govern the hinterlands. When Belgium had the Congo and the roads, railroads, and river transport systems set the standard for the continent, those lines of communication backed with the Belgian-led ANC kept it together. None of that exists anymore as you know. I agree completely that Kabila is at risk.
As for the EU sending a combat force to the DRC, I have real doubts. How do they sell that to the public? What would its ROE and mandate be? Backstop MONUC, which already has 17K troops and wants more?
Tom
About FARDC plundering/raping/deserting, lets just say they do what they are the best at....:)
Too many tribes, too big country,... Indeed. On the other hand, leaving DRC explode would mean a huge humanitarian and human right cahos on a scale unprecedempted. Just imagine Kasaians in Katanga, Tutsis in both Kivus, non-Kongo in Bas-Congo,... would be victims of ethnic cleansing. DRC is a failed state but dividing it would only create further chaos in my opinion.:(
A EU mission will surely have a limited mandate:
In time (03 to 05 months)
Mandate (limited ROE because its deployement would require some agreement with all local actors and among the various EU troop contributors-SPINS).
Geography (limited to Goma, unthinkable to deploy in the whole North Kivu).
Participating nations (France, ironically, has the EU presidency that could push to deploy forces on the border with Rwanda, Belgium has to overcome the Rwanda 94 syndrom before deploying Peacemakers in Central Africa, Germany does not care, UK is not EU minded and pro-Rwanda, Spain might want to balance the recent decision of its general to quit MONUC,...).
Anyway, they must decide by the end of this week, meaning the EU ad hoc BG will be deployed no sooner than 20 days....Late.
Tom Odom
10-30-2008, 06:58 PM
CNN just had Nkunda on cell phone:
Amid chaos in Congo, rebel leader explains himself (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/30/congo.fighting.ap/index.html)
GOMA, Congo (AP) -- The rebel general besieging Congo's eastern provincial capital said Thursday that he wants direct talks with the government about security and his objections to a $5 billion deal that gives China access to the region's mineral resources.
Children eat bread and porridge at a displaced people's camp 12 kilometers north of Goma in Congo.
1 of 4 Gen. Laurent Nkunda said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press that the reason he called a cease-fire Wednesday as he reached the gates of Goma was to try to stop chaos in the city.
He said he wants U.N. peacekeepers to help refugees return home.
Nkunda, leading a Tutsi rebellion in eastern Congo, said the government is not protecting the country's Tutsi minority. He said he turned down a government offer of $2.5 million to stop fighting because he could not abandon his mission to protect Congo's people.
and to put the FADRC in context:
On Thursday, army Col. Jonas Padiri said the situation was calm. Soldiers were patrolling the city in trucks; one soldier, sitting by the side of the road, wore a Darth Vader mask. Some soldiers appeared drunk at 8 a.m.
Asked whether the army would respect Nkunda's cease-fire, Padiri told AP: "You're going to have to ask the governor that."
I cannot make this caca up
Tom
Tom, I just finished watching the CNN recaps. Some kind of corridor intended to assist the refugee situation. Nothing like a General with a kind heart.
I gotta love the Chinese mineral hording... nice twist and without dogging the US for once.
Also a brief historical report from a Relief International spokeswoman who among other revelations stated 20 dead and numerous rapes in Goma following a festive evening :wry:
I'm told there's a FARDC youtube video out complete with chants :eek:
Tom Odom
10-31-2008, 12:18 AM
Goma FADRC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-tfFJ7nUFE)
Thousands Flee From Congo Camp As Rebels Advance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTB8mm65Ao4)
FADRC in "action" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kG-i3MoQcc&NR=1)
I just love the idea of a "Normal military life" in the Congo
PhilR
10-31-2008, 04:00 PM
The following quote is from the "Nightwatch" document put out every day from AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association). This report can be received via subscription or just reading it on the web (http://www.afcea.org/mission/intel/nightwatch.asp):
"The Times of London’s analyst reported that Nkunda via his deputy John Bosco Ntaganda is a proxy for Rwandan President Paul Kagame, a graduate of the US Command and General Staff College and one of the most brilliant strategists of the age in any culture.
In this analysis, Kagame lacks the forces to annex eastern Congo and its mineral wealth, having tried unsuccessfully in the past. Now he is working through proxies to extend a Rwandan/Tutsi sphere of influence into eastern Congo so that any mineral exports from Kivu Province transit Rwanda to the Indian Ocean. This arrangement would also ensure that the majority Bahutu are prevented from attacking the Watutsi."
I've underlined the pasage I've found interesting. I have a passing knowledge of the history and situation (feeble, actually, compared to SWJ contributors to this thread), but I'd be interested in opinions on the comment on Kagame and any supporting material that one could read to support this contention (analysis/history, etc.).
Semper fi,
Phil
Tom Odom
10-31-2008, 04:41 PM
The following quote is from the "Nightwatch" document put out every day from AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association). This report can be received via subscription or just reading it on the web (http://www.afcea.org/mission/intel/nightwatch.asp):
"The Times of London’s analyst reported that Nkunda via his deputy John Bosco Ntaganda is a proxy for Rwandan President Paul Kagame, a graduate of the US Command and General Staff College and one of the most brilliant strategists of the age in any culture.
In this analysis, Kagame lacks the forces to annex eastern Congo and its mineral wealth, having tried unsuccessfully in the past. Now he is working through proxies to extend a Rwandan/Tutsi sphere of influence into eastern Congo so that any mineral exports from Kivu Province transit Rwanda to the Indian Ocean. This arrangement would also ensure that the majority Bahutu are prevented from attacking the Watutsi."
I've underlined the pasage I've found interesting. I have a passing knowledge of the history and situation (feeble, actually, compared to SWJ contributors to this thread), but I'd be interested in opinions on the comment on Kagame and any supporting material that one could read to support this contention (analysis/history, etc.).
Semper fi,
Phil
I have not tracked Kagame's relationship with Nkunda or his deputy. I doubt the Times has any evidence to support its claim other than supposition. On the global scene, however, Kagame is an astute player and he values greatly the non-government support he is drawing in his efforts to move Rwanda forward. Will he take advantage of the flow of minerals should Goma fall to Nkunda? No doubt. That the West (as per the Times "analysis" or the campaign against "Vampires") somehow sees this as unfair is classically hypocritical.
On Kagame as a military genius--yes but not because the man graduated from our CGSC. He did not; I wish he had taught there. Rather he spent the initial months as part of the foreign student influx that happens in the summer but left when his childhood friend and leader of the RPF, Fred Rwigyema was killed in the initial foray. Kagame then left and infiltrated Rwanda to extract and rebuild the RPF as a fighting force. I would put Paul Kagame as a political-military-social genius.
Tom
Would be more than pleased to read the article, but the link is now dead (or, I have to join first). Searching for say Nkunda comes up with nothing.
We’re sorry!
We could not find the page you requested. We have alerted the web team about this error and will work quickly to resolve the issue.
Please use the menu above to navigate through the site.
Some very interesting links and stories at France 24 (www.france24.com)
Tutsi rebel leader Laurent Nkunda, who has said he can grab the strategic eastern city whenever he wants...
Only 850 United Nations peacekeepers stand between Goma and Nkunda's forces
Strange but typically French interview with Nkunda as well.
Tom Odom
10-31-2008, 08:10 PM
The Democratic Republic of Congo's east is the scene of a "massacre" on a scale rarely seen in Africa, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Friday before leaving for the strife-torn region.
"This is a massacre such as Africa has probably never seen, which is taking place virtually before our eyes, with more than a million refugees, with very targeted attacks, with sexual mutilations which are a basic fact of warfare in the area," Kouchner told French radio Europe 1.
Where was this guy in 1994?
I am sure he will be well recieved in Kigali...
Tom
Michael F
11-03-2008, 03:04 PM
Some very interesting links and stories at France 24 (www.france24.com)
Strange but typically French interview with Nkunda as well.
In the interview, the government spokesman said it would be illogical to negotiate with one rebell group only,...so rejecting Nkunda's demand for bilateral talks.....
It's absolutly silly for someone confortably seated in Kinshasa to condemn North Kivu to war because they refuse to admit their defeat.
About EU force, Germany and UK are not really keen to go. Friday, the EU command centre decided to postpone its decision (deploying a force) by a week. Even if it happens, it will be too little too late for most IDPs.
Michael, I concur. Years ago we also wondered what those diplos were thinking back in K-town watching TV and dreaming of White House duty :D
But wait, it gets better ...
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has called for the mandate of UN forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be strengthened.
"We need different soldiers (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7706917.stm), and different rules of engagement," he said after briefing his EU counterparts about his weekend visit there.
He actually does have a point, but I'm not sure French soldiers will be the answer. Maybe we could get the Brits to learn French or Lingala prior to deployment.
On the other hand, who needs to communicate while discharging weapons ;)
Tom Odom
11-03-2008, 07:47 PM
He actually does have a point, but I'm not sure French soldiers will be the answer. Maybe we could get the Brits to learn French or Lingala prior to deployment.
Well I guess if you want to test the theory that Nkunda is a Kigali-proxy, putting the Legion on the ground is a way to spark a response. I mean there is all that love lost between Kigali and Paris....:eek:
I know...we can get that single Japanese SDF company that I briefed in Goma in 94; that will work!
Seriously I don't see anyone falling all over themselves to jump into this pit. France has its baggage as does Belgium--although I think the latter would be better at it. but hey surprise me, send the Germans and call it
The Afrika Korps
Best
Tom
PS
I saw this on the daily wrap up on the blog.
I agree with this execpt one point as I highlighted in black:
Analysis: Hutu militias key to Congo conflict (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9470U8G0&show_article=1&catnum=2)
Their fighting with the government has left about 250,000 people have been displaced since August, according to the U.N. A decade of insecurity had already left nearly 800,000 others homeless in North Kivu—a startling high number for a provincial population of 6 million.
Without disarmament of the Hutu militias, Congo appears likely to remain where it has been for more than a decade: the epicenter of a humanitarian mess with no clear solution in sight.
The only way to disarm them is hunt them down until they either die or they give up their leaders and their arms. The realist in me recognizes that is unlikely although I do wish it would happen, and soon.
Well I guess if you want to test the theory that Nkunda is a Kigali-proxy, putting the Legion on the ground is a way to spark a response. I mean there is all that love lost between Kigali and Paris....:eek:
I know...we can get that single Japanese SDF company that I briefed in Goma in 94; that will work!
Seriously I don't see anyone falling all over themselves to jump into this pit. France has its baggage as does Belgium--although I think the latter would be better at it. but hey surprise me, send the Germans and call it
The Afrika Korps
Best
Tom
Tom, Call me a stick in the mud, but I really liked the Kanucks in their 113s and 50 cal.s with belts dangling in the wind :p
Perhaps we could send in the AFRICOM teams and call it ?
Forget that one til after Wednesday :eek:
PSS
And at the link would be a pic of dad going to work in the AM with his trusty RPG as the kids wave goodbye ?
reed11b
11-03-2008, 10:59 PM
Tom, Call me a stick in the mud, but I really liked the Kanucks in their 113s and 50 cal.s with belts dangling in the wind :p
Those Kanucks most have gotten over there NARCOSISTIC "MOTHER MAY I" problems and have realized that GAVINS are the fighting force of the FUTURE!!!!!:eek:
Reed
I will no quietly return to hell.:D
Michael F
11-04-2008, 11:24 AM
Un spokeswoman for North Kivu made a declaration about Nkunda and Rwanda: "Meanwhile, the Associated Press news agency quoted a UN official as saying that Rwandan forces fired tank shells into DR Congo during last week's fighting. Rwandan officials had denied the allegations, spokeswoman Sylvie van den Wildenberg said, "but we saw it. We observed it." (BBC News).
Kinshasa still refuses to negotiate bilaterally with the CNDP. Nkunda made a press release reiterating that his unilaterl ceasefire would hold on 02 conditions: Direct dialogue with Kin and no FARDC reinforcement in Goma. He also indicated that up to now, Kinshasa did not fullfill any of those conditions....but his spokeman added that "capturing Goma was not the way to topple the government".
UN and NGOs staff have not been able to locate refugees that use to live in CNDP held territories. IDps camps are empty....Surely meaning they fled to their homes like Nkunda said ????? More probably deeper in the woods, which would make the humanitarian situation worse but invisible.
The former military head of MONUC, Gaye (SEN), is back for 6 month as his successor, SP Gen quitted after 27 days in duty.
Obasonjo (NIG) was appointed UN Special Envoy to DRC.
Price of food has increased by 50% this week in Goma.
Tom Odom
11-04-2008, 03:26 PM
The good news: the UN Convoy is here!
Aid Convoy Reaches Rebel-Held Congo Town (http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-11-03-voa34.cfm)
By Derek Kilner
Nairobi
03 November 2008
A humanitarian-aid convoy escorted by U.N. peacekeepers has reached the rebel-held town of Rutshuru in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The town had been cut off from aid since rebels led by General Laurent Nkunda drove out government forces early last week. Derek Kilner has more from VOA's East Africa bureau in Nairobi.
The bad news: the UN convoy brought no food!
Hungry Congo refugees angry no food in UN convoy (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D947OSRG2&show_article=1&catnum=2)
KIBATI, Congo (AP) - Hungry refugees cheered when the first humanitarian convoy in a week arrived at their camp Monday, but the jubilation turned to anger when U.N. workers dumped only soap and plastic jerry cans instead of food and sped on past rebel lines.
U.N. officials conceded that hunger at the Kibati camp, where tens of thousands sheltered from fighting in eastern Congo, was dire but said the first priority was to resupply medical clinics looted by retreating government troops.
"Are we supposed to eat this?" demanded Boniface Ndayumujinya, an elderly man waving a bundle of spring onions brought by a friend. He said he was with eight family members who had not eaten in five days.
Tom, seems nothing has changed since our Goma days with 130s airlifting (dumping) winter baby clothes and flour into refugee camps (destroying banana fields).
Ken White
11-04-2008, 11:29 PM
don't seem to learn...
Michael F
11-05-2008, 10:00 AM
* Mai-Mai PARECO (nande) attacked CNDP positions close to Rutshuru. a MONUC base was caught in between the fires. Mai-Mai stated they will continue to fight the "occupation".
* Nkunda said he was ready to join the institutions on his own term. Surely, a way to smoothen his position while still pushing for rapid direct and bilateral negotiations with the Government.
* Government still refuse it and prefers multilateral (all rebell groups), long lasting, discussions to avoid being forceds to negotiate under pressure of the events.
*IC: EU CoS declared to the EU parliament that a EU ops in Goma would be a logistical nightmare. He did not reject the idea but made it almost impossible.
* Population IDPs:
* IDPS in CNDP held territories: 50.000 left the IDP camps, reportedly hidding in the bush.\
Approx 300.000 around Goma: food for 10 days, drugs for a month, lodging and clean water are still major problems but aid is coming fast.
Others: up to 500.000 returned to their homes or found lodging and help among their families or locals.
The main question is: WHEN WILL NKUNDA RUN OUT OF PATIENCE ???????
Hey Michael !
*IC: EU CoS declared to the EU parliament that a EU ops in Goma would be a logistical nightmare. He did not reject the idea but made it almost impossible.
Not totally impossible, but nightmare seems to fit well.
It has always puzzled me why the Congolese even try to strike a deal when they know, they will never keep their promises. If Nkunda dumps the ceasefire, Goma will be renamed :eek:
Michael F
11-06-2008, 12:01 PM
* In a press interview tuesday, Nkunda declared: "If they refuse to negotiate, it will mean they will be ready to only fight and we will fight them because we have to fight for our freedom,"
* As an answer, PM Muzito DRC stated again yesterday he wanted to discuss with ALL rebell groups and not one in particular.
* Nkunda's website published a declaration calling MONUC to stop Mai-Mai offensives in the Kiwandja area or to see the ceasefire end.
* Kagame is supposed to go to Nairobi tomorrow but in a press conference yesterday said "meeting Kabila is unnecessary", "Its an internal Congolese problem". The Nairobi meeting (sponsored by the UN) will gather Kabila, Kagame, other head of states, regional organization,... but is expected to change little to the situation.
* MONUC asked again for a 3000 men strong reinforcement (02 Inf Bn, Helicopters, SFs, 02 C-130). No nothing showed interest in providing such support.
* EU has almost abandonned the idea of a EU ops in Goma.
My conclusion: Nkunda could restart an offensive shortly. Most probably on an other front than Goma (Minova-SAke or Kanyabayonga). Kinshasa does not give a damn about the Kivutians and wants to save face.
*
It appears Goma is but a pit stop before Kinshasa :eek:
Rebel forces will push toward the Congolese capital (http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/11/04/congo-laurent.html) of Kinshasa if the government continues to reject direct negotiations, says renegade Gen. Laurent Nkunda.
If negotiations are not agreed to soon, the ceasefire in North Kivu will end and the next offensive will push toward Kinshasa, 1,500 kilometres to the west, Nkunda said.
Tom Odom
11-06-2008, 06:01 PM
It appears Goma is but a pit stop before Kinshasa :eek:
Maybe we can make this an annual, biannual, every 4 years, twice a decade, or once a decade event--counting the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s, we have some 6 or so major ground threats to k-Town, either from Katanga/Shaba or the Kivus or both.
best
Tom
Maybe we can make this an annual, biannual, every 4 years, twice a decade, or once a decade event--counting the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s, we have some 6 or so major ground threats to k-Town, either from Katanga/Shaba or the Kivus or both.
best
Tom
We could then cruise the streets again...
Ahh, the cheap lagers we acquired at N'Djili, the smell of burning tires, and the tracer rounds at dusk :D
We may have to pick a date for the reunion :p
coloredopinions
11-06-2008, 06:23 PM
There is an element missing from the solution you offer to the current situation in eastern Congo: a truth and reconciliation committee for Rwanda, which Robert Krueger, former US ambassador to Burundi has been advocating.
The only way to disarm them is hunt them down until they either die or they give up their leaders and their arms. The realist in me recognizes that is unlikely although I do wish it would happen, and soon.
There is an element missing from the solution you offer to the current situation in eastern Congo: a truth and reconciliation committee for Rwanda, which Robert Krueger, former US ambassador to Burundi has been advocating.
Welcome to the Council, Coloredopinions !
Do you have a link for the remainder of us that have not yet read the former Ambo's recommendations ?
I would also ask you to go here (http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/showthread.php?t=1441&page=38) and provide us with a brief introduction.
Tom Odom
11-06-2008, 07:00 PM
There is an element missing from the solution you offer to the current situation in eastern Congo: a truth and reconciliation committee for Rwanda, which Robert Krueger, former US ambassador to Burundi has been advocating.
Ambassador Krueger has many opinions; he was US Ambassador to Burundi for part of the time I was in Rwanda. He sometimes offered opinions on Rwanda that were pure conjecture and bordered on hysteria. I personally heard him accuse the UNAMIR 2 Deputy Force Commander of assisting the RPA in covering up an incident of which Ambassador Krueger had only 3rd hand information through Hutu refugees. He writes of that meeting in his book as do I.
As for a truth commission, perhaps. Rwanda is already using gacaca for all its faults as a form of localized truth commission. But if Ambassador Krueger expects President Kagame to accept such a recommendation perhaps speaking of Kagame as a Svengali or Mephistopholes as Ambassador does in his book on page 109 is not likely to win points for the idea in Kigali.
finally I did not lay out a solution for the Congo; I said that I agreed with the analysis that stated any solution must address the Hutu militias.
I would suggest that if you want to offer an opinion, that you:
a. Not put words in my mouth.
b. introduce yourself with your background here (http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/showthread.php?p=59536#post59536)
Tom
a truth and reconciliation committee for Rwanda, which Robert Krueger, former US ambassador to Burundi has been advocating.
Out of little more than curiosity waiting for your supporting link and introduction, I found the following statement rather humorous but hardly something that will sweep away the last 14 years. Way too much smooching for my taste and unlikely to change much now that the POTUS has been selected :wry:
Former United States Senator from Texas, Robert Krueger (http://www.burundibwacu.org/spip.php?article1782), who served as United States Ambassador to Burundi from 1994-1996, has appeared at various forums with Rusesabagina to advocate the need for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission not only for Rwanda, but also for Burundi. He agreed with both Rusesabagina’s praise of Senator Clinton and the call for additional commitment to the African Great Lakes Region. Krueger said, “I was proud to have been appointed by President Clinton, who always endorsed my outspokenness about violence in the region. But, I believe the United States should use its influence today to support Truth and Reconciliation throughout the region. Doing so will advance efforts to bury the genocidal conflict of the past and nurture peace and renewal. ”
Michael F
11-06-2008, 11:00 PM
Apparently, my post number 33 "Nkunda could restart an offensive shortly. Most probably on an other front than Goma (Minova-Sake or Kanyabayonga)." was right. According to Reuters, CNDP forces have captured Nyanzale and Kikuku, 02 towns along the roads to Kanyabayonga. MONUC has deployed forces north of Kikuku to "stop the rebels". I wish them good luck to stop Tutsi battle hardened fighters infiltrating through the local jungle in direction of kanyabayonga.
I guess Nkunda will stop anyway...and surprise MONUC with an offensive on an other front again.:rolleyes:
Ok, now i'm off for some vacation, no internet, no phone, just me the kids and my wife. See you in a fortnight and keep an eye on Laurent, Joseph, and Paul for me. ;)
I agree with this except one point as I highlighted in black:
The only way to disarm them is hunt them down until they either die or they give up their leaders and their arms. The realist in me recognizes that is unlikely although I do wish it would happen, and soon.
Not to overstate the obvious, but...
Ahead of the summit, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7714629.stm)lambasted DR Congo and the international community for, in his words, failing to deal with what he said was the principal cause of the fighting around the eastern Congolese city of Goma.
Paul Kagame said that the "root cause" was the Hutu militia responsible for the genocide of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994 in Rwanda - and still present in the forests around eastern DR Congo.
President Kagame laid out his tough stance, under questioning from the BBC, as his spokeswoman said he was committed to attending the Nairobi meeting - which now promises to be a tense and frank exchange.
Rex Brynen
11-08-2008, 12:30 AM
U.N. Officials: Angolan Troops Fighting in Congo (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/07/AR2008110700973.html?hpid=topnews)
By MICHELLE FAUL
The Associated Press
Washington Post
Friday, November 7, 2008; 11:06 AM
GOMA, Congo -- Angolan troops have joined Congolese soldiers battling rebels near the city of Goma, U.N. officials reported Friday, raising new fears the conflict will spread in the region as African leaders struggled to find a way to stop the violence.
This is a technical question but I am curious. Can you supply, in any meaningful way, Goma from the airstrip at Bukavu thence by boat? The road from Bukavu airport to the lake wasn't that bad last time I saw it. I imagine it could be interdicted pretty easy but does Nkunda have forces that far south?
I was wondering so I figured I would ask guys who know.
Tom Odom
11-10-2008, 04:59 PM
We were looking at that in Op Support Hope, especially if there had been a Goma-like refugee exodus through Bukavu. We would have had to truck in barges in sections and then weld them together but it could be done, assuming no one was trying to sink the barges.
Of course the best route was in Rwanda--as Stan and I proved by going the Congo side by road and coming back through Rwanda via Kigali.
Tom
This is a technical question but I am curious. Can you supply, in any meaningful way, Goma from the airstrip at Bukavu thence by boat? The road from Bukavu airport to the lake wasn't that bad last time I saw it. I imagine it could be interdicted pretty easy but does Nkunda have forces that far south?
I was wondering so I figured I would ask guys who know.
Hey Carl,
I'd imagine Bukavu is still licking her wounds from the last adventure, and unlikely to support anyone that Nkunda would be against. The appropriate vessels, that at one time floated there, would be... I dunno know.
I do recall flying in halved Swiftships in the 80s (PT 109 anyone :D), then, as Tom opined, welded them back together. While that worked (that is, they still swam), the level of maintenance was abysmal - so much for the Zairian Navy!).
Of course the best route was in Rwanda--as Stan and I proved by going the Congo side by road and coming back through Rwanda via Kigali.
Tom
Do not pay any attention to Tom regarding this suggested route unless you are willing to go with him ;)
Nope. No thanks. I read Tom's book and Bukavu to Goma on the Congo side ain't for me. Unless things have changed, which being the Congo, they haven't.
Interview at Nkunda's camp: "We have to liberate Congo." (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7720738.stm)
Although this short interview held few surprises, the video reveals much. Nkunda's troops act and look like soldiers (relatively speaking). Their VHF radios are certainly head and heals above the DRC troops and their weapons appear to be maintained.
A few thousand more "followers" and Nkunda will indeed get his way... All the way to Kinshasa :wry:
J Wolfsberger
11-12-2008, 12:17 AM
Just heard an interview with this person on Radio Netherlands (via WRN on Sirius). It seems that all the problems in the Congo are Kigame's fault:
a. For not allowing the Hutu to return without conditions.
b. Because the Hutu still in Rwanda don't think they have enough power.
He is apparently operating out of Burundi where he's involved in "peace building." He presents his thoughts in Ignoring the ethnic cancer in the Congo precludes true peace (http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Insight/Article.aspx?id=614870). (Hope I'm not reposting the link.)
Tom Odom
11-12-2008, 01:44 PM
Just heard an interview with this person on Radio Netherlands (via WRN on Sirius). It seems that all the problems in the Congo are Kigame's fault:
a. For not allowing the Hutu to return without conditions.
b. Because the Hutu still in Rwanda don't think they have enough power.
He is apparently operating out of Burundi where he's involved in "peace building." He presents his thoughts in Ignoring the ethnic cancer in the Congo precludes true peace (http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Insight/Article.aspx?id=614870). (Hope I'm not reposting the link.)
the conditions as established are: if you were involved in genocide you face justice according to the triage established under the law. for most that means gacaca. Of course the leaders of the FLDR want a clean slate--so they can start over.
No doubt the Hutu don't think they have enough power; Van Eck however seems to mistake the Hutu-Tutsi issues in Rwanda for those in Burundi where the Tutsi as in the military were the dominant group. He seems to offer a silver bullet--that does not fit in the gun he wishes to shoot.
Tom
Tom Odom
11-14-2008, 01:20 PM
Well this one should make for an interesting legal drama. Rose is quite an effective debater and diplomat--besides being a former combat leader. Kinzer is quite correct in stating that France (those in France who continue to pursue the anti-RPF agenda as a war against an Anglophone conspiracy) is poor IO chess.
Kagame posed with the Queen? Mon dieu! :D
Bulldog whips poodle everytime :eek:
Best
Tom
Rwanda versus France (http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-kinzer14-2008nov14,0,2297389.story)
The African nation's attempt to shed French influence has led to a potentially spectacular court case.
By Stephen Kinzer
November 14, 2008
The arrest of a high-ranking Rwandan official in Europe on Sunday marked the sudden escalation of a high-stakes diplomatic battle. It may lead to an unprecedented showdown in a Paris courtroom at which French and Rwandan leaders will accuse each other of provoking the 1994 genocide in which more than 800,000 people were slaughtered.
Rose Kabuye, chief of protocol for Rwandan President Paul Kagame, was arrested in Frankfurt, Germany, on an international warrant issued in France. This was not, as it may have seemed, a simple case of an African thug being brought to justice by righteous Europeans. Rwanda's minister of information, Louise Mushikiwabo, said after the arrest that Kabuye flew to Europe despite being warned that she would be arrested on arrival. She has asked to be transferred to France to face trial. The Rwandan government evidently has decided to confront France's charges head-on rather than leave them hanging indefinitely.
"This is really the moment of truth with France," Mushikiwabo said after Sunday's arrest. "We have been disappointed many times by international law, but we do hope that justice is not only for the wealthy and mighty."
Tom Odom
11-14-2008, 02:31 PM
Hat tip to COL (ret) Riick Orth, my fellow Rwanda, watcher for this one. Rick said that Dr Pham was McCain's Africa advisor. He was a good choice if this is any indication. the Congo is not a political entity we call a "state" it is a region and pretending otherwise is untenable in the long run.
Strategic Interests (http://worlddefensereview.com/pham111308.shtml)
by J. Peter Pham, Ph.D.
World Defense Review columnist
Renewed Congo Conflict Requires Fresh Approach
After being largely pushed out of the news cycle by crises elsewhere in Africa – including the ongoing violence in the former Somalia and its spillover into piracy in the Gulf of Aden, the genocide and other conflicts in Sudan, Robert Mugabe's relentless grip on Zimbabwe, the low-intensity conflict in Nigeria's hydrocarbon-rich Niger Delta, and the increasing attacks by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb – long-simmering tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently boiled over, forcing the world to think about the future of the third largest country in Africa where a veritable tinderbox threatens to reignite with a vengeance. And while it received very little attention in the United States presidential campaign, the renewal of the Congolese conflict which, directly and indirectly, has already taken the lives of more than five million people, may well prove to be the first foreign policy challenge on the Africa agenda for the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama.
Tom Odom
11-17-2008, 09:18 PM
One of the best stories I have read on the Congo. This really captures the nature of the place.
The Spoils
Congo’s Riches, Looted by Renegade Troops (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/world/africa/16congo.html?_r=1&ref=world)
BISIE, Congo — Deep in the forest, high on a ridge stripped bare of trees and vines, the colonel sat atop his mountain of ore. In track pants and a T-shirt, he needed no uniform to prove he was a soldier, no epaulets to reveal his rank. Everyone here knows that Col. Samy Matumo, commander of a renegade brigade of army troops that controls this mineral-rich territory, is the master of every hilltop as far as the eye can see.
Columns of men, bent double under 110-pound sacks of tin ore, emerged from the colonel’s mine shaft. It had been carved hundreds of feet into the mountain with Iron Age tools powered by human sweat, muscle and bone. Porters carry the ore nearly 30 miles on their backs, a two-day trek through a mud-slicked maze to the nearest road and a world hungry for the laptops and other electronics that tin helps create, each man a link in a long global chain.
i used to hear about this but i never knew any reliable details. now i know where all those Antonovs are going to and coming from.
from what i saw Tschikapa had more air traffic than anywhere. diamonds down there.
Michael F
11-18-2008, 10:37 AM
This was very interesting to me as it mentionned Mr Makabuza as one of the beneficiary of the militia controll over this mine. To make a long story short, Mr Makabuza is a tutsi businessman who owns multiple companies (mining, transport, tourism) and farms in North Kivu. He activelly (financially) supported the RCD, then Governor Serufullli and finally,...Nkunda in exchange for protection..
Only in Congo can a man finance two ennemies, both Nkunda and Mai-Mai:(.
Possible Links between Makabuza and Nkunda ?
It apparently all started in 2004 with the Bukavu events. Makabuza sponsored the Nkunda led offensive on the city in order to secure his investment in a local insurance company (SCAR).
SCAR was created under the RCD rule of Eastern DRC and was the only allowed insurance company then in RCD controlled territories. As the Transition government was set in place in 2003 and the country reunified, Kinshasa refused the right to SCAR to open offices around the country and worst announced it was not authorized to operate in Eastern DRC anymore and so its properties (buildings, accounts,...) would be seized by the Kinshasa government. A big financial loss for Makabuza and some of his friends/shareholders (including Sonarwa, the Rwandan national insurance company).
Mr Makabuza is also the administrator SOMIKIVU a mining company controlling the Lueshe mine, the main pyrochlore mine in the world, currently in CNDP held territory. It is also known that Somikivu doesn't currently have the right to exploit Lueshe because the Congolese Government in 1999 sold the legal rights to mine Lueshe to Krall Metal Congo (GER), however there are ongoing legal battles over the validity of this agreement. When the FARDC deployed an integrated Brigade in the Rutshuru area in Jan 2006, the Brigade commander (a Mai-Mai) decided to deploy troops in Lueshe too and allow Krall Metal Congo to take controll of the mine. As Somikivu staff was chased away, Nkunda launched an offensive on Lueshe and Rutshuru to chase the Integrated Brigade. Krall Metal Congo staff was chased away and Somikivu staff returned to Lueshe under protection of CNDP troops.
Michael F
11-18-2008, 01:02 PM
General Etumba (ex-gendarmerie, ex- ERM- Belgian Military Academy, ex-Antwerp University) has been appointed FARDC CoS yesterday. He is close to the President and is a Mongo from Equateur. Previously, he was the Navy Cos, and Military Intelligence Service (DEMIAP) head.
Funnily, Etumba means WAR in Lingala.....
Wish him good luck...:D
Tom Odom
11-18-2008, 01:55 PM
General Etumba (ex-gendarmerie, ex- ERM- Belgian Military Academy, ex-Antwerp University) has been appointed FARDC CoS yesterday. He is close to the President and is a Mongo from Equateur. Previously, he was the Navy Cos, and Military Intelligence Service (DEMIAP) head.
Funnily, Etumba means WAR in Lingala.....
Wish him good luck...:D
Yep as a former Navy CoS he is bound to be very effective--just like the Amiral who took over the MoD in 1995. Now if he can just get the Navy up the Congo and into the forest--his background as a MI puke should help him do that. :rolleyes:
I love these guys. Rome is burning and they don't fiddle. They start roasting marshmallows. :wry:
He will need much good luck, Michael :D
Tom
General Etumba (ex-gendarmerie, ex- ERM- Belgian Military Academy, ex-Antwerp University) has been appointed FARDC CoS yesterday. He is close to the President and is a Mongo from Equateur. Previously, he was the Navy Cos, and Military Intelligence Service (DEMIAP) head.
Funnily, Etumba means WAR in Lingala.....
Wish him good luck...:D
Sacking Kayembe seemed relatively rational (in Zaire), but replacing him with ex-Mobutu crony Didier Etumba is strange indeed. He was however known to have a niche with politicians and rebels. Those are kinda sorta the same, aye ? :wry:
Michael, be careful with Lingala and context. Etumba is also little more than a location and the word is often taken out of context, especially when referring to an individual's name. I know this for fact when the station's listeners declared war over a discussion involving personal pronouns :D:D
Michael F
11-19-2008, 10:34 AM
* Nkunda, after meeting Obasonjo, announced a 40 K retreat on the Northern Front, asked MONUC to deploy in the gap.
* Meanwhile, on the other side of that front, FARDC forces are facing Mai-Mai troops South of Lubero. The fleeing FARDC collided with the locally based Mai-Mai.
* Rwanda agreed on the principle to send some of its intelligence officers in DRC to monitor anti-FDLR ops and report that the DRC Gov is actually doing somtehing....
Assessment: Nkunda is overjoyed: Obasonjo gave him some international/legit recognition and agreed to convey most of Nkunda's demands to Kabila. The 40 K redeployement is surely a way to support such a favourable mediator.
On the other hand, retreating does not mean a lot as on the other side of those fronts, FARDC forces have a virtual presence (most of the units are disbanded and soldiers are left unfed, unarmed and with no command).
From Kabila's point of view, this decision by Nkunda might allow him to avoid other humiliating defeats on the short term. On the long term, Obasonjo's mediation may prove usefull to gain some time as long as Kinshasa does not have to make concessions.
Tom Odom
11-19-2008, 03:20 PM
Good Sitrep Michael.
Kabila is saving face versus having to admit he is losing all vestige of control.
Good NYT article again this AM:
Confusion Reigns on Congo’s Front Line (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/world/africa/19congo.html?_r=2&ref=world&oref=slogin)
KIBUMBA, Congo — The moment the truck pulled into town, the whole village began to sprint.
Into the road dashed old men in threadbare sport coats, teenage boys with mismatched flip-flops and 7-year-olds with protruding bellybuttons who should have been in school. They all swarmed the truck, hoisting cabbages, carrots, kebabs, papayas and toasted ears of corn they hoped to sell, yelling “Gari ! Gari!” Truck! Truck!
A group of rebel soldiers lounged nearby, most with assault rifles, one incongruously carrying a spear. Just up the road, a captain from the Congolese Army, with whom the rebels have declared a tenuous cease-fire, sat atop a mound of biscuit wrappers and cigarette butts, studiously reading a paperback titled “The Way to Happiness.”
A certain sense of desperation — and weirdness — seems to be creeping across eastern Congo as more territory slips into a jumbled world between government and rebel control.
...Some of the Congolese soldiers on patrol do not even speak Swahili or French, the two most widely spoken languages in eastern Congo. This has fueled rumors that the Angolans are back in the fray. In 1998, Angola sent thousands of troops into Congo to repel a Rwandan-sponsored rebel group. On Tuesday, a Congolese lieutenant named Joao rushed up to a Western journalist, flashed a huge grin and yelled, “Hola, amigo!”
Tom Odom
11-21-2008, 03:00 PM
Nope it's not 50s-60s duwop music. but it is catchy (or catching).
The Mai Mai got started in the early 1960s turmoils. Drink a potion and one becomes invulnerable; works really well against the ANC/FAZ who liked to close their eyes when shooting or just shoot in the air. Less effective against mercs and B26Ks (A26s). Daddy Kabila (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurent-D%C3%A9sir%C3%A9_Kabila)(now deceased unnaturally) was a Mai Mai leader who fell in under the Simba rebellion in 1964 as part of the CNL and was tied to Che. He remerged from time to time. Then in 1996-97 he became the Rwandan choice to replace Mo--at least until 2001 when he was killed.
Mai Mai Fighters Third Piece in Congo’s Violent Puzzle (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/world/africa/21congo.html?ref=world)
GOMA, Congo — Didier Bitaki, a Mai Mai militia leader, stood in his yard on Thursday with two baby-faced soldiers behind him and a little glass bottle in his hands.
“This is it,” he said.
The “it” was a nasty-smelling concoction of mashed-up leaves and water that looked more like a week-old mojito than anything else.
But according to Mr. Bitaki and thousands of other armed men still wreaking havoc in the eastern Congo bush, magic potions like these give them power to fight for their land. And he handled the little glass vial incredibly carefully, doing a secret-handshake-like-motion each time his soldiers slipped the bottle into his hand, making sure it was always covered.
DR Congo: President Brutally Represses Opposition
Two Years Since Elections, 500 Dead, 1,000 Detained, and Many Tortured
A sad story about real life in DR Congo from Human Rights Watch (http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/11/25/dr-congo-president-brutally-represses-opposition). President Kabila must be walking around with his blinders on :rolleyes:
The 96-page report, "‘We Will Crush You': The Restriction of Political Space in the Democratic Republic of Congo," documents the Kabila government's use of violence and intimidation to eliminate political opponents. Human Rights Watch found that Kabila himself set the tone and direction by giving orders to "crush" or "neutralize" the "enemies of democracy," implying it was acceptable to use unlawful force against them.
"While everyone focuses on the violence in eastern Congo, government abuses against political opponents attract little attention," said Anneke Van Woudenberg, senior researcher in the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. "Efforts to build a democratic Congo are being stifled not just by rebellion but also by the Kabila government's repression."
Much more at the link
Michael F
11-26-2008, 11:17 AM
A few excellent articles from the CFR website:
eastern_congo_on_the_brink (http://www.cfr.org/publication/17708/eastern_congo_on_the_brink.html?breadcrumb=%2Fregi on%2F171%2Fdemocratic_rep_of_congo)
Congo: Securing Peace, Sustaining Progress (http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/Congo_CSR40.pdf)
Michael F
11-26-2008, 11:27 AM
On the battlefield:
NORTH: In the Kanyabayonga area, FARDC are still indulging in plundering the population.
NORTH EAST: Nkunda has launched a sweeping operation in the Ishasha-Nyamilima area (no FARDC forces over there but lots of Mai-Mai, deserters and Interahamwees).
SOUTH: Goma front, quiet.
WEST: CNDP troop concentrations observed. Possible offensive to come in direction of Masisi or Sake ????
Diplomacy: Obasonjo's mission will restart next week-end. Kinshasa already said it does not agree with the former Nigerian President to open bilateral discussions with Nkunda.
Kabila, just returned from a visit to Brazzaville and Luanda. He will organize a CEAC (Central African Economic Community) meeting in Kinshasa next week.
MONUC: proposition to deploy 3.000 additionnal men (02 CH-130, 02 SF Coys, 01 Eng Bn,...) approuved by the UN.
Tom Odom
11-26-2008, 12:31 PM
From the "Brink" article
Now, an escalation of violence in the east has raised concerns that the Congolese government could fall, with serious repercussions possible for countries throughout central Africa.
I always love the use of "Brink" when it comes to the DRC or say the Zimbabwean economy.
The Congo would have to climb to get to a brink; this is just side to side jostling. Time to make the Congo River system a border...
Tom
Michael F
11-26-2008, 01:01 PM
I remember an interview of Mobutu to the Belgian TV channel (RTBF). He declared" Zaire was on the brink of a bottomless abyss...but we made a great step forward since then" :D
J Wolfsberger
11-26-2008, 01:16 PM
I remember an interview of Mobutu to the Belgian TV channel (RTBF). He declared" Zaire was on the brink of a bottomless abyss...but we made a great step forward since then" :D
That explains a lot. :wry:
Tom Odom
12-01-2008, 04:40 PM
From the mouths of killers
Congo: Hutus and Tutsis 'will always kill each other' (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/rwanda/3536709/Congo-Hutus-and-Tutsis-will-always-kill-each-other.html)
By David Blair in Goma
The gunmen who executed the Rwandan genocide and now fight in the Democratic Republic of Congo will "always" kill Tutsis because the two sides "cannot mix", according to a field commander.
At the root of Congo's turmoil is the presence of the militias who exterminated at least 800,000 people, largely the minority Tutsis, in neighbouring Rwanda 14 years ago.
Once, they called themselves the "Interahamwe", or "those who kill together". Now, they seek respectability under a new name – the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, known by their French acronym FDLR – and their fighters are deployed in Eastern Congo's lawless provinces of North and South Kivu.
Actually the term Interahamwe means "those who work/attack/fight together" but in this context those who kill together works
Tom
Actually the term Interahamwe means "those who work/attack/fight together" but in this context those who kill together works
Tom
Hey Tom !
Certainly glad you pointed that out before some take to the web and mistakenly decipher ALIR and/or conclude "a terrorist organization". :wry:
Tom Odom
12-03-2008, 01:51 PM
and speaking of the Interahamwe, the WP had a decent article on the FDLR in eastern Congo and UN efforts to demobilize one militia man at a time. Important of course to realize that there is an entire generation of Congo-based Hutu militiamen who have been subjected to hate propaganda since their birth or their earliest years.
Coaxing Militiamen Out of Congo (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120203514.html?sid=ST2008120203582&s_pos=)
U.N. Tries to Dilute Conflict by Helping Hutus Return to Rwanda
By Stephanie McCrummen
Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, December 3, 2008; Page A01
NYABIONDO, Congo -- The couple had spent three hard years in a militia camp deep in the forests around this eastern Congolese village when they finally decided to escape.
..."It's like they are living under a dictatorship," said Pascale Buraka, one of the six Congolese demobilization experts here. "The only ideology their leaders give them is that in Rwanda there is no life, in Rwanda they will go to jail, in Rwanda they will live even a harder life than in the bush."
According to Buraka and others, the rank-and-file militiamen -- while guilty of various human rights violations in Congo -- are essentially being held hostage to serve the interests of a core leadership of about 50 aging genocide participants wanted by Rwandan authorities.
Video
Rebels Maintain Heavy Presence in Eastern Congo
In towns like Nyabiondo, home to many Rwandan Hutu refugees, FDLR rebels are entrenched and difficult to disarm. The Rwandan government calls them a genocidal organization, but FDLR leaders say their main goal is political negotiations.
and speaking of the Interahamwe, the WP had a decent article on the FDLR in eastern Congo and UN efforts to demobilize one militia man at a time. Important of course to realize that there is an entire generation of Congo-based Hutu militiamen who have been subjected to hate propaganda since their birth or their earliest years.
To echo Tom's comments and like I replied to Carl about a year ago...
There's no way on earth we are gonna fix Congo with two generations already in training (General Kim Il-sung for those that served on the MDL).
Getting the big cheese is of little help, and the remainder could care less about martyrs. :D
One Battalion (heavy) at Ntembe to block the flow out
One Battalion from K-town sweeps east (they'll RON in Kigali and fly commercial home)
and
One Battalion sweeps north from Bukavu (they'll fly out of Ntembe)
Hmmm, wonder what the wizards at AFRICOM are conjuring up ;)
Michael F
12-04-2008, 10:35 AM
"the militia has a special force, known by the acronym CRAP" says a lot about who these guys are :D
The solution to the FDLR ?
I would advocate a "Hammer and Anvil" tactic (helicopters dropping troops at the back of FDLR positions while a unit does a sweep in front). Attacking isolated FDLR units (Coy size) this way might give some results.
In order to ensure good intelligence, i would provide GSM scratch cards to local civil society activists (a huge network almost in every village).
Additionaly, i would create fear and financial pressure among their leadership by raiding FDLR controlled mines (leadership is often to be seen close to their mines to ensure the cows are properly milked and they got the cream).
To protect the civilian population of FDLR revenge action, the civil society network might provide early warning.
Tom Odom
12-04-2008, 12:58 PM
"the militia has a special force, known by the acronym CRAP" says a lot about who these guys are :D
The solution to the FDLR ?
I would advocate a "Hammer and Anvil" tactic (helicopters dropping troops at the back of FDLR positions while a unit does a sweep in front). Attacking isolated FDLR units (Coy size) this way might give some results.
In order to ensure good intelligence, i would provide GSM scratch cards to local civil society activists (a huge network almost in every village).
Additionaly, i would create fear and financial pressure among their leadership by raiding FDLR controlled mines (leadership is often to be seen close to their mines to ensure the cows are properly milked and they got the cream).
To protect the civilian population of FDLR revenge action, the civil society network might provide early warning.
ALL of which I recommended in an IIR way back in very late 1994 or early 1995--even got a "mentioned in doispatches" from the 2-star director of DHS Jack Leide. None of which was executed of course until the RPA swept the AO in late 1996.
I agree, Michael, is what I am saying. The problem as always is mustering the will to do something like this; the irony is of course that the last time a UN peacekeeping outfit really went on the offensive was in Katanga and that action is still controversial to say the least. Honestly I believe Nkunda--for all his obvious warts--is the only and therefore the best solution to the FDLR, one that has about as much chance being selected as a snowball in the Congo .
Tom
Tom Odom
12-04-2008, 01:34 PM
and following up my last comment, here is a good article on Nkunda's most probable supporters. I largely ignore some of the hype but the meat is good. For example, the title lays much blame at Kigali's feet as if the GOR should ignore the FDLR. As for dismissing the threat of the FDLR, that is specious at best. In 1990, the RPF was "no threat" to the Hutu regime in Kigali.
Tom
Rwanda Stirs Deadly Brew of Troubles in Congo (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/world/africa/04congo.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=world)
By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: December 3, 2008
KIGALI, Rwanda — There is a general rule in Africa, if not across the world: Behind any rebellion with legs is usually a meddling neighbor. And whether the rebellion in eastern Congo explodes into another full-fledged war, and drags a large chunk of central Africa with it, seems likely to depend on the involvement of Rwanda, Congo’s tiny but disproportionately mighty neighbor.
There is a long and bloody history here, and this time around the evidence seems to be growing that Rwanda is meddling again in Congo’s troubles; at a minimum, the interference is on the part of many Rwandans. As before, Rwanda’s stake in Congo is a complex mix of strategic interest, business opportunity and the real fears of a nation that has heroically rebuilt itself after near obliteration by ethnic hatred.
Nice find Tom !
I really enjoy reading some of classic lines coming from special envoy Mutaboba (http://www.polity.org.za/article.php?a_id=147252) lately. We've gone from denial to delusional, but with grace :cool:
... it was a "possibility" some demobilised Rwandan troops were fighting in Congo, although he had no confirmation.
"To say it and repeat it is one thing, but to prove it, is another," Mutaboba said in an interview.
"If there are any demobilised Rwandan soldiers who are in Congo then it becomes the responsibility, and the sole responsibility, of Congo to say this soldier has been caught crossing the border illegally ... and tell us."
Two weeks ago, Rwanda accused Congo of shelling across the border. "If that shelling happens again ... we shell back and we shell back seriously," Mutaboba said.
"They have the key to the solution, but they don't want to turn that key in the right direction.":wry:
Tom Odom
12-04-2008, 02:59 PM
we shell back and we shell back seriously," Mutaboba said.
That is reminiscent of Dean Schultz and you doing the "prevailing gunfire report" during the 93 pillage
Michael F
12-09-2008, 03:01 PM
Mine warfare
The legacy of the Rwandan genocide and the Congolese authorities' inability or unwillingness to deal with its perpetrators has enabled Nkunda to claim a degree of legitimacy, even though his own troops have been accused of atrocities.
However, Nkunda's justifications of his campaign on the grounds of defence against ethnic persecution and cleansing are somewhat disingenuous. Nkunda is not just driven by ethnic concerns. Like the FDLR and every other armed faction operating in eastern Congo, Nkunda is also likely looking to benefit from the exploitation of the region's abundant mineral resources. The annual cycles of conflict, while ostensibly waged for legitimate concerns about the continued presence of the FDLR, have also allowed Nkunda to extend his control over the mineral-rich North Kivu province.
The competition for eastern Congo's mineral resources involves several other armed groups. One of the CNDP's primary rivals is the Mai Mai - local militias that claim to be Congolese patriots defending their country against predatory foreign-backed forces. One of the most powerful Mai Mai groups is led by Colonel Samy Matumo. Known as the 85th Brigade, Col Matumo's militia is now ostensibly part of the FARDC, but has refused to integrate itself into the national military. The 85th Brigade controls the Bisie mine in Walikale district, which according to a New York Times report in November generates enough tin ore to fill 20 cargo aircraft flights a day from a nearby stretch of road to Goma. Given that the price of tin, despite having fallen by over 50 per cent since the beginning of 2008, remains over double its November 2005 price, this could provide a hefty revenue for any non-state armed group in control of the mine and able to sell the produce.
Given this situation, it is feasible that Nkunda's offensive is part of a strategy to gain control of this mine. This does not appear to be a short-term goal; although recent fighting has seen Nkunda's forces clash with Mai Mai militia as well as the FARDC and FDLR, his military action does not seem to have threatened the current monopoly on this mine. Nor does Nkunda currently threaten the FDLR's most-prized mineral interests, which are primarily in South Kivu province, not North Kivu.
Nonetheless, it remains possible that Nkunda's military manoeuvring is part of a longer-term plan to divert attention, leaving the way open for an attack on Bisie. This is arguably not without precedent. Nkunda's brief occupation of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, in 2004 may also have been a diversionary tactic to enable closely aligned forces to attempt to secure the Bisie mine. Nkunda's moves toward Goma this October, his seizure of army hardware, his fierce engagement with FDLR units and Mai Mai in parts of Rutshuru territory and even his apparent withdrawal from key fronts in mid-November may yet prove to be an elaborate prelude to a surprise attack on Bisie.
However, in the more foreseeable future, a different objective is more likely. Evidence collected by the UN panel of experts, made public in February, suggests that Nkunda's forces derive much of their funding from indirect taxation of the mineral trade, rather than direct control of mines. This reportedly includes collecting protection money from the owners of comptoir (mineral dealerships) and mining concerns operating within his territory.
An unconfirmed source suggested to an independent freelance researcher working in the Congo that just such a passive approach has been employed by Nkunda in the last year with regard to the Lueshe mine. Situated approximately 40 km northwest of Rutushu town, Lueshe is the only concession in the region to be developed on an industrial scale. It produces coltan, an ore containing the rare metals niobium and tantalum. Commercially available satellite imagery obtained by Jane's clearly showed activity at the mine on 23 August, suggesting it was operational. It was impossible to gauge who was operating the mine.
Negotiating the peace
With these mineral and financial incentives involved in the conflict, what is more surprising is that Nkunda's latest offensive was not as decisive as it could have been. Taking Goma would greatly enhance Nkunda's ability to profit from taxing the mineral trade. With its large airport and proximity to the border with Rwanda, the city is a primary centre for comptoirs and a key departure point for gold, tin and a whole range of other minerals to international markets. Moreover, unlike Bisie, which is well defended by the Mai Mai, Goma was vulnerable to Nkunda's forces in late October, after the FARDC temporarily fled the town.
However, that Nkunka did not launch an all-out offensive on Goma does not necessarily indicate that financial concerns were not a major part of his thought process. The cover provided by tens of thousands of fleeing refugees could have enabled Nkunda's fighters to infiltrate the city, without drawing the fire of UN helicopters, thereby facilitating future informal taxation of the mineral and other trades through this significant entrepôt on the Rwandan border. Increasing his influence in Goma without needing to administer a town of several hundred thousand people would be a cost-effective way in which to raise funds while keeping a relatively low profile.
Further, by stopping short of Goma and pulling back his forces, he could subsequently call for face-to-face negotiations with President Kabila from a position of strength. Having out-manoeuvred the FARDC and ransacked hardware for the second year in succession, while also avoiding a costly and likely bloody campaign for Goma, Nkunda is clearly in a strong bargaining position if and when both sides sit down for talks.
The extent of Nkunda's demands remain unclear. Obasanjo has said the negotiations will centre on the old issues of demobilising the FDLR and integrating the CNDP into the national military. It is possible that Nkunda may demand more this time, possibly recognition of his power with appropriate official trappings and financial rewards. Is it also conceivable that the offensive was primarily designed to extract a share of the USD9 billion mining deal that Kabila agreed with China in January. Nkunda has repeatedly criticised the deal, accusing the president of selling the country's resources too cheaply.
The president may be tempted to offer Nkunda a significant concession or amount of cash to go into exile. However, the rebel leader reportedly rejected just such an offer during the January round of negotiations. Further, such a deal would be unlikely to end the Tutsi movement; even if a large payoff removed Nkunda from eastern Congo, someone else would surely emerge claiming to be the new protector of Congolese Tutsis against the FDLR.
Future conflict
What is clear is that a durable peace agreement requires the elimination of the FDLR as a military force, thereby depriving Nkunda (or his successor) of any legitimacy. If the FDLR is not dismantled, then the whole cycle of violence will almost certainly repeat itself.
With the FARDC still unable to fulfil its role as guarantor of security, the only hope of disarming the FDLR in the near future is the deployment of an international force that is willing and able to take on the militia. French Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner initially suggested the possibility of an EU rapid reaction force, similar to one that achieved significant success in northeastern Congo's Ituri province in 2003. He suggested that up to 1,500 EU troops might be deployed to operate alongside MONUC, but backtracked as other EU member states quickly made clear their opposition to sending troops.
The UN Security Council voted in late November to deploy 3,000 extra troops to the existing force. Once contributing countries have been found, these troops would ease the strain on the existing UN operation (currently, around 5,500 troops are based in North Kivu province, out of a total of 16,500 in the country). Yet, it appears unlikely that these new troops will have the training and equipment to challenge the FDLR.
The result of the recent violence has therefore been to strengthen Nkunda's position in terms of territory, finance and materiel. With an international force unlikely to eliminate the FDLR, ongoing Hutu-Tutsi tensions in eastern Congo will continue to fuel and ostensibly legitimise conflict and the maintenance of armed militias. Further major population displacement is likely, not only in Nkunda's annual offensives, but also as Hutu extremists may increase attacks against civilians and use them as a human shield, as they did when UN units attacked them in the past.
Negotiations with Nkunda could create another peace agreement, but placating the former general is only likely to postpone further conflict rather than prevent it.
coloredopinions
12-14-2008, 09:58 PM
So, as a result of Laurent Nkunda's campaign of murder and rape we have gained a great deal of information during the last couple of weeks, let me give two essential pieces of the puzzle:
Former MONUC Force Commander, General (generaal-majoor der mariniers b.d) Patrick Cammaert, was interviewed recently on dutch tv concerning the war in Congo. He said: "The problems have to be solved politicallly. That is true also concerning the genocidal hutus. President Kagame is strongly (involved) in that. The president of Rwanda sees the genocide-hutus as a threat to his country, I don't agree with that, I don't think that those genocide-hutus represent a threat to his country at all. However, that is what he says."
The Dutch government has decided to suspend budgetary support to Rwanda as a result of UN findings concerning the military, logistic and financial backing of the CNDP by the Rwandan administration.
Tom Odom
12-14-2008, 10:17 PM
Colored Opinions,
Thanks again for posting.
So, as a result of Laurent Nkunda's campaign of murder and rape we have gained a great deal of information during the last couple of weeks, let me give two essential pieces of the puzzle:
Certainly murder and rape have occurred and no doubt that Nkunda's forces have been involved as have all other sides. That is not however new news so I wonder who "we" is.
Given that you like to pop in and deliver a message, I will again ask you to go here (http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33) and tell us about yourself.
Tom
Ken White
12-15-2008, 12:11 AM
...let me give two essential pieces of the puzzle:
Former MONUC Force Commander, General (generaal-majoor der mariniers b.d) Patrick Cammaert, was interviewed recently on dutch tv concerning the war in Congo...
The Dutch government has decided to suspend budgetary support to Rwanda as a result of UN findings concerning the military, logistic and financial backing of the CNDP by the Rwandan administration.perhaps you could come back and let us know how Cammaert's opinion and a fiscal decision by the government of the Netherlands amount to "essential pieces of the puzzle?"
Michael F
12-15-2008, 10:16 AM
I will not further comment on Colouredopinions post but a fact focused my attention... The decision by the NL to suspend their Budget (not humanitarian) aid to Rwanda, approx. 3 millions Euros (4 millions U$).
First, It means a reduction of 0.5 % of the Rwanda budget incomes..... It's actually a non event in financial terms.
Secund, should other nations follow the Dutch example (UK, US, Belgium), the aid represents 50% of the Rwandan budget incomes. A crucial factor.
In conclusion, the Dutch example is embarassing for Kigali (based on true accusations or not) as it could lead to a shrinking in national budget in a period of global recession. It surely explained why President Kagame sent, via European Commissioner Michel, a strong message to Nkunda to agree to moderate his demands in negotiating with Kinshasa. President Kagame maybe hoped to counter those accusations of support to Nkunda before other nations suspend their budget aid.
Michael, you're on the ball as always :cool:
One of the things I never understood when it comes to dumping money into the national coffers. What in creation do they expect?
Reams of paper, direct deposits, little-to-no control. Help me please :wry:
This Partnership Framework is neither a binding legal agreement, nor does it constitute an international treaty or create rights and obligations under international law.
If I was an African leader and you were ready to perform a direct deposit with the above text.... Whoa Nellie... Are there more suckers like you :D
But wait, it gets even better !
Enhance the predictability of the support provided in the context of this framework by informing the Government of the anticipated volume of budget support to be provided...
... Support predictable execution of the national budget by front loading disbursements to the maximum extent possible. In any case, the full value of the commitment is disbursed within the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Security Council tells UN Mission in DR Congo to step up protection of civilians. (http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29389&Cr=democratic&Cr1=congo)
The resolution gives the force the authority to protect civilians not only from rebel groups but also from renegade Congolese government soldiers.
Rebels reject DRC truce (http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2444645,00.html)
DRC rebels threaten action (http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2444669,00.html)
"This is not behaviour that we will tolerate for very long,"...
"If these zones are not respected, we have the right to go back on our decision. We will be obliged to retake them to secure them," ...
Much more at the various links
Surferbeetle
12-23-2008, 10:21 PM
From the current Economist (http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12817705)
A United Nations report published last week has stripped away some of the myths surrounding the fighting in Congo’s eastern provinces of North and South Kivu and exposed its underlying causes. It shows how the war is largely a proxy fight between rival militias that are being armed and encouraged by Rwanda’s government and by Congo’s. The evidence set out includes photocopies of e-mails, letters and legal documents. Most damningly, the report lays bare the intimate links between the National Congress for the Defence of the People, known by its French abbreviation CNDP, a Congolese Tutsi militia led by General Laurent Nkunda (pictured left), and the Rwandan government led by another Tutsi, President Paul Kagame (pictured right). It says that “the Rwandan authorities have been complicit in the recruitment of soldiers, including children, have facilitated the supply of military equipment, and have sent officers and units from the Rwandan Defence Forces to [Congo] in support of CNDP.”
This is not a weighty matter but I found it interesting. One of the pilots I know in Goma told me that on occasion some of the NGO's operating in Nkunda's territory have their vehicles taken from them by his men. They are always returned though, undamaged. Rather unusual for the Congo.
Tom Odom
12-24-2008, 02:15 PM
From the current Economist (http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12817705)
Interesting but not really anything new. The proxy war has been going on the eastern Congo in all its forms since 1994. Kagame is quite adept at this game. It should also be noted that so are the Hutu militias. This is not simply a fight for money and exploitable resources. It is a blood fight that will not be talked away regardless of specious comments by MONUC that Hutu militias are not a threat to Kigali. They are not a conventional threat; they are a long term and very serious irregular threat.
Tom
This is not a weighty matter but I found it interesting. One of the pilots I know in Goma told me that on occasion some of the NGO's operating in Nkunda's territory have their vehicles taken from them by his men. They are always returned though, undamaged. Rather unusual for the Congo.
Hey Carl,
Now that's bordering on admirable for Sub-Sahara. Begs the question though (returned undamaged). Did Nkunda order them to be returned, or, was there something they needed? I assume at the very least they took most of the fuel and even some of the engine lubricant(s).
A Safe and Happy Christmas to You and Yours !
Regards, Stan
Nothing said beyond they requisitioned the vehicles and returned them undamaged. He also said they showed extreme discipline for a non-western army.
DR Congo rebels 'oust Gen Nkunda' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7812504.stm)
In true Zairian form, you either get out while the gettin's good (most don't or die trying), or find a quiet retreat and get over being embarrassed while you spend all the ill-gotten booty elsewhere.
The decision to remove Gen Nkunda as leader of the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) reportedly came after a meeting of the rebel group's military high command on Sunday.
"The new leadership has pledged before CNDP members, the Congolese people and the international community to create favourable conditions for peace to return to eastern DR Congo with the help of the international community and Monuc (UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo)," he told BBC Afrique.
Tom Odom
01-06-2009, 05:30 PM
DR Congo rebels 'oust Gen Nkunda' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7812504.stm)
In true Zairian form, you either get out while the gettin's good (most don't or die trying), or find a quiet retreat and get over being embarrassed while you spend all the ill-gotten booty elsewhere.
Well whoever is bullsh!tting had better have an escape route laid out!:D
Good friend Rick Orth sent me a link to a very good RUSI article on the DRC by Dr. Peter Pham. Pham's highlights include:
My RUSI Journal (http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/Pham.pdf)essay notes that “given both the magnitude of the Congo’s challenges and the failure of even relatively robust international intervention to arrest the country’s relapse to instability and conflict – to say nothing about facilitating sustainable economic and social development – Congo and its international partners must summon the political courage and intellectual imagination to go beyond merely prescribing the conventional remedies for the malaises of post-conflict states,” arguing that “least six policy reorientations must be seriously considered not only to break the impasse in the Congo, but also as ‘lessons learned’ for similar conflict management cases.” These include:
First, in view of the questionable legitimacy and, indeed, viability of the DRC as a unitary state, the international community needs to acknowledge that its emphasis on a centralised model of post-conflict reconstitution of the country – a bias which had the effect of recommending the unelected incumbency of Joseph Kabila,– has proven, at best, to have been a sub-optimal choice…
Secondly…the international community [must] reach beyond the Westernised elites of Kinshasa and other urban centres to engage with traditional elders, chieftains, and even, military leaders…
Third, the experience in the DRC in recent years has shown once again that the international response, when it comes, tends to favour government-led reconstruction over private sector development which alone, over the long term, can deliver sustainable economic growth…[Instead] there must be a co-ordinated effort…to encourage private investment and to dissuade the DRC government from erecting barriers and other disincentives that continue to discourage both African and foreign private investors…
Fourth, there needs to be a reconsideration of the role of the for-profit private sector in the rebuilding of the DRC’s tattered physical and social infrastructure…
Fifth, over the long term, the question that needs to be addressed is whether or not the maintenance of the DRC as a singular subject of international law, however decentralised, is a means that is fundamentally at odds with the strategic effect sought by the massive nation-building effort presently underway: that is, effective political institutions accepted as legitimate by those governed and presenting no undue threats to regional stability and global security…
Sixth…the role of outside forces like [the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, MONUC] must be redefined…shift[ing] its emphasis to privilege the “responsibility to protect” and control the flow of people and matériel along its borders, rather than trying half-heartedly to use force to assert the expansive sovereignty claims of questionably legitimate central “governments” like the one which the younger Kabila inherited from his assassinated father.
I have long agreed with and advocated an approach that looks beyond the assumption that the DRC is a viable state.
Tom
Holy Moses, what a question and equally tough response !
I had no idea they were handing out Pulitzer prizes for figuring out what happened to the Congo :o
Some salient points that I believe have been reported on for decades. Although, some still don't get it.
I don't care much for the bit about once again drilling the "West" and I stand firm with that. As an instructor on anything from a 60KW generator to a 114 Command post with 50s mounted, we could not even guess what the ultimate utilization would be (well, I did have some thoughts milling about when a 113 trashed the Bank of Zaire and assassinated the French Ambassador that day :rolleyes:).
The pattern of localised armed plunder that has characterised the DRC’s political economy the past decade or so is likely to continue
Enough Said
Recent moves by the Kabila government to re-evaluate binding contracts and to shore up failed state-owned enterprises are hardly positive developments
Indeed they were not. The sad truth is the country has been running that way for 3 or 4 decades. Re-evaluating contracts merely means the newly formed government has not been sufficiently greased to permit the situation "normal" to continue. In true Zairian form, they do not bother with distinguishing Russian from Chinese from American... Jungle Rules Apply :cool:
... it may be time to recognise that the far more sustainable path is to allow local polities the space to coalesce as they will and to arrive at resolutions which their peoples find adequate for their own security and in conformity with their traditional notions of legitimacy.
This I totally disagree with. The DRC is the last place on earth that such a notion would ever see the light of day. If we could however return to the early 1800s by time machine or Star Gate and remove our so-called misgivings, influence and weapons (George of the Jungle too), they would still be having ethnic clashes, but lack the West to blame it on.
Entering DRC for the third time? But this time invited :eek:
The BBC's Thomas Fessy (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7839510.stm) in the Congolese capital Kinshasa says diplomatic and UN sources fear a humanitarian disaster because of a possible lack of military planning and consultation with the international community.
Michael F
01-20-2009, 01:49 PM
According to media reports, the RDF presence in DRC is limited to 10 to 15 days. I sincerly doubt the FDLR will all be disarmed in that short time and you can expect them to commit massacres against the DRC population as a revenge. It will offer Rwanda even more legitimacy to ask to send more troops and for longer. Rwanda, should this ops be successfull or not, is gaining whatever happens.
On the other hand, for Kabila, should the FDLR commit massacres, he will accused of collabporating with the Rwandans and sacrifying the local population....BAD.
Funnily, Kabila is now the best supporter the RDF can find:D...He needs them to succeed or the opposition and the public opinion will cut Kabila peacemeal....
DRC is stranger everyday....Just imagine the Rwandan entered DRC invited 04 days after Joseph Kabila participated to the celebrations of his father's death... LD Kabila, should he have been alive, would surely have a few questions for his son:D.
This is from a pilot in Goma:
"Nkundaland is a little weird now, not sure if you have heard but the CNDP split. Jean Bosco aka the "terminator" who was Nkunda's second in command left him and took a big part of the CNDP with him. Apparently he is going to join the FARDC(ha ha I know), all the while there is an ICC arrest warrant out for him. There are now at least 2,000 Rwandan troops in North Kivu supposedly working with the new faction of the CNDP and the FARDC to hunt down the Hutu rebels. It is interesting because now there are Ugandan troops and Rwandan troops back in Congo."
I hadn't heard the part about Bosco joining the FARDC, if it is actually so. If it is, that fits a pattern.
Michael F
01-22-2009, 09:27 AM
This is from a pilot in Goma:
"Nkundaland is a little weird now, not sure if you have heard but the CNDP split. Jean Bosco aka the "terminator" who was Nkunda's second in command left him and took a big part of the CNDP with him. Apparently he is going to join the FARDC(ha ha I know), all the while there is an ICC arrest warrant out for him. There are now at least 2,000 Rwandan troops in North Kivu supposedly working with the new faction of the CNDP and the FARDC to hunt down the Hutu rebels. It is interesting because now there are Ugandan troops and Rwandan troops back in Congo."
I hadn't heard the part about Bosco joining the FARDC, if it is actually so. If it is, that fits a pattern.
Even better, on the CNDP (loyal to Nkunda) website, the rebell general announced on 17 Apr that his forces will join the hunt against the FDLR.
This is from my pilot freind about how the Rwandan carry themselves and appear now that they are in Goma:
"They act and look like soldiers(No rappelling lines for belts). They are quite easy to spot, even the ones that are wearing plain green uniforms. They just carry themselves differently(plus the fact that most of them are pretty tall!). Nkunda was just arrested in Rwanda. The plot is starting to get very interesting."
This probably comes as no surprise to Tom and Stan. I haven't heard about Nkunda getting arrested. I'll have to check into that.
Rex Brynen
01-23-2009, 03:02 PM
I haven't heard about Nkunda getting arrested. I'll have to check into that.
BBC 09:39 GMT, Friday, 23 January 2009
Rwanda arrests Congo rebel leader (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7846339.stm)
Gen Nkunda has said he protects Congo's Tutsis from Rwandan Hutus
Gen Laurent Nkunda, leader of the strongest rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has been arrested in Rwanda.
He crossed the border after resisting a joint Rwandan-Congolese operation to arrest him, both countries say.
Here is what the NYT reported today.
"January 24, 2009
Feared Congolese Rebel Leader Apprehended (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/world/africa/24congo.html?em)
By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
ENTEBBE, Uganda — Gen. Laurent Nkunda, the fearsome Congolese rebel leader whose national ambitions and brutal tactics threatened to destabilize eastern Congo, was arrested Thursday night along the Congolese-Rwandan border, United Nations officials said on Friday.
According to the U.N. officials and statements made by the Congolese military, General Nkunda was trying to escape a joint Congolese-Rwandan military offensive that was intended to wipe out several rebel groups terrorizing eastern Congo.
He was captured at a small border town called Bunagana after trying to resist Rwandan troops. “He’s going to Kigali,” said Lt. Col. Jean-Paul Dietrich, a U.N. spokesman, referring to Rwanda’s capital."
Nkunda didn't get where his is being an idiot. There was either a deal struck, or he's on (onto) something. One does not merely roam to the border town of Bunagana (I've been there and almost got lost trying to find it in the 90s).
Although he never controlled more than a few small towns in the verdant east, he was viewed by many as Congo’s No. 1 troublemaker. His troops are tough and brutal and were recently accused by United Nations officials of massacring civilians.
A tad much drama for me with this statement. He took the towns he entered and re-entered, and his troops were simply trained and ever so slightly obedient (a relative term in Sub-Sahara).
I had hoped the UN would try and disconnect the logistics that keep comms and ammo flowing instead of pondering over where a single individual hides while sleeping.
I have been looking and looking on the net and cannot find the August 2008 Rwandan gov report on France's involvement in the genocide. Does somebody have a link they can pass on. I'm not lazy, just inept.
I have been looking and looking on the net and cannot find the August 2008 Rwandan gov report on France's involvement in the genocide. Does somebody have a link they can pass on. I'm not lazy, just inept.
Hey Carl,
The best I came up with via the French language was still The New Times (http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=13790&search).
There's also this blog, but I don't much care for all the hype.
Rwanda’s Mucyo Commission (http://www.bythefault.com/2008/08/06/rwandas-mucyo-commission-releases-its-report-france-accused-of-abetting-genocide/)
Hope this helps your search.
Regards, Stan
Tom Odom
02-05-2009, 11:22 AM
In Congo, an Exodus of Militiamen (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/03/AR2009020303758.html)
U.N. Unit Overwhelmed as Rwandan Hutus Lay Down Arms, Seek Repatriation
by Stephanie McCrummen
Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, February 4, 2009; Page A10
GOMA, Congo, Feb. 3 -- With their wives and children, the Rwandan militiamen are arriving from the bush here in eastern Congo by the truckload. Skinny and tired, they have voluntarily surrendered their weapons and say they are ready to go home.
too early to tell how this goes; but those who stay in the bush are likely to face a rougher go of it. Been too long. This has taken 15 years and millions of dead. we should have done it in 1994.
Tom
Hey Tom !
too early to tell how this goes; but those who stay in the bush are likely to face a rougher go of it. Been too long. This has taken 15 years and millions of dead. we should have done it in 1994.
Tom
Much like you opined, I certainly welcome this long-awaited "repatriation" and so-called end. Perhaps I'm still a smiggin skeptical these days, but the article does attempt to strike a few points worth thinking about and a few welcomed surprises.
... so we decided to go back to Rwanda," said Antoine Uwumukiza, who fled across the border to Congo 15 years ago along with hundreds of thousands of other Rwandan Hutus and was waiting here the other day in a dirty white tent to be repatriated.
No doubt Antoine was but a kid when we were in Goma and other than some mild brainwashing, he was but a child. I often wondered just how many of those kids would actually make it to adulthood, and would they wonder, or would they continue in their parents footsteps killing for no apparent reason. I reckon that will soon become clear with their repatriation.
A small military team from the United States is in the region and is expected to assist with psychological operations aimed at FDLR fighters. U.N. officials say the U.S. government could also help by arresting Rwandan militia leaders who, according to Rwandan and U.S. officials, are now living and working in the United States. Other top leaders live in Germany and France, Rwandan officials say.
"One of the keys to getting these fighters to surrender peacefully is to break the leadership," said Bruno Donat, who heads the demobilization program. "We have to separate the leaders from the rank and file."
Rwandan authorities have asked the United States to arrest Jean-Marie Vianney Higiro, a professor at Western New England College in Springfield, Mass., and Félicien Kanyamibwa, who was recently working for Hoffmann-La Roche, a pharmaceutical company based in Nutley, N.J., according to an October 2008 letter from the Rwandan government to U.S. officials. Higiro and Kanyamibwa are accused of financing the militias and being "politically responsible" for war crimes committed in eastern Congo. The letter also names five Rwandans wanted for participating in the genocide.
"Instead of being apprehended," the letter states, "the FDLR leaders are walking scot-free, employed in the U.S."
Glad to see we're again stepping in, but was really surprised with those purported "politically responsible" still residing in CONUS at perhaps a point where our administration was almost using the "G" word in concert with Rwanda. Well, following this WAPO article, they may have already disappeared :rolleyes:
How's that advisory pay going :cool:
Stay safe and Best, Stan
Culpeper
02-15-2009, 05:04 PM
Also aboard was Alison Des Forges, one of the world’s foremost experts on the 1994 Rwanda genocide and its aftermath, said New York-based Human Rights Watch. Des Forges had served as a senior adviser to the organization’s Africa division for almost two decades.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aEf1pK81SGDU&refer=worldwide
Tom Odom
03-03-2009, 04:10 PM
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aEf1pK81SGDU&refer=worldwide
I saw that and it was a tragedy. She will be missed at HRW.
Tom
Tom Odom
03-11-2009, 09:47 AM
I found the following assessment on RUSI. The author does a great job of explaining what happened with Nkunda, an explanation I accept because one of my closest Rwandan contacts, BG Frank Rusagara (http://www.rusi.org/about/staff/ref:B493E72BEE7594/) is on sabbatical at RUSI.
Best
Tom
Nkunda’s arrest: What Now for the Congo? (http://www.rusi.org/go.php?structureID=S4625FEA9CB719&ref=C497F5797BD5F0)
The remarkable alliance between the Rwanda and the Congo governments and the arrest of Laurent Nkunda offers hope for the future, but internationalising the conflict further may prove problematic.
By Dr Knox Chitiyo, Head, Africa Programme, RUSI
The arrest of the Congo’s rebel leader Laurent Nkunda on 22 January is an extraordinary turnaround in the military and diplomatic situation of the Great Lakes region of central Africa. Nkunda, who was arrested by the Rwandan military on the Congo–Uganda border, was seen as Rwanda’s foremost proxy; his arrest by his erstwhile ‘handlers’ is a sign of a diplomatic revolution.
The new military and diplomatic partnership between the Congo and Rwanda governments is meant to end decades of mutual antipathy. It will certainly weaken the rebel groups in the Congo. However, there are questions as to how long this alliance will last and whether direct Rwandan military intervention in the Congo can have long-term benefits in that strife torn country. The role of the UN mission in the Congo (MONUC) and its relations with the Congo’s new power-brokers also remains unclear.
Michael F
03-16-2009, 01:00 PM
Interesting article indeed....
A few factors need to be added:
* Nkunda's flamboyance may have been more a disadvantage than an advantage...By attracting media attention to him, he made Rwandan's support to his cause more embarassing (especially since documented in a UN report).
* Bosco's indictment by the ICC played a major role...Bosco was keener than Nkunda to be involve in a complete remapping of relations in the Kivus and to play a proeminent role in it in exchange of an amnesty. He was actually the easiest to corrupt with promises.
* The financial pressure on Rwanda was huge. When the UN report on Nkunda's support was published (see one of my previous posts), it feared to lose financial aid (60% of Rwandan budget) and had to do something to smoothen its relation with the IC. For DRC, the financial crisis meant the "rebuilding of the nation" was to be postponed....Kabila had to find somtehing rapidly to give the Congolese something positive to chew on (arrest of Nkunda).
* The CNDP was never Nkunda and Bosco alone....It was financed and supported by local tutsi businessmen as well as Rwandan officials. The Tutsi businessmen are only interested in securing their assets in North Kivu...A deal was surely struck between Kagame-Kabila and those businessmen to secure tutsi and Rwandan economical interests in the future.
Something not to be underestimated is the resiliance of these groups... It will take a lo6t more time to neutralize the FDLR or Tutsi congolese grievances....
Tom Odom
04-08-2009, 06:23 AM
Seems strange to realize that it has been 15 years.
Tears mark 15th anniversary of Rwanda genocide (http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/07/rwanda.genocide/index.html)
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The 15th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda brought American U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice to tears as she reflected on her personal memories surrounding the slaughter.
Rice visited Rwanda as a staff member in former President Bill Clinton's National Security Council six months after the ethnic cleansing. She explained how even months after the violence she encountered decomposing bodies at one of the massacre sites.
"For me, the memory of stepping around and over those corpses will remain the most searing reminder imaginable of what our work here must aim to prevent," she said Tuesday at a special commemorative event at United Nations headquarters in New York.
15 years later, Rwanda remembers the massacre (http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/07/rwanda.anniversary/index.html)
By David Ariosto
CNN
(CNN) -- Crowds gathered in somber reflection near the Rwandan capital of Kigali on Tuesday, marking the 15th anniversary of the start of a 100-day genocidal massacre in Rwanda in which an estimated 800,000 people were brutally killed.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, right, meets with former South Africa President Nelson Mandela in March.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame addressed thousands during an emotional candle-lighting ceremony, criticizing the international community for not doing more to prevent the bloody wave of violence.
No doubt we will get a dose of hate propaganda that posits remebering the genocide is merely a ploy by President Kagame.
I am glad that Susan Rice spoke...15 years, wow.
Tom
Tom Odom
04-08-2009, 08:47 AM
Why the US didn't intervene in the Rwandan genocide (http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0407/p06s14-woaf.html)
After a disastrous peacekeeping mission in Somalia, the US vowed to stay away from conflicts it didn't understand.
By Scott Baldauf | Staff
Johannesburg, South Africa - The Clinton administration and Congress watched the unfolding events in Rwanda in April 1994 in a kind of stupefied horror.
The US had just pulled American troops out of a disastrous peacekeeping mission in Somalia – later made famous in the book "Black Hawk Down" – the year before. It had vowed never to return to a conflict it couldn't understand, between clans and tribes it didn't know, in a country where the US had no national interests.
From embassies and hotels in Kigali, diplomats and humanitarian workers gave daily tolls of the dead, mainly Tutsis but also moderate Hutus who had called for tribal peace. The information came in real time, and many experts say that the US and the Western world in general failed to respond.
'We knew before, during, and after'
Yes we did. And when President Clinton vowed "never again" in 1998 we knew the damn war was still going on.
Tom
Tom Odom
05-30-2009, 11:25 AM
I truly am amazed by the simple minded responses given. At least Clinton offered a mea culpa.
A phone call?
The irony is that the US did make such phone calls and halfway expected them to have an effect.
So in bringing up phone calls as a defense of his "brother" President Clinton, President Bush actually got it right as he got it wrong.
I wonder if either of them caught that. Somehow I doubt it.
Tom
Bush Defends Clinton's Record on Genocide in Rwanda (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/29/bush-defends-clintons-record-genocide-rwanda/?test=latestnews)President Bush, at one point calling President Clinton "brother," defended his predecessor's record on Rwanda during the former U.S. leaders' face-to-face discussion Friday on a range of issues in Toronto.
The event's moderator had asked Clinton whether he had done enough to stop the genocide in Rwanda that occurred early during the Clinton administration, the CBC reported.
"We couldn't have saved all of them," Clinton said, but he lamented that "we could have saved as many as 300,000 lives. ... I have no defense."
But Bush added that it was "not realistic" to think that the Rwandan genocide could have been stopped with a mere phone call by the U.S. president, the CBC reported.
Here is a link to an item on the BBC internet site today.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8104984.stm
Some FARDC troops fired at a UN base, part of a series of little mutinies. The fellows are upset because they don't get paid and they don't get fed. The UN says something must be done quickly because there is a risk of the "disintegration of the Congolese army."
The everready bunny metaphor is a good one.
Tom Odom
06-18-2009, 06:01 AM
Shooting in the air
The BBC's Thomas Fessy in the region says 27 soldiers have been arrested after firing on the UN base about 100km (62 miles) north-west of Goma.
In another incident on Wednesday morning, soldiers in Ngora village (200km north-west of Goma) refused to pursue Hutu rebels from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) into a neighbouring village.
They fired in the air for an hour-and-a-half, our correspondent says.
I always called that a Zairian firefight--shoot in the air while looking very mean :eek:
the more things change the more they stay the same...
Tom
I always called that a Zairian firefight--shoot in the air while looking very mean :eek:
Did a real number on most of the corrugated roofing too :D
the more things change the more they stay the same...
Yep, and I wonder if we learned much since September 91 when the Zairois military went from offsetting income to looting and rioting. Should have been indicative of a serious problem :rolleyes: Even Mobutu managed to keep his Les Hiboux fed and paid regularly :cool:
Tom Odom
06-25-2009, 04:11 PM
Yep, and I wonder if we learned much since September 91 when the Zairois military went from offsetting income to looting and rioting. Should have been indicative of a serious problem Even Mobutu managed to keep his Les Hiboux fed and paid regularly
Apparently not, Stan. Note the US logistical support in the following:
Fresh Nightmares in Congo's Drive Against Rwandans (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/24/AR2009062403558.html)
Villagers Describe Atrocities on Both Sides of Conflict
MINOVA, Congo -- A Congolese military operation against Rwandan rebels who have caused years of conflict in eastern Congo is unleashing fresh horrors across this region's rolling green hills.
The mission, backed logistically by U.N. peacekeepers and politically by the United States, aims to disband the remaining 7,000 or so Rwandan Hutu rebels who fled into eastern Congo after the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
A new twist to an old problem... Removing the pay chain from the chain of command !
EUSEC (http://www.consilium.europa.eu/showPage.aspx?id=909&lang=EN) delivers the payroll and EUPOL (http://www.consilium.europa.eu/showPage.aspx?id=788&lang=EN) works on fixing the police in this EURONEWS video (http://www.euronews.net/2009/07/09/paying-for-peace-in-drc/) dubbed slightly in English.
What's next ? Biometric fingerprints on ID cards for the Congolese military :rolleyes:
24.06.2009 - EUSEC at work
Presentation of activities of the mission on the ground, illustrating in particular the organisation of the chain of payments, handing over of identity cards and organisation of activities for the families of military personnel.
Tom Odom
07-13-2009, 04:31 PM
What's next ? Biometric fingerprints on ID cards for the Congolese military
I have visions of large scale finger amputations....:eek:
Tom Odom
07-21-2009, 05:50 AM
Now this should make the fringe cringe. :D
Zakaria: Africa's biggest success story (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/07/17/zakaria.rwanda/index.html)
NEW YORK (CNN) -- President Obama reached out to Africa earlier this week with a wide-ranging address praising the continent's steady achievements, but he called its persistent violent conflicts "a millstone around Africa's neck."
"Despite the progress that has been made -- and there has been considerable progress in parts of Africa -- we also know that much of that promise has yet to be fulfilled," Obama said in a speech to the Parliament of Ghana, a western African nation seen as a model of democracy and growth for the rest of the continent.
Ghana, with a population of 24 million, was once a major slave trading center. Obama visited the Cape Coast Castle, a British outpost where slaves were held until shipped overseas, along with his daughters.
CNN spoke to author and foreign affairs analyst Fareed Zakaria about Obama's trip and the status of Africa.
CNN: "When President Obama was in Africa last week, he visited Ghana, but you think there's another country that's a bigger and better success story?"
Fareed Zakaria: He was smart to focus on a success story, of sorts, like Ghana. But I would say the biggest success story out of the continent is Rwanda.
Tom Odom
07-25-2009, 01:02 PM
And yet again, more fighting and more refugees in the Congo, although 35,000is a minor blip
U.N.: 35,000 displaced by new fighting in Congo
CNN) -- A new outbreak of fighting in the embattled eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has forced 35,000 people from their homes, the U.N. refugee agency said.
Thousands of people have fled parts of South Kivu province and have relocated to Congo's borders with Rwanda and Burundi, the agency reported.
The mass exodus was spurred by this month's new offensive by the Congo government against the ethnic Hutu militia, Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda.
This latest uprooting brings the total number of civilians displaced in South Kivu since the start of the year to about 536,000 people, according to Ron Redmond, spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
What's next ? Biometric fingerprints on ID cards for the Congolese military :rolleyes:
In 2006, I was staying in a hotel in Kisangani and there were several South African soldiers there. One of the things they were working on was a program that dealt with the Mai-Mai. I don't remember if they were de-mobbing them or incorporating them into the FARDC, but the program did involve issuing ID cards and I think they may have incorporated some kind of biometric.
Tom and Stan: I have an opinion question. Do you think the FDLR will be removed from east Congo by anything other than old age and infirmity?
Hey Carl,
"Removed" may be too strong a word (at least in physical military actions in the DRC). If this year's Umoja Wetu military operation was even remotely the success story the governments officially labeled it, the FDLR would be nearly extinct. The only thing I have noticed about all these "military operations" (more recently OPS Kimia I & II) is how they create refugees and more importantly, how the FDLR retaliate against the civilian population (thus allowing the Congolese military to join the free for all).
I was reading about the Congolese conducting PSYOPS to isolate the command from the FDLR (my gut still hurts just thinking about it :D ).
My opinion is old age and widespread disease will be more effective than attempting to demobilize them.
Regards, Stan
Tom and Stan: I have an opinion question. Do you think the FDLR will be removed from east Congo by anything other than old age and infirmity?
Tom Odom
07-27-2009, 06:18 AM
In 2006, I was staying in a hotel in Kisangani and there were several South African soldiers there. One of the things they were working on was a program that dealt with the Mai-Mai. I don't remember if they were de-mobbing them or incorporating them into the FARDC, but the program did involve issuing ID cards and I think they may have incorporated some kind of biometric.
Tom and Stan: I have an opinion question. Do you think the FDLR will be removed from east Congo by anything other than old age and infirmity?
let me answer that indirectly...
After first visiting Zaire in 1984 as a FAO trainee, the next year as a new member of the history department at CGSC--CSI--I decided to write a study on the 64 crisis in Stanleyville. In doing so, I studied this amazing cast of dime-store novel characters that included Belgian officers who had spent decades in the country, mercs of all stripes including the self-promoting Michael Hoare, CIA types, State, US military, and of course the Congolese who ranged from Moise Tshombe to "general" Olenga as the military commander of the Simbas. I wrote the book at the right moment: many were of advancing age and wanted to tell their stories--certainly that applied to Fred Vandewalle and Charlie Laurent.
In 1993 returning to Zaire, I was amazed to see the same names floating around on the fringe. Tomas Kanza was still there as was Antoine Gizenga, Patrice Lumumba's deputy PM in 1960 and later leader of the Simba "government". They were still players--not important players--but still there. Jump forward to present time and voila there is Antoine Gizenga, as Prime Minister while he was in obvious mental decline. In 2008 he resigned and "
On 30 June 2009, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Gizenga) it was announced that Kabila had designated Gizenga as a National Hero, the DRC's highest honor. His admission to the Order of National Heroes made him its only living member and entitled him to a "monthly payment equivalent to the earnings of a prime minister, a residence, a garage with six vehicles, a guard including 12 members of the national police"."
So while I think disease and age will reduce the ranks of the FDLR, I don't think they will disappear. Daddy Kabila was a Simba leader at one stage. He survived openly simply because the Congo was too large and too wild to police. It was, is, and will be the Oklahoma territory on steriods of Africa.
And that is why we love it and hate it...
Tom
Michael F
07-27-2009, 09:01 AM
Allow me to humbly give my little contribution...
Willl FDLR die of old age ? Yes and No (that's so european).
First, every passing day, their AK get rustier,... but they can still buy some from undisciplined FARDC and Mai-Mai.
Second, the troops are not ageing. Children and grand-children are trained and equipped.
Third, they don't really leave in the jungle. FDLR villages are as much confy (so to say) as any congolese village so the mortality rate is about the same as that of any congolese.
Fourth, the current operations (Umoja, Kimia) have led the FDLR command to reinforce its controll through propaganda and discipline over the troops.
On the other hand, with time passing by, FDLR dividing in smaller villages under pressure, this may lead to the creation of tinier FDLR communities that would mix better with some local tribes (hutus in North Kivu). Some of them could become Banyarwanda in a few years.
My point is FDLR will maybe erode a bit with time but there will still be a small group that will remain.
Tom Odom
07-27-2009, 09:54 AM
Stan and Michael,
Excellent posts as usual.
On what may reduce the lure of the FDLR, this is the most potent PSYOP weapon:
Rwandan genocide survivor finds solace in gacacas (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/07/27/rwanda.justice/index.html)
CNN) -- For Morris Murenzi, a visit to his native Rwanda always includes attending a gacaca court -- a local tribunal of villagers set up to try suspects in a 1994 genocide that killed 800,000.
The gacaca courts, as seen here in 2003, are inspired by old village tribunals used to settle disputes.
At the proceedings, he sits with his countrymen. Some tearfully confront their attackers and testify against them, their scars from the genocide still visible. Others -- like him -- quietly listen, their emotional scars invisible. They wait and hope for answers about how their relatives died as a nine-member panel questions suspects.
"Some of the witnesses who ask questions are disfigured, others are disabled," said the Dallas, Texas, resident whose last gacaca trial was in Kigali two years ago. "The attackers have no place to hide. They are forced to address what they have done to the victims."
Rex Brynen
08-01-2009, 08:58 PM
Quietly, Congo's Death Toll Continues to Climb (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/01/AR2009080101140.html?hpid=topnews)
5 Million Deaths Make Conflict Deadliest Since WWII
By Stephanie McCrummen
Washington Post Foreign Service
Saturday, August 1, 2009; 2:50 PM
By some estimates, at least 5 million Congolese have died in more than a decade of conflict touched off by the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda, which sent a flood of militiamen across the border into mineral-rich eastern Congo. Although the conflict has surged, receded and changed over time -- at points involving eight countries and at others breaking into smaller conflicts among a mess of armed groups -- the cumulative death toll in eastern Congo is the largest since World War II.
For the most part, though, people in eastern Congo have not died in a blaze of bullets or large-scale massacres. More often, the conflict has set off a chain reaction of less spectacular consequences that begins with fleeing through an unforgiving jungle and ends with deaths such as Mihigo's. In eastern Congo, people die from malaria and diarrhea, from untreated infections and measles, from falling off rickety bridges and slipping down slopes, from hunger and drinking dirty water in the hope of surviving one more day.
Arguably, people die because of the wider social impact of the conflict. Entire villages have been scattered across hundreds of miles, atomizing extended family networks that people depend upon in difficult times. The conflict has overwhelmed already-dysfunctional government hospitals and left roads rutted and overgrown, isolating people in villages like Walikale from help.
At the moment, the conflict in eastern Congo is surging once again. Since January, at least half a million people have fled a U.N.-backed Congolese army operation targeting Rwandan rebels, which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to discuss in a visit to Congo this month. The rebels are retaliating against villagers with whom they have lived for years.
Tom Odom
08-13-2009, 01:42 PM
looks like they did get at least one of the top guys.
The 5 million death toll may indeed be inflated but the central fact--that this is the longest, bloodiest, and certainly most costly conflict since WWII--remains in stark contrast to the lack of interest. Don't get me wrong: I am not advocating a large scale intervention as that has been done too many times. But we need to assist those that show an interest and an aptitude in changing this reality.
Tom
Suspect in Rwandan Genocide Is Captured After 15 Years in Hiding (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/world/africa/13rwanda.html?_r=1&ref=world)
...Mr. Ndahimana is wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania, as a Category 1 suspect, a rank reserved for the chief planners and executers of the genocide that killed nearly one million ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu.
According to the indictment, Mr. Ndahimana conspired with the parish priest and other officials to exterminate the many Tutsi taking refuge in the church. The siege lasted days and ended when officials razed the church with a bulldozer, killing more than 2,000 Tutsi refugees inside, the indictment says.
M-A Lagrange
08-13-2009, 06:58 PM
Unfortunatly, with FARDC you have to more worried about what they can do to civilians than to FDLR. But, suprisingly, MONUC came with a "new" idea to try to control those crazy FARDC during their "FDLR hunt".
They renew the stick and carott trick with food support against respect of human rights. This is working a little, OK. But that is an idea to be developed.
Tom Odom
08-13-2009, 08:59 PM
Unfortunatly, with FARDC you have to more worried about what they can do to civilians than to FDLR. But, suprisingly, MONUC came with a "new" idea to try to control those crazy FARDC during their "FDLR hunt".
They renew the stick and carott trick with food support against respect of human rights. This is working a little, OK. But that is an idea to be developed.
No doubt and that has long been the case as well as much of the root issue in the area, that being the forces of law and order are the source of the disorder.
Tom
Jorban
08-23-2009, 07:45 AM
For SA.
Rapid Reaction Force, 1st Battalion is on the ground training here in the DRC as I am typing this from Kinshasa planting the seed for change.
Change will not happen tommorrow as there are no straight lines in the Congo, but it is a start in the right direction.
You will see positive things from this unit in the future and it won't be as owls creating fear amongst the people.
Interesting that we actually made it to the DRC (again). As I recall President Kabila requested the USA train a rapid reaction force back in 2007. We were also going to do renovations in Kisangani for say a battalion or more.
It was early 85 and the USMM had also promised to do something in Kisangani. I won't even comment on training the (then) FAZ :wry:
Jorban, Welcome aboard !
Please take a few minutes and introduce yourself here (http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/showthread.php?t=1441&page=52).
Take care in K-town !
Regards, Stan
PS Are DAO drivers Mwembo and Kambali still at the Chancery ?
For SA.
Rapid Reaction Force, 1st Battalion is on the ground training here in the DRC as I am typing this from Kinshasa planting the seed for change.
Change will not happen tommorrow as there are no straight lines in the Congo, but it is a start in the right direction.
You will see positive things from this unit in the future and it won't be as owls creating fear amongst the people.
I did a quick internet search about the 1st Battalion, Rapid Reaction Force. Is this the unit being trained by the South African Army in Katanga?
If it is, what part of the country do the soldiers and company officers come from and who is going to direct, transport and supply them?
Michael F
08-24-2009, 09:14 AM
Sorry to ask but according to previous press articles. a RRF Bn has already been trained (Kananga) and deployed (Kindu) with Belgian instructors and advisors.
http://www.diplomatie.be/fr/pdf/unlimitedfr0309.pdf
http://www.africatime.com/rdc/nouvelle.asp?no_nouvelle=463313&no_categorie=1
(in french)
???????????
SA will train 1, who will train the 10 others ?????? US, Angola, .... China ????
At the hand of the day, you can create as much elite units as you want, if they are not paid and fed,........
Hey Michael !
I was perhaps mistaken thinking it was the US, not South Africa.
CinqChantiers-RDC (http://www.cinqchantiers-rdc.com/English/article.php3?id_article=1271)
Sorry to ask but according to previous press articles. a RRF Bn has already been trained (Kananga) and deployed (Kindu) with Belgian instructors and advisors.
http://www.diplomatie.be/fr/pdf/unlimitedfr0309.pdf
http://www.africatime.com/rdc/nouvelle.asp?no_nouvelle=463313&no_categorie=1
(in french)
???????????
SA will train 1, who will train the 10 others ?????? US, Angola, .... China ????
At the hand of the day, you can create as much elite units as you want, if they are not paid and fed,........
Jorban
08-26-2009, 04:45 AM
ALCON,
This is the same DoS 2007 effort you may have read about before, but now in action on the ground. Phase 1 of the effort is training 180 Officers, and NCO's from the KIVU and surrounding Provinces at the GESM in Kinshasa and is nearing completion. I lead the team that is conducting the training.
Phase 2 and 3 will take place starting in the beginning of 2010 in Kisangani where facilities are now being constructed and the rest of the Battalion soldiers are right now.
This effort is feeding the soldiers and surprisingly it looks like the MOD is going to pay them as well. WKYP on how the pay works out.
We are using contract drivers from a local vendor to support our team.
Michael F
08-26-2009, 08:58 AM
ALCON,
This is the same DoS 2007 effort you may have read about before, but now in action on the ground. Phase 1 of the effort is training 180 Officers, and NCO's from the KIVU and surrounding Provinces at the GESM in Kinshasa and is nearing completion. I lead the team that is conducting the training.
Phase 2 and 3 will take place starting in the beginning of 2010 in Kisangani where facilities are now being constructed and the rest of the Battalion soldiers are right now.
This effort is feeding the soldiers and surprisingly it looks like the MOD is going to pay them as well. WKYP on how the pay works out.
We are using contract drivers from a local vendor to support our team.
A few Friendly & free to discard advises:
* Be carefull about the MoD commitment to fund the food bill and salaries...especially in Dec (national budget dries down to a minimum, no $ reserve especially this year, most will depend on a IMF loan in reserve to save the Congolese Franc).
* Be carefull about who you contract as local vendor if there is "**** future" in the name...you are in the deep S..T.
* Watch out for ex-CNDP military brought in Kisangani and local students (prone to demonstrate).
Michael
Jorban
08-27-2009, 04:47 PM
Thanks for the sage advice.
DRC MOD has stepped up and paid the Officers and NCO's we are training as of yesterday.
They also have supplied weapons for training, 3 Trucks with drivers for transport, Tentage and cots.
Not perfect, but definitely a step in the right direction.
DoS/AFSOC is supplying the food for the near term.
An interesting development and indeed a step in the right direction.
The problem with that solution is, it's simply too short term. Will we be feeding and clothing them into 2015 ? Keep in mind what generated the last 3 civil wars and upheaval. The military has worthless money, firearms, ammo, and, one fine day just imploded.
The only remotely successful programs I saw were the Egyptians and Israelis. They were there 24/7 and took no prisoners.
Our DOD programs were (probably still are) designed around a country getting their act together with a functioning government. Magically, the country reaches a point where they sustain the momentum (not steal everything and split the AO). Sadly, in over a decade, I barely saw the fruits of all that money from the USG.
I would ask you to take a second and introduce yourself (http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/showthread.php?t=1441&page=52) as above in my previous post. Take a second and check out the other intros. Nothing special is needed, just 5 seconds of your time.
Regards, Stan
Thanks for the sage advice.
DRC MOD has stepped up and paid the Officers and NCO's we are training as of yesterday.
They also have supplied weapons for training, 3 Trucks with drivers for transport, Tentage and cots.
Not perfect, but definitely a step in the right direction.
DoS/AFSOC is supplying the food for the near term.
M-A Lagrange
08-27-2009, 07:25 PM
Actually the problem that goes with the solution is more complex that just clothing and feeding the FARDC.
If you look at Numby personal troops , they are well trained, well paid and disciplined.
On the other hand, if you look at ex CNDP/FARDC, they are not paid, well trained and almost disciplined.
Taken now the average former may-may FARDC, they are not paid, not trained, not disciplined.
That is only the top of the iceberg.
Cause if you look deeper, you will found that the FARDC or whatever you call them troops in DRC have a tradition on harassing population inherited from Belgium colonisation. Do not get me wrong, but they see their position not as warrior stuff but as business investment.
They do not respond to a chain of command but to a chief that feed them, cloth them and share the treasure with them.
Training is the easy may be working solution. What you will never be able to put in their mind is the fact that they defend a nation, a population, a flag, honour or what ever you put into military function.
One collegue of mine compared them to barbarian tribes from antique rome. He was talking about the fact they move to battle with their famillies and all the rest.
But indeed he was not that far from what they are in fact: the army of a king or chief. And with 74% officer, you can imagine what the word chief may have for meaning
The first step is to break that. Actually you re not training DRC army but Kabila and foes troops. The day someone else come to power: all your efforts are lost. :(
Separating chain of payment was one first smart move (and you still have 40% lost:o)
Now you have to look closer to chain of command. Also build barracks, houses for families, insure families get paid while dady is having fun at war, putting kis at school...
And give FARDC a real taste of what being a soldier is: suffering with only #### for food and jail for fun house if they do wrong on the ground:wry:
They are like kids you have to nurse.
The only example I have in mind of good behaviour of troops in DRC is from 2004:
One of the commander I use to now in Ituri had a simple rule: you still 1$ from population: 1 slap with a good bambou stick.
If they were caught in a bar: same price (1 beer=5 slap).
If you rape: death penalty...
I believe the guy that stole 2000$ must remember in his grave the meaning of obeydiance and discipline. But after the place was safe from that side.
Not saying it is the solution but it is part of it.
They have to learn, even officers, what is the meaning of military discipline.
But their gov has to pay them also...
And still, does not solve the problem of what you train for whom and which purpose. But that is politics:D
Tom Odom
08-28-2009, 05:29 AM
Actually the problem that goes with the solution is more complex that just clothing and feeding the FARDC.
If you look at Numby personal troops , they are well trained, well paid and disciplined.
On the other hand, if you look at ex CNDP/FARDC, they are not paid, well trained and almost disciplined.
Taken now the average former may-may FARDC, they are not paid, not trained, not disciplined.
That is only the top of the iceberg.
Cause if you look deeper, you will found that the FARDC or whatever you call them troops in DRC have a tradition on harassing population inherited from Belgium colonisation. Do not get me wrong, but they see their position not as warrior stuff but as business investment.
:D
Neither Stan nor I would disagree. Stan has 10 years continous service in Zaire I have 3 books relating to the Congo/Zaire uinder mine as well as a year in country as the DATT--working with Stan as my right (and left) hand man.
On traditions inherited from colonial powers, yes and no. The Force Publique was less than gentle but then again less harsh than the forces of the Congo Free State under Leopold. The ANC inherited that tradition somewhat--but remember that the original ANC mutinied when Belgium wanted to keep its officers in place past independence. That was of course nearly 5 decades ago. The comfortable excuse of blaming colonial policies is threadbare at this stage; independence connotes responsibility, something that books like Hochschild's Leopold's Ghost refuse to acknowledge.
Best
Tom
Neither Stan nor I would disagree.
... On traditions inherited from colonial powers, yes and no.
Best
Tom
Hey Mate ! Seems your batteries are charged :)
Slightly related and in my pathetic opinion - In the end it won't matter who performs the training and feeds them if they (the instructors), up and leave following the course. Just as soon as the rations are gone and equipment sold, we'll be back at square one.
There weren't too many Zairois during my time that had much good to say about the Belgian Colonization. But, they were quick to note that everything was abundantly available and all their children were doing well in grade school alongside white children.
We can call it discipline or control, but the end result would be the same. I used to admire those embassy folks wandering aimlessly in Kinshasa thinking they were behind some force field without a clue what was happening in the bush.
Someone gets to stay behind for the long haul til the next generation of child soldiers are in their teens. It's that, or no one will be able to turn off the current trend (certainly not some profound new version of the DSP).
Regards, Stan
M-A Lagrange
08-28-2009, 06:23 AM
Hey Tom, did not mean to hurt anyone, I just tried to provide my personal analyse.
I do agree with all what you say on the FAZ and Force Publique.
My point is that previous from Force Publique, in both East and West part of Congo you had classical military tradition.
The Kongo Empire was making war like any empire. The aim was to conquer land and establish imperium. It is the Portuguese that turn them into slave traders. Last independent Kongo king or emperor fought to stop slave trade and was killed by the Portuguese in 17th century.
In East, the slave trade was introduce by stanley via Tipo Tipps.
Wars in DRC since 1994 look like the European "guerre de trente ans" (sorry I am french). They did not invent anything: war has to feed and sustain war is an old story. Fully follow you on that.
My point is that in DRC we are in a pattern where army is no more at population service. During Mobutu, the army was the army of the king and ruler. FAZ were feared by population and already harassing population. The big riots of 1991 were ignited by FAZ as Mobutu could not support them financially anymore. Then it became politic.
That has not changed. Regularly, there are "coup alerts" in Kinshasa as Kabila is 1 day late to pay troops assigned to government members’ protection for example.
This is the main problem with the actual FARDC. The second main problem comes from the behaviours they have. This is partly inherited from Force Publique. Not saying it use to be the norm. But it is the actual norm as FARDC are mainly composed with former may-may and stuff like that. And those guys do have Force Publique for model and their leaders as well.
Do not mistake me, I do have respect for military function. And I do also have deep attachment to Congolese population. Introducing the barter food for discipline was a try to protect population from their “protectors”.
The tool is limited and the problem is that most officers do not have understanding in the aim of their function.
The example I gave was put in place by a former FAZ commander trained in Belgium during the 80. But he and soldiers of his quality are no more in position in Kinshasa now days. It is a shame. They had honour and sense of command. This I fully agree.
Tom Odom
08-28-2009, 07:19 AM
MA
Absolutely no issues or offense taken. We--meaning the West and others like the Egyptians and even the Chinese--have spent years trying to inculcate service to the people as a function of duty for the state in the FP, the ANC, the FAZ, and now the FADRC. I remain a sceptic in these efforts. The standard pattern is exactly what we are doing today: build a new unit, give it a new name, and then watch it fall apart. I hope I am wrong in suggesting that will happen again. Time will tell.
Best
Tom
Michael F
08-28-2009, 08:29 AM
To add to your reflexion, please read http://www.ssrnetwork.net/document_library/detail/4479/assessing-security-sector-reform-and-its-impact-on-the-kivu-provinces
It's brilliant, to the point and so true (in my opinion).
M-A Lagrange
08-28-2009, 02:32 PM
You have also Candide in Congo by IFRI, a think tank in Paris. The analyses of the failure of the SSR is also quite detail and straight to the point.
http://www.ifri.org/frontDispatcher/ifri/publications/focus_strat_gique_1192007544433/publi_P_publi_lrd_focus__bis_rss_congo__1241612173 509
Tom,
I am actually preparing to defend a master on MONUC operations in East. With special orientation on the problematic of FARDC and MONUC obligation to protect. I would be very interrested to have your books references.
And anyways, you are right. The main problem is the concept of army as a national defence dedicated body and not a predator group under in power command.
Have you seen that Bemba may come out jail? What will happen if he is back for election? We are training troops for what? If he is elected (imagine) how security apparat would be transfered? That never happened before.
Tom Odom
08-28-2009, 03:00 PM
MA
Two on Congo/Zaire are here at CSI Press:
LP 14 on the 1964 Hostage Crisis (http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resources/csi/odom/odom.asp)
Shaba II Study on French and Belgian Ops in Kolwezi in 1978 (http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resources/csi/odom2/odom2.asp)
Third is here:
Journey Into Darkness: Genocide in Rwanda (http://www.tamu.edu/upress/BOOKS/2005/odom.htm)
Best
Tom
... not a predator group under in power command.
110% correct MA.
Have you seen that Bemba may come out jail? What will happen if he is back for election? We are training troops for what? If he is elected (imagine) how security apparat would be transfered? That never happened before.
Then, you answered your own question. Bemba was my neighbor and ruthless when it came to relinquishing his power base. Probably why he had an M2HB nest in front of his garden :eek:
On the other hand, my street was relatively quiet during 2 civil wars :)
davidbfpo
08-28-2009, 04:04 PM
The BBC reports on rioting SANDF soldiers in Pretoria: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8226121.stm
Cannot recall that type of behaviour in the SANDF or SADF.
davidbfpo
This may be slightly off topic, but the BBC article about the SANDF mentions the gov plans to dismiss 1,000-2,000 soldiers, essentially en-masse.
I don't know much about the South African political culture but dismissing disgruntled soldiers in a group like that might be asking for trouble. What do you more knowledgeable and experienced guys think?
Tom Odom
09-03-2009, 05:54 AM
This may be slightly off topic, but the BBC article about the SANDF mentions the gov plans to dismiss 1,000-2,000 soldiers, essentially en-masse.
I don't know much about the South African political culture but dismissing disgruntled soldiers in a group like that might be asking for trouble. What do you more knowledgeable and experienced guys think?
Do not be "the guy" designated to make the speech and hand out the pink slips :eek:
Michael F
09-03-2009, 08:45 AM
Sure think it won't please them. One of the advantages of the DRC-south Africa militiray cooperation is I guess they learned a lot from their congolese colleagues in what relates to strikes, not being paid,.....:D
in what relates to strikes, not being paid,.....:D
Hey Michael !
Those were called strikes ? :D
davidbfpo
09-03-2009, 05:11 PM
Originally Posted by Carl
This may be slightly off topic, but the BBC article about the SANDF mentions the gov plans to dismiss 1,000-2,000 soldiers, essentially en-masse.
I don't know much about the South African political culture but dismissing disgruntled soldiers in a group like that might be asking for trouble. What do you more knowledgeable and experienced guys think?
There is some history in South Africa, long ago in the inter-war years, of unrest in one of security forces being forcibly repressed and the SADF developed a very strong, if not authoritarian style, partly due to the Army being Afrikaneer-dominated. Discipline in the apartheid armed forces did wane at times, notably over smuggling weapons, ivory etc from Mozambique in the 1980's - which an Air Force investigation un-covered.
How much of this apartheid era tradition remains in the SANDF is a moot point.
Probably more important for the SANDF are the traditions of the ANC's military wing, which IIRC was rather stalinist in approach, i.e. harsh treatment in overseas camps etc. The ANC is not the dominant tradition and some senior, highly respected officers are from the old 'Homeland' forces.
Between the two traditions I think en masse dismissal is manageable, although I'd want to know what other units are on duty on the day.
Note the SAP (Police) had no apparent issues with using tear gas etc when the original riot happened.
davidbfpo
davidbfpo
09-10-2009, 04:13 PM
An update on the sacked SANDF soldiers: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8248596.stm
The ANC Defence Minister is now to review unions in the military.
davidbfpo
Belgian instructing officers in DR Congo (http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/belgian-instructing-officers-in-dr-congo-2009082934167.html)
Six officers of the Belgian Army departed the capital, Brussels, for the DR Congo, where they will lead the improvements of a base for the training of the armed forces in Kindu, the capital of Maniema province, a military source disclosed to PANA here.
A group of 60 instructing officers, in charge of the training of the first battalion of the Congolese rapid reaction forces, will join the soldiers mid-September.
M-A Lagrange
09-12-2009, 03:07 PM
Well, I have not seen any of this in english news, but FDLR are accusing FARDC to have commited war crimes.
They say that FARDC have killed several dozen of hutu civilians in East Drc.
Sorry, did not have time for more details.
Well, I have not seen any of this in english news, but FDLR are accusing FARDC to have commited war crimes.
They say that FARDC have killed several dozen of hutu civilians in East Drc.
Sorry, did not have time for more details.
MA, If you check out among other places Human Rights Watch (http://www.hrw.org/), there's some good detail on those accusations. MONUC also has much to say regarding Operations Umojo Wetu and later Kimia I & II.
In at least one incident recently, UN peacekeepers fired warning shots over the heads of Congolese army soldiers to try to minimize their abusive behavior.
I generally find more starting with French links such as Agence France-Presse (AFP (http://www.afp.com//afpcom/fr)) and then search for English.
M-A Lagrange
09-13-2009, 07:23 PM
Thanks Stan, but that was not the ones I was speaking about.
As I did not found it in english, I translated from AFP. (So excuse my english.:o)
On September 6, the hutu rebels from FDLR accused FARDC and APR to have assassinated several hutu refugees in July and August in Walikale, Masisi and Kalehe.
The also denounce the silence of international community.
They say the events took place from July 4 to August 25.
Not saying I like FDLR and interharmwe, far from it. But the medicine seems to be worst than the plague.
At the same time, FARDC experienced massive defection from former CNDP soldiers.
September 5, Colonel Jaguar and is men (more than 100), all former CNDP, deserted FARDC ranks. They reason is said to be the non payment of salaries since 5 month…
Colonel Jaguar went to a hill close to Uganda while part of his former troops went to Ishasha.
FARDC commanders are actually speaking about a small problem of discipline.
This does remind me what happened few years ago…
Does someone knows that Colonel Jaguar? He looks like the new Nkunda to me. Seems Rwandain on war path again in Kivu.
Schmedlap
09-13-2009, 11:11 PM
This week I will have the opportunity to hear a lecture from a guy from the Congo. He will be discussing the recent fighting/genocide there from the perspective of international law. At the moment, that's about as specific a description as I can come up with.
If anyone has a good question related to International Law, as it relates to the recent nonsense in the Congo, feel free to leave it here or private message me. It could add to the lecture and make me look far smarter than I actually am :D. In return, I will relay his answer to you.
Two caveats: 1) I don't know if I'll have the opportunity to ask the question, since there is rarely enough time and 2) English is not his first language, so if the question is a bunch of five syllable words that I cannot simplify into a question of less than a few sentences, then it might not be a good one to ask.
M-A Lagrange
09-14-2009, 12:19 AM
Dear Schmedlap,
I have two questions:
Do you have a name for the guy from congo and an organisation?
There are not so many persons specialised on congo and even less specialised on the recent fightings/genocide and international law.
Will he be lecturing about Eastern DRC only (North and South Kivu) or also about the LRA problem?
Cause it is two different issues with both different implications concerning international law. I believe it will be only the East as it is "sexu" at the moment but you never know.
Michael F
09-14-2009, 10:33 AM
Thanks Stan, but that was not the ones I was speaking about.
As I did not found it in english, I translated from AFP. (So excuse my english.:o)
On September 6, the hutu rebels from FDLR accused FARDC and APR to have assassinated several hutu refugees in July and August in Walikale, Masisi and Kalehe.
The also denounce the silence of international community.
They say the events took place from July 4 to August 25.
Not saying I like FDLR and interharmwe, far from it. But the medicine seems to be worst than the plague.
At the same time, FARDC experienced massive defection from former CNDP soldiers.
September 5, Colonel Jaguar and is men (more than 100), all former CNDP, deserted FARDC ranks. They reason is said to be the non payment of salaries since 5 month…
Colonel Jaguar went to a hill close to Uganda while part of his former troops went to Ishasha.
FARDC commanders are actually speaking about a small problem of discipline.
This does remind me what happened few years ago…
Does someone knows that Colonel Jaguar? He looks like the new Nkunda to me. Seems Rwandain on war path again in Kivu.
Check http://www.fdlr.org/...
Tom Odom
09-20-2009, 01:09 PM
I stumbled on this little slide show on Congo history this AM on MSNBC.com. As a "history" it is both selective and sketchy. Still the photos do cover the points they chose to highlight. The photo of Kibumba camp with the three rows of bodies is pretty much etched on my brain--what the photo cannot show is that line was actually on both sides of the road and ran nearly continuously from the northern most camp at Rutshuru through Kibumba 65 kilometers south to Goma.
Congo's tumultuous history in pictures (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27721040/ns/world_news-africa/)
The Democratic Republic of Congo, a vast nation about a quarter the size of the U.S. in the center of sub-Saharan Africa, is one of the continent’s most mineral-rich countries. But it also one of the world’s poorest countries and has been the site of near constant warfare over the last decade which has left over 5 million dead. A recent flare-up of violence between rebels and government forces has revived fears that it could slide back into all-out war again. Click through to learn more about its tumultuous history.
Tom Odom
10-06-2009, 12:52 PM
Short piece on CNN today
This individual was ex-FAR intelligence and led a death unit in Butare and has been with the FDLR since the 94 genocide. I am glad they cuaght him but I'd rather know he was dead.
Rwanda genocide suspect arrested, extradited (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/06/rwanda.genocide.arrest/index.html)
From Samson Ntale
For CNN
KAMPALA, Uganda (CNN) -- Police in Uganda have arrested and extradited a man who is among the most wanted suspects in the Rwandan genocide.
The 100-day killing rampage led to the loss of an estimated 10 percent of Rwanda's population.
He was extradited to Tanzania, where the U.N.-sponsored International Criminal Tribunal (ICTR) for Rwanda is based. Top officials who allegedly took part in the genocide, such as army generals and politicians, are tried in the court.
I stumbled on this little slide show on Congo history this AM on MSNBC.com. As a "history" it is both selective and sketchy. Still the photos do cover the points they chose to highlight. The photo of Kibumba camp with the three rows of bodies is pretty much etched on my brain--what the photo cannot show is that line was actually on both sides of the road and ran nearly continuously from the northern most camp at Rutshuru through Kibumba 65 kilometers south to Goma.
Tom, Thanks for the interesting memories...
Mobutu Ousted
Anti-Mobutu mobs riot during the overthrow of Mobutu Sese Seko on May 18, 1997 in Kinshasa, Zaire.
I can almost smell the burning tires, and as I reminisce further, can hear YaYa "tense streets, no trains ran today" :D
But, the pic "Africa's first world war" is sadly nothing to laugh about.
Tom Odom
10-09-2009, 07:33 AM
And the other shoe drops....money for nothing, chicks for free...
Uganda wants $5m for arrest of genocide suspect
(http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_UGANDA_RWANDA_GENOCIDE?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-10-08-10-32-30)
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) -- A Ugandan official says the country wants to claim a $5 million reward offered by the United States for the capture of a Rwandan genocide suspect.
Ugandan minister Isaac Musumba said Thursday the east African nation would welcome any payment for Monday's arrest of Idelphonse Nizeyimana in the Ugandan capital. He will be tried in a U.N.-backed tribunal.
Tom Odom
10-10-2009, 06:02 AM
More details on this individual and his arrest. No death sentence via ICTR. Too bad.
Tom
Top Rwandan genocide suspect arrested
Officials accuse ex-intelligence deputy of ordering execution of Tutsi queen (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33193236/ns/world_news-africa/)
KAMPALA, Uganda - A top suspect wanted for orchestrating the killings of thousands of people in Rwanda's 1994 genocide — including children, hospital patients, priests and even an elderly and revered African queen — has been captured, police said.
Former Rwanda Deputy Intelligence Chief Idelphonse Nizeyimana was arrested Monday in Uganda, police said Tuesday, under an indictment from the Rwanda war crimes tribunal on charges of genocide, complicity in genocide, and direct and public incitement to commit genocide in the systematic slaughter of more than 500,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus over 100 days in 1994.
Tom Odom
10-15-2009, 07:27 AM
And the rabbit keeps going, going, going...
Assaults Sustained in E. Congo
Congolese Forces, Rwandan Militias Kill, Displace Civilians (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/13/AR2009101303202.html)
JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 13 -- More than 1,000 civilians have been killed and nearly 900,000 displaced in eastern Congo by Rwandan Hutu militiamen and Congolese forces since January, humanitarian groups said Tuesday.
The report released by a coalition of 84 organizations said that many of the killings were carried out by Rwandan Hutu militiamen. Congolese government soldiers also have targeted civilians, the report said.
And the rabbit keeps going, going, going...
There's always someone in Congo that see things differently. Namely, the President :rolleyes:
Despite reports of killings in eastern Congo (http://allafrica.com/stories/200910140952.html), according to President Kabila, the region is now enjoying unprecedented peace.
Kabila may soon have new problems from his western flank (http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINLC44496720091012) and a bunch of unemployed diamond miners.
Hmmm, wonder if those Lockheed Electras will be flying them home ?
There's two still around (http://www.oldprops.ukhome.net/Electra%20Census.htm) :eek:
M-A Lagrange
10-15-2009, 11:48 AM
According to reliefweb nearly 35000 angolese have been expulsed from DRC to Angola since January 2009.
This could be linked to the next sea exclusive area law passed by DRC government.
According to that bill, angola is exploiting oil in DRC land...
when it is not East, it is South. And if not, then you have Kabinda...
Gosh I love this country.:D
Tom Odom
10-16-2009, 07:37 AM
There's always someone in Congo that see things differently. Namely, the President :rolleyes:
Kabila may soon have new problems from his western flank (http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINLC44496720091012) and a bunch of unemployed diamond miners.
Hmmm, wonder if those Lockheed Electras will be flying them home ?
There's two still around (http://www.oldprops.ukhome.net/Electra%20Census.htm) :eek:
9Q-CTO 1073 Trans Service Airlift. Withdrawn from use at Kinshasa.
9Q-CUU 1137 Filair. Wreck at Kinshasa.
Wow...I recognize the tail numbers
Tom Odom
10-16-2009, 12:31 PM
Why would anyone be surprised? The former FAZ went to Rwanda when the war brokeout in 1990 and was so brutal that the ex-FAR--the military that would assist in the genocide--asked that the FAZ be sent home.
U.N. Official Assails Congo Operation (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/15/AR2009101503635.html)
By Stephanie McCrummen
Washington Post Foreign Service
Friday, October 16, 2009
NAIROBI, Oct. 15 -- A top U.N. human rights investigator on Thursday blasted a U.N.-backed Congolese military operation targeting rebels in eastern Congo, calling its results "catastrophic."
"Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, thousands raped, hundreds of villages burnt to the ground and at least 1,000 civilians killed," Philip Alston, the United Nations' special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, said in a statement. "In many areas, it is [Congolese soldiers] themselves who pose the greatest direct risk to security."
Tom Odom
10-17-2009, 12:25 PM
It woud be nice to have something positive to say on this thread. I am just not sure what that would be...
Rape a weapon of war in Congo, activists say (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/16/amanpour.congo.rape.documentary/index.html)
By George Lerner
CNN
(CNN) -- Rape has turned into a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the number of attacks on women having grown threefold over the past few years, human rights activists said Friday.
Anneke van Woudenberg, senior researcher with Human Rights Watch, told Christiane Amanpour that 200,000 women and girls have been raped in Eastern Congo since 1998, and the condition of women has become more dire as the Congolese army has pressed a military campaign against armed groups in the countryside.
"Rape is being used as a weapon of war in eastern Congo. So we notice and we have documented that when armed groups walk into town, they will rape the women and girls, sometimes publicly, sometimes privately, in order to punish the local population," she said. "It's the easiest way to terrorize a community."
davidbfpo
10-17-2009, 07:54 PM
Tom and the other contributors here,
I get depressed reading about Zimbabwe and as for the DRC I see no hope.
I know there is no "magic bullet", yes even in Zimbabwe. What does the civilised world do with places like DRC? Containment which is what the UN appears to be doing at a minimum, i.e. it would be worse if the UN was not there (as shown in the First Great Congo War, a few years ago).
Note few who sit at home in the civilised world care for more than a second about DRC, but might ask one day why some nay refugees appear locally. This attitude is so pervasive intervention - certainly in Western Europe - is unlikely to gain public support.
I cite in support of my viewpoint the lack of any temporary momentum to support aid, in Darfur and more pointedly DRC. Look back to 1984, with the brutal footage of starvation in Ethiopia and the reaction with Band Aid: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band_Aid_(band)
C4 last night had a dreary programme on child rape in Liberia, which I had not realised still has a UN peacekeeping mission.
Answers, if any, on a postcard!
davidbfpo
Tom Odom
10-18-2009, 07:06 AM
Tom and the other contributors here,
I get depressed reading about Zimbabwe and as for the DRC I see no hope.
I know there is no "magic bullet", yes even in Zimbabwe. What does the civilised world do with places like DRC?
davidbfpo
Darwin is the only answer I can offer and in a way, one that is happening as an extension of the Rwandan conflict.
Best
Tom
Things aren't that bad in the rest of the Congo, not pleasant, but not the continuing horror that is the east. What is different about the east is the human vestiges of the Rwandan troubles, the FDLR. I think if the FDLR were removed, killed, that would be the critical step. Who will take that step I don't know. The FARDC can't, the UN won't and I don't think the Rwandans want all the trouble it would entail for minimum direct benefit to them. So who? You got me.
As far as the FARDC depredations, I wonder if the light of publicity might have an effect. If the UN were to document things to the extent that they named names, this battalion commanded by this guy did this on this date, this platoon did this and these are the names of the people in it, if they documented that and broadcast it on their media outlets and took it directly to little Joe, that might have an effect. Mr. President, this happened and these guys here did it, what are you going to do about it?
Believe it or not, I think publicity does have an effect on these guys. There was a program several years ago to reduce the number of illegal shakedown checkpoints on the Congo river upstream of Kin. All it was was a radio network of mamans reporting that there was a shakedown point here and one there. It reduced the number from over 20 to 1-3 if I remember correctly. If the UN were to do the same type of thing at a greatly intensified level, maybe that would help.
M-A Lagrange
10-18-2009, 01:02 PM
Believe it or not, I think publicity does have an effect on these guys. There was a program several years ago to reduce the number of illegal shakedown checkpoints on the Congo river upstream of Kin. All it was was a radio network of mamans reporting that there was a shakedown point here and one there. It reduced the number from over 20 to 1-3 if I remember correctly. If the UN were to do the same type of thing at a greatly intensified level, maybe that would help.
Carl,
I did try to explain that to the UN last year. And I was not alone. Our point was that if you want to lower sexual violence then you have to inform the victimes of what happend on the guys the accused.
Apparently the UN did not want to. They are somehow incapable to just tell the people: you took that action and here are the results. :(
But yes I would say that is one of the best idea.
As far as the FARDC depredations, I wonder if the light of publicity might have an effect.
Believe it or not, I think publicity does have an effect on these guys.
Although I remain pessimistic, I think you have a point Carl. Until a Zairois literally loses face there will be no affect. The wanted posters for an FBI-style "UN Most Wanted" list would number in the hundreds of thousands beginning with nearly every minister and his minion.
As early as 84, rape was universally accepted even among common folks. My residential guard/gardener casually chatted about his wife being raped by soldiers while they were in Lubumbashi visiting relatives. Instead of exacting revenge, he discussed what the child's name would be :rolleyes:
While the "UN's 100,000 most wanted" may be embarrassing, it won't amount to a hill of beans if the upper echelon doesn't do some killing. As for Joe public, they will live in even greater fear than ever before.
davidbfpo
10-19-2009, 01:25 PM
The BBC News had a short, thirty minute documentary on DRC yesrerday, mainly on mining, rape and lack of order. Cannot readily find if a podcast is available, menatime here is the report on mining: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8264105.stm
davidbfpo
Tom Odom
10-22-2009, 02:14 PM
And my good news for the day:
Clergyman linked to Rwandan genocide seized in Italy (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/22/italy.rwanda.arrest/index.html)
(CNN) -- A Rwandan accused of "complicity" in the massacre of students at the college he headed during the country's genocide 15 years ago has been arrested in Italy, where he served as a clergyman, an international police agency said.
Interpol hailed arrest of Uwayezu as a demonstration of effectiveness of international police co-operation.
Officers from the Italian Carabinieri and Interpol's National Central Bureau in Rome, Italy, arrested Emmanuel Uwayezu -- who had been wanted in Rwanda, the international police organization Interpol said Wednesday in a news release.
Uwayezu, 47, is accused of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity. He is in Italian custody and is awaiting extradition to Rwanda.
According to Interpol's statement, the Rwandan arrest warrant says Uwayezu was alleged "to have acted individually and as part of a conspiracy to plan and commit genocide by instigating Hutus to kill Tutsis in the area of Gikongoro, as director of the Groupe Scolaire Marie Merci college in Kibeho."
And my good news for the day:
I had to wonder when you sent me jpegs of Italian-made AP mines fresh outta the wooden cases :D
Well, at least they weren't ours :cool:
:While the "UN's 100,000 most wanted" may be embarrassing, it won't amount to a hill of beans if the upper echelon doesn't do some killing. As for Joe public, they will live in even greater fear than ever before.
If the upper echelon could be embarrassed badly enough, I wonder if they would do some killing. If they were constantly confronted by specifics perhaps they could be motivated. Rather than avoiding the cameras, maybe it would be easier for them to knock some people off in public with a lot of show. They would garner a lot of public support for it I think too. It would be viewed with considerable favor by the average Congolese.
Italian land mines and under the table deals with the Taliban, 2. Picking up a genocider, 1. The Italians are still down by one.
marct
10-29-2009, 11:59 AM
From CBC.ca
Désiré Munyaneza, 42, was convicted in the Federal Court in Montreal in May on seven counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in connection to his actions in and around Butare, Rwanda, during the 1994 genocide.
more... (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/10/29/munyaneza-rwanda-genocide-war-crime129.html)
Tom Odom
10-29-2009, 03:43 PM
I had to wonder when you sent me jpegs of Italian-made AP mines fresh outta the wooden cases :D
Well, at least they weren't ours :cool:
Nope but the Anti-Tank mine that we beached our boat on top of was along with a stash of about five more I inspected :wry:
The UN has withdrawn (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8337610.stm) its support for an army unit in Democratic Republic of Congo...
"We have decided that Monuc [UN's peacekeeping operation] will immediately suspend its logistical and operational support to the army units implicated in these killings," Mr Le Roy told UN-backed Radio Okapi.
This will certainly make things better. I'm just not sure who will be affected more - the hungry soldiers or the remaining population :wry:
Tom Odom
11-03-2009, 10:41 AM
The UN has withdrawn (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8337610.stm) its support for an army unit in Democratic Republic of Congo...
This will certainly make things better. I'm just not sure who will be affected more - the hungry soldiers or the remaining population :wry:
Ain't that the truth....I have an idea--let's fly 'em all back west like they did 31st Para in 1994. That worked so well...:eek:
The Democratic Republic of Chaos
M-A Lagrange
11-03-2009, 01:47 PM
At the early begining, the deal was: you (the FARDC) behave and we (MONUC) give you food. If you do not behave, we (MONUC) stop logistic support.
Apparently the FARDC have been really really bad boys. (well killing 60 civilian is being very naughty, even by MONUC low criteria).
All the consensus was that basically it would be crazy to implement the second part of the deal.
So now, lets look how MONUC will protect the civilian from FARDC. I gess they will not kick FARDC ass. But they throw both the carrot and the stick at the same time...
Tom Odom
11-09-2009, 05:35 AM
MSF is hardly a neutral player in this arena but this report is hardly surprising. The DRC military would be unable to resist such a lucrative opportunity
DR Congo army 'used aid as bait' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8347503.stm)
The Democratic Republic of Congo army has used vaccination clinics as "bait" to attack civilians, says aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
Thousands of Hutu civilians were targeted when they visited sites set up to combat a measles epidemic, in areas controlled by the rebels, MSF said.
It denounced the attacks in North Kivu as "an abuse of humanitarian action".
Although the author blames everything on MONUC, and even goes as far as comparing their ops with failed attempts at stopping the genocide, he has a point - Over 17,000 in country has yet to change much and leave many with other things to politically attend to.
To think our team was 3 strong :wry:
As things stand (http://allafrica.com/stories/200911100028.html), any cynic will be excused for placing blame of the never ending cycle of violence and conflict, squarely on the shoulders of the constantly blundering MONUC, which is mandated to keep peace in the volatile region.
Most people appreciated the presence of MONUC troops in the region. Blue Helmets conduct daily patrols and provide a logistics and operations support to some 6,000 FARDC troops in the zone, who receive some 23 tons of MONUC food rations every week (http://monuc.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=932&ctl=Details&mid=1096&ItemID=6433).
The FDLR depends somewhat on mineral sales for money I believe. Some of those minerals are flown out of the field to Bukavu and Goma thence out of the country. The UN runs both of those airports. Could this be used against the FDLR?
The UN controls Goma airport, at least when Nkunda's people don't. One of our guys said that Nkunda actually took Goma airport last year for a little while.
Michael F
11-12-2009, 02:11 PM
As far as i know, MONUC is present in Kavumu airport (Bukavu), Beni and Goma airports. Other activites on these airports (civilian or other military A/C) are "managed" by the DRC government.... MONUC is not entitled to controll those a/c that are not UN.
An other element is that FDLR minerals are sold to local traders who then under their name sell it to international companies which in turn export it out of Africa (by air from Bujumbura, Kigali (WTF???:eek:) or via Uganda and Entebbe).
In conclusion, DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda are the one to blame for not stopping this flow of FDLR minerals.
Reference: http://www.csmonitor.com/images/daily/2009/09/03/UNExpertsReportFDLRCNDPDez08.pdf
Nice find Michael !
I recall earlier stories like this one in 2002 (http://www.afrol.com/Countries/DRC/documents/un_resources_2002_rwanda.htm) where reports concluded Rwanda was the hub out to 29 countries. If that was the case, there's little to control at airports in DR Congo.
Approximately 25 per cent of Eagle Wings coltan is shipped from Kigali to the Ulba Metallurgical Plant of NAC Kazatomprom, in Kazakhstan.
More at the link...
Michael F
11-13-2009, 10:06 AM
The main question with the famous "Congo Desk" is not "did it exist or not? and did it fund Rwanda with DRC ressources?"...this is fairly clear and generally admitted (except in Kigali).
No. The main question should be "Does it still exists ?".
My understanding is that after RPA's retreat from DRC, the Congo Desk was slowly dismantled and replaced by a different network of local intermediaries sometimes competing each other:
* Congolese Tutsis which had created business with money loaned by Kigali (RDB) before 2003 are still in contact with Kagame's regime but to a much lesser extent than during the RPA presence in DRC.
* These have found in Nkunda a temporary replacement to the RPA or RCD-Goma "favourable" business environment.
* Now, my understanding is that last year, when Nkunda was arrested in/by Rwanda, a deal had been made between Kabila and Kagame: Kabila fights the FDLR and does not threaten those businessmen interests and Kigali suppress the CNDP as an opposition armed group. A Win-Win deal.
Those businessmen are still major business partners for Kigali and could not operate without Kigali's tacit consent. As an example, Rwandan exports CONSIDERABLY more cassiterite than it produces ????? Where does the excess production comes from ????
The MPC company, as an other example, links in the same business partnership Mr Rujigira, and Mai-Mai groups allied with FDLR..... Translated: one close friend of Kagame was or still is making money with a mine then controlled by FDLR and anti-Tutsi Mai-Mai. In business, there is no such thing as "don't talk to the terrorists" i guess....
The legal possession of this mine was opposed by Bangandula mining group.... BMG is own by Mr Makabuza an other business relation of Mr Kagame dating back to the Congo Desk times.
What this shows is that both businessmen linked to Kigali and who used to work hand in hand with the "Congo Desk" are now fighting each other for a mine but still have offices (Comptoir), contacts and political support in Kigali that are critical to their business....Without Kigali's support, they could not smuggle cassiterite...so i guess Kigali must get something in exchange ?????
http://globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/181/33658.html
When I was last in Congo, there was a Pakistani Battalion and various helicopters based at Bukavu's airport. Goma had an Indian unit based across the street and multiple helicopters including Indian Mi-24s. There wasn't much UN presence at Beni airport.
Things may go directly out of the country from the mines but an awful lot doesn't, judging by the number of AN-2s and AN-28s going out and back, especially from Kavumu. I realize nothing much can be done, or will be done, but I think the airports are points where effective pressure could, theoretically,
be applied.
I never realized UN reports could read like raw material for a Tom Clancy novel.
Tom Odom
11-13-2009, 03:03 PM
I never realized UN reports could read like raw material for a Tom Clancy novel.
Stan and I took great pride in making our reports better than Clancy :wry:
One of the guys I know says there are about 14 LET-410s based in Goma, mostly making the Walikale run.
One of the guys I know says there are about 14 LET-410s based in Goma, mostly making the Walikale run.
I'm aware of only one company operating 410s near Goma known as Eagle Air back then. I saw a lot more 410s operating in Brazzaville though.
davidbfpo
11-17-2009, 09:22 PM
Police in Germany have arrested two Rwandan militia leaders on suspicion of crimes committed in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ignace Murwanashyaka, the leader of the FDLR rebel group, and his aide Straton Musoni were held on suspicion of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
See:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8364507.stm
Michael F
11-19-2009, 11:30 AM
See:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8364507.stm
I don't reallly believe this should lead to the collapse of the FDLR in the short term. It will affect their morale surely but the political leadership had very little power and money while the military branch is the real power centre of the FDLR.
The political leadership was used for 2 purposes: express in the media the FDLR demands and approve the nomination of the FDLR command. This last point is crucial. Should Mudacamura (the current military commander) be captured or die, several factions inside the FDLR military command would jockey for that position. Without Murwanashyaka to play the middleman, there is a fair chance that the FDLR military branch would divide into internal struggle. This would lead to disorganisation and ultimately, massive waves of FDLR surrendering.
My conclusion so is...now to solve the FDLR problem..
1/ SPOT Mudacamura and his HQ (area of Numbi in North Kivu),
2/ Send some SF to neutralize him and most of his HQ,
3/ Let the succession turn into an internal civil war
Fishing rights (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8370875.stm) in Mobutu's Equateur province and reports of unaccompanied children of the DRC...
More than 50,000 people have fled clashes between two ethnic groups in north-western Democratic Republic of Congo in recent weeks...
More than 100 people were killed, including 47 police officers.
Shortly afterwards about 100 men were arrested and the authorities in DR Congo announced that the problem was over.
Meanwhile, South Africa's miner Metorex (http://cncblog.congonewschannel.net/2009_11_01_archive.html)
said on Wednesday its Ruashi mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo could produce 36,000 tonnes copper per year and up to 5,000 tonnes of cobalt in the long term.
UN-backed forces 'failing' in DR Congo rebel fight
... A leaked UN report (http://www.rnw.nl/int-justice/article/un-backed-forces-failing-dr-congo-rebel-fight) written by a group of experts mandated by the UN to look into violations of an arms embargo says Rwandan-Hutu rebels continue to receive arms supplies and recruit fighters.
It says the UN, fighting alongside Congolese government troops, has failed to halt the illegal mineral trade and has inflamed the humanitarian crisis.
The report says Rwandan fighters continue to enjoy support from senior members of the Congolese military who are supposed to be opposing them.
Tom Odom
11-30-2009, 12:11 PM
The report says Rwandan fighters continue to enjoy support from senior members of the Congolese military who are supposed to be opposing them.
I am shocked, shocked I tell you....
NOT...
Tom
Tom Odom
12-03-2009, 09:07 AM
As a follow up on the Germany arrests:
'We’re everybody’s enemy – that’s how it is to be a Hutu' (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article6935665.ece)
Tristan McConnell in Goma
Dressed in a pink cotton tracksuit, Corporal Innocent Rakundo looks an unlikely member of the FDLR, one of Africa’s most feared rebel armies. He fiddles with a pen as he describes the 15 years he spent living and fighting in the forests of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the shifting web of political allegiances, commercial interests and military power that stretches across the region, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, better known by their French acronym, are out of favour and under siege. The FDLR’s Europe-based president and vicepresident were arrested in Germany this month, charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
M-A Lagrange
12-21-2009, 09:50 AM
MONUC is closing and packing. Kabila wants it. But fortunately, people who still care about Congolese are not all on that line.
http://www.europa-eu-un.org/articles/fr/article_9355_fr.htm
Congo: MEPs condemn violence and call for perpetrators to be brought to justice
Perpetrators of such abuses should be brought to justice, and the activity of armed foreign groups in eastern DRC, in particular the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and troops of Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), should be brought to a swift end, says the resolution, which underlines the need to allow MONUC (the UN operation in DRC) to carry out its mandate in full.
Parliament calls for an immediate end to the violence and human rights abuses in DRC and remains extremely concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in eastern DRC. It backs the appeal by the UN on 30 November 2009 to raise $7.1 billion for humanitarian work in 2010 and urges all Member States to contribute their fair share.
Parliament is concerned at reports of deliberate killings by Congolese soldiers of at least 270 civilians in the towns of Nyabiondo and Pinga in North Kivu and by recent ethnic clashes which have forced 115,000 people to flee their homes in the Western Equateur province.
Conflict in the DRC has claimed the lives of 5,400,000 people since 1998 and is still causing, directly or indirectly, as many as 45,000 deaths every month. There are some 1,460,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the DRC, including 980,000 in North Kivu.
The arrest of Ignace Murrwanashyaka, President of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) and his deputy, Straton Musoni by German authorities, is a step towards addressing impunity, says the resolution.
MONUC is not the best thing in the world, far from it. But it's the only one who does officially care of congolese people...:(
A brief read of this report sums up the frustration and confusion MONUC's leadership faces. I almost agree with Doss' statement. He has 20,000 men, huge expectations and a fuzzy mandate.
New York, 18 December 2009 (http://monuc.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=932&ctl=Details&mid=1096&ItemID=6837) - Mr. Doss also said that MONUC’s complex mandate had “sometimes raised expectations beyond the mission’s resources or capabilities.”
Then we get to the meat of the matter
This was the price of peace.
Mr President,
The Council has stipulated that MONUC support for the FARDC is contingent upon the respect for human rights, international humanitarian law and refugee law.
Unfortunately, with the recent round of integration and demobilization of Congolese armed groups the problem of discipline in the FARDC has worsened.
It is essential therefore that security sector reform address this recurring problem through a structured process of vetting and training and by ensuring that the security forces are paid regularly and on time.
Certainly not rocket science. Pity, we knew this in 91.
Congolese Style (http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/AMMF-7Z8TDW?OpenDocument&RSS20=18) :wry:
Shortly following MONUC’s mandate extension through 31 May 2010 (http://monuc.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=932&ctl=Details&mid=2070&ItemID=6955) and indications that the mandate would be further extended 12 months beyond that date, the ever appreciative opposition sent some members death threats :eek:
In a new release, the mission, known as MONUC, said that three members of the UN Joint Human Rights Office and seven members of a local human rights organizations received anonymous death threats on their mobile phones on 24 December.
And a little awareness advice to the parents...
... Jean Sayinzoga, the chairman of the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, warned parents to prevent their children from participating in the ongoing war in Eastern DRC between dissidents of the FDLR and between the Congolese army (FARDC) and its allies.
He was obviously addressing the all volunteer force?
Jedburgh
03-22-2010, 01:03 PM
Ash Center, 1 Feb 10: Innovations for Post-Conflict Transitions: The United Nations Development Program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/cache/documents/10494/1049474.pdf)
....This report examines the organizational dimensions of the UNDP office in the DRC, and analyzes its most important program innovations. Section I describes the difficult country and regional contexts in which the office operated. Section II explores the unique institutional vision and leadership by which the UNDP emerged as a key agent in the DRC. Section III analyzes innovation and scope of procurement and delivery. Section IV discusses Security Sector Reform—disarmament, demobilization and reintegration—as keys to post-conflict development in the DRC. Section V offers conclusions based on the findings of the report.....
I welcome correction or criticism, especially from Tom (the regional SME), but it seems to me that guns-for-bikes is better thought out than gun-for-cash.
Cash seems likely to get re-invested in better guns or spent on drugs, ladies of negotiable affection, etc. Bikes can be the basis for several service industries (all manner of delivery services and travelling tradesmen), support to commuting further than walking is practical for, and creates the need for a supporting industry (bike repair). Sort of like the priciple behind 'micro-loans'.
This having been said, all of the reservations about re-use of the swapped guns, broken/worn-out guns being swapped, accuracy of reporting by the reverend, etc are, sadly, beyond dispute.
I welcome correction or criticism, especially from Tom (the regional SME), but it seems to me that guns-for-bikes is better thought out than gun-for-cash.
I’ll wing this one without too much criticism based on a decade of living there (Tom can chime in when he is well rested).
First off, an armed Congolese has little use for trading a firearm for a bike or cash. Both are obtainable at gunpoint (got to think like they do if you hope to make any sense of this). Cash is however a better incentive than say a bicycle.
Cash seems likely to get re-invested in better guns or spent on drugs, ladies of negotiable affection, etc. Bikes can be the basis for several service industries (all manner of delivery services and travelling tradesmen), support to commuting further than walking is practical for, and creates the need for a supporting industry (bike repair). Sort of like the priciple behind 'micro-loans'.
Cash in the Congo is rarely spent on better weapons, and alcohol and ladies are too easily obtainable. Purchasing “better” weapons is not a task for the common individual. Of all the people I met and worked with, I never met one interested in commuting, delivering services or for that matter, working.
This having been said, all of the reservations about re-use of the swapped guns, broken/worn-out guns being swapped, accuracy of reporting by the reverend, etc are, sadly, beyond dispute.
Tom has a valid point – the traded weapon(s) will not be destroyed and the bartering cycle will merely start all over again.
The reverend much like several organizations tend to over-rate their so-called foothold or status with government officials in the DRC. Such relationships rarely work without cash and are at best short-lived adventures.
M-A Lagrange
03-24-2010, 06:25 AM
Unfortunatelly I would like to support both Tom and Stan, but I would like that such projects goes fine with results.
Reallity shows that the arrest of Gedeon, the may-may leader in what was called the triangle of death (le triangle de la mort) in Katanga had more impact than this project.
Also, I would like to add that the reverent or the church which did that, did it with Kabila support.
The same exercise of DDR through the church was done in 2008/2009 in Kinshasa. It appears that the church and the program was lead by Kabila spirtuam mentor and that most of the weapons recovered were from FARDC.
Not talking of the fact that they were paying 200$ per waepon turned back and that a weapon on the border market with Angola was 50$.
Some very mean people even said that it was a decoy to import illegaly weapons by Kabila government...
The main problem is not the weapon I believe but what we can offert on the long run for reintegration to young men (and women) that are not willing to go back to a ####ty life spent in surviving through farming.
Main problem being they are illeterate and alccolic most of the time (and drug addict also).
...Of all the people I met and worked with, I never met one interested in commuting, delivering services or for that matter, working.
One faulty assumption and a beautiful theory is ruined. What's Wilf's sign-off line again?
:rolleyes:
The main problem is not the weapon I believe but what we can offert on the long run for reintegration to young men (and women) that are not willing to go back to a ####ty life spent in surviving through farming.
Main problem being they are illeterate and alccolic most of the time (and drug addict also).
Being that Congo is Congo, there probably is no positive incentive or inducement to convince the people M-A speaks of to give up their life of crime. That leaves the other inducement, give it up or you will be killed. The ####ty life of a farmer looks better in that light. The problem of course is making the threat a realistic one. The UN mostly won't do anything and the FARDC either can't or is worse than anybody else.
I actually did know Congolese who were very good workers. The guys who worked for us were mostly go getters. A few were very good at stealing but we were able to keep that sort of thing in check, sort of. Some of them were pretty brave too. After the big fight in 2007, some of Bemba's men came to the airport and demanded of the guards that they unlock the hanger doors. The guards gave them a sob story but didn't unlock the doors. Bemba's boys unloaded a magazine or two into the hanger out of frustration but didn't hit anybody or damage an aircraft. I really respected those guards for doing that.
We were able to be pretty selective in hiring though. Everybody wanted to work for the airplane company.
The organisation said more than 200,000 people had fled the violence since a tribal dispute over fishing rights flared in October and a local witchdoctor led an attack on Dongo, 100 km (62 miles) north of Mbandaka, killing hundreds.
Equateur's Vice Governor Vincent Mokako said Mbandaka had been taken by surprise on Easter Sunday when 100-150 fighters attacked as people were attending mass, and that the civilian population was still hiding in its houses on Monday.
Analysts said a long-standing row between the Enyele, a sub-tribe of the Lobala, and the Boba, may have been hijacked by groups trying to foment trouble in the region, which was once favoured by government but is now an opposition stronghold.
This is the link to the Reuters story the above quote came from.
http://af.reuters.com/article/drcNews/idAFLDE6340BZ20100405?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true
This is the first I've heard of this. Tom, Stan, M-A, Michael, are you guys familiar with the groups involved?
(Moderator: I didn't know where to put this so I put it here. No problem)
M-A Lagrange
04-10-2010, 07:24 AM
Mbandaka problem is not new and is like the Bororo problematic. An economical crises with competition over natural ressources goes crazy and ends up into a violent limited scale conflict.
What is important with this incident is that it takes place in the coming of the presidential elections. Kabila has lost a lot of his credibility and Bemba is in jail for war crimes... But some would like Bemba to come back.
I am interrested to know who are the analyst who see a shadow hand behind this. The only one I really see having the capacity to have such communication campaign is MONUC. MONUC is being kick out from DRC and need to prove they still are needed there.
More practically, you cannot see a protracted insurgency being every militia/armed groups in DRC. But it is clear that the autoritarian Kabila regime approach does not hel neither.
I would recommand to have a look at the last ICG report on DRC.
M-A Lagrange
04-10-2010, 03:22 PM
According to the minister of Communication and Media, the assailants were residual troops from the «Armée Nzobo ya Lombo» (village bandits), who claim to be part of the Mouvement de Libération indépendante des Alliés with Ibrahim Mangbama, as président, and his son Undjani, as head of military. The group was defeated by the 321 FARDC in Kungu. Among them it is said there are former DSP from Mobutu and DPP from Bemba.
I do not know if there is a shadow hand behind that but the mess left by LRA in the area can give idea to anyone. And you can fund a armed group with not even 50 000$ in DRC… :D
Hey Carl,
I'm thinking much like MA herein :eek:
Most of the French articles use words like "temporarily occupied" and "disruptive" as if it was a power outage in Kinshasa (of which there were many).
Bemba was and perhaps still is a big deal in Equateur. He certainly was when I lived next-door to him (loved his .50 cal machine gun nest at the front gate :cool: ).
Not too sure about the witchdoctor twist. The Zairois were always a bit superstitious, but they mostly stoned and killed them (similar to killing someone in a car accident and taking revenge on the living driver/passengers).
Gonda
06-20-2010, 12:31 AM
Hey, I'm the nephew of Phillip Gonda, one of the people who ran Air Excellence, and was asked recently if I had any photos of the airport and the company, I have not been able to dig up much, searching around I wonder if anyone on here has any images of the airport at any time, please post them! thank you!
Just watched this on CNN (http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/08/24/drc.rebels.rape/index.html?iref=allsearch#fbid=dmRU0mOdJ0d&wom=false) and my better half almost puked at the very thought (as well as my cold reaction to such a horrific set of events).
(CNN) -- Two armed groups raped more than 150 women in a village in the volatile North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a four-day spree, a United Nations official said Monday.
She no longer wonders why I turned down a lucrative tour with a humanitarian EOD element in the DRC :wry:
Truly, a sad state.
Hey Stan. How are you doing?
Last August, Jorban posted about the FARDC 1st Batt. Rapid Reaction Force the he was helping to train. Have you heard anything more about that? Has anyone else heard more about that? According to last years posts, the unit should be in Kisangani now.
Tom Odom
08-25-2010, 01:03 PM
Hey, I'm the nephew of Phillip Gonda, one of the people who ran Air Excellence, and was asked recently if I had any photos of the airport and the company, I have not been able to dig up much, searching around I wonder if anyone on here has any images of the airport at any time, please post them! thank you!
Gonda
Welcome and my best to Phillip. I assume you are talking Ndolo and not Ndjili? Stan would be a good bet on pics as would Carl.
Tom
Hey Carl,
OH... not too bad all things considered !
According to this link (http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/02/18/34756-us-and-drc-in-partnership-to-train-model-congolese-battalion/), things are just hunky dory in Kisangani :rolleyes:
... help preserve the territorial integrity of the DRC, and develop an army that is accountable to the Congolese people.
And it didn't take long for this next question either...
Several members of the press and civil society asked whether U.S. Africa Command was building a base in the DRC.
Regards, Stan
Hey Stan. How are you doing?
Last August, Jorban posted about the FARDC 1st Batt. Rapid Reaction Force the he was helping to train. Have you heard anything more about that? Has anyone else heard more about that? According to last years posts, the unit should be in Kisangani now.
Hey Gonda,
As a matter of fact, I hung out with your uncle and Julie most weekends making pizza and generally getting smashed - not much to do following a civil war and total evacuation :)
I'll have a look around, but I doubt I have much from that time when Air Excellence was up and running.
There are some Swedes from TAZ that also hung out with us, but I have no clue where they might be these days.
Where is your uncle these days ?
Regards, Stan
Hey, I'm the nephew of Phillip Gonda, one of the people who ran Air Excellence, and was asked recently if I had any photos of the airport and the company, I have not been able to dig up much, searching around I wonder if anyone on here has any images of the airport at any time, please post them! thank you!
Gonda
Welcome and my best to Phillip. I assume you are talking Ndolo and not Ndjili? Stan would be a good bet on pics as would Carl.
Tom
M-A Lagrange
08-25-2010, 06:22 PM
Hey Carl,
OH... not too bad all things considered !
According to this link (http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/02/18/34756-us-and-drc-in-partnership-to-train-model-congolese-battalion/), things are just hunky dory in Kisangani :rolleyes:
And it didn't take long for this next question either...
Regards, Stan
Now, FARDC have to become warriors... Which may take more time than training them to be soldiers. :wry:
Tom Odom
08-25-2010, 06:29 PM
The United States of America and the Democratic Republic of Congo are committed to a partnership to train and professionalize a FARDC battalion that will respect and protect the Congolese people...
"We are training an initial battalion," Garvelink added, "and hopefully that's a platform from which additional training of Congolese troops can be done by very well trained Congolese troops. So we hope that the training will continue and expand under the direction and leadership of the Congolese military itself."
One battalion, just one, would be a miracle...we have now tried to do that off and on for half a century.
Bonne chance
Bon courage
Tom
M-A Lagrange
08-25-2010, 06:46 PM
"We are training an initial battalion," Garvelink added, "and hopefully that's a platform from which additional training of Congolese troops can be done by very well trained Congolese troops. So we hope that the training will continue and expand under the direction and leadership of the Congolese military itself."
If I well remember, the pretorian guard from Kabila and his first circle were "well trained" and almost disciplined. (more or less)
They were the ones sent in a first time to Dungu and the relation with the population were not that bad.
The main point at that time was the fact that they got payed regularly (as you know, Tom and Stan, the main problem) and not too badly. Which will be the remaining issue over time anyways.
But yes, 1 bataillion on the what? 20 of the FARDC + the integrated not too mixed former NCDP... Does not make much.
Tom Odom
08-25-2010, 07:10 PM
M-A
I have come to believe that pay while important as a factor in the behavior of troops is not the deciding factor. that is especially true when discussing the Congo.
The critical element is a central belief that the role of the soldier is to serve honorably, regardless of mission and circumstance. Tied to that is a real sense of national pride that lasts longer than the initial exchange of fire. Most Congolese forces never received fire because they never fought anyone who could shoot back.
You can buy uniformed thugs all day long in the Congo; whoever pays the head legume the best rate, gets the best thugs. Every single donor/sponsor who has ever spent a dime in the Congo has used this same approach; create a new unit. Call it special and pay it a bit more than its contemporaries. Here is the list:
--France: 31st Para
--Egypt: Guarde Civile
--Israel: President Special Brigade (and later Division)
--US: Military logistics support and special programs (air force and other)
--Belgium: Army units and the SARM
--PRC: Kaymanyola Division
A mutual friend of Stan and I recounted jumping is A Team with the 31st Para when they were at their best in the mid-80s. When one of the SF guys was injured, the 31st Paras nearest him immediatle set upon robbing him--until he pulled a sidearm and held them off.
Kabila's thugs were from his long standing cadres bucked up with a stiffening of Rwandan "advisors".
I remain a severe sceptic when it comes to the Congo and its various militaries.
Tom
M-A Lagrange
08-25-2010, 07:24 PM
Actually, I tend to agree with you.
I made some research on the military tradition in Congo and my personnal opinion is that since 16th century, the army has a tradition of brigant and no more a tradition of soldiers. :(
I came to that conclusion through the study of the evolution of the military engagement of Kongo empire and the various effect of first the slave trade by europeans, and then the mercenaries of Leopold and the belgium colonisation.
Qui vivra verra...
Let see, one day may be...
Tom Odom
08-25-2010, 08:48 PM
Actually, I tend to agree with you.
I made some research on the military tradition in Congo and my personnal opinion is that since 16th century, the army has a tradition of brigant and no more a tradition of soldiers. :(
I came to that conclusion through the study of the evolution of the military engagement of Kongo empire and the various effect of first the slave trade by europeans, and then the mercenaries of Leopold and the belgium colonisation.
Qui vivra verra...
Let see, one day may be...
I see we are in agreement.
The issue is tied to why I found Hochschild's book, King Leopold's Ghost ultimately patronizing. For all the faults of the Congo Free State and King Leopold, the horrors of the Congo were not merely a product of the Europeans who exploited the area and the people. King Leopold did not commit the original sin by biting the African apple, although he was infamous for declaring his desire for a slice of the African cake.
C'est le Congo
Tom
Hey MA !
Since the three of us are reminiscing about Zaire/DRC, I might add that Kabila was also known for shutting down Telecel without a single shot being fired :eek:
Under his guiding helm, government (unpaid) receivables came to the tune of about 25 million bucks. No wonder he could afford to pay his thugs well ;)
Even under Sese Seko and 3 pillages, Telecel for all it was and was not, still functioned.
I recall the constant concerns at Country Team meetings as the end of the month neared. While pay was certainly a good indicator of what would follow, as Tom put it so well, there was just no national pride. The FAZ certainly was not concerned with public opinion polls - more fear factor would be the trick.
The MTT I led back when Kinshasa was Kin La Belle, nearly died before our men were in place. Nearly all of the tools and spares were stolen before training even began. It was clear from the start that these articles were to be later donated to the state, and that obviously meant someone else higher on the food chain would have dibbs :D
Regards, Stan
If I well remember, the pretorian guard from Kabila and his first circle were "well trained" and almost disciplined. (more or less)
They were the ones sent in a first time to Dungu and the relation with the population were not that bad.
The main point at that time was the fact that they got payed regularly (as you know, Tom and Stan, the main problem) and not too badly. Which will be the remaining issue over time anyways.
But yes, 1 bataillion on the what? 20 of the FARDC + the integrated not too mixed former NCDP... Does not make much.
M-A Lagrange
08-26-2010, 07:08 AM
I see we are in agreement.
The issue is tied to why I found Hochschild's book, King Leopold's Ghost ultimately patronizing. For all the faults of the Congo Free State and King Leopold, the horrors of the Congo were not merely a product of the Europeans who exploited the area and the people. King Leopold did not commit the original sin by biting the African apple, although he was infamous for declaring his desire for a slice of the African cake.
C'est le Congo
Tom
Tom,
Well, we can be in agreement. Not on everything but that's life.
I personally think that what ever Leopold did, he just emplfied an existing behaviour.
What really estanished me in my research was that before the coming of the Portugese and then the Brits and the French in Kongo Empire, the notion of soldier was pretty much "modern".
Alright, they fought on other tribes and killed women and children and took slaves but it was for defense purpose or to expend the imperium of the Empire. Which was not that unified but still, had some very common roots with what was done in Europe at that time. The Army was a nobel profession and its purpose to defend the land and the people.
When the Portugeses arrived, they disturbed that military tradition by imposing slave trade to a first willing King and then an unwilling King. After the fall of the last King of Kongo, the army tradition changed and the practice of razzia and political deportation through slave trade became the army bread and butter.
Leopold's mercenaries came after and took benefit from it.
I do believe that it did influence deeply the Congolese understanding of governance and security management.
Stan,
You're so right. the network was so crazy in Goma. But what was funny in the end was that we all figured out that if celtel was down it would mean someone is coming or CNDP was giving trouble to the FARDC.
We just had to look at the UN choppers:
If they were in the sky: VIP visit, :rolleyes:
If none in the sky: CNDP. :D (great parties to forget that the city was only protected by Nkunda will to not take it).
C'est comme ca. Petit a petit, l'oiseau fait son nid.
M-A
Hmmm...
Tout d’abord, l’oiseau doit s’assurer qu’il est en sécurité
;)
C'est comme ca. Petit a petit, l'oiseau fait son nid.
M-A
M-A Lagrange
08-26-2010, 04:41 PM
Yes, well... The bird is here to be eaten in the end :D
But tell me, Did you, or Tom, put your hands on the last report from the Human Rights Commission fom the UN on the war crimes in DRC between 96 and 2003 ?
Apparently, sometimes, even for wolfs time are tuff.
I'll be happy to get a copy, could not find it in open sources yet.
I read about the leaked report at this blog (http://congosiasa.blogspot.com/2010/08/un-mapping-report-leaked-crime-of.html), but I haven't seen it on any of the secured sites I frequent. But then, most of the sites I work with probably couldn't find the DRC on a map :D
Yes, well... The bird is here to be eaten in the end :D
But tell me, Did you, or Tom, put your hands on the last report from the Human Rights Commission fom the UN on the war crimes in DRC between 96 and 2003 ?
Apparently, sometimes, even for wolfs time are tuff.
I'll be happy to get a copy, could not find it in open sources yet.
Rex Brynen
08-28-2010, 05:03 PM
U.N. Congo Report Offers New View on Genocide (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/world/africa/28congo.html?_r=1&ref=global-home)
By HOWARD W. FRENCH
New York Times
Published: August 27, 2010
A forthcoming United Nations report on 10 years of extraordinary violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo bluntly challenges the conventional history of events there after the 1994 Rwandan genocide, charging that invading troops from Rwanda and their rebel allies killed tens of thousands of members of the Hutu ethnic group, including many civilians.
Killings in Congo and Rwanda have led to long inquiries.
The 545-page report on 600 of the country’s most serious reported atrocities raises the question of whether Rwanda could be found guilty of genocide against Hutu during the war in neighboring Congo, but says international courts would need to rule on individual cases.
...
While Rwanda and Congolese rebel forces have always claimed that they attacked Hutu militias who were sheltered among civilians, the United Nations report documents deliberate reprisal attacks on civilians.
The report says that the apparently systematic nature of the massacres “suggests that the numerous deaths cannot be attributed to the hazards of war or seen as equating to collateral damage.” It continues, “The majority of the victims were children, women, elderly people and the sick, who were often undernourished and posed no threat to the attacking forces.”
The existence of the United Nations document, titled Democratic Republic of Congo, 1993-2003, was first reported by the French daily newspaper Le Monde. But participants in the drafting of the report have described its progress and difficulties over a period of seven months to The New York Times, which obtained the most recent version of the report.
...
The release of the report appears to have been delayed in part over fears of the reaction of the Rwandan government, which has long enjoyed strong diplomatic support from the United States and Britain. There is concern in the United Nations that Rwanda might end its participation in peacekeeping operations in retaliation for the report.
...
M-A Lagrange
08-28-2010, 05:49 PM
The release of the report appears to have been delayed in part over fears of the reaction of the Rwandan government, which has long enjoyed strong diplomatic support from the United States and Britain. There is concern in the United Nations that Rwanda might end its participation in peacekeeping operations in retaliation for the report.
Not sure that would be such a bad thing. We cannot have 2 weights for such things as genocides. What ever your contribution is, the political challenge of replacing you (and please not by zimbabwean soldiers...) cannot compete with the gravity of the crime.
Not sure that would be such a bad thing. We cannot have 2 weights for such things as genocides. What ever your contribution is, the political challenge of replacing you (and please not by zimbabwean soldiers...) cannot compete with the gravity of the crime.
When the (Zimbabwean) Gukurahundi genocide took place in the early 80's the Brits (Margret *#@*# Thatcher) let it slide, then the Rwandan and Bosnian genocides saw Bill #@*#@ Clinton frozen in indecision after the "Black Hawk Down" debacle just sit on his hands.
Did anyone think a deterrent with regard to mass murder/rape and genocide had been established? I suggest the thugs of the world thought "see they got away with it then so can I".
Now we read that some gutless bureaucrats at the UN delay the publication of the report based on a concern about upsetting the (alleged) perpetrator.
When was the last time we had significant political leader with balls?
Dayuhan
09-06-2010, 10:18 PM
When was the last time we had significant political leader with balls?
When was the last time we had the political will to support intervention in Africa? Political leaders in a democracy are accountable to their constituents, not to their testicles, or to anyone's perception of the greatest good of humankind. For better or for worse, voters in the US and Europe aren't willing to see their governments commit large scale resources to interventions in Africa. It's not a question of balls, it's a question of popular support, and it just isn't there.
Rex Brynen
11-13-2010, 02:16 AM
There hasn't been much activity on the Air Combat Information Group website lately (a great resource on some of the lesser-known modern air wars)... but a few days ago, this update popped up:
Zaire/DR Congo 1980 - 2001 (http://s188567700.online.de/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=246&Itemid=47)
The last 15 years of the civil war in Congo have seen quite some use of air power as well - frequently at an unexpectedly (and largely unknown) high level. Considering the size of the country and the number of involved fractions, as well as the complexity of this conflict however, this is not surprising. This exclusive report was prepared on the basis of years of intensive research, which enabled the authors to privde very in-depth information about composition and operations of involved air forces, but also about the general conduct of this war.
To my non-expert eyes, well worth a read for those interested in the conflict.
Colin Robinson
11-14-2010, 06:16 AM
Probably anyone who's interested has already seen that the UN Mapping Report has been leaked on Scribd.com, but just in case:-
http://www.scribd.com/doc/38549929/UN-Report-On-Kagame-Congo-Atrocities-Genocide-Uncensored-Version-Leaked-Aug-27-2010
Cheers
M-A Lagrange
03-26-2011, 12:40 PM
Two Genocide suspects arrested in Belgium
from Brussels indicate that Belgian authorities, Tuesday morning, arrested two Rwandans accused of taking part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Ernest Gakwaya, alias Camarade, and Emmanuel Nkunzuwimye, also known as Bomboko, were picked up from their residences, in the wee hours and taken into custody.
Both were notorious members of the Interahamwe militia,
When contacted, the Prosecutor General, Martin Ngoga, told The New Times that his office has not been officially informed, but had heard about it.
“We have for years, been jointly working with Belgian investigators on these cases. The arrests do not come as a surprise, it was expected,” Ngoga said.
According to survivors, Ernest Gakwaya, alias Camarade, is a notorious name in Nyamirambo, a popular Kigali suburb. As an ardent member of the Interahamwe 16 years ago, he left an indelible mark in the widespread killings during the Genocide.
Nkunzuwimye, on the other hand, was the side-kick of Jean Marie Vianney Mudahinyuka, alias Zuzu, Who was recently deported from the USA.
He is currently serving a 19-year jail sentence that had been passed down in absentia by a Gacaca court.
Difficult to say it's a bad news. But difficult to say it's a good one. The both of them were invited by Kagame in Rwanda and would have remained un arrested if they decided to stay there.
But still, one by one... The hunt is going on
davidbfpo
04-29-2011, 05:15 PM
A C4 documentary in the excellent series Un-Reported World, with Aidan Hartley as reporter and alas only two days left on the web left. Link to summary and the programme itself:http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/episode-guide/series-2011/episode-2
I have adjusted the thread's title; I had thought there was a thread on the subject already.
David:
That was quite interesting. I thought most child soldiers were abducted. According to this production many of them are displaced from their families for one reason or another. If they were in Kinshasa they would have become shegues, streets kids. There are tens of thousands of shegues in Kin. They often group up in small numbers and make their way somehow. In Kin they become shegues, in the east they go into the bush with the Mai Mai or whoever. Interesting.
M-A Lagrange
04-30-2011, 07:56 AM
In 2004, in Ituri, some child soldiers explained to me that they were "recruted". May-May, UPC and Bemba soldiers would come to see them in the bush after an attack did occure in a close by village. The officers would tell them that there parents were dead or that the village would be attack soon and they could protect them.
On this, I advise to follow the Lubanga and Katanga trials at ICP.
davidbfpo
05-09-2011, 11:39 AM
A US observer directed my attention to this book, the full title is: ''Dancing in the glory of monsters: The collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa' by Jason K. Stearns, which was reviewed in the Washington Post:http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/jason-k-stearnss-dancing-in-the-glory-of-monsters-on-the-congo/2011/02/18/AFAQlBQE_story.html
This thread has a strong Rwandan theme and so I enjoyed this military feat:
Stearns describes the Kitona airlift of 1998, a daring raid that, had it been carried out by Americans, would be the subject of movies. Instead of advancing on foot again, the Rwandans commandeered a Boeing 707 and sent a tiny force leapfrogging across the country, hoping to take the capital, Kinshasa, by surprise. They had a secret deal that the Congolese garrison at a nearby airstrip would switch sides and welcome them, but they were not sure it would be honored. As they approached, the pilot fretted that they would be shot down. The top Rwandan officer on board told him not to worry and radioed to a man he said was the commander on the ground. A surprisingly clear voice reassured the pilot that it was safe to land. He did not realize that he was talking to a Rwandan officer lounging in the back of the plane. The Rwandans captured the airstrip, flew in reinforcements, seized a dam and cut off the power supply to Kinshasa....
Link to Amazon.com for reviews plus:http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Glory-Monsters-Collapse-Africa/dp/1586489291/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1304940958&sr=1-1
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.