Now you guys decide to become serious ...
just when I was about to call Gino to get him out of retirement and into a seat next to Carl - then a Blue Goosing they would go. :D:):D
Regards
Mike
Lost in teh heart of the dark continent
Quickly, I would like to share a feeling of non comprehension and astonishment about US policy in the Great Lakes.
Somehow, I feel lost about what the US are trying to do in the Kivu.
On one side we have Washington screaming that elections were flawed, non credible and must be, at least, recounted. On the other hand we have US diplomats shouting to who wants to hear it that they are 100% with DRC government to increase military cooperation to fight FDLR and other peace spoilers.
I mean, is there any logic in the US foreign policies?
What’s going on between US and DRC?
Quote:
Congo-Kinshasa: Tension Grips City Amid Revolt Rumours
BY JUAKALI KAMBALE, 4 FEBRUARY 2012
Kinshasa — Tension remains high in the Democratic Republic of Congo's city of Goma after rumours of an attempted revolt went public.
A military attempt against local authorities by disgruntled politicians was planned for Sunday, according to Mr Ernest Kyaviro, the spokesman of the governor of North Kivu province.
Two policemen and two bodyguards were killed in an operation to thwart the mutiny at the home of a member of the outgoing National Assembly.
Mr Bakungu Mitondeke residence was among those searched for firearms.
Police allegedly recovered some automatic machine guns, ammunitions and military uniforms from Mr Mitondeke's residence.
However, Gen Vainqueur Mayala, the military chief commander of the province, has denied knowledge of any such attempt in the province.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201202050022.html
Yesterday, the UDPS secretary General was arrested for few hours by secret police ANR while he was going to attend to a conference in Germany.
The pro Kabila press is all over the military cooperation between US and DRC. They just announced the training of a battalion by US military in Kinshasa.
Quote:
Les Etats-Unis vont former un bataillon spécial à Kinshasa dans le cadre du renforcement de la coopération militaire RDC-USA
Les Etats-Unis comptent renforcer les capacités des Forces armées de la RDC avec la formation d’un bataillon spécial à Kinshasa. L’annonce a été faite par l’AFRICOM.
http://www.digitalcongo.net/article/81232
(I translate)
The US will train a special battalion in Kinshasa as part of the reinforcement of military cooperation between US and DRC
The US espect to reinforce FARDC capacities with the training of a special battalion in Kinshasa. The announcement was done by AFRICOM.
DRC government is increasing its pressure on political opposition. And in the same time, US army is developing DRC government military capacities (to repress political opposition to Kabila?). Under the cover that even if elections were fraudulent, it was a step in the good direction?????:confused:
I never thought that Kabila had so many dedicated friends in the US administration.
Stan, even Tom would have found this a little inappropriate. What’s going on?
I am sincerely not sure that increasing DRC governement military capacities will ease any of the SSR and JSR or even bring any peace in the Great Lakes.
The idea that dictatorship is better than weak democracy is just a stupid one. Look at the results in Ivory Coast and Senegal!
Let’s have a look at what is going on in North Kivu…
… militarily wise :rolleyes:
First: the DRC government analyse of the situation:
Quote:
Insécurité à l’Est : Mwando en a parlé avec Meece
Le ministre congolais de la Défense nationale, Charles Mwando Nsimba, s’est entretenu lundi 30 janvier avec le chef de la Mission onusienne de "stabilisation" au Congo, le très controversé Roger Meece. L‘entretien s’est déroulé à l’état major général des FARDC (Forces armées de la RD Congo). Les deux hommes se sont contentés de constater ce que tout le monde savait. A savoir que la situation sécuritaire à l’Est est «préoccupante».
http://www.congoindependant.com/arti...articleid=7086
(I translate)
Insecurity in East : Mwando talk about it with Meece
The Congolese Minister of Defense, Charles Mwando Nsimba, had a talk this Monday 30 january with the head of UN stabilization mission in DRC, the very controversial Roger Meece. The meeting was hold at the FARDC HQ. The 2 men only came to the conclusion that everybody knows: security context in East is preoccupying.
Now the OCHA point of view:
Quote:
OCHA/NORD-KIVU RAPPORT HEBDOMADAIRE AU 11 JANVIER 2012
Plus de 35 000 personnes seraient déplacées sur l’axe Walikale – Kibua suite aux affrontements armés
http://www.rdc-humanitaire.net/index...1-janvier-2012
OCHA/NORTH KIVU Weekly Report 11 January 2012
Population displacement on Walikale-Kibua road could be over 35 000 individuals
Now the DRC Government response:
Quote:
Nord-Kivu : les FARDC promettent de «nettoyer» les FDLR à WalikaleSelon radiookapi.net, le porte-parole de l’opération Amani leo, le colonel Sylvain Ekenge, a indiqué que des actions des forces loyalistes sont envisagées pour rétablir de l’ordre dans ce site minier.
«Face à la situation actuelle où il y a des affrontements entre les FDLR et les Maï-Maï Cheka, il y a des actions qui sont envisagées dans le secteur et on a pris toutes les dispositions pour que le secteur soit nettoyé des FDLR et des Maï-Maï Cheka. Et, on va ramener le calme dans le secteur de Omate pour permettre aux opérateurs économiques de Omate et Bisiye de vaquer librement à leurs occupations», a-t-il dit.
http://www.lepotentiel.com/afficher_...article=119524
(Itranslate)
North Kivu : FARDC swear they will “clean up” Walikale from FDLRAccording to Radio Okapi (the UN radio station), the Amani Leo operation spoke man, colonel Sylvain Ekenge, has informed that actions by loyalist forces are under review to bring back order in this mining site.
“Actually there are combats between Mayi-Mayi Cheka and FDLR, actions are under review in the area and we took all the measures for this area to be cleaned up from FDLR and Mayi-Mayi Cheka. And we will bring back order and calm in the Omate sector for the economical actors from Omate and Bisiye to work freely.” He said.
Finally the result:
Quote:
Nord-Kivu : les FARDC reprennent deux carrés miniers de Walikale
L’armée régulière congolaise (FARDC) a repris lundi 6 février le contrôle des carrés miniers de Bisié et Omate, dans le territoire de Walikale, au Nord Kivu, à l’issue de combats avec les miliciens Maï-Maï de Cheka. Ces deux localités étaient occupées depuis près d’une année par divers groupes armés nationaux et étrangers.
Deux combattants Maï-Maï ont été capturés lors de ces opérations qui entrent dans le cadre du nettoyage du secteur de Walikale par les FARDC.
http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012...s-de-walikale/
(Itranslate)
FARDC take back 2 mining areas in Walikale
FARDC has taken back on Monday 6 February 2012 control over the mining sites of Bisiye and Omate in Walikale territory, in North Kivu, after combats with Mayi-Mayi Cheka. Those 2 localities were occupied since approximately a year by various national and international armed groups.
2 Mayi-Mayi combatants have been made prisoners during those operations that enter in the frame of Walikale pacification.
I think it is quite clear…
FARDC, in North Kivu, as UN experts panel did demonstrate, are under Bosco Ngatanga command. Bosco Ngatanga is a war criminal wanted by the ICC and, according to UN panel Experts, he is at the head of illegal mineral trade in North Kivu.
Now, AFRICOM is going to train those guys to be more efficient? Oh Boy!
Quote:
This is one of the things Tom and I had to constantly deal with - our image and the right thing to do. But, communicating problems is not always good for one's career path
Stan, I know exactly what you mean and how it feels. :D
DR Congo: Learning the Lessons
The analyses of DRC legislative elections by ICG:
Quote:
DR Congo: Learning the Lessons
The political complexion of the National Assembly remains much the same but there are some subtle changes.
Whether the results are credible or not, they unquestionably reveal some major trends:
■the political landscape is more fragmented;
■the presidential camp has lost some ground but not lost its dominant position;
■the opposition has renewed its ranks without significantly improving its overall position;
■Congolese politics is divided along ethnic-provincial lines.
http://www.crisisgroupblogs.org/afri...g-the-lessons/