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Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
September
15, 2008: European Union diplomats,
African Union and United Nations representatives, and US diplomats have asked
that all Congolese and militia forces in the eastern Congo withdraw to
positions which they held in August 2008. A new bout of fighting broke out in
late August, with North Kivu province taking the brunt of the fighting.
September
11, 2008: UN peacekeeping forces in eastern Congo were moved to block movements
by General Laurent Nkunda's CNDP militia. Nkunda is moving to attack an FDLR
(Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) militia unit.
September
10, 2008: One of the biggest problems during the Great Congo War was looting of
natural resources. Uganda was accused to looting in Equateur Province and that
remains a diplomatic issue dividing Congo and Uganda. For the last two years,
the looting continues. The Congolese Army and the FDLR are running mining
operations -meaning that the leaders of the units are selling the minerals. At
least one gold mine is being run by a militia group.
September 9,
2008: The army has moved troops into northeastern Congo to try to stop the
Ugandan rebel Lords Resistance Army from attacking civilians. This is
considered a "containment operation," using at least 2000 soldiers. Uganda has
been demanding for at least two years that the UN and Congo close LRA bases in
the Congo.
September 4,
2008: Congo agreed to withdraw 1000 Congolese Army soldiers and their families
from a cantonment in the Virunga National Park. Environmentalists argued that
the troops and their families (all told about 6000 people) were degrading the
park and threatening mountain gorillas who live in the region. A gorilla
victory?
September 3,
2008: Angry Congolese living in the Rutshuru area (eastern Congo) threw stones
at and surrounded a UN convoy passing through the area. Two UN troops (both
Indians) were hurt in the incident. The Congolese were angry because the UN was
pulling Congolese troops out of their village in order to create a "buffer"
between a militia group and the Congolese Army. The area around Rutshuru has
experienced several firefights since late August.
September 1,
2008: General Laurent Nkunda's militia was once again fighting with the FDLR in
North Kivu province.
August 30,
2008: Congo closed its border with Uganda, claiming the move would help cut
supplies to General Laurent Nkunda's militia. Congo has accused "outsiders" (in
this case, Uganda, but sometimes Rwanda) of supporting Nkunda. Nkunda says his
militia protects Congolese Tutsi tribes.
