Congo

Stop Texting, to Save Lives in Africa

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:25:39 -0400

by Jeffrey Allen

WASHINGTON- Activists asked cell phone users to stop texting for one hour on Wednesday -- not to save energy or focus on the road, but to call attention to one of the deadliest and most underreported conflicts in the world.

What's the Story?

Northern Congo Civilians 'Need Urgent Aid'

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:42:34 -0400

by Mark Tran

Relief groups should increase their presence in the north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to help civilians amid an upsurge of fighting between government troops and the notorious Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), an aid agency said yesterday.

Why Not to Buy a New Computer for College

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:47:14 -0400

by Deena Guzder

The beginning of the academic year once meant new clothes, shoes, and notebooks. These days, it increasingly means new computers, iPods, and mobile phones. One company, Apple, is giving away a "free" iPod to every student, faculty, and staff who buys a MacBook. The word "free" is terribly deceptive. The human cost of mineral extraction in the high-tech industry remains intolerable.

With Its Record of Rape, Don’t Send the US Military to the Congo to Give 'Sensitivity' Training to the Congolese Military!

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:09:20 -0400

by Ann Wright

On Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's August, 2009 trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she announced $17 million in new funding in the U.S. Government's contribution to international efforts to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence in the DRC.

200,000 Women and Girls Raped in the DRC

Clinton Presses Congo on Rape Epidemic

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:18:56 -0400

GOMA, DR Congo - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday offered US help to punish perpetrators of soaring sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo as she paid a lightning visit to its war-weary east.

Leaving aside her government jet for a small UN plane, Clinton became the highest ranking US official to tour the desolate lakeside town of Goma to highlight a rape epidemic afflicting tens of thousands of women.

Clinton offered personal comfort to two rape survivors, one of whom was violated when she was eight months pregnant with the fetus ripped out.

Fighting the Forgotten War: Students' Activism for the Congo

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:14:01 -0400

by Kwaku Osei

Kambale Musavuli isn't your average student.

For one, he's not attached to his cell phone. In the first few days of trying to reach him for this article, the only response I received was the following recorded message: "Did you know that Congo has anywhere from 64-80% of the world's reserve of Coltan, a natural resource that is central to the operation of our cell phones?"

DR Congo: Hold Army to Account for War Crimes

Tue, 19 May 2009 13:04:11 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2009

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

The United Nations Security Council, visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo today, should vigorously condemn war crimes by Congolese army soldiers in the eastern part of the country, Human Rights Watch said.

Human Rights Watch urged the Security Council to condition UN support for Congolese military operations on the removal of known human rights abusers from command positions.

UN Security Council: Push for Civilian Protection During Congo Visit

Mon, 18 May 2009 14:07:08 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2009

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

The United Nations Security Council, visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo beginning today, should press for urgent action to protect civilians, a coalition of 68 aid and human rights groups said today.

Congo Ignored, Not Forgotten

Fri, 08 May 2009 08:22:20 -0400

by Julie Hollar

The wars that have wracked the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1996, killing well over 5 million people (International Rescue Committee, 1/08) in what may be the deadliest conflict since World War II, are officially over. A peace agreement was signed in 2002, and general elections were held in 2006.

DR Congo: 100,000 Civilians at Risk of Attack

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:55:30 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2009

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

More than 100,000 displaced civilians in Lubero territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo desperately need protection from further attacks by Rwandan militias and Congolese forces, Human Rights Watch said today.