Democratic Republic of the Congo

Wednesday 15th February

Watch whistles being blown and frack by proxy

Michael Dominski, 15 February 2012
The Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ), based at City University, London since 2003, offers training courses and online resources to practising journalists as well as guidance for potential whistleblowers. Since 2010, this has been complemented by an annual film festival showing some of the best recent films in the field.
Monday 5th December

The material stakes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo elections

Pete Jones, 5 December 2011
Private interest, not public voice, governs the immediate future of the DRC - the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Friday 2nd December

SOS from a Congolese peacebuilder: rescue the young democracy of DR Congo!

Flory Kazingufu, 2 December 2011
There are concrete steps the Congolese political establishment can take to avert post-election violence, if external pressure helps to engender the necessary political will.
Sunday 23rd October

Developing states need full powers to tax

Damian Rafferty, 23 October 2011
Some of West Africa's poorest countries observed from the vantage point of a Chinese import motorcycle: State competence cannot be built without the ability to tax; aid agencies' emphasis on bringing down tariff barriers and inward investment by tax-dodging multinationals predictably weakens states
Friday 14th October

Safety from below: is non-state security the way forward?

Maria Derks, 14 October 2011
Many communities in countries torn apart by violence look beyond the state for their protection, to neighbourhood watch groups, civilian patrols or self-help associations. Interest in these non-state providers has risen sharply in the donor community, but can the risks of supporting vigilantes and criminal rackets be contained?
Thursday 20th January

UK government linked to Bangladeshi 'death squad' renowned for use of torture

Josephine Whitaker, 20 January 2011
UK government linked to Bangladeshi 'death squad', renowned for use of torture. Eight arrested over mass rape in eastern DRC. The UN votes to increase peacekeepers in Ivory Coast as mediation fails. Nigerian troops ordered to shoot-to-kill in Jos as violence increases ahead of elections. All this and more in today’s briefing...
Tuesday 30th November

North Korea reveals details of uranium enrichment plant

Rukeyya Khan, 30 November 2010
North Korea reveals details of new nuclear power plant. Iran blamed ‘Zionist regime’ for assassination of top nuclear scientist. Gaza blockade still 'crippling' Palestinians. Congolese army accused of instability and smuggling. All this and more in today’s security briefing.
Monday 22nd November

War crimes trial of Congolese militia leader begins at International Criminal Court

Daniel C Giacopelli, 22 November 2010
War crimes trial begins of Congolese militia leader accused of turning blind eye to mass rape and killings. Circumstantial evidence emerges of Hezbollah link to Hariri’s assassination. Al-Qaeda boasts of parcel bomb plot in latest propaganda magazine. All this and more in today’s security briefing.
Monday 18th October

Regional military force established to crack down on Lord’s Resistance Army

Daniel C Giacopelli, 18 October 2010
Military campaign against central African rebel group intensifies. Yemen goes on the offensive against al-Qaeda. New report claims the global hostage-taking industry surges. All this and more in today’s security briefing.
Thursday 9th September

Ban seeks to placate Kagame over UN report

Josephine Whitaker, 9 September 2010
Ban seeks to placate Kagame over UN report. China warns Japan over fishing boat incident. ‘Nigerian Taliban’ raid jail, freeing prisoners. Bombing rocks Russian market. Clinton describes Mexico drugs crime as “like an insurgency.” All this and more in today’s briefing.
Tuesday 31st August

Report implicates Rwanda in crimes against humanity committed in Congo

Luke Heighton, 31 August 2010
Rwanda responds angrily to allegations of genocide; Iran tests new generation of ballistic missile guidance system, but maintains it remains committed to terms of nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Ukrainian Security Service accused of adopting Soviet-style tactics against political opposition. CIA worries about wider effects of US citizens' involvement in terrorist activity. India and China contemplate suspending defence exchanges. All this and more in today's security briefing.
Thursday 26th August

UN mission fails to protect civilians in the DRC

Josephine Whitaker, 26 August 2010
The UN mission in the DRC is failing to protect civilians, as it emerges that 200 women were raped in a systematic attack in North Kivu earlier month. A US official alleges that Taliban forces have threatened foreign aid workers in Pakistan. A wave of attacks across Iraq raise questions about Iraqi stability. Human rights groups allege that state anti-terrorism drive violates human rights in Yemen. All this and more in today’s briefing...
Tuesday 24th August

Twenty-first century mercenaries - Afghanistan's answer?

Ray Kane, 24 August 2010
Contracted officers could be the future of international support for the Kabul government, argues Ray Kane.
Thursday 12th August

Kigali grenade attack injures seven days after Kagame re-elected

Josephine Whitaker, 12 August 2010
Grenade attack rocks Kigali just two days after Kagame re-elected as president, while opposition groups urge international community to reject result. The Lord’s Resistance Army is violently abducting recruits in central Africa, according to a recent report from Human Rights Watch. A top Iraqi general insists Iraq not ready for troop withdrawal, but comments brushed off by US and Iraqi officials. Car bomb rocks Bogota in first security test for Santos. All this and more in today’s briefing...
Tuesday 30th March

Uganda rebels deny northeast Congo massacre

Dries Belet, 30 March 2010
LRA rebel group denies any involvement in mass killings in Congo. Burmese opposition decides to boycott election. North Korea feared responsible for sunk South Korean ship. Afghan offensive in Kandahar to be launched in June. All this and much more, in today’s security briefing.
Thursday 18th March

A media eclipse: Israel-Palestine and the world's forgotten conflicts

Noah Bernstein, 18 March 2010
Global coverage of world conflicts pales into insignificance when compared with reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Noah Bernstein explores the causes and consequences of such an imbalance, as part of our series forgotten conflicts.
Thursday 4th March

UN considers withdrawal of peacekeepers from DRC

Josephine Whitaker, 4 March 2010
UN discusses withdrawal of peacekeepers from DRC. Burma-North Korea ties create new headache for US. Rise in birth defects in Fallujah may be linked to US weapons. German court jails bomb plotters for foiled attacks. Nigerian rebel group claims attack on Italian oil facility. All this and more in today's security briefing.
Thursday 11th February

Nigeria needs more than Goodluck to avert crisis

Josephine Whitaker, 11 February 2010
Nigerian Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan named acting president in bid to resolve crisis. Claims emerge of deliberate army assault on civilians in Congo. Al-Shabaab preempts crackdown with assault on capital. Tymoshenko refuses to admit defeat in dangerous show of defiance. All this and more in today's update.
Thursday 17th December

Rains fail again in east Africa

Josephine Whitaker, 17 December 2009
Repeated failure of rains in eastern Africa demonstrate the link between climate change and security. Yemeni security forces foil an al-Qaeda plot. Two Colombian rebel groups announce possibility of alliance against government. The end of much-criticised UN-backed Kimenia II operated in eastern Congo is announced. The Philippines prepares for evacuation ahead of predicted volcanic eruption. All this and more in today's update.
Thursday 10th December

Kiribati islands plan exodus faced with rising sea levels

Josephine Whitaker, 10 December 2009
Kiribati announces plans at Copenhagen for “practical and rational” exodus due to climate change. Violence and displacement in north western DRC suggests UN proposals for early drawdown may be premature. Spread of violence in Yemen could affect regional stability. Pirates seize another ship off the coast of Somalia. Hostage-taking in southern Philippines underlines Mindanao’s lawlessness. All this and much more in today’s security briefing.
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