Congo

Kabila’s Party Takes Majority in Parliament
January 27, 2012 ASSOCIATED PRESS, Saleh Mwanamilongo
The long anticipated results indicate supporters of President Joseph Kabila won two-thirds of the seats in Parliament. Full Story Here…

Opposition Leader Calls for Strike in Response to Results
January 27, 2012 BBC NEWS
Saying the parliamentary results were “rigged”, Etienne Tshisekdi calls on opposition members to boycott the new government. Full Story Here…

After the Election: Now What for Congo?
January 25, 2012 CONGO SIASA, Jason Stearns
The elections were a disaster. Opposition parties remaining divided. Donor nations reactions reach across the spectrum: Where do we go from here? Full Story Here…

Somalia

Hostages Freed in Somalia
January 25, 2012 ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two humanitarian aid workers kidnapped in December were freed by U.S. military personel. Full Story Here…

Congo

New Rounds of Violence Put 100,000 on the Run
January 20, 2012 AFP
UN officials believe the violence began with Congo’s flawed elections in November. Full Story Here…

Rwanda Arrests Four Military Leaders for Congo Smuggling
January 19, 2012 REUTERS, Graham Holliday
The three Rwanda generals and one colonel were responsible for enforcing anti-smuggling efforts. Full Story Here…

Fears of Military Schism Grows in Congo
January 17, 2012 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Fidel Bafilemba
Rival groups within the military, with ties to opposition political groups, are increasingly making leaders in Kinshasa nervous. Full Story Here…

Somalia

Pro-Government Forces Launch New Attack on Militants
January 20, 2012 BBC NEWS
Mobilizing from Mogadishu, the combined AMISOM forces intend to continue seizing territory from Al Shabab. Full Story Here…

Congo

DR Congo Legislative Poll Results Delayed
January 13, 2012 AFP
The delay comes while foreign observers continue to aid in the vote tallying effort. Full Story Here…

Clashes After a Troubled Presidential Election Could Re-ignite Civil War
Januray 10, 2012 THE ATLANTIC, John Campbell
The combination of president Joseph Kabila’s skillful use of repression and a population too poor to be concerned with flawed political processes have, thus far, kept large-scale violence at bay. But for how long? Full Story Here…

Fresh Attacks in Eastern Congo Highlights Difficulty of Protecting Civilians
January 10,ENOUGH PROJECT, Annette LaRocco
The recent attacks in eastern Congo show how in the absence of military or police protection, civilians in remote areas often must align themselves with militias, making them vulnerable to attack from rival armed groups. Full Story Here…

Somalia

Insurgents Continue to Block Delivery of Food Aid in Somalia
January 12, 2012 REUTERS, Stephanie Nebahey
The International Red Cross, one fo the last aid organizations still working in rebel held areas of Somalia, was forced to suspend food delivery for over one million people. Full Story Here…

Congo

Rwandan FLDR Rebels Kill 26 in Eastern Congo
January 4, 2012 BBC NEWS
Early investigations determined the villagers in a remote section of South Kivu were attacked for supporting a rival militia. Full Story Here…

Electoral Experts Arrive in Congo to Study Poll Results
January 5, 2012 VOICE OF AMERICA
The American-based observers are focused on the vote counting process, which has been described as “chaotic.” Full Story Here…

Ex-Rebels Given Perks for Supporting President Kabila
December 30, 2011 REUTERS, Jonny Hogg
The benefits, including promotions for rebel leaders within the national army, are widening divides within the military and have cast further doubts on the November 28 election results. Full Story Here…

Somalia

Somalia’s Al Shabab Rebels are on the Run
January 5, 2012 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Scott Baldauf
The increased African Union troop levels seem to be pushing the rebels to the brink, bringing a new level of cautious optimism. Full Story Here…

1. Pick a local coffee shop, date and time. Email us the info, we will post it under events here. Post it on the A Thousand Sisters Facebook page, too, to find others in your area.

2. Invite your friends, and ask them to bring a pretty card.

3. Bring pens, extra cards, and copies of the letter sent to Secretary Clinton outlining our core policy demands (http://athousandsisters.org/2011/05/14/ats-letter-to-secretary-clinton-from-coalition-of-77-organizations)

4. This month, we start by write welcome cards to US Special Rep. Walkley! Let him know we fought hard to bring him on board. We look forward to seeing him execute powerful change for Congo. Be sure to reference the policy changes we need to see, as outlined in the our letter to Secretary Clinton. Make sure ever card includes a copy of that Clinton letter, outlining policy we want enacted under Rep. Walkley.

5. Bundle and mail your letters to: A Thousand Sisters, P.O. Box 28427, Portland, OR 97228

Yes, it’s that simple and fun to change the world!

Somalia

Alarming Rise of Rape In Somalia
December 27, 2011 NEW YORK TIMES, Jeffrey Gettleman
Women and girls displaced by war and famine are being raped at an escalating pace. The veteran Times reporter highlights Sister Somalia as one of few efforts to aid the women. Full Story Here…

Congo

Conflict Mineral Laws Have Increased Smuggling
December 30, 2011 REUTERS, Jonny Hogg and Graham Holliday
While the final S.E.C. rules for conflict mineral legislation stall, smugglers and armed groups have taken control of the mineral trade. Full Story Here…

Congo’s Ruling Party Running Neck and Neck with Opposition
December 29, 2011 ASSOCIATED PRESS
Potential gains by the opposition in legislative elections could change the political landscape. Full Story Here…

U.S. Vote Experts Due to Visit Congo
December 28, 2011 SAPA
The panel of experts are expected to advise Congo’s election commission on the vote count for November’s parliamentary elections. Full Story Here…

Congo

Kabila Vows to Rebuild Congo in New Term
December 20, 2011 REUTERS, Jonny Hogg
During his inaugural address, Kabila promised to improve the climate for business and rebuild infrastructure damaged from years of conflict. Full Story Here…

Counting Halted in Parliamentary Vote
December 22, 2011 BBC NEWS
Saying it needed international support to complete the vote in the midst of allegation of voter fraud and election tampering. Full Story Here…

Congo Opposition Leader Takes ‘Presidential Oath’
December 23, 2011 AFP, Habibou Hangre
In a move some predict will destabilize the region, Etienne Tshisekedi ignored a police ban and held his own inauguration. Full Story Here…

Somalia

U.S Considers Shutting Down Somali Militants Twitter Account
December 19, 2011 NEW YORK TIMES, Jeffrey Gettleman
The discussion of whether or not to shut down Shebab’s Twitter account has generated a debate about support for terrorism and free speech. Full Story Here…

Congo

Kabila Confirmed President
December 16, 2011 BBC NEWS
Congo’s Supreme Court validated the results of the presidential elections even as European and American leaders remain severely critical of the vote. Full Story Here…

U.S. Calls Congo Elections ‘Seriously Flawed’
December 14, 2011 CNN, Jamie Crawford
The United States believes the election had severe problems, but said it is unknown if the problems were widespread enough to alter the final outcome. Full Story Here…

East Congo Election Protesters Arrested
December 13, 2011 VOICE OF AMERICA, Heather Murdock
Citing security concerns, authorities arrested anti-Kabila demonstrators in Goma. Full Story Here…

Somalia

UN Expert Calls for Increased Effort to End Violence Against Somali Women
December 16, 2011 UN NEWS CENTRE
While applauding leaders in Mogadishu for increasing women’s rights, the UN’s leading expert on violence against women explained that far too many Somali women live under the constant threat of violence. Full Story Here…

Congo

Kabila ‘Re-Elected’
December 9, 2011 BBC NEWS
President Joseph Kabila is declared the winner of the presidential elections amid accusations of ballot stuffing and voter fraud. Full Story Here…

Leading Opposition Figure Rejects Election Results
December 9, 2011 THE TELEGRAPH, Mike Pflanz
Fears of renewed violence rise as Etienne Tshisekedi declares himself president. Full Story Here…

Congo Vote Should Not Be Sacrificed for Stability
December 5, 2011 THE GUARDIAN, Jason Stearns
A leading Congo expert argues that foreign governments have a responsibility to ensure a credible vote, even in the face of instability. Full Story Here…

U.S. Appoints Special Envoy to Congo and Great Lakes Region
December 7, 2011 GLOBALPOST
Retired foreign service official, Barrie Walkly, will travel to the region shortly after the announcement of his appointment this week. Full Story Here…

Somalia

UN Chief Visits Somalia
December 8, 2011 WASHINGTON POST
Ban Ki Moon urged leaders in Mogadishu to make more political progress in order to maximize new opportunities for stability. Full Story here…

We persisted. This year, we signed petitions. Called the White House…some of us daily (you know who you are…Richa). We plastered Facebook with photos of protest, and rallied everyone we know- kids, boyfriends, co-workers, even our pets- to do the same. Even women in Congo joined our cries for action. We gathered experts, spearheading a letter to Secretary Clinton signed by 77 US & Congo based advocacy organizations, unanimously calling for cohesive, comprehensive, coordinated policy. Geez, some of us even stopped eating…sister Elizabeth Blackney fasted for 40 days!

Guess what? It worked.

Today, we have remarkable news. The US has appointed a Great Lakes Special Representative Barrie Walkley. To read more at our partner’s The Enough Project’s blog: http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/white-house-names-great-lakes-special-envoy-walkley

Is this 100% what we asked for? No. We asked for a Special Envoy reporting directly to Secretary Clinton. Rep. Walkley will report directly to Assistant Secretary Carson, who you’ll recall we spoke with last year at Outcry for Congo. It is a huge step forward.

HELLO! YOU DID THAT!
Yes. You.

Join us in extending a warm welcome to Rep. Walkley. Let him know we look forward to bold leadership. Host a “Coffee for Congo”. Can’t make it? Post your welcome letter below. We’ll make sure he gets a copy!

Coffee for Congo

1. Pick a local coffee shop, date and time. Email us the info, we will post it under events here. Post on FB, too.
2. Invite your friends, and ask them to bring a pretty card.
3. Bring pens, extra cards, and copies of the letter sent to Secretary Clinton outlining our core policy demands (http://athousandsisters.org/2011/05/14/ats-letter-to-secretary-clinton-from-coalition-of-77-organizations)
4. Write welcome cards to Rep. Walkley! Let him know we fought hard to bring him on board. We look forward to seeing him execute powerful change for Congo. Be sure to reference the policy changes we need to see, as outlined in the our letter to Secretary Clinton. Make sure ever card includes a copy of that Clinton letter, outlining policy we want enacted under Rep. Walkley.
5. Bundle and mail your letters to: A Thousand Sisters, P.O. Box 28427, Portland, OR 97228

Congratulations. This is you changing the world.

Warmest,
Lisa