News to Know Election Edition

Sunday, December 4th, 2011  |   No Comments »

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Special News to Know Election Edition

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011  |   No Comments »

Updates on Congo’s elections. Check back  for more news and analysis in Sunday’s News to Know.

Congo

Killing and Intimidation Mar Elections
November 28, 2011 NEW YORK TIMES, Jeffery Gettleman
With the UN taking a backseat in conducting only the second democratic elections since 1960, chaos and uncertainty about what comes next mark Congo’s elections. Full Story Here…

Candidates Call for Cancelled Vote Amid Accusations of Voter Fraud
November 29, 2011 BBC NEWS
Delayed voting, pre-marked ballots and the accusations of UN favoritism of incumbent, Joseph Kabila, have many calling for a nullification of any results from Monday’s elections. Full Story Here…

Eastern Congo Initiatives Election Statement
November 29, 2011 EASTERN CONGO INITIATIVE
ECI reports from the ground in Goma, eastern Congo. Full Story Here…

Election Update: Violence and Irregularities
November 28, 2011 CONGO SIASA, Jason Stearns
Updates from Bukavu in eastern Congo during election day. Full Story Here…

Voices from Congo

QUOTATION OF THE DAY
“What do I fear? I fear death. No one knows what’s going to happen.”
NATALIE NOELLA, a 23-year-old student, after voting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. NEW YORK TIMES

Group of Artists Plea for Their Country
Alesh: Reveil- The Awakening (Official Video) by nomadicwax

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Special News to Know Election Edition

Sunday, November 27th, 2011  |   No Comments »

Congo heads to the polls on Monday

Congo

Congo Vote a Test of Recovery, Future Hopes
November 25, 2011 REUTERS, David Lewis and Jonny Hogg
Two veteran observers of Congo put this Monday’s national elections into perspective. Full Story Here…

Pessimism Greets Elections in Eastern Congo
November 22, 2011 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Amani Matabaro
People in the mineral- and conflict-rich eastern provinces fear the elections results won’t be fair and will spark new rounds of violence. Full Story Here…

International Observers Cite Congo Poll Concerns
November 23, 2011 REUTERS, Jonny Hogg
Election observers are concerned lack of transparency at the Supreme Court could become very problematic if the results are disputed. Full Story Here…

Hopes and Fears for DR Congo’s Election
November 25, 2011 BBC NEWS, Andrew Harding
The limitless dangers and opportunities hinging on Monday’s national elections are especially evident in Congo’s eastern provinces. Watch Here…

Somalia

African Union Forces Make Strides in Somalia
November 24, 2011 NEW YORK TIMES, Jeffery Gettleman
After four years, the African Union forces in Mogadishu are battle-hardened and surprisingly effective. Full Story Here…

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A Special News to Know Election Edition

Sunday, November 20th, 2011  |   No Comments »

This week’s must-read election stories

Congo

Spain-Based DRC Party Official Murdered
November 18, 2011 AFRICA REVIEW, Juakali Kambale
In an alarming escalation of  campaign violence, the official, whose party is aligned with President Joseph Kabila, was murdered in Spain by fellow Congolese after attending a political meeting. Full Story Here…

A Bellwether for Stability in Africa
November 14, 2011 HUFFINGTON POST, Joe Trippi
A veteran of African elections warns of the impact failed elections in Congo will have for the region. Full Story Here…

DRC Elections Tap Fountain of Youth
November 14, 2011 RADIO NETHERLANDS
Young people in Congo want a better future. This time, they are going to make sure their vote counts. Full Story Here…

Somalia

Somali’s Famine Eases in Some Areas
November 18, 2011 LOS ANGELES TIMES, Robyn Dixon
Although the arrival of aid has improved the situation in six regions across the country, the danger remains very high for young children. Full Story Here…

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A Special News to Know Election Edition

Sunday, November 13th, 2011  |   No Comments »

Congo’s national elections are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 28. As the date looms, violence and political tension are on the rise.

Congo

Congo Civilians Beaten for Supporting Opponents of President, Says UN Report
November 11, 2011 THE GUARDIAN, David Smith
As police begin to take sides, a new UN report fears violence will follow the polls.  Full Story Here…

Eastern Congo Initiative’s Election Analysis: Week 10
November 11, 2011 EASTERN CONGO INITIATIVE
ECI looks at the impact election violence, and the international community’s response, is having on the campaign trail. Full Story Here…

Elections Divide Congolese Youth
November 9, 2011 RADIO NETHERLANDS, Passy Mubalama
Making up almost 70 percent of the voting population, the young people of Congo have become an increasingly important base for emerging political parties. Full Story Here…

An Unruly Election Campaign Mirrors Congo’s Lingering Political Instability
November 10, 2011 NEW YORK TIMES, Josh Kron
Over 19,000 registered candidates for the National Assembly, including a militia leader wanted by the UN for mass rape, represents just one of the many political challenges facing Congo. Full Story Here…

AU Boss Jets to Congo Amid Rising Tension, Violence
November 8, 2011 REUTERS, Jonny Hogg
The African Union’s top diplomat urged Congo’s political leaders to abide by the results of this month’s elections to avoid conflict and bloodshed. Full Story Here…

Somalia

Soldiers in Mogadishu Fire on Food Line
November 11, 2011 WASHINGTON POST
One person was killed and five were injured when soldiers fired on a food line that became unruly. Full Story Here…

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News to Know

Sunday, November 6th, 2011  |   No Comments »

This week’s must-read news stories

Congo

Rwanda Returns More Than 90 Tons of Smuggled Minerals to Congo
November 3, 2011 BLOOMBERG, Michael J. Kavanagh
World Bank officials say new U.S. conflict mineral regulations compelled Rwanda to return the minerals.  Full Story Here…

Congo’s Militias Mobilising Again, Leading Peace Activist Warns
October 29, 2011 THE GUARDIAN, Tracy McVeigh
Amid growing suspicion the election in November will be rigged, militias have begun re-forming and re-arming in an attempt to take power by force. Full Story Here…

U.S. Officials Offer Details on LRA Military Advisors
November 1, 2011 ENOUGH PROJECT, Jesse Roberts
U.S. Special Forces sent to central Africa to pursue the Lord’s Resistance Army will enhance local military capabilities and operate with a clear exit strategy. Full Story Here…

Somalia

Somali Women Lobby for Law Against FGM/C
November 3, 2011 IRIN
Women’s groups believe FGM/C is re-emerging due to the rising occurrence of rape in IDP camps. Families believe the practice will make it more difficult for their daughters to be raped. Full Story Here…

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News to Know

Sunday, October 30th, 2011  |   No Comments »

This week’s must-read news stories

Congo

Congo’s Opposition Parties Holding Alliance Talks
October 25, 2011 VOICE OF AMERICA, Peter Clottey
The groups hope to work together to defeat incumbent Joseph Kabila and pressure the election commission to ensure free and fair election. Full Story Here…

‘All Out War’ Feared as Congo Goes to the Polls
October 25, 2011 THE GLOBE AND DAILY, Geoffrey York
With few people expecting a fair vote, analysts predict more violence after elections on November 28. Full Story Here…

UN Says Conflict Minerals Bill is Working
October 27, 2011 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Shasha Lezhnev
UN Congo experts told the SEC that since Dodd-Frank was signed into law, a smaller percentage of Congo’s minerals has financed conflict. Full Story Here…

Somalia

Plea to Somali Gang to Release Aid Workers
October 28, 2011 AFP
The Danish Demining Group implored Somali elders to release the two aid workers kidnapped earlier this week. Full Story Here…

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News to Know

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011  |   1 Comment »

This week’s must-read news stories

Congo

Armed U.S. Advisors to Help Fight African Rebel Group
October 14, 2011 NEW YORK TIMES, Thom Shanker
The Lord’s Resistance Army is responsible for countless raids in DR Congo and other Central African nations. Full Story Here…

Logistics Challenges Could Delay Vote in Congo
October 19, 2011 REUTERS, Jonny Hogg
The numerous opposition parties backing presidential candidate Etienne Tshisekedi have threatened to assume government responsibilities if elections are not held by December 6. Full Story Here…

SEC Struggles to Write Conflict Mineral Regulations
October 18, 2011 WASHINGTON POST, David S. Hilzenrath
The SEC, which missed an April deadline to finalize the regulations, has been having a hard time translating the Dodd-Frank Law into rules for companies. Full Story Here…

Somalia

Kenya Faces Somali Quagmire
October 19, 2011 BUSINESS WEEK, Sarah McGregor
Kenya’s incursion into Somalia to combat Al Shabab militants on its border has some concerned it is not prepared for fighting a likely insurgency. Full Story Here…

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News to Know

Sunday, October 16th, 2011  |   No Comments »

This week’s must-read news stories

Congo

Anticipating New SEC Rules, Companies Shift to Conflict-Free Metals
October 12, 2o11 FORBES, Amy Westervelt
Forbes details how conflict-mineral law 1502 is motivating industry organizations and some of the largest tech companies to build transparent and sustainable conflict-free supply chains. Full Story Here…

Talking Conflict Minerals with Fidel Bafilemba
October 10, 2011 VICE BLOG, Suroosh Alvi
The Enough Project Field Researcher discusses conflict minerals, the strength of the Congolese military and what it was like growing up in eastern Congo during the war. Full Story Here…

Democratic Republic of Congo tops Global Hunger Index
October 11, 2011 ALERT NET, Emma Batha
DR Congo’s rising food prices, ineffective social services and chronic instability have combined to make 70% of its population undernourished. Full Story Here…

Somalia

UN Scales Back Aid After Abductions on Kenya/Somalia Border
October 14, 2011 BBC
The kidnapping of two aid workers from Doctors Without Borders led the UN to remove most of its foreign staff from Kenya’s Dadaab Refugee Camp, the largest in the world. Full Story Here…

UN Envoy: Somalia Has Best Chance for Peace in Years
October 14, 2011 UN NEWS CENTRE
UN officials believe last month’s adoption of a road map for peace, combined with recent political and security gains give Somalia a great opportunity to secure peace. Full Story Here…

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News to Know

Sunday, October 9th, 2011  |   No Comments »

This week’s must-read news stories

Congo

Rebels Kill Five Aid Workers, Two Others in DR Congo
October 6, 2011 RADIO NETHERLANDS
The deadliest attack on humanitarian workers in the nation’s history adds to the already increasing feelings of insecurity among the nations NGOs. Full Story Here…

U.S. Buyers Shun Conflict Minerals
October 4, 2011 REUTERS, Jonny Hogg
Congo’s mining sector is struggling to adjust to a slew of new laws and regulations, causing many American companies to buy elsewhere. Full Story Here…

October 6, 2011 AFP
Members of opposition leader and presidential candidate Etienne Tshisekedi’s political party were demanding more transparency from the election commission when the scuttle with police began. Full Story Here…

Somalia

Rescue Workers Scramble to Help Victims of Truck Bombing
October 4, 2011 LOS ANGELES TIMES
The blast renews serious worries that terrorist group Al Shabab plans to escalate the violence in its fight for Mogadishu. Full Story Here…

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