Democratic

DR Congo: UN reports security improvement with many militia groups demobilizing

20 December 2006
Security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has improved, with numerous militia groups joining the United Nations-run disarmament programme, and calm returning in the east after fighting between the Congolese Army and partisans of a rogue general, the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) reported today.

DR Congo: UN and aid agencies appeal for $19 million to combat landmines

15 December 2006
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations officials and aid agencies have renewed an appeal for the remaining $19 million needed to help fund next year’s effort to rid the country of deadly landmines left over from the bloody six-year civil war, which kill innocent people and prevent whole areas of land from being developed.

‘Precarious’ situation in eastern DR Congo affects thousands of displaced people: UN

14 December 2006
Cholera is spreading among tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in parts of North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations has said, warning of a “precarious” situation also involving looting by members of the armed forces.

Despite ‘enormous’ challenges, DR Congo could spur regional development: UN official

11 December 2006
Despite its recent landmark elections, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) still faces “enormous” challenges in recovering from a brutal civil war, however, with all its natural resources the massive African country could spur development in the whole region, a senior United Nations official said today.

Congolese refugees who fled to Uganda start to return home, says UN agency

8 December 2006
Most of the estimated 12,000 people who fled across the border from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Uganda earlier this week to escape violent clashes between Government troops and rebel forces have returned now that the fighting has subsided, the United Nations refugee agency said today.

Annan, Security Council urge Congolese to work together and welcome new President

6 December 2006
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today stressed the need for all Congolese to work together as he congratulated Joseph Kabila on his inauguration as President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following the recent elections, the first democratic polls in the strife-torn country in more than 40 years.

UN refugee agency signs agreement for return of Congolese refugees from Zambia

29 November 2006
The governments of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have signed a tripartite agreement with the United Nations refuge agency that paves the way for the voluntary return home of 60,000 Congolese.

DR Congo: Annan calls on loser in presidential poll to peacefully accept the results

28 November 2006
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on the losing candidates in the presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and their supporters “to peacefully accept” the result after the Supreme Court declared President Joseph Kabila the winner.

DR Congo: UN peacekeepers intervene to halt dissident troops’ advance on eastern city

27 November 2006
United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), backed by attack helicopters, intervened on the side of the army today to stall the advance of dissident troops on the city of Goma in the east of the vast country, which is emerging from years of civil war and factional fighting.

UN says it will support Congolese troops enforcing Kinshasa ultimatum if needed

24 November 2006
United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will support the Congolese army if needed in enforcing a 48-hour security ultimatum in the capital to remove forces loyal to the losing candidate in last month’s presidential elections, the top UN envoy to the strife-torn country has said.