Democratic

As DR of Congo election campaign begins, UN Council extends expanded force

30 June 2006
Saying that armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) still threaten elections in the vast central African nation where political campaigns officially kicked off today, the United Nations Security Council today decided to extend until 30 September its authorization for a strengthened peacekeeping force in the country.

DR Congo: UN speeds up police training to provide security for elections

29 June 2006
As the United Nations prepares for next month’s elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the largest and most challenging it has ever helped organize, the UN mission there is training thousands of police to provide security for a vote that is meant to cement the vast country’s transition from a disastrous civil war.

2 Nepalese blue helmets released in DR Congo, 5 still held captive – UN

27 June 2006
Two Nepalese peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) were released today following nearly a month in captivity but five of their fellow blue helmets are still being held.
A group of IDPs near the border with Uganda

DR Congo: 4,000 displaced persons fleeing militias reach UN sanctuary

23 June 2006
Some 4,000 displaced people have escaped the clutches of militias in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), trekking for up to 80 kilometres though forests to reach sanctuary where they are receiving food and shelter from the United Nations refugee agency and its partners.

As elections near in DR Congo, Annan calls for end to intimidation

23 June 2006
With the largest and most challenging elections the United Nations has ever helped organize slated to take place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in little over a month, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called for full transparency of the process, voicing concern at reports of intimidation, corruption and detentions.

DR Congo: Children suffer abuses while perpetrators largely enjoy impunity – Annan

20 June 2006
Grave rights abuses against children continue largely with impunity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a new report, calling for stepped-up measures to protect young Congolese at risk of being killed, maimed, recruited in armed forces and groups, abducted, and subject to sexual violence.
Council President Amb. de La Sablière

DR Congo: head of UN Council mission optimistic on upcoming elections

16 June 2006
Upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are moving ahead under good conditions, but technical problems should be expected, equal media access for all parties must be assured and the poll must be followed by speedy development of national institutions, the head of a Security Council delegation just back from the central African country told the 15-member body today.

UN Council delegation calls for moderated rhetoric in Congolese elections

13 June 2006
A visiting United Nations Security Council delegation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has expressed satisfaction at the country’s preparations for landmark elections in July, but has called on all candidates and their supporters to refrain from xenophobic rhetoric, a UN spokesman said today.

In DR Congo, UN Security Council mission meets on election preparations

12 June 2006
As part of an effort to ensure the democratic character of the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a delegation from the United Nations Security Council is visiting the country’s capital, Kinshasa today, as part of a regional tour of peacekeeping operations.

6 Congolese soldiers convicted of mass rape get life sentences, UN reports

9 June 2006
In a case that the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been following closely, six soldiers from the national armed forces were given life sentences of hard labour for crimes against humanity after their convictions on charges of mass rape were re-examined and confirmed.