http://www.africafiles.org/ AfricaFiles is a network of volunteers committed to promoting African perspectives and alternative analyses for human rights and economic justice in Africa. en-ca Copyright 2010 AfricaFiles. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:46 EST 20 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24300 The UN mapping report (545 pages)has finally been leaked to the press. The report was mandated by the UN to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Congo between 1993 and 2003 in the hope that there could be accountability for the violence. It reports that tens of thousands of Hutus were killed between 1999 and 2003 by AFDL/APR/FAB soldiers (Rwanda/ Burundi ) and others. The report is a `mapping’ not ajudicial inquiry; it concludes: "It seems possible to infer a specific intention on the part of certain AFDL/APR commanders to partially destroy the Hutus in the DRC, and therefore to commit a crime of genocide, based on their conduct, words and the damning circumstances of the acts of violence committed by the men under their command. It will be for a court with proper jurisdiction to rule on this question." JK Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24300 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24242 The government of D.R Congo and the UN have failed to protect women and other civilians from repeated incidences of rape by members of armed groups and the Congolese army. Following a recent incident in eastern Congo, rights groups are calling for an investigation into the United Nation’s inaction despite the organization having had knowledge of rebel activity in the region. MUB/CJW ed. Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24242 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24224 In conclusion the author asks whether President Obama will continue the carte blanche support for President Kagame or will he shift boldly away from a half century of US support for strongmen, dictators, and despots to assist and encourage non-violent, pro-democratic forces and strong institutions? DN Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24224 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24208 English follows. Reporters sans frontières regrette l’adoption par l’Assemblée nationale tchadienne, le 18 août 2010, du projet de loi sur le régime de la presse réintroduit au début du mois par le gouvernement. L’organisation demande au président de la République de ne pas promulguer ce texte. Reporters Without Borders regrets that Chad’s national assembly passed a media bill that the government re-submitted at the start of the month and urges the President not to sign it into law. DN Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24208 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24203 La recherche d’une solution globale négociée est impérative pour éviter au Tchad la répétition des erreurs passées et mettre à l’ordre du jour du projet démocratique initial et une réforme de la gouvernance. Les élections son en train d’être mise en oeuvre et nécessitent de la vigilance, l’impulsion du pouvoir, et l’appui de la communauté internationale. DN Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24203 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24196 After fighting off a rebel offensive in May 2009, President Derby of Chad has won over the minds of some rebels and opened up bilateral reconciliation with Sudan. However, a political and military crisis persists as some rebel factions are still committed to oust the regime. A window of opportunity exists for lasting peace as the government prepares for legislative and local elections in November 2010 and a presidential election in April 2011. This latest report from ICG outlines what the government must do. MUB/CJW Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24196 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24197 La version francais suit: ENI is the first Italian energy company to gain access to the DRC’s oil sector and is expected to secure 55% of the Ndunda oil block in western Congo. Oil exploration is to begin as soon as September 2010. ENI est le premier société d’énergie italien à avoir accès au secteur de l’huile de la RD Congo. ENI est prévu d’assurer 55% du bloc de l’huile dans l’ouest du Congo Ndunda. L’exploration pétrolière va commencer dès Septembre 2010. MUB Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24197 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24170 The government of Democratic Republic of Congo is offering investment opportunities in the agricultural and food processing sectors to Indian entrepreneurs. This will involve leasing large scale farming plots to prospective entrepreneurs. MUB Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24170 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24171 For the past four years, Bosco Ntaganda has been on the wanted list of the International Criminal Court for war crimes in eastern Congo, but he is a free man serving as an army general in president Kabila’s government that has refused to make his arrest. Activist say Ntaganda belongs in a courtroom not the army; the government say he is too important to the ongoing peace process in the Kivu provinces. Which way forward? MUB Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24171 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24159 Antoine Bangui-Rombaye a été membre du gouvernement tchadien à plusieurs reprises entre 1962 et 1972, année où il tomba en disgrâce et fut emprisonné. Il a raconté ses 3 ans de prison dans un ouvrage autobiographique, Prisonnier de Tombalbaye. Auteur d’un essai, Tchad élections sous contrôle 1996-1997, il a aussi écrit des oeuvres plus intimes. DN Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=24159