Assassinations signal more violence ahead in Burundi

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
National Council ◽  
Land Conflicts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Ranking ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Truth And Reconciliation ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Successful Change ◽  
Domestic Support

Significance Despite creeping atrocities carried out by state actors, acts of violence targeting government figures and high-ranking National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) members had been limited until recently. Changes in political targeting and assassinations by anti-government forces could signal the start of a bloodier conflict and more domestic support for these actions. An active armed rebellion appears to be operating in eastern areas of neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. Impacts A successful change in the constitution could increase the ruling party’s durability. Ongoing violence, even at lower levels, will prevent displaced refugees from returning home. The Burundi government’s hard-line stance offers little opportunity for improving relations with regional and international bodies. Political processes, such as unresolved land conflicts and the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, will continue to stall.

African politics and security to end-2017

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Central African Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
African Politics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Funding ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Step Down ◽  
Regional Leaders

Subject African politics and security to end-2017. Significance Key regional leaders are set to step down from national and party presidencies in Angola and South Africa, presidents in Nigeria and Zimbabwe are in ill health, while growing displacement crises in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could worsen without increased international funding and support. Although famine risks have lessened in South Sudan, conflict and instability will persist in Nigeria and Somalia as renewed insurgency threats grow.

Rwandan model’s longevity will depend on donor support

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Middle Income Country ◽  
Income Country ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Events ◽  
Governance Model ◽  
Donor Support ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
National Congress

Subject Rwanda's governance model. Significance The ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) celebrated its 30th anniversary in late 2017 with a series of major public events. Taken together, they provide a lens onto President Paul Kagame and the RPF’s rule -- and the very nature of power in Rwanda today. In particular, they demonstrate the extent to which the national political space now revolves around the figure of Kagame himself. Impacts Despite impressive development gains, Rwanda’s goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2020 remains ambitious. The Rwanda National Congress, which includes many former senior RPF figures, is the main opposition threat, but faces internal divisions. Regional insecurity in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo could be destabilising if it spills across borders.

Prospects for East Africa and the Great Lakes in 2018

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Democratic Legitimacy ◽  
Term Limit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Conflicts ◽  
Moderate Growth ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Subject Prospects for East Africa and the Great Lakes in 2018. Significance Questions of democratic legitimacy and transition will dominate the outlook for East Africa and the Great Lakes over the coming year, in the context of election controversies (Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya), constitutional term-limit issues (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda) and deepening political conflicts (Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan). Receding economic headwinds will support a moderate growth recovery for several states (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda), but political risk will weigh on the outlook for others (Burundi, DRC, Kenya, South Sudan).

Criminal groups hinder international peacebuilding

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Opportunities ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
International Peacebuilding ◽  
Criminal Groups

Subject The role of criminal organisations in conflicts. Significance Criminal organisations operate in conflict zones in and across countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Colombia, Mali, Libya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have come to shape conflicts and the states involved in them. Impacts Corruption and penetration by criminal organisations undercut governments' legitimacy. This makes it difficult for them to attract private investment that would provide legal economic opportunities. Criminal organisations reduce the profit margin of legal business activities, making many unviable. Local communities then can gradually turn to illicit economic opportunities, indirectly helping to fuel conflict.

Angola's Lourenco will fortify party and state control

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Debt Crisis ◽  
Vice President ◽  
State Control ◽  
Colonial Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Significance Previously, Lourenco had shown official deference to his predecessor, former President Jose Eduardo dos Santos (in office 1979-2017). However, since becoming head of the ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in September, a year after his election as state president, Lourenco has hardened his anti-graft rhetoric. Impacts Lourenco will try to mend strained relations with former colonial power Portugal; this could partially ease the debt crisis. Diplomatic tensions between Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo could worsen over the former's expulsion of Congolese migrants. Former Vice-President Manuel Vicente's reputation as a Lourenco confidante will hamper the president's good governance message.

Congo’s new president faces governance challenges

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Balance Of Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Governance Challenges ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Subject Congo's political outlook after elections. Significance The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has a new president, Felix Tshisekedi, but he enters office facing serious questions about both his legitimacy and his capacity to govern. Impacts The balance of power is fragile and just a starting point for negotiation; if the Kabila-Tshisekedi alliance falters a new crisis may arise. Local conflicts could be manipulated to pressure the new president, who has no security experience and likely little control over the army. If Tshisekedi cannot consolidate stability, pragmatic acceptance of his presidency could evaporate.

Congo’s Ebola response faces critical juncture

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Critical Juncture ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Subject The Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Significance Ebola cases in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are steadily rising and violence against healthcare workers has reached alarming levels, severely hampering the response. Impacts Protracted violence in the Beni area, even if unrelated to the response, will severely complicate humanitarian access. The fragmented political and military landscape around Butembo is conducive to conspiracy theories about the identities of perpetrators. The imperfect character of community engagement has entrenched distrust, and further violent episodes are likely.

Rwanda-Burundi tensions threaten regional stability

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Political Integration ◽  
East African ◽  
Regional Stability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East African Community ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
African Community ◽  
Armed Opposition Groups

Subject Rwanda-Burundi tensions. Significance Following months of angry exchanges, in late January, Rwanda issued a series of arrest warrants against individuals allegedly involved in armed opposition groups based in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It accuses Burundi of supporting those groups. Burundi in turn accuses Rwanda of supporting Burundian armed opposition groups in the DRC. Impacts The tensions will put more strain on the East African Community, which has struggled to strengthen security and political integration. The tensions will be especially detrimental to Burundi’s economy, which has been crippled by years of turmoil and isolation. Rwanda-Uganda tensions have also risen over recent years, but there are indications that Rwanda may look to de-escalate here.

Decarbonisation demand will support copper prices

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Fourth Quarter ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Copper Concentrate ◽  
Copper Gold ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Additional Support

Significance Record imports by China caused demand to exceed supply, creating a market deficit of 1.2% (278,000 tonnes) in 2020. Dollar weakness in the second half of 2020 added to nominal gains, and seasonal fourth-quarter demand provided additional support. Impacts The Democratic Republic of the Congo has postponed its plan to ban copper concentrate exports until the end of April. Barrick is rumoured to be thinking of buying Arizona-based Freeport; this would create a copper-gold mining powerhouse in North America. Ivanhoe’s study of its Kakula mine (Democratic Republic of the Congo) claims it is the world’s most environmentally friendly copper miner.

Protection of Civilians

2021 ◽  
pp. 261-274
Author(s):  
Walt Kilroy
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Peace Operations ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Un Peacekeeping ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

The protection of civilians was first included the mandate of a UN peacekeeping operation in 1999, and has since become a standard item on the list of tasks for integrated missions. The wording of the mandates has also become more ambitious, and force is not only permitted but has been used in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in tackling armed groups that were preying on civilians. Protecting civilians from direct physical violence is not simply a military matter, and it includes promoting political processes and improving the human rights environment. But the possibility of UN peacekeepers using force is a further step in the fundamental changes seen in peace operations since they began as a cautious, neutral presence where peace was already in place. Protecting civilians goes to the heart of peacekeeping, with very real dilemmas on whether and how to act. There can be significant consequences for civilians and conflict dynamics, whatever decisions are made.

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