A passenger plane trying to land in bad weather has crashed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congolese officials say the plane was carrying more than 100 people when it went down while approaching the international airport at Kisingani Friday. Congo’s information minister, Lambert Mende, says about 40 passengers appear to have survived. Officials said […]
Congolese Colonel Surrenders Following Mass Rape Accusations
A Congolese colonel accused of leading his troops on a multi-day rampage and mass rape has turned himself. A military spokesman for the Democratic Republic of Congo said Friday that the colonel, known as Kifaru, surrendered Thursday with about 100 of his men. Some DRC officials accused Colonel Kifaru and his men of pillaging Nakiele, […]
Congo Rape Inquiry Suspended After Reprisals
An investigation into mass rapes in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been called off after some of the victims were attacked. The United Nations said Wednesday that a judicial inquiry had spoken to about 150 victims and witnesses but that some of those who spoke had suffered from reprisals. At least 387 women, men, […]
UN: Congolese Troops Guilty of Mass Rapes
The United Nations says it has confirmed government troops were responsible for raping dozens of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo last month. U.N. spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva Friday human rights investigators confirmed large-scale rape, pillaging and other crimes during a three-day rampage by troops in the country’s South Kivu province. […]
UN Extends Congo Peacekeeping Mission
The U.N. Security Council has extended the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo for another year. In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the council said any force reduction should depend on a decrease of violence in Congo’s volatile east. It also said any change to the nearly 20,000-strong force should […]
Boat Capsizes on Lake Albert, 19 Believed Dead
Officials say 19 people are believed dead after a boat capsized on Lake Albert in central Africa. Authorities say six people were rescued after the boat turned over late Friday. The remaining 19 passengers were still missing as of Monday. Many of the victims were members of the same family. Lake Albert straddles the border […]
UN Says 150 Women Raped in DRC
The United Nations says more than 150 women in the Democratic Republic of Congo were raped during a two-day attack in South Kivu province this month. In a statement Thursday, the U.N.’s special representative on combating sexual violence, Margot Wallstrom, blamed the attack on undisciplined Congolese security forces. She said former rebels in Congo are […]
Aid Group Decries Mass Rape in DR Congo
A medical aid group says more than 100 women in the Democratic Republic of Congo were raped during a two-day attack in South Kivu province this month.. Doctors Without Borders says the rapes took place around the town of Fizi on June 10 through June 12. A regional official with the group, Megan Hunter, said […]
Aid Group Decries Mass Rape in DR Congo
A medical aid group says more than 100 women in the Democratic Republic of Congo were raped during a two-day attack in South Kivu province this month.. Doctors Without Borders says the rapes took place around the town of Fizi from June 10 to June 12. A regional official with the group, Megan Hunter, said […]
UN Congo Mission to Lose Indian Helicopters
India is getting set to withdraw its Mi-35 attack helicopters from the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The expected departure of the four aircraft early next month has sparked fears the U.N. mission will be less well 1equipped to safeguard civilians, especially in remote and volatile areas of eastern Congo. Indian […]