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☆ Sethembile Msezane on creating the iconic image “Chapungu — The Day Rhodes Fell”
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Rosa Rahimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“Chapungu — The Day Rhodes Fell” has since become an iconic photograph, capturing the spirit of the #RhodesMustFall movement which led to the removal of 19th century colonist Cecil Rhodes’ statue at the University of Cape Town. “There is no way I could have conceptualized that moment and the way things unfolded on that day,” said Msezane, speaking to CNN from Cape Town. Artist Sethembile Msezane on a plinth in front of the statue of British colonialist Cecil John Rhodes. While several have now been returned, to this day, it remains at Rhodes’ former home at the Groote Shuur estate in Cape Town, Msezane explained. The statue of British colonialist Cecil John Rhodes was removed from South Africa's Cape Town University on April 9, 2015.

Persons: Sethembile Msezane, Rhodes, ”, Cecil Rhodes ’, Msezane, —, Sethembile, Cecil John Rhodes, Charlie Shoemaker, Zimbabwe —, Chapungu, Cecil Rhodes, ” Msezane, “, Schalk van, Lady Liberty, Rosie Organizations: CNN, University of Cape, Fine Arts, South London, South Africa's Cape Town University, Panzi, Democratic, University of Cape Town, Freedom, Worker’s Locations: University of Cape Town, Cape Town, “, Zimbabwe, Great Zimbabwe, Groote, London, Chile, Poland, United States, Iran, Bangladesh, South Africa's, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal

☆ U.N. Peacekeeping Mission Says Staff, Vehicles Attacked in Congolese Capital
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KINSHASA (Reuters) - The head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo said its staff and vehicles were attacked in the capital Kinshasa on Saturday as a worsening eastern security crisis fuels a backlash against the mission. Crowds on motorbikes gathered in the riverside Gombe district, where the U.N. mission known as MONUSCO and many embassies are located. A number of the mission's vehicles were torched, said MONUSCO head Bintou Keita in an online post. Photos You Should See View All 21 ImagesKinshasa police and the government did not respond to a request for comment. The fighting "could compromise food security and economic activities in Goma and the region.

Persons: Bintou Keita, OCHA, MONUSCO, Ange Kasongo, Justin Makangara, Ange Aboa, Alessandra Prentice, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Democratic, Kinshasa Locations: KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, Gombe, Ivorian, Goma, North Kivu, Congo, Congolese, Abidjan

☆ Ethnic Conflict Kills 11 People in Western Congo
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Fighting between ethnic communities left 11 people dead in western Congo on Tuesday, a local authority and civil society leader said after their bodies were collected on Wednesday. The conflict between Teke and Yaka communities that started in 2022 over a land dispute caused a deterioration in the humanitarian and security situation in several provinces near the capital Kinshasa. At least 3,000 people have been killed and more than 150,000 displaced by the conflict, according to the United Nations. The clashes in Mai-Ndombe province killed 10 Mobondo militants, allied with the Yaka community, and one soldier, village chief Stany Libie and civil society leader Martin Suta told Reuters. (Reporting by Ange Kasongo; Additional reporting by Sonia Rolley; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian and Portia Crowe; Editing by David Gregorio)

Persons: Stany Libie, Martin Suta, Libie, Ange Kasongo, Sonia Rolley, Anait Miridzhanian, Portia Crowe, David Gregorio Organizations: United Nations, Reuters Locations: KINSHASA, Congo, Kinshasa, Mai, Ndombe

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in Saturday following a disputed December election, promising to unite the Central African country during his second five-year term and to protect lives in the conflict-hit eastern region. We want a more united, stronger and prosperous Congo,” Tshikedi, 60, said during the inauguration ceremony attended by several heads of state. His first inauguration in 2019 marked Congo’s first democratic transfer of power since the country's independence from Belgium in 1960. Tshisekedi won reelection with more than 70% of the vote, according to the election commission. Tshisekedi became president in 2019 after emerging from the shadow of his father, who was one of Congo's most population figures.

Persons: Felix Tshisekedi, ” Tshikedi, Tshisekedi, ”, “, Félix Tshisekedi, ” Patrick Mbembe, Etienne Tshisekedi Organizations: —, Troops, East Locations: KINSHASA, Congo, Central, “, Belgium, Kinshasa, Eastern Congo, East African, Congolese

"After 25 years of presence, MONUSCO will definitively leave the DRC no later than the end of 2024,” Keita said at a media briefing in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa. The end of the mission will not be “the end of the United Nations” in the country, she added. The U.N. and Congolese officials worked together to produce a disengagement plan for “a progressive, responsible, honorable and exemplary withdrawal of MONUSCO,” Congolese Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula said. Modalities have also been set for “the gradual transfer of tasks from MONUSCO to Congolese government,” Lutundula added. The violence is occasioned by rampant mass killings and has displaced nearly 7 million people.

Persons: Bintou Keita, MONUSCO, ” Keita, Christophe Lutundula, ” Lutundula, —, “ Organizations: Central, United Nations, East Locations: KINSHASA, Congo, Congolese, Central African, South Kivu, North Kivu, Ituri, Kinshasa, MONUSCO, East African

☆ President Tshisekedi's Ruling Party Leads in Congo Legislative Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Ange KasongoKINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi's UDPS party won 66 seats in the December parliamentary election, placing it ahead of 44 other parties that won one or more seats in the 500-member house, provisional results showed on Sunday. The increased number of UDPS seats, up from 35 in the 2018 election, along with gains by allied parties, could enable Tshisekedi to maintain his ruling big tent Sacred Union coalition, giving him the majority needed to name a new government. The results of the legislative vote follow the Constitutional Court's confirmation of Tshisekedi's landslide re-election in the disputed Dec. 20-24 general election that was marred by allegations of fraud, logistical shortcomings and disruptions. Opposition parties and independent observers have raised concerns about the election's transparency, citing chaotic voting conditions and a murky tabulation process. Congo's opposition parties have repeatedly blasted the election as fraudulent and called for a re-run - a demand authorities have dismissed.

Persons: Ange Kasongo, Felix Tshisekedi's UDPS, Modeste Bahati, Jean Pierre Bemba, Vital Kamerhe, Tshisekedi, Africa's, Bate Felix, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Democratic, Sacred Union coalition, Provisional, Congo's, Sunday, Defence, Economy Locations: Ange Kasongo KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo

☆ A slew of new conflicts could erupt in 2024, analysts say — while the world is watching Gaza and Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-28 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

- | Afp | Getty ImagesWith the eyes of the world on the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, an unprecedented number of potentially "catastrophic" conflicts are going under the radar, analysts have warned. The U.N. estimated in October that more than 114 million people were displaced by war and conflict worldwide. There is good reason for that — it is currently the most dangerous place in the world to be a civilian." The political turbulence comes amid ongoing armed conflict in eastern DRC and widespread poverty, and precedes further regional elections early next year. If you look at Myanmar, of course you've got this huge population in Bangladesh of displaced Rohingyas, and also displaced within Myanmar itself," she said.

Persons: Abdel Fattah al, Burhan, David Miliband, Miliband, Isabelle Arradon, Rapid Support Forces —, Gen, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, Khalifa Haftar —, Arradon, Félix Tshisekedi, U.N, Antonio Guterres, you've, We've, It's Organizations: Afp, Getty, Rescue, Crisis, CNBC, Rapid Support Forces, UAE, IOM, UN's, Organization for Migration, Sudanese Armed Forces, Democratic, Government Locations: Red Sea, Port Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Libyan, Khartoum, Darfur, METEMA, Ethiopia, Metema, AFP, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of, Congo, DRC, Goma, North Kivu, Kigali, Kinshasa, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Shan, Sagaing, Kayah, Rakhine State, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal

☆ Scientists Launch Research Effort at COP28 for Congo Rainforest
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jake SpringSAO PAULO (Reuters) - Hundreds of scientists at the United Nations COP28 climate summit on Sunday launched a research coalition aimed at correcting a historic lack of information about the Congo River basin and its rainforest, the second largest in the world. The Science Panel for the Congo Basin, backed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, aims to issue a report in 2025 that offers the most detailed scientific assessment to date about the Congo Basin. "Our current knowledge of the functioning of the Congo Basin ecosystem is really very, very limited." The Democratic Republic of the Congo, home to most of the forest, had the second highest rate of tree cover loss in the world last year after Brazil, according to Global Forest Watch. More than 300 scientists are expected to contribute to the Congo report, Tshimanga said.

Persons: Jake Spring, Raphaël Tshimanga, Tshimanga, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Jake Spring SAO PAULO, Reuters, United, Sunday, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions, University of Kinshasa, Democratic, Global Forest Watch Locations: United Nations, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Brazil

An agent of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) inspects a tree extracted from the Amazon rainforest, in a sawmill during an operation to combat deforestation, in Placas, Para State, Brazil January 20, 2023. "Our current knowledge of the functioning of the Congo Basin ecosystem is really very, very limited." The Democratic Republic of the Congo, home to most of the forest, had the second highest rate of tree cover loss in the world last year after Brazil, according to Global Forest Watch. The scientific effort is modelled on the Science Panel for the Amazon that in 2021 issued a roughly 1,300 page report summarising the scientific consensus on the Amazon rainforest, the world's largest. More than 300 scientists are expected to contribute to the Congo report, Tshimanga said.

Persons: Ueslei Marcelino, Raphaël Tshimanga, Tshimanga, Jake Spring, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Brazilian Institute for, Environment, Natural Resources, REUTERS, SAO PAULO, United, Sunday, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions, University of Kinshasa, Democratic, Global Forest Watch, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Placas, Para State, Brazil, United Nations, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo

☆ Congo opposition party says activist killed in violence at election rally
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKINSHASA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A Congolese youth activist was killed on Tuesday by stones pelted during an opposition campaign rally in the east-central city of Kindu, the party of presidential candidate Moise Katumbi said. "This violence ... caused the tragic death of Mr Dido Kakisingi," the party said in a statement. Kakisingi, a lawyer and father of six, was the head of a political youth league in Maniema province that supports Katumbi, the party said. They didn't even send the police to secure us," said Seth Kikuni, one of the opposition candidates backing Katumbi. The CENI election commission has promised a fair and well-run election, but all of the opposition candidates have expressed concerns about potential electoral fraud.

Persons: Moise Katumbi, Arlette, Mr Dido Kakisingi, Seth Kikuni, Stephane Kamundala, Felix Tshisekedi, Katumbi, Martin Fayulu, Denis Mukwege, Ange Kasongo, Sonia Rolley, Alessandra Prentice, Susan Fenton Organizations: Democratic, REUTERS, Rights, Congolese, United, Reuters, Peace, Thomson Locations: Kitutu, Mwenga, South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of, Congo, Rights KINSHASA, Kindu, Maniema, Africa's, United States

Among his sexual contacts, five later tested positive for mpox, WHO said. “This is the first definitive proof of sexual transmission of monkeypox in Africa,” Oyewale Tomori, a Nigerian virologist who sits on several WHO advisory groups, said. The agency described the recent mpox outbreak as “unusual” and said it highlighted the risk the disease could spread widely among sexual networks. Those figures are roughly double the mpox toll in 2020, making it Congo's biggest-ever outbreak, WHO said. “Sexual transmission of monkeypox is likely established here, but (gay) communities are hiding it because of the draconian (anti-LGBTQ+) laws in several countries,” he added.

Persons: Oyewale, Mpox, Virologist Tomori, ”, Tomori Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: Congo, Belgium, Africa, Nigerian, Europe, Kinshasa, South Kivu, North America

☆ Factbox-The Big Topics That Will Define Congo's Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

But despite its wealth of copper, cobalt and other resources, little is passed down to ordinary Congolese. Tshisekedi has sought to rein in China's 70% share of Congo's mining sector by re-negotiating that and other contracts. Risk-averse companies that had previously avoided Congo's mining sector due to instability are taking a second look as new opportunities to tap into its minerals emerge. Nearly 7 million people are displaced in Congo as of June, the International Organization for Migration said, up 17% from October 2022. Opposition parties said registrations were skewed by the national election commission to favour Tshisekedi's ruling coalition.

Persons: Edward McAllister DAKAR, Felix Tshisekedi's, Tshisekedi, Joseph Kabila, Zaynab Hoosen, Tshisekedi's, China's CMOC, Maja Bovcon, Kabila, Gecamines, Bovcon, Martin Fayulu, Moise Katumbi, Denis Mukwege, Edward McAllister, Ange Kasongo, Sonia Rolley, Bate Felix, Christina Fincher Organizations: Democratic, International Monetary Fund, Notre, Congolese, United Nations, International Organization for Migration, Oxford Economics, Islamic State, Allied Democratic Forces, Cooperative for, Senior, Catholic Church Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Saharan Africa, Kinshasa, Oxford Economics Africa, Congo, China, North Kivu, DR Congo

☆ Factbox-The Main Contenders in Congo's December Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

President Felix TshisekediTshisekedi, 60, son of Congo's late opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, came to power in a disputed 2018 election buoyed by a power-sharing alliance with former president Joseph Kabila. In 2018, he was prevented from entering the country in time to submit his candidacy for the presidential election. Old rival Martin FayuluFayulu, 66, a former Exxon Mobil executive, came second in the 2018 election that he claims he won. Before the 2018 election, Fayulu was chosen as the joint opposition candidate in a deal with Tshisekedi. Fayulu sent representatives to a meeting in South Africa where the main opposition candidates discussed joining forces behind one candidate.

Persons: Ange Kasongo, Felix Tshisekedi, Martin Fayulu, Denis Mukwege, Felix Tshisekedi Tshisekedi, Congo's, Etienne Tshisekedi, Joseph Kabila, unravelled, Vital Kamerhe, Jean, Pierre Bemba, Tshisekedi, Businessman Moise Katumbi Katumbi, Kabila, Katumbi, Martin Fayulu Fayulu, Fayulu, Mukwege, Marie José Ifoku, Bate Felix, William Maclean Organizations: Democratic, Peace, Exxon Mobil, Tshisekedi Locations: Ange Kasongo KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Congo, Congolese, Rhodes Island, Congo's Katanga, South Africa

The total of $26,000 that WHO has provided to the victims equals about 1% of the $2 million, WHO-created “survivor assistance fund” for victims of sexual misconduct, primarily in Congo. “There is nothing we can do to make up for (sexual abuse and exploitation)," Gamhewage told the AP in an interview. The WHO has also helped defray medical costs for 17 children born as a result of sexual exploitation and abuse, she said. Gamhewage received $231 a day during her three-day trip to the Congolese capital Kinshasa, according to an internal travel claim. The U.N. health agency continues to struggle with holding perpetrators of sexual abuse and exploitation to account in Congo.

Persons: Gamhewage, didn't, Paula Donovan, “, ”, Donovan, ” Gamhewage, Alphonsine, ” Alphonsine, Melinda Gates, Denise, Krista Larson, Jamey Keaten Organizations: Health, WHO, The Associated Press, AP, Melinda Gates Foundation Locations: Congo, Gaya, Congolese, —, Beni, Kinshasa, Dakar, Senegal, Geneva

☆ Eyeing Election, Congo President Eases Some Terms of Eastern Military Rule
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Ange KasongoKINSHASA (Reuters) - With little over two months until a general election, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi on Thursday said some conditions of military rule in conflict-hit eastern provinces would be eased, partly to encourage participation in the vote. Last year, U.N. experts and Amnesty International said security had deteriorated since the state of siege was imposed. The insecurity has caused the displacement of about 6 million people, the United Nations' top representative in Congo said in September. On Thursday, the U.S. embassy said it was concerned about an increase in violence in North Kivu. "The crisis in eastern DRC requires a political and not a military solution," it said in a statement.

Persons: Ange Kasongo, Felix Tshisekedi, Alessandra Prentice, Grant McCool Organizations: Amnesty International, Amnesty, United Nations Locations: Ange Kasongo KINSHASA, North Kivu, Ituri, Congo, U.S, DRC

GOMA, Congo (AP) — The United Nations has suspended and detained eight peacekeepers in eastern Congo over allegations of sexual exploitation, a U.N. official said. Their mission is to protect civilians, deter armed groups, and build the capacity of state institutions and services. Political Cartoons View All 1207 ImagesDespite the presence of the peacekeepers in Congo for decades, the conflict has continued and is increasing. Accusations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in Congo are not new and in the past have been considered the epicenter of the U.N.'s sexual abuse crisis. In 2017, of the 2,000 sexual abuse and exploitation complaints made against the U.N. worldwide over the past 12 years, more than 700 occurred in Congo.

Persons: ___ Kamale, Sam Mednick Organizations: United Nations, Associated Press Locations: GOMA, Congo, South Africa, Beni, North Kivu, Fizi, South Kivu, Kinshasa, Cotonou, Benin

☆ Congo Ruling Coalition Backs Tshisekedi for December Vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Ange KasongoKINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi was officially nominated on Sunday as candidate for the Dec. 20 presidential election by his ruling political coalition the Sacred Union. Tshisekedi is seeking a second term in the vast nation, which is the world's top cobalt supplier and No. 3 copper producer, after winning a disputed first term in a 2018 vote. On Sunday, a congress of the Sacred Union coalition that includes political heavyweights such as Defence Minister Jean Pierre Bemba and Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe, picked Tshisekedi unanimously. Tshisekedi, the son of Congo's beloved long-term opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, promised to root out corruption and authoritarianism and has rejected accusations by rights groups and critics that he has fallen short on his promises.

Persons: Ange Kasongo, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi, Tshisekedi, Jean Pierre Bemba, Vital Kamerhe, Felix Tshisekedi, Andre Mbata, Congo's, Etienne Tshisekedi, Martin Fayulu, Bate Felix, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Democratic, Sacred Union, Sacred Union coalition, Defence, Economy, Union, Tshisekedi Locations: Ange Kasongo KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of, Rwanda, Republic, Kinshasa, Tshisekedi

☆ Congo president asks UN peacekeepers to start packing up this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Ange Adihe Kasongo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. But its presence has become increasingly unpopular in recent years for what critics say is a failure to protect civilians against militia groups, sparking deadly protests. "It is to be deplored that peacekeeping missions deployed for 25 years... have failed to cope with the rebellions and armed conflicts," Tshisekedi told the assembly in a speech. More than 40 people were killed and dozens wounded in an army crackdown on violent anti-U.N. demonstrations in the eastern city of Goma last month. Another protest in July 2022 resulted in more than 15 deaths, including three peacekeepers in Goma and the city of Butembo.

Persons: Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Eduardo Munoz, Felix Tshisekedi, Tshisekedi, Ange Kasongo, Edward McAllister, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Democratic, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, United Nations, General, Central, of, Thomson Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, New York City, U.S, Rights KINSHASA, Republic, Goma, Butembo

☆ DRC Congo to Move Its Embassy to Jerusalem From Tel Aviv -Israeli Statement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo will move its Israel embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday. Netanyahu, who met Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi during the U.N. General Assembly, announced in a statement that Israel would also be opening an embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo. Only a handful of countries have their embassies in Jerusalem, with most others maintaining their diplomatic representation in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, Israel's main economic hub. While Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and indivisible capital and wants all embassies based there, most of the world does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the entire city, believing its status should be resolved in negotiations. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Editing by Leslie Adler and Matthew Lewis)

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Felix Tshisekedi, Israel, Ari Rabinovitch, Leslie Adler, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Democratic, General Assembly Locations: JERUSALEM, Democratic Republic of Congo, Israel, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Israeli, Kinshasa

☆ DR Congo, Mauritania and Mozambique qualify for Cup of Nations finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CAPE TOWN, Sept 9 (Reuters) - The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania and Mozambique qualified for the next Africa Cup of Nations finals with wins on Saturday, but the games were overshadowed by the earthquake in Morocco that killed more than 1,000 people. The Gambia and Congo teams had to evacuate their hotel rooms when the quake hit on Friday and spent the night sleeping next to their respective hotel swimming pools. Mozambique booked their place earlier on Saturday with a last-gasp 3-2 home win over Benin in Maputo. On top of hosts Ivory Coast and Saturday's successful trio, the other finalists are Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, the Cape Verde Islands, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pierre, Emerick, Jean Noel Amonome, Theo Bongonda, Saturday's, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: Democratic, Africa, Nations, U.S . Geological, Reuters, Confederation of African Football, DR, Belgium, Congolese, Clesio, Ivory Coast, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania, Mozambique, Morocco, Liberia, Gambia, Congo, Marrakech, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Sudan, Gabon, Kinshasa, Mayele, Benin, Maputo, Senegal, Burundi, Cameroon, Namibia, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, Cape Town

[1/5] Oze Makvala, 19, a homeless teenager who has slept rough on the streets for years, sings at the studio of Mokili Na Poche cultural centre, a Congolese arts refuge that helps street children, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo September 5, 2023. "It really makes me happy when I sing," said 19-year-old Osé Mavakala, who has slept on the streets for years like more than 20,000 other homeless children in Kinshasa, according to U.N. agency UNICEF. Other teens looked on with pride as Mavakala rapped intently into the microphone at a session in late August. Founder Cedrick Tshimbalanga hopes these skills and the routine will help the children find their feet and their voices. Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Makvala, Justin Makangara, Mavakala, Lil Wayne, Fally, Cedrick Tshimbalanga, Tshimbalanga, Alessandra Prentice, Aurora Ellis, Emelia Organizations: Democratic, REUTERS, Rights, UNICEF, Thomson Locations: Congolese, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rights KINSHASA

☆ How 4 Countries Are Preparing to Bring Stolen Treasures Home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Catherine Hickley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The discussion about returning wrongfully acquired heritage to countries in the global south has, until now, largely focused on the steps taken by Western museums and governments. But away from the spotlight, in countries like Cameroon and Indonesia, heritage workers, government officials and activists are laying the groundwork to reclaim long lost treasures, a process most expect will take decades. Challenges include establishing who will own and take care of the artifacts, upgrading museum infrastructure, involving communities and awakening public interest. “We have an enormous mission,” said Placide Mumbembele Sanger, a professor at the University of Kinshasa who is advising the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government. “It will be a long process.”

Persons: ”, Placide Mumbembele Sanger Organizations: University of, Democratic Locations: Cameroon, Indonesia, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo’s

A partial view of the Lalibela town in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia, January 25, 2022. In that war, federal forces faced battle-hardened fighters loyal to Tigray's ruling party, who at one point advanced hundreds of kilometres towards the capital Addis Ababa. Following the Tigray deal, his government held preliminary talks with rebels in the Oromiya region, Ethiopia's largest, about ending a decades-long insurgency. But anger was building in Amhara, where the Tigray deal deepened existing suspicions of Abiy's government. It said the status of lands claimed by both Amhara and Tigray, which Amhara forces captured during the war, should be resolved "in accordance with the constitution".

Persons: Abiy, Tewodrose Tirfe, Temesgen, Ethiopia's, Fano, Addisu Lashitew, Befekadu Hailu, Aaron Ross, Angus MacSwan Organizations: REUTERS, Tiksa, Fano, Amhara Association of America, Brookings Institution, Protesters, Thomson Locations: Amhara Region, Ethiopia, NAIROBI, Tigray, Amhara, Fano, Africa, Eritrea, Sudan, Addis Ababa, Oromiya

☆ Rwandan forces crossed Congolese border, Congo's army says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 27 (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's army said Rwandan defense forces crossed the Congolese border on Thursday and attacked border security forces, potentially escalating tensions between the African neighbours. "The ensuing clashes enabled the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) to repel the Rwandan terrorists who had perpetrated this intolerable provocation," the statement said, adding that the authors of the attack retreated to Rwanda. A Rwandan government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Congo and Rwanda have been involved in a dispute since last year over the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, a militia active in eastern Congo which Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing. United Nations experts have also said they have evidence that Rwandan troops have fought alongside the M23 in eastern Congo and provided the rebels with weapons and supplies.

Persons: GOMA, Djaffar Al Katanty, Anait Miridzhanian, Nellie Peyton, Chris Reese, Sandra Maler Organizations: Democratic, Armed Forces, Rwandan, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of, Rwandan, Congolese, Congo, Rwanda, Kinshasa

☆ Congo's Catholic church questions government's election preparations
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The country's Catholic church has a long history of promoting democracy in the vast African country where organising elections has been complicated by financial and logistical problems, and where disputes over vote tampering have frequently caused widespread unrest. The election commission, CENI, has made insufficient progress creating a tripartite consultation framework between the majority, the opposition and civil society, and not invited international observers to ensure fair elections, CENCO said. The election commission did not respond to the comments and told Reuters that it will address the electorate on Sunday. The Catholic church is currently gearing up to monitor elections scheduled for December in which President Felix Tshisekedi will seek a second term in office. Reporting by Ange Kasongo; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; editing by David EvansOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: CENCO, Martin Fayulu, Felix Tshisekedi, Ange Kasongo, Anait, David Evans Organizations: Democratic, National Episcopal Conference of, Catholic, Reuters, Thomson Locations: KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of, National Episcopal Conference of Congo

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