Latest news with #Congo-Rwanda
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ex-Congo leader Joseph Kabila resurfaces from exile
AP image Joseph Kabila, the self-exiled former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), appeared in public for the first time since 2023 on Thursday. Kabila, who is wanted on suspicion of crimes against humanity for his support of insurgents accused of massacring civilians in the eastern part of the country, appeared in rebel-held territory to meet with local religious leaders in what was billed as an effort to mediate peace. Beyond the threat of prosecution, authorities in Congo are also seeking to ban Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) as well as seizing assets held by its leaders. Kabila has said for weeks that he would return to help find a solution to an ongoing conflict that has seen M23 rebels make large territorial gains since January. Kabila, who has spent much of his exile in South Africa, has denied ties to M23. Kabila: Peace broker or would-be rebel leader? After meeting with Kabila at the former president's residence outside Goma in eastern Congo on Thursday, Joel Amurani said, "The former president... called us to express his wish to see peace return to the eastern part of the country and throughout the country." Amurani is president of the Interfaith Synergy for Peace and Mediation, a religious group that attended the meeting. An aide to Kabila said further talks would be held with political, military and civic leaders on Friday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Kabila gave no indication of how long he would remain in the rebel-held area. The government of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi this week accused Kabila of "positioning himself as the rebel leader" alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame as a result of his sudden reappearance after rebel advances. The United Nations and other Western nations accuse Rwanda of supplying arms and assistance to M23 rebels battling Congolese forces, something Kagame's government denies. Kabila's return could complicate plans for a US-proposed Congo-Rwanda peace agreement paired with a multi-billion-dollar minerals deal in the resource-rich country. Massad Boulos, White House senior Africa adviser and the father-in-law of US President Donald Trump's daughter Tiffany, has previously said the deal could be finalized by summer. Eastern Congo is known for its vast mineral riches, however, the World Bank ranks the DR Congo as one of the five poorest countries in the world. During his time in power, Kabila oversaw the sale of cobalt, copper, diamonds and uranium during a reign marked by accusations of corruption and poor governance. Congo's current government calls ex-President Kabila a traitor Joseph Kabila took control of Congo as a 29-year-old when his father, Laurent Kabila, was killed by a bodyguard. The younger Kabila then led Congo for 18 years before ultimately stepping aside to make way for Felix Tshisekedi in 2019 — in what was the first "peaceful" transition of power in the country since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. Before Kabila stepped down, however, dozens of civilians were killed after he delayed the vote and clung to power. Though he had maintained a low profile while wielding considerable political influence behind the scenes since then, Kabila broke his public silence last Friday when he delivered a speech decrying what he called "dictatorship" in the DRC. Tshisekedi's government now accuses Kabila of treason.
DW
4 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Ex-Congo leader Joseph Kabila resurfaces from exile – DW – 05/29/2025
Joseph Kabila, former president of the DR Congo, appeared in the rebel-held eastern Congo "to push for peace." Kabila has been accused of atrocities in supporting insurgents. Joseph Kabila, the self-exiled former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), appeared in public for the first time since 2023 on Thursday. Kabila, who is wanted on suspicion of crimes against humanity for his support of insurgents accused of massacring civilians in the eastern part of the country, appeared in rebel-held territory to meet with local religious leaders in what was billed as an effort to mediate peace. Beyond the threat of prosecution, authorities in Congo are also seeking to ban Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) as well as seizing assets held by its leaders. Kabila has said for weeks that he would return to help find a solution to an ongoing conflict that has seen M23 rebels make large territorial gains since January. Kabila, who has spent much of his exile in South Africa, has denied ties to M23. Kabila: Peace broker or would-be rebel leader? After meeting with Kabila at the former president's residence outside Goma in eastern Congo on Thursday, Joel Amurani said, "The former president... called us to express his wish to see peace return to the eastern part of the country and throughout the country." Amurani is president of the Interfaith Synergy for Peace and Mediation, a religious group that attended the meeting. An aide to Kabila said further talks would be held with political, military and civic leaders on Friday. Kabila invited religious leaders to his home to discuss a path to peace in the DRC Image: Jospin Mwisha/AFP Kabila gave no indication of how long he would remain in the rebel-held area. The government of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi this week accused Kabila of "positioning himself as the rebel leader" alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame as a result of his sudden reappearance after rebel advances. The United Nations and other Western nations accuse Rwanda of supplying arms and assistance to M23 rebels battling Congolese forces, something Kagame's government denies. Kabila's return could complicate plans for a US-proposed Congo-Rwanda peace agreement paired with a multi-billion-dollar minerals deal in the resource-rich country. Massad Boulos, White House senior Africa adviser and the father-in-law of US President Donald Trump's daughter Tiffany, has previously said the deal could be finalized by summer. Eastern Congo is known for its vast mineral riches, however, the World Bank ranks the DR Congo as one of the five poorest countries in the world. During his time in power, Kabila oversaw the sale of cobalt, copper, diamonds and uranium during a reign marked by accusations of corruption and poor governance. Congo's current government calls ex-President Kabila a traitor Joseph Kabila took control of Congo as a 29-year-old when his father, Laurent Kabila, was killed by a bodyguard. The younger Kabila then led Congo for 18 years before ultimately stepping aside to make way for Felix Tshisekedi in 2019 — in what was the first "peaceful" transition of power in the country since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. Before Kabila stepped down, however, dozens of civilians were killed after he delayed the vote and clung to power. Though he had maintained a low profile while wielding considerable political influence behind the scenes since then, Kabila broke his public silence last Friday when he delivered a speech decrying what he called "dictatorship" in the DRC. Tshisekedi's government now accuses Kabila of treason. Edited by Sean Sinico
Arabian Post
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Arabian Post
Boakai Taps Sando Johnson for Key Senate Liaison Role Amid Political Tensions
President Joseph N. Boakai has appointed former Bomi County Senator Sando D. Johnson as his legislative liaison to the Liberian Senate, a move that has stirred both support and criticism across the political spectrum. The appointment, formalised in a letter dated May 1, 2025, underscores Johnson's return to a prominent role within the government. The letter, bearing the reference number JNB/MOS/RL/2742/2025, expressed confidence in Johnson's ability to execute the responsibilities with 'utmost integrity, dedication and commitment and continued loyalty to the country.' Johnson's new role entails managing the president's legislative agenda and ensuring effective communication between the Executive Mansion and the Senate. His extensive experience, including two terms in the Liberian Senate, positions him as a seasoned political figure capable of navigating the complexities of legislative processes. However, the timing of the appointment has not gone unnoticed. Just hours before the official announcement, Johnson made controversial remarks during a broadcast on Punch FM. He vehemently defended President Boakai and issued a stark warning to critics, stating, 'Beginning now, anyone who sits on a platform or in a gathering and insults President Boakai… I will insult you and the people supporting you.' These comments have ignited a debate about the tone of political discourse and the expectations of public officials. Political analysts are divided on the implications of Johnson's appointment. Some view it as a strategic move by President Boakai to consolidate support within the Senate, leveraging Johnson's experience and influence. Others express concern that Johnson's recent rhetoric may undermine the decorum expected of someone in a liaison role, potentially exacerbating political tensions. See also Washington Accord Signals New Phase in Congo-Rwanda Peace Efforts Johnson's political journey has been marked by both influence and controversy. As a former senator, he was known for his outspoken nature and active participation in legislative affairs. His alignment with President Boakai's administration signals a continued commitment to shaping Liberia's political landscape.
Arabian Post
30-04-2025
- Health
- Arabian Post
Philanthropic Coalition Unveils $500 Million Initiative to Combat Maternal and Newborn Mortality in Africa
A consortium of philanthropic organisations has launched a $500 million fund aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates across sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative, known as the Beginnings Fund, was announced in Abu Dhabi and is spearheaded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, and other partners. The fund aims to save the lives of 300,000 mothers and infants by 2030 through targeted interventions in ten African countries. The Beginnings Fund seeks to address the alarming statistic that over 800 women and 7,000 newborns die daily from preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. These deaths are predominantly due to infections, postpartum hemorrhage, and respiratory issues, which are often exacerbated by inadequate healthcare infrastructure and limited access to essential medical supplies. The initiative will focus on implementing low-cost, high-impact solutions in hospitals with high maternal and neonatal mortality rates. These solutions include the provision of intravenous iron to treat anemia, the use of antibiotics like azithromycin to prevent infections, and the administration of oxytocin and misoprostol to manage postpartum bleeding. Additionally, the fund will support the deployment of portable ultrasound devices equipped with artificial intelligence to assist healthcare workers in remote areas with prenatal diagnostics. A distinguishing feature of the Beginnings Fund is its emphasis on collaboration with local governments and organisations. By partnering with entities such as the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Delta Philanthropies, and the ELMA Foundation, the initiative aims to ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate and sustainable. The fund's operations will be coordinated from Nairobi, Kenya, facilitating closer engagement with the target regions. See also Washington Accord Signals New Phase in Congo-Rwanda Peace Efforts This substantial investment comes at a time when international aid for maternal and child health has seen significant reductions. The World Health Organization has warned that such cuts could reverse decades of progress in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The Beginnings Fund represents a concerted effort by private philanthropies to fill the void left by dwindling public funding and to reinvigorate global commitments to maternal and newborn health. Complementing this initiative, the Gates Foundation has also pledged $200 million to improve access to medical supplies and contraception in low- and middle-income countries. This funding will be divided equally between Unitaid and the United Nations Population Fund , supporting efforts to expand healthcare access and reproductive health services. At the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris, philanthropists including the Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Jackie and Miguel Bezos committed over $2 billion to combat global child malnutrition. These pledges underscore a growing recognition among private donors of the critical need to invest in maternal and child health, especially in regions where public funding is insufficient. Despite previous gains in reducing maternal and newborn mortality, progress has stalled in recent years. The Gates Foundation reports that maternal mortality rates have remained static globally since 2016, with two-thirds of these deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing underlying vulnerabilities, such as malnutrition and lack of access to quality healthcare, is essential to reversing this trend.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Praying for peace in Congo
GOSHEN — As fights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo escalate, Elkhart County residents are protesting for peace. Alma and Evra Tshisola, of Elkhart, put together a small protest at the Elkhart County Courthouse in Goshen on Saturday afternoon, with the crowd in attendance sharing information and hymns asking the American people for mercy and support. 'Congo is not in the news as they should be,' Alma said. 'They are facing a genocide for more than 30-plus years. Violence has escalated in the past couple of months and this needs to be known by everybody. We need to stand as fellow humans against this genocide and occupation.' Since January, Congo's government said that at least 7,000 people have died in the fighting and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says at least 600,000 have been displaced. Armies across Africa have fought with Congo since the 1990s, but mostly withdrew in 2003 after a peace deal was made. Small rebel groups continued to clash in North Kivu but M23 remained inactive until 2022 when the full-blown conflict began. Evra said the M23 rebels took control of Goma, a Congo-Rwanda border town of mixed nationalities back in January. Since then, M23 has taken Bukavu in Sout Kivu and expanded to North Kivu, expressing intent to seize power of DRC's capitol, Kinshasa in a coup. Evra moved to the United States around 10 years ago and most of his family still resides in Congo. 'It's just scary because you don't know where this thing's going to go,' he said. 'Right now, the rebels are just taking city-by-city and approaching the capitol. It's scary having family there because we don't know what's going to happen. They live in fear. Today they can be fine, but they don't know what's going to happen tomorrow.' Eastern Congo is home to resources including coltan, cobalt, copper and lithium, and according to the Tshisola, the resources are a primary cause of the war and the lack of support the country is receiving. 'Congo has a lot of resources that contribute to the making of phones, computers, electrocars — cobalt is the main one,' Alma said. 'This issue is very complex, because Congo is hugely rich in these resources, everybody wants a piece of it, so Rwanda is carrying out this genocide in Congo so they can get a piece of these resources and they can sell it to all the U.S., the European nations. It's founded in the the baseline of the resources, funding this genocide because everybody wants a piece of it.' 'You know, when there's more resources taken from a country we try to hide it so that other people don't hear about it,' Evra said. 'They try to put it under the table.' Alma reminded Evra that the governments supporting Rwanda also impact the situation surrounding Congo and its minerals. 'The European countries, America, (are) supporting Rwanda,' Evra explained. 'They are supplying them and making this war going on. When you tell people about this they are just surprised because they don't know about it.' The M23 rebel group has claimed it has hopes to take over the Congolese government, but Evra said the truth is that the rebel group is also being exploited for its passion. 'I think the other piece of it is because Congo cannot give in an easy way, that's why they're going through, to the Rwandan government, so they can get it easily,' Evra added. 'Since they cannot come straight to Congo to get the resources, they are using Rwanda.' Alma said the goal is to end the genocide. 'We know that the natural resources, they're going to be used no matter what,' she said. 'But we want the resources to be used in a just and respectable way so the people of Congo can flourish and succeed and be in peace. This genocide it makes no sense.'
