:
Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
August 5, 2007: The UN and the
government are trying to halt the growth of newspapers and radio stations in
the east that are putting out a lot of anti-Tutsi material. The Tutsi are a
well organized minority in the east, that have migrated to the area only in the
last century, and are thus seen as interlopers by many of those who have been
there far longer.
August 4, 2007: Congo is
demanding compensation for theft by Ugandan military forces that entered the
Congo between 1996 through 2001. The Ugandan forces (located in Ituri province)
"plundered" Congolese natural resources, removing diamonds, gold, and valuable
minerals. Ugandans also are accused of participating in atrocities. The Ugandan
troops withdrew from the Congo in 2003.) In 2005, the International Court of
Justice found Uganda guilty of plunder
and violating Congo's sovereign territory. Congo wants ten billion
dollars in compensation. The court ruled that Uganda should "make reparation"
for injuries, but did not mention a specific amount of money. Uganda says that
figure must be "discussed." Arbitration is a possibility, but recently a
Ugandan government spokesman said that Uganda is taking the position that no
payment should be made.
July 30, 2007: The UN reported
that there has been there has been a massive number of rapes in Congo over the
last decade. The Congolese Army, the National Police, and other security
organizations failed to stop the violence.
July 29, 2007: The UN believes
that the Congo has 1.1 million internal refugees "internally displaced people).
400,000 Congolese have left the country.