This Week in the Great Lakes: Congo and UN tango over child soldiers while US preaches engagement
| Kigali, Rwanda
Since Kenya has declared the Monday after Christmas a , I thought I'd pitch in and give a roundup colossal enough to take you straight through the New Year.
Congo
Two thousand women from Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Sierra Leone and DRC marched in Rutshuru to demand better . The UN's plan to who survived mass rapes earlier this year by giving them communications equipment is foiled by the high cost of the equipment, which may make the villagers targets for further violence.
The UN Security Council a Congolese commander for recruiting child soldiers. Congo retains American after the Obama Administration DRC from sanctions for child soldier recruitment, citing a belief that working with "troubled militaries is the best way to reform them." Rights groups say recruiting continues.
Congo protests the with the US after the Obama Administration accuses its army of complicity in crimes against civilians. A French emissary calls human rights in the country a "." The US and Congo sign a non-proliferation agreement. The US a Congolese company rumored to be linked to Kabila of funding Hezbollah. Congo could be getting a new political party.
Congo prepares to become of the Kimberly Process, intended to ensure diamonds are conflict-free. Advocates accuse of failing to keep "conflict minerals" out of their products. France considers claiming a stake, from the eastern Congo, in the race for in Lake Albert.
The UN sends 900 north to protect against attacks by the Lord's Resistance Army. Thirty-four local groups in four countries to President Obama for military aid and other help to defeat the LRA.
A three-man Oregon kayaking crew loses its leader to a on the Lukuga river. Hollywood star turned activist-for-Congo wants to make a movie about Congo but can't find a buyer.
Rwanda
A top leader in the FDLR, the Rwandan Hutu rebel group with foot soldiers in eastern Congo and leadership in Europe, is in France, following last month's ICC indictment for his alleged crimes in the DRC. Two others are charged in . Canada is set to an accused genocidaire to Kigali.
The in the Rwandan diaspora is jumping. A conference of the concluded last week in Kigali.
American-led support for expands to Butare. A on political space gets testy, and a local journalist is of "aiding the enemy." Rwandan journalists petition the senate to change the country's laws.
A would-be opposition politician jailed on terrorism charges was . Rwandan military officers in exile form a . Rwandan military leadership holds a .
The Rwandan government will collect less than 40 percent of expected taxes this year, forcing of about $15 million next year. India promises $250 million to develop... pretty much . Rwanda anticipates greater investment in its , thanks to the mining ban in neighboring Congo. Coffee experts in Kigali hope that will increase their market value.
may take off in some districts. gets new outside investment. A $900 million project starts next year. Kigali City is a director to oversee progress on the city鈥檚 master plan.
A opens in Kigali. Rwanda offers five Haitians .
Burundi
The UN its Burundi operations and changes its in-country leadership. Burundi the UN Group of Experts findings that an ex-rebel group is resuming trainings in neighboring DRC. Mysterious continue. The UN Secretary General worries about Burundi鈥檚 鈥溾�� of oppression.
Several by Al Shabab have been disrupted, the government says. Four out of five Burundians want a . The government a local anti-corruption watchdog鈥檚 report. President Pierre the top body of the East African Community.
rises nearly 1 percent this year. Egypt courts Burundi鈥檚 cooperation on with investment and aid. A UK non-governmental organization brings youth from post-conflict countries to teach techniques inner-city London.
Around the region
A Ugandan military official says the country鈥檚 troops will in the DRC and South Sudan until Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group, is captured. Climate change the river between Uganda and Congo, wreaking havoc on farms.
Kenya says it has by Al Shabab, including on the US Embassy and AU headquarters in Nairobi. A Kenyan writer argues that are good for Africa.
China's first on its economic engagement with the continent declares, "China shows great concern for the livelihood of African people." Two Chinese mine managers face on charges of shooting 12 Zambian miners in October.
An , moving everything from leopard skins to live animals across four central African countries, is broken. The population has grown 25 percent since 2003.
Leaked American diplomatic cables allege attempted in the region. The Republic of Congo鈥檚 outbreak hits 200 fatalities.
鈥� Jina Moore is a freelance reporter based in Kigali, Rwanda who blogs .
