DR Congo outsources its military

Mark Doyle of the BBC published a great report outlining the most recent involvement of Rwandan, Ugandan and South Sudanese forces in the conflict in Eastern Congo.

Read the BBC Report here

IT industry accused of fuelling trade in "blood tin"

Campaign groups claim manufacturers are using tin and other metals mined from conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

Read article here

Rwandan Troops Leave DRC

Thousands of Rwandan troops are leaving the Democratic Republic of Congo, five weeks after they crossed the border to attack Hutu rebels, who are behind years of conflict in the region.

In Pictures - from the BBC

If you missed it: Congo Event at Yale Law School

The following link is a video recording of the February 13, 2009 event at Yale Law School: "Warring Parties: Conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo."

Warring Parties - Quicktime

Check out the short film by photojournalist Marcus Bleasdale that was screened at the event:
Rape of a Nation

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Event details:
"Warring Parties: Conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo"

Short film screening: “Rape of a Nation,” by Marcus Bleasdale

Panel Discussion with:
Séverine Autesserre, Barnard College, Columbia University
Bryan Mealer, author of “All Things Must Fight to Live: Stories of War and Deliverance in Congo
Kambale Musavuli, Student Coordinator, Friends of the Congo
John Prendergast, Co-Chair, ENOUGH Project
Peter Rosenblum, Columbia Law School
Moderated by David Simon, Yale University

Reception and Photo Exhibit:
“Portraits of Survival" by Finbarr O'Reilly, Reuters West and Central Africa Chief Photographer

The Search for Gold in Congo

The New York Times published a 9 photo slideshow today entitled "The Search for Gold in Congo."

"Civil conflict in Congo has been driven for more than a decade by the violent struggle for control over the country's vast natural resources, including gold, diamonds and timber, most of which are exploited using hard manual labor."

View the slideshow here

Herbert on Congo in the NY Times

Bob Herbert of the New York Times writes about sexual violence in the Congo on February 21st:

Perhaps we’ve heard so little about them because the crimes are so unspeakable, the evil so profound.

Bob Herbert

For years now, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marauding bands of soldiers and militias have been waging a war of rape and destruction against women. This sustained campaign of mind-bending atrocities, mostly in the eastern part of the country, has been one of the strategic tools in a wider war that has continued, with varying degrees of intensity, since the 1990s. Millions have been killed.

Read the full article

Welcome to the Alliance

Dear all,
Welcome to the New Haven Alliance for Congo. With the help of community groups, individuals and universities in the greater Connecticut area, we hope to bring attention to the continuing conflict in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please check back regularly for news items, posts, events and information all relating to Congo. As our "Alliance" grows, we hope to join a larger movement across the US and indeed the world, standing in solidarity with Congolese people and shining light on a war that has killed millions and continues to do so.

Please spread the word, and get involved! Contact us at nhcongoalliance@gmail.com with any ideas, suggestions, improvements, etc. Join the community - let's do what we can for the Congo.