Security situation deteriorated in several provinces: Enyele rebels 4-5 Apr occupied Equateur provincial capital Mbandaka; 21 killed in clashes with FARDC and MONUC (3 UN personnel killed); MONUC and FARDC continued joint action against rebels despite MONUC-govt tensions. In Ituri district, Orientale province, FPJC and LRA 3 Apr attacked Komanda and Sambia respectively; Ituri civil society 12 Apr called for longer MONUC presence. 8 ICRC employees abducted 13 Apr by Mai Mai in S Kivu, released 16 Apr. UNSG 13 Apr recommended 2-phase MONUC drawdown: 2,000 troops to withdraw 30 June from west; eastern troops to withdraw after UN/govt periodic review; UN USG for humanitarian affairs 30 Apr warned against rushed MONUC withdrawal. Interior Minister Adolphe Lumanu 12 Apr said elections will be held in 2011; electoral commission announced revision of electoral lists by 19 May. Opposition 22 Apr accused govt of weakening provinces and alleged govt implication in recent wave of governors’ resignations in S Kivu, Maniema and Bandundu. Former PPRD/AMP party secretary general Vital Kamhere and opposition parties UDPS and MLC said opposed to constitutional revision suggested by experts committee in March; 12 Apr UDPS demonstration against revision dispersed by police in Kinshasa.

DPKO head Alain Le Roy and President Kabila 4 March discussed timetable for MONUC pull-out; govt 11 March reiterated call for withdrawal before 2011 elections. DRC ambassador to UN Ileka Atoki 19 March demanded SRSG Alan Doss be replaced, calling him “corrupt”. Govt 11 March announced 271 FDLR rebels “neutralised” during Amani Leo operation. Col. Noboka Rashidi of FDLR splinter wing RUD 22 March surrendered to MONUC, announced hopes 400 FDLR/RUD men he commanded in Lubero would follow suit. FARDC 11 March abducted 3 wounded FDLR fighters from MSF-run hospital. Parliament 15 March opened new session: ruling PPRD/AMP advocated extension of president’s term, strongly rejected by opposition. Govt 2 March announced possible trial of FARDC commander Innocent Zimunrinda, accused of mass atrocities in N Kivu. ICC trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba delayed to 5 July after defence lawyers challenged admissibility of case. LRA attacks continued in north east. Human Rights Watch 28 March reported 321 killed, 250 abducted by LRA in Makombo area, Orientale province, 14-17 Dec 2009; DRC justice minister rejected massacres occurred, said “no more than 25” died.

President Kabila reshuffled and downsized cabinet from 54 to 44 members 19 Feb in compliance with World Bank debt relief requirements. FDLR violence continued in S Kivu, including 7 killed in attack on Kisembe 12 Feb; MONUC 24 Feb announced FDLR were in control of Irameso mining site. Govt and MONUC 18 Feb denied Amani Leo operation delayed over participation of ex-CNDP senior officers. 350 soldiers 16 Feb reintegrated into FARDC after deserting and joining FDLR in Dec. DRC, Rwanda and UNHCR 15-17 Feb signed technical agreements in Kigali for voluntary repatriation of 53,000 Tutsi Congolese to DRC and 89,000 Hutu Rwandans to Rwanda. Some 130,000 DRC refugees in Republic of Congo and CAR who fl late 2009 violence in Equateur Province resisting return, citing security risk. Tensions within provincial assemblies high: assembly deputies in Equateur, Province Orientale and Katanga called for top officials to resign over embezzlement; Katanga assembly still closed after 28 Jan skirmishes. ICC trial of Thomas Lubanga interrupted 3 Feb for defence lawyers to gather evidence in DRC.

Amani Leo military operation launched by FARDC (national army) 1 Jan following end of controversial Kimia II operation 31 Dec, with aim to combat FDLR rebels, protect civilians and hold territory in defensive operations. MONUC announced support for Amani Leo for 3 months with possible renewal. UN reported death of 157 insurgents, 1 soldier in further clashes around Dongo, Equateur province, over 31 Dec-1 Jan; information minister Lambert Mende 3 Jan announced army had secured area and high death toll resulted from insurgents’ resistance to disarm. Parliament 15 Jan started 30-day extraordinary session to clear legislative backlog. Members of former rebel CNDP reportedly arrived in Kinshasa 13 Jan to claim 5 ministerial posts provided for in March peace deal with govt, also suggesting creation of reconciliation ministry. President Kabila early month fired 3,000 civil servants: 100 for corruption and several hundred others for working beyond pensionable age. Defense case of Thomas Lubanga, accused of enlisting child soldiers during 1998-2003 war, opened in The Hague 7 Jan.

UNSC 23 Dec extended MONUC’s mandate for shortened, 5 month period to reconfigure mandate around civilian protection and DDR/SSR. Followed further strong condemnation of MONUC’s support for controversial anti-FDLR operation Kimia II, including 12 Dec publication of UN Panel of Experts report stressing operation’s failure to neutralise FDLR, and NGO reports highlighting humanitarian impact. Leaked documents revealed UN legal office advised against MONUC support to abusive Congolese forces. MONUC Chief Alan Doss during 16 Dec UNSC briefing announced Kimia II would be completed 31 Dec and replaced with “hold and build” strategy. Reports 150 members of CNDP forces recently integrated into Congolese army deserted in east early Dec; at least 23 civilians thought killed by group in Masisi since 17 Dec. Military operations against armed groups in Equateur Province commenced 6 Dec; govt announced scores killed in continuing tribal clashes mid-late month. President Kabila 7 Dec announced local elections to be held along with presidential polls in 2011 instead of planned 2010; concerns over logistical challenges of dual polls. ICC appeals chamber 2 Dec overturned Aug 2009 granting of bail to former opposition MLC leader Jean-Pierre Bemba ahead of April trial for crimes committed in CAR.

Security seriously deteriorated in northwest province of Equateur, following eruption of inter-tribal violence over farming and fishing rights 29 Oct: at least 100 civilians and 26 police reported killed by mid-Nov and tens of thousands displaced internally and to Republic of Congo. UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy 2 Nov announced MONUC had suspended cooperation with Congolese army’s 213th brigade, involved in targeted killing of 62 civilians over May-Sept during anti-FDLR operation Kimia II. MONUC command 11 Nov stressed no intention to broaden suspension. Human Rights Watch in 2 Nov report documented killing of hundreds of civilians by Congolese troops since March; UN Panel of Experts report to UNSC, leaked 25 Nov, stated operation had failed to dislodge FDLR, exacerbated humanitarian crisis; also detailed regional and international networks involved in illegal mineral exploitation. Reports emerged UN preparing MONUC exit strategy and President Kabila pressing for a 2010 withdrawal ahead of 2011 presidential elections. UN announced some 12,000 unregistered refugees, thought to be Congolese, arrived in N Kivu from Rwanda; expressed uncertainty over their identity and fears over impact on ethnic and land tensions. UN special envoy Obasanjo during 9 Nov briefing to UNSC said situation in east had “dramatically” improved, announced he and AU envoy Mkapa would scale down mediation roles. FDLR leader Ignace Murwanashyaka and deputy Straton Musoni arrested in Germany 17 Nov for crimes against humanity in DRC. ICC opened trial of 2 militia leaders accused of ordering deadly attacks in Bogoro, Ituri, in 2003.

FARDC announced it had captured 3 FDLR strongholds across S Kivu following intense fighting around 20 Sept; claimed 13 rebels killed, including base commander. FDLR 15-16 Sept launched attacks on villages in Walikale, S Kivu, before clashing with Mai Mai militias; 4 FDLR, 3 civilians killed. OCHA 16 Sept reported some 200 families fled region in wake of attack. 7 FDLR rebels killed by MONUC 29 Sept in N Kivu clash. LRA fighters conducted series of raids on N Kivu villages 17 Sept, abducting 30, killing 20 civilians. ICC 3 Sept suspended conditional release of ex-opposition MLC leader Jean-Pierre Bemba pending decision on his host country ahead of trial. Wanted genocidaire Ndahimana, arrested in DRC Aug, transferred to ICTR 20 Sept. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Pillay said Oct-Nov 2008 violence in N Kivu may amount to war crimes, implicated both govt and ex-rebel CNDP troops. Congolese court sentenced 2 Norwegians to death 8 Sept for espionage and murder.

National army (FARDC) forces operating under Kimia II operation 9 Aug arrested Gregoire Ndahimana, indicted by ICTR for planning massacre of 2,000 Tutsis during 1994 Rwandan genocide. Sporadic clashes continued in N and S Kivu; 16 civilians killed in attack by unconfirmed militia group in Mpama village, N Kivu, 12 Aug; 24 killed in fighting in S Kivu Mwenga area, including 21 militia. ICC 14 Aug ordered conditional release of ex-MLC opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba pending trial on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity in CAR; Chief Prosecutor Ocampo appealed decision. Further bilateral talks between President Kabila and Rwandan President Kagame held 6 Aug in Goma on security cooperation (see Rwanda). U.S. Sec State Clinton visited Kinshasa, Goma 10-12 Aug as part of 11-day Africa tour; pledged $17m new aid for victims of sexual violence. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced upcoming assessment mission on U.S. military support to combat sexual violence. UN reported thousands displaced after continued attacks by LRA rebels in northeast.

National army (FARDC) announced shift from reactive to offensive military operation in S Kivu - part of Kimia II - starting around 10 July in Shabunda and Mwenga territories. FARDC 29 July claimed to have captured FDLR command HQ in 27 July strikes in Kashindaba, claimed 14 rebels killed. FDLR attacks continued over month, with 13 July assault on MONUC and FARDC positions in Mwenga, and on 21 July on FARDC military base in N Kivu town Mandje, near S Kivu border; 24 killed including 16 civilians. UNHCR 24 July announced 35,000 displaced during Kimia II. UNSG in 30 June report called on MONUC to withdraw support from FARDC units responsible for human rights abuses. MONUC chief Alan Doss, briefing UNSC 10 July, announced deployment of 3,000 extra peacekeepers delayed until Oct. Defence Minister 17 July met with Rwandan and Burundian counterparts in Goma to discuss economic and security cooperation. FM Tambwe 24 July announced Congo to send 1st ambassador to Rwanda in over a decade.