President Kabila, in letter to PM published 5 June, ordered all public spending be subject to presidential pre-approval; no-confidence vote in PM Muzito tabled by opposition, expected when parliament re-opens Sept; follows reports of growing strains between Kabila and Muzito. Several small-scale clashes: army claimed 5 soldiers, 27 FDLR and others killed in 3 days of fighting near Nyabiondo town, N West of Goma, from 17 June. 27 soldiers arrested after firing on nearby UN base 17 June, one of several mutinies in N Kivu. MONUC said fighting sparked by ex-rebel combatants dissatisfied at army integration process. UNHCR 22 June issued call for $38m in emergency humanitarian aid, citing worsening security for 1m displaced following launch of anti-FDLR operations in Jan, May. Another surge in attacks by suspected LRA rebels in N East: at least 11 killed, 135 others kidnapped in 2 raids on villages in and around Dakwa, 5-6 June; aid groups report 1,500 newly displaced.

Govt 1 May announced fresh military offensive against FDLR rebels – Kimya II – led by army with MONUC support; reportedly extended from S to N Kivu over month. Wide fears over impact on civilians. FDLR violence continued: at least 60 civilians, 30 govt troops killed in 6 May attack near N Kivu’s Hombo town; 60 killed when rebels burned down Butalonga village 10 May. 12 rebel groups in S Kivu withdrew from demobilisation program, citing lack of consultation on Kimya II, delays on prisoner release. UNSC mission travelled to eastern DRC, Kinshasa 19 May to discuss security, DRC-Rwanda relations, MONUC’s mandate. 21 May interim report of UN monitoring panel outlined severe problems in rebel integration, including presence of parallel rebel-army command structures, child soldiers, extensive military abuses; also cited evidence that wanted war criminal General Ntaganda operating as de facto army deputy commander. Kabila 7 May approved amnesty bill covering “acts of war” for militias in N and S Kivu; excludes war crimes, foreign troops and former CNDP leader Nkunda (see Rwanda). CNDP 16 May began procedure to become political party.

Resurgent FDLR launched string of attacks in east concentrated in N Kivu’s Lubero region; at least 24 killed, hundreds of homes burned. UN, army 7 Apr announced expansion of anti-FDLR operations to S Kivu. 5 killed, 222 prisoners freed in 9 Apr jail break in Uvira, S Kivu, by unidentified armed group. 18 eastern rebel and Mai Mai groups 18 Apr signed deal agreeing to lay down arms, but warned  of resumption of  attacks if threatened. Strains in eastern rebel integration effort, amid desertions from CNDP and Pareco and tensions between integrated rebel and army elements. Insecurity increased in Ituri, with contending rebel groups FPRI and FPCJ leading attacks near Bunia on 31 March, 2 and 20 Apr. MONUC chief Alan Doss urged states to deliver pledged reinforcements. Election of President Kabila ally Evariste Boshab as National Assembly speaker prompted objections of cronyism from opposition MLC. Speculation former speaker Kamerhe moving to develop power base ahead of 2011 presidential elections.

In N Kivu: rebel FDLR attacks on civilians increased and 30,000 were newly displaced as rebels reoccupied several positions vacated following completion of joint Rwandan-DRC operation and clashed with armed forces. Peace deal between Kinshasa and ex-rebel CNDP signed 23 March on CNDP’s transformation into political party, integration of troops. Leader of parliament Vital Kamerhe resigned 25 March following dispute with ruling PPRD party over authorisation of N Kivu joint operation. TV stations banned from covering 16 March boycott by several MPs of National Assembly opening session, 3 activists briefly detained amid fears over state repression. UNSC, UK, Belgium, France imposed new or extended targeted sanctions on 5 senior FDLR leaders early month. Withdrawal of Ugandan troops from northeast began 16 March. 12 villagers killed, 40 others kidnapped 19 March in further attacks by suspected LRA rebels around Dungu.

5-week joint Rwandan- DRC offensive against FDLR rebels in N Kivu ended 25 Feb with formal ceremony in Goma; thousands had crossed back end month and withdrawal to be complete early March; Rwanda’s President Kagame pledged to continue cooperation. Reports on military success mixed. Joint command claimed FDLR weakened but not destroyed; over 90 rebels killed, 140 surrendered. Alternative reports FDLR dispersed, suffered few casualties, re-occupying positions as Rwandan troops depart; Human Rights Watch reported over 100 civilians killed in retaliatory attacks since operation’s launch. CNDP rebels, following Jan deal with govt, 5 Feb announced transformation to political party; PARECO Mai Mai militia followed suit 6 Feb. CNDP integration with govt troops progressing, but concerns over inadequate monitoring. 5 of 7 members of national assembly oversight committee resigned end month, on request of ruling APM coalition, and after publicly criticising operation in the east. Withdrawal of Ugandan troops from northeast postponed late-Feb reportedly pending further talks between President Kabila and Uganda’s Museveni, as criticism of the joint offensive against LRA rebels continued to mount: some 900 civilians reportedly killed in backlash attacks since operation’s launch in Dec. MONUC under fire by NGOs for failure to defend civilians in east and northeast. Egypt, Bangladesh announced readiness to contribute troops to 3,000 authorised reinforcement for MONUC.

Following 5 Dec agreement between DRC and Rwanda to jointly move against FDLR rebels, Rwandan troops crossed border into N Kivu from 20 Jan. Numbers involved and likely duration unclear: MONUC reporting some 5,000, but President Kagame 30 Jan told Crisis Group 2,100 deployed in 3 locations, with focus on encouraging defections and present intention to withdraw by 10 Feb. Limited reported casualties at month end, but strong international concern at risk of civilian deaths if military action escalates. CNDP rebel leader Nkunda displaced by Bosco Ntaganda and arrested 23 Jan in Rwanda. Bosco agreed to integrate troops into national army: issue of his ICC indictment unresolved. First ever ICC trial, of ex-rebel leader Thomas Lubanga, opened 26 Jan. ICC 12 Jan reviewed evidence for case against former VP Bemba, accused of war crimes during CAR civil war; decision on trial due within 60 days. In north-east, joint military operation against Northern Uganda LRA rebels continued after operation extended mid-month to 6 Feb (see Uganda). Intensified rebel attacks on DRC villages continued: some 600 civilians killed since operation launched in Dec; rape and child recruitment widespread.

Situation in Orientale Province deteriorated sharply: up to 500 killed, villages looted, thousands displaced by suspected LRA rebels fleeing 14 Dec military operation by DRC, S Sudan, Uganda to root out rebels from Garamba National Park. In east, Oct CNDP ceasefire largely held, but increasingly tenuous end Dec: talks in Nairobi between govt, CNDP hit deadlock 21 Dec as CNDP refused to recommit to ceasefire and threatened to advance into UN buffer zone, citing incursions by army and Rwandan Hutu FDLR. Talks earlier stalled over CNDP leader Nkunda’s “national ambitions”. Negotiations set to resume 7 Jan. DRC, Rwandan FMs early Dec agreed joint plan to combat FDLR. UN expert panel 12 Dec alleged DRC, Rwandan support for eastern rebel groups amounted to “proxy war”. EU 8 Dec failed to approve EU bridging force, as requested by UNSG Ban Ki- moon, ahead of UN reinforcements. UNSC 22 Dec renewed MONUC mandate.

Fighting between Nkunda’s CNDP rebels, Mai Mai militia and govt troops in North Kivu continued over month. At least 50 killed in Kiwanja, Rutshuru region, in 4 Nov CNDP attack reportedly targeting civilians, and ensuing clashes with Mai Mai. Sexual violence widespread. Nkunda 16 Nov declared ceasefire, began partial withdrawal from fronts 80km from Goma, but continued campaign to consolidate control in north Rutshuru, causing new waves of displacement; 29 Nov threatened war unless govt enters talks. President Kabila 17 Nov replaced army chief-of-staff amid further reports of abuses by Congolese troops. 23 Nov demonstrations near Goma again targeted UN forces. At 7 Nov summit in Nairobi regional and international leaders called for implementation of Nairobi and Goma agreements, established facilitation team led by Benjamin Mkapa and UN Envoy Obasanjo, who led series of talks over month. MONUC chief Alan Doss 26 Nov said investigations opened into possible war crimes committed by “all belligerents”. UNSC 20 Nov approved temporary 3,100 increase in MONUC troops to bolster strained UN peacekeeping effort, UNSG Ban called for EU to deploy ahead of arrival of MONUC reinforcements; Belgium said ready to provide troops. Rights groups called on UNSC to increase UN troops around Dungu, Orientale Province, to curb continued attacks on civilians by suspected LRA rebels (see Uganda).

Violence escalated in east as army and MONUC forces failed to contain major advances by Laurent Nkunda’s CNDP rebels, while tensions mounted over Rwandan support for Congolese Tutsi Nkunda. As CrisisWatch went to press, fragile ceasefire holding but risks still high. After heavy assaults on N Kivu military bases, CNDP from 26 Oct took Rutshuru and moved to limits of regional capital Goma, declaring ceasefire 29 Oct. Tens of thousands fled as army abandoned positions southwards toward Bukavu, looting and raping civilians in and around Goma. IDP camps in Rutshuru reported razed 31 Oct. Hundreds rallied 27 Oct calling for stronger UN action, stoning UN vehicles. Kinshasa accused Kigali of incursions in support of CNDP, Kigali denied; UN confirmed FDLR and other Rwandan militia fighting alongside DRC troops (see Rwanda). U.S. diplomats, UK and French FMs arrived 30 Oct-1 Nov for talks with Kinshasa and Kigali; EU Commissioner Michel 31 Oct announced Presidents Kabila and Kagame agreed to participate in planned AU regional summit. UN SRSG Alan Doss 28 Oct called for reinforcements; UNSC 29 Oct urged end to attacks, deferred decision on increasing troop strength. In separate fighting in Ituri, suspected Ugandan LRA rebels continued attacks on north east villages, clashing with army – UN says up to 50,000 displaced since mid-Sept (see Uganda); new militia FPJC early month attacked military bases near Bunia. Kabila named Adolphe Muzito new PM following Gizenga’s Aug resignation, drawing from PALU party in line with coalition terms. In ongoing uncertainty surrounding ICC case against former UPC militia leader Thomas Lubanga, appeals chamber 21 Oct confirmed stay of proceedings, remanded decision on release.

Jan peace deal in tatters after further serious clashes between army and General Nkunda’s CNDP rebels in North Kivu following resumption of hostilities on 28 Aug. Fighting spread over month as army struggled to repel CNDP advances from ceasefire positions, with clashes approaching Sake, 25km from Goma, 20-21 Sept. Both sides report heavy casualties, while UN reported 100,000 displaced since late Aug. Reports of FDLR, Mai Mai rebel assaults on CNDP in Masisi, 15 Sept. CNDP cited evidence FDLR fighting alongside army. UN vehicles attacked in 3 Sept protests against MONUC efforts to hold back fighting; demonstrators called for forceful army response to rebels. Further rallies held 20-21 Sept over poor army conditions. AU, MONUC, EU and govt met for emergency talks in Goma 14 Sept, urged CNDP to return to negotiations. PM and PALU party head Gizenga resigned 25 Sept citing health, but amid President Kabila; resignation likely to result in PALU’s withdrawal from governing coalition. Govt early month began deploying some 1,100 troops near Ugandan LRA bases in north; Kampala 10 Sept called on Kinshasa to attack rebels in line with June cooperation agreement. UN said at least 17,000 displaced, 90 children abducted after alleged LRA raids on DRC villages mid-month (see Uganda).