Heavy fire between army and General Nkunda’s CNDP rebels broke out 28 Aug in North Kivu following early month reports of rearming and recruiting; casualty figures unconfirmed. Nkunda mid-month alleged provocative govt attacks against his positions, govt 30 Aug sealed border with Uganda to cut off “supply source”. Army and Mai Mai rebels reportedly clashed in North Kivu, killing 7 on 16 Aug, while fighting broke out between FDLR elements in South Kivu. Increased tensions also reported in Ituri. MONUC and FARDC troops jointly deployed late Aug following reported LRA attacks in east. MONUC 1 Aug reported some 70 RUD, FDLR rebels surrendered 31 July to joint UN-govt North Kivu reception centre. UNSG Ban Ki-moon 12 Aug said internal UN investigation found evidence some peacekeepers may have been involved in sexual exploitation. New investigation launched into senior North Kivu peacekeeper’s alleged public declaration of support for CNDP rebels. Algerian Leila Zerrougui appointed new MONUC deputy head 28 Aug.

Main opposition Congolese Liberation Movement(MLC) suspended participation in parliament for 1 week to push govt to investigate 6 July death of local MLC politician, blaming elite military unit. Soldier before military tribunal for killing testified 18 July that death was ordered by Kinshasa governor – accusation denied, governor appeared before tribunal 28 July. Rebel attack on environment group vehicle in gorilla park in eastern Congo killed 2, amid reports of renewed North Kivu clashes between Nkunda’s CNDP and Mai-Mai rebels. International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecution filed appeal of trial chamber decisions to stay trial of and release Ituri militia leader Thomas Lubanga. Former VP Jean-Pierre Bemba appeared before ICC 4 July on charges of atrocities committed in CAR, after 3 July transfer from Belgian custody. Parliament unanimously passed amnesty law 12 July for acts of war and rebellion, but not for atrocity crimes, committed in east; awaiting senate approval.

Insecurity continued in east: Rwandan Hutu FDLR rebels killed 9, displaced up to 5,000 in 4 June attacks on 2 North Kivu civilian camps. Attacks reportedly responding to military operations against Mai Mai and FDLR militias – army claimed 29 rebels killed in month. MONUC head Alan Doss said 8 June would increase eastern activity from forward command in Goma. In ICC’s first case, against former Union of Congolese Patriots militia leader Thomas Lubanga, judges halted proceedings 13 June over prosecution refusal to supply defence with confidential documents, called hearing to consider Lubanga release; prosecution request for appeal pending. ICC hearing on charges against 2 other Ituri militia leaders opened 27 June. 13 June MONUC report called for criminal investigation into police killing of 100 in Feb Bas-Congo clashes; govt dismissed as “mendacious”.

President Kabila rival and ex-VP Bemba arrested in Belgium 24 May on ICC warrant for war crimes in CAR 2002-3; opposition MLC alleged govt plot, while thousands protested in party stronghold Mbandaka. DRC-Uganda tensions eased as leaders meeting Dar-es- Salaam 10-11 May agreed to re-mark border to resolve oil reserve dispute; but Kampala 19 May confirmed arrest of 14 DRC soldiers for illegally crossing. 3 sentenced to death in trial of 22 BDK sect members accused of separatist plots ahead of March police crackdown that killed at least 100. Aid groups 8 May said 40,000 displaced in North Kivu clashes recent weeks, late month reported steep rise in spontaneous IDP camps; mass graves uncovered in province 26 May dating to 1990s. Infrastructure Minister Pierre Lumbi 9 May announced $9b Chinese loan, infrastructure investment package agreed in exchange for mining rights; opposition condemned. UNSC 1 June began 9-day Africa trip to promote peace in 5 key conflict zones, including east DRC.

Fresh fighting flared in North Kivu between army and Hutu FDLR rebels, forcing 25 Apr suspension of some relief operations. Inter-rebel, rebel-army clashes including Pareco, CNDP, FDLR militias continued in Kivu provinces through Apr. 63 rights, aid groups 22 Apr called for Jan Goma peace accord implementation and appointment of independent special adviser on human rights for east. Mass grave reportedly discovered in Bas-Congo, where March police-sect clashes killed some 100. ICC 29 Apr unsealed arrest warrant for militia leader Bosco Ntaganda on charges of conscripting child soldiers in Ituri 2002-2003 as former leader of FPLC; fourth ICC warrant in DRC.

Focus shifted to west, as government violently suppressed separatists in Bas-Congo: some 100 killed in 3 weeks, including many civilians; figures disputed. The early-March police clashes in Luozi with supporters of ethno-religious Bundu dia Kongo (BDK) movement quickly spread; MONUC took week to send peacekeepers. Government banned BDK 21 March. Eastern peace fragile: Mai Mai faction PARECO withdrew from Goma peace deal commissions 28 March as General Nkunda’s CNDP rebels promised to rejoin ceasefire commission following Feb walk-out. 15 March disarmament deadline for Hutu FDLR rebels passed; government threatened forcible disarmament, UN Security Council expanded sanctions (see Rwanda).

23 Jan Goma ceasefire and peace accord increasingly fragile. Renegade general Laurent Nkunda withdrew from ceasefire commission 22 Feb in protest at UN allegations his CNDP rebels massacred 30 Hutus around Kalonge village west of Goma, 16-20 Jan. Despite truce, CNDP, Mai Mai group PARECO and Rwandan FDLR clashed frequently; CNDP fired on UN peacekeepers 15 Feb. Patriotic Resistance Forces in Ituri (FPRI) rebels attacked army positions and villages in Ituri. Additional violence in western Bas-Congo province, 6 reported killed in separatist-police clashes. UNSC renewed arms embargo and asset freeze targeting rebel groups for further 6 weeks 15 Feb. President Kabila created steering committee 11 Feb to oversee expulsion of foreign fighters, with MONUC assistance, primarily targeting FDLR. Army colonel and ex-leader of National Integrationist Front Mathieu Ngudjolo flown to Hague 6 Feb to face ICC charges including murder, sexual enslavement and use of child soldiers. After 10 years Sudanese SPLA soldiers withdrew from Kengezi Base in Ituri.

Cautious optimism after “Goma agreement” signed 23 Jan, following negotiations between government, renegade general Laurent Nkunda and Mai Mai militias. Deal includes ceasefire, troop withdrawal from key areas and creation of UN “buffer zone”; gives militia fighters amnesty for insurgency or acts of war, but not for war crimes or crimes against humanity. Hutu FDLR not invited to talks; government pledged to forcibly disarm rebels by mid- March if they remain active. Task Force of Joint Monitoring Group to implement Nov 2007 Nairobi Communiqué also convened in Goma 11 Jan; no significant progress. Sporadic fighting continued: 10 FPRI rebels killed by army in Ituri 29 Jan. Over 40 civilians killed in fighting between Nkunda’s CNDP and Mai Mai group PARECO 17 Jan north west of Goma. Bas Congo clashes between ethnic-based political and religious movement Bundu dia Kongo and police 5 Jan resulted in 6 deaths.

Heavy fighting continued in east throughout month, yet government- sponsored peace conference due 6 January. Intentions of participants unclear and ceasefire not yet observed, but conference offers opportunity to move towards peace. Government launched offensive against forces under Laurent Nkunda in North Kivu with MONUC logistical support, 3 December. Army suffered significant defeat to rebels at Mushake, 11 December. Nkunda declared unilateral ceasefire 24 December ahead of 27 December (postponed to 6 January) peace conference. Congolese, Rwandan representatives met in Goma 16 December; proposed implementation taskforce for November Nairobi Communiqué to conduct anti-FDLR operations. U.S. pledged to strengthen FARDC in Kivu at 4-5 December Tripartite Plus Joint Commission summit. Kinshasa signed border security deal with Kampala 15 December. Ugandan LRA rebels based in Garamba national park reportedly attacked town of Duru 16 December, causing mass displacement.

Escalation feared as rebels loyal to General Nkunda continued to clash with government troops in North Kivu. Army head General Kayembe and MONUC commander Colonel Gaye said 22 November rebels would be disarmed by force following failed attempts at negotiations. MONUC reported army sending reinforcements to region ahead of threatened major offensive against rebels. Nkunda’s October promise to send 200 troops for disarming not fulfilled. Clashes early in month led to 28,000 displaced around Goma. Government signed pact with Rwanda, 10 November, calling Hutu FDLR “genocidal military organization” to be militarily dismantled (see Rwanda). UNSC welcomed deal 21 November as “important milestone” towards definitive settlement. UNSG Ban Ki-moon recommended extension of MONUC, 20 November, until mid- 2008 elections. President Kabila reshuffled cabinet 25 November; reduced ministers from 59 to 45 but left major posts unchanged. Commander under Nkunda, Micho Bizabaso, surrendered with 14 men, 27 November.