Government set first multi-party parliamentary and first round presidential elections for 29 April. Main opposition party UDPS to participate in polls, despite calling for boycott of December 2005 referendum. UN and DRC troops continued operations against militants in east: 8 Guatemalan UN peacekeepers killed in clashes in Garamba National Park 23 January while searching for Ugandan LRA rebels. 55,000 civilians reportedly fled homes after 4-day offensive by fighters led by renegade former general Laurent Nkunda in North Kivu. Fighting between government forces and Mai Mai militias increasingly destructive in Katanga region. European leaders discussed UN call for EU rapid reaction force to assist over-stretched mission.

First democratic vote in 4 decades saw overwhelming majority (78%) approve constitution in 18-19 December referendum, paving way for 2006 presidential and parliamentary elections. Pasteur Theodore Ngoye, presidential candidate and leader of “No” vote during referendum, arrested; called for referendum annulment due to “irregularities”. In Katanga, 11,000 fled violence adding to 30,000 recently displaced as result of DRC military operations against Mai Mai militias. Situation slowly began to improve in east, with army and UN conducting joint operation against Ugandan rebels. 185 FDLR returned to Rwanda to disarm. UN Security Council threatened sanctions if rebels do not disarm by 15 January.

Preparations continued in run-up to 18 December constitutional referendum. Nearly 23 million voters registered, but questions raised about accuracy of voter list as electoral commission announced 150,000 registered twice. Joint UN-Congolese army operation to drive out rebels in east began early November; 4 soldiers and 90 rebels were killed, 350 Mai Mai and Rwandan Hutu rebels (FDLR) surrendered, while thousands fled to avoid fighting. Scepticism about effectiveness of operation, as rebels reported to have advance knowledge of impending attacks. In northern and central Katanga province, 50,000 reportedly fled homes after DRC army launched operation to forcefully disarm Mai Mai militia. UN imposed travel ban and assets freeze on 15 individuals and 1 organisation for violating arms embargo.

UN Security Council extended MONUC mandate to September 2006, authorising only 300 of 2,580 additional peacekeepers sought by UNSG Annan. Over 18 million (60% of electorate) registered for series of elections starting with December constitutional referendum. Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, who entered DRC September, fled to Sudan after Congolese troops sent to disarm them; DRC rejected Ugandan calls for joint operation against any remaining LRA. Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC called for sanctions against armed groups in eastern Congo and disarmament using “all necessary means”; UN- Congo operation launched in Virunga National Park to flush out rebels. 500 militiamen in Ituri handed over weapons 25 October. In Kivus, dissident Rwandan rebel group “Rasta” killed 24; Mai Mai militia captured but later released 43 local disarmament officers; refugees in Tanzania began returning despite insecurity. UN investigated clashes between gangs of diamond thieves in south that killed 13.

Deadline for all foreign rebels to leave DRC voluntarily expired 30 September; army to begin using force but lacks capacity to do so. Crisis as DRC soldiers in east deserted posts; most soldiers reportedly tricked by leaders into deserting. UN Security Council authorised deployment of additional police personnel and equipment to MONUC for 2006 general elections; to decide on UNSG request for 2,580 more MONUC personnel end October. Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels and deputy leader in DRC; MONUC and DRC army met LRA who refused to give up arms; Uganda threatened to invade to disarm rebels. Nigerian government ordered withdrawal of 120 Nigerian police after sex abuse accusations.

Voter registration moved forward with massive turnout in Kivus; ended in Orientale and Bas-Congo provinces after extension due to transport and security difficulties; 2.9 million voters registered in Kinshasa. UN sent 700 troops to Ituri region after militia attacked registration centres 22 August, killing 1. Médecins Sans Frontières closed all but 1 base in Ituri for staff safety. During 25 August tripartite meeting, DR Congo, Uganda and Rwanda gave Rwandan Hutu rebels (FDLR) until 30 September to disarm or face consequences. Rebel leader Gen. Laurent Nkunda threatened to overthrow President Kabila 29 August. FDLR and Mai Mai militias killed 4 Congolese soldiers in North Kivu 12 August. In southern Katanga province, displaced slowly began returning home, despite continued fear of militia attacks; 4,000 gunmen disarmed in Katanga through local program to trade weapons for bicycles. DR Congo and Tanzania agreed to repatriate 152,000 Congolese refugees to South Kivu despite UNHCR security concerns.

UN peacekeepers launched series of major military operations to clear South Kivu of Rwandan Hutu militias (FDLR): destroyed FDLR base 20 July, forcing 800 rebels to flee. In alleged FDLR warning against cooperation with UN, nearly 40 burned to death near Bukavu; 18,000 civilians fled homes following attacks. In North Kivu, 41 rebels and 2 government soldiers killed as army re- took 3 villages held by FDLR. UN concerned Uganda sheltering new rebel group, Congolese Revolutionary Movement, violating international law. In Katanga region, ongoing conflict reported with local soldiers attacking civilians. Elsewhere generalised violence: soldiers went on rampage 4 July western Mbandaka town killing 9 to avenge murder of colleague, anti-government protest over election delay held under heavy security 9 July Kinshasa, after 30 June protest left 1 dead. Voter registration began Oriental and Bas Congo provinces for 2006 elections. UNSG’s 14 July report called for additional 2,590 military and 641 police personnel for elections; UN Security Council extended arms embargo until July 2006.

With electoral preparations significantly behind schedule, parliament voted to postpone planned 30 June election by 6 months at electoral commission’s request. Voter registration began Kinshasa 20 June. Opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UPDS) called for boycott, claimed 24 killed in 30 June protests against postponement in Kinshasa, Tshikapa and Mbuji-Mayi. 4 killed in Mbuji-Mayi (UPDS stronghold) 25 June; further violence in Lubumbashi, Katanga province. Clashes in Ituri persisted: 1 Nepali peacekeeper killed, 2 Médecins sans frontières staff kidnapped; major MONUC cordon-and-search operations around Medu village displaced thousands. MONUC expressed concern over militia remobilisation and reports rebel forces uniting against UN. Fighting continued North Kivu: 3 Congolese soldiers killed, hundreds of civilians displaced in clashes between army and FDLR, Miriki village, north Goma; Indian peacekeeper killed, 2 others injured by stray gunfire north Goma. EU Special Representative Aldo Ajello announced possible logistical support for action by Congolese army against FDLR; FDLR split with deputy commander Jeribaal Amani claiming he had taken control.

New Congolese constitution adopted 13 May; fears of unrest should 30 June elections be postponed. Violence continued across country: UN peacekeeper killed in ambush in Ituri province; 18 killed and 50 kidnapped in militia attack on string of villages near Bukavu ascribed to Rwandan Hutu “Rasta” and FDLR groups; 2 killed in Kasai Oriental province. 30 civilians arrested for alleged plot to secede Katanga province from country.

Firm MONUC approach to disarming Ituri militias produced some results following expiry of 1 April deadline for voluntary disarmament: under 3,000 (from 13,000) remain active. Rolling deployment of reinforced Congolese army units. Leader of PUSIC militia coalition, Kahwa Panga Mandro, arrested 9 April; FAPC militia considered fully disarmed; secretary-general of UPC militia declared end to war 13 April following March arrest of UPC leader Lubanga. In Kinshasa, political debate continued over future constitution; voter registration to begin June, making controversial delay of 30 June elections almost certain. Plans for internationally-backed training of 10 army brigades to provide election security announced. Over 3,300 reported to have fled to Rwanda from North Kivu violence. At International Court of Justice DR Congo demanded compensation from Uganda for invasion, pillage and human rights abuse.