On November 28th the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held its second presidential and parliamentary election since the devastating war that began in 1996 and continues to claim lives in the eastern part of the country. Assassinations, intimidation, and other human rights violations have been reported since the electoral process started.

Since the release of the “Mapping Exercise Report” by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), on October 1st 2010, very little has been done to address questions of justice, accountability and bringing an end to rampant impunity.

On December 6th, 2011 the preliminary presidential election results are expected to be announced. What are the issues at hand going forward? Specifically, what are the prospects for justice for the millions of Congolese killed by foreign and local troops during the invasion of the Congo in 1996 and beyond? This December 6th briefing will address the significance of the elections and recommendations of the Mapping Exercise Report to US Foreign Policy.

Speakers:

• Federico Borello, Former United Nations coordinator of the Transitional Justice and Anti-Impunity Unit at the UN mission in Congo (MONUC) and was part of the UN Mapping Team in Congo.
• Nii Akuetteh, long-time activist, founder of the Democracy & Conflict Research Institute (Accra, Ghana)
• Ntama Bahati, Policy Analyst, Africa Faith and Justice Network
• Claude Gatebuke, Rwandan genocide survivor and Executive Director and Co-Founder of the African Great Lakes Action Network (AGLAN)
• Fidele Lumea, Executive Director of Congolese American Council for Peace and Development focus on Humanitarian Assistance, Peacebuilding and Development
• Emira Woods, co-director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies
• Kambale Musavuli, Friends of the Congo, Spokesperson & Student Coordinator
• Ngwarsungu Chiwengo, Professor of English at Creighton University Event.

The US government requires a list of attendees — PLEASE REGISTER HERE. For questions email Bahati Jacques at bahati@afjn.org or call 202-884-9780.

Co-sponsor: African Great Lakes Advocacy Coalition (Africa Faith & Justice Network, African Great Lakes Action Network, Friends of the Congo, and Foreign Policy in Focus)