Tag: D.R. Congo

African Parks and Enough Project Applaud Congressional Progress on Critical Global Anti-Poaching Legislation

African Parks and the Enough Project commend the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for passing the Global Anti-Poaching Act out of committee earlier today. We hope this significant bi-partisan legislation will soon become law and are thankful for the leadership in the House by Chairman Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Engel (D-NY) and in the Senate by Chairman Corker (R-TN), Ranking Member Cardin (D-MD), Senator Coons (D-DE) and Senator Flake (R-AZ).

New Documentary Inspires Collaborative Action for Peace in Congo

On Thursday, April 14, a crowd gathered in Washington DC for a private screening of the new documentary, Merci Congo, hosted by the Enough Project and Intel. Following the screening, the filmmaker Paul Freedman led a panel discussion featuring subjects from the film: Congolese activist Neema Namadamu, former UW - Madison Conflict-Free Campus Initiative leader Katy Johnson, and Enough’s Associate Director of Policy, as well as Intel’s Director for Global Supply Management, Carolyn Duran. The discussion focused on moving the lessons of the film from inspiration to action.

Surprisingly tough UN resolution: Security Council Presses Congo to Hold Timely Elections, Stop Restricting Political Space

Last Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2277 (2016), renewing the mandate until March 31, 2017 to maintain current force levels of 19,815 military personnel in its stabilization mission in the DRC, the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

Apple Steps Up on Conflict Minerals

This week, Apple released a new report that revealed the company had taken several groundbreaking steps to combat the deadly in trade in conflict minerals. Four minerals used in electronics, jewelry, and other products – gold, tin, tantalum, and tungsten – have helped fund armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in which over 5.4 million people have died since 1994. 

European Union Parliament, Student Activists Call for Targeted Sanctions on Kabila's Circle on Elections Issue

A resolution passed on March 10 in the European Union Parliament and a letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry from 25 student leaders in the U.S. have called for increased policy action on President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to hold national elections freely, fairly, and on time. The two public notices particularly call on the U.S. and E.U. to place targeted sanctions on Kabila’s inner circle. These statements have come at a time when democracy activists are increasingly being jailed in Congo, for example the arrest of 18 LUCHA activists following a peaceful demonstration on March 15.

Jean-Pierre Bemba Convicted of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity

On Monday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled Jean-Pierre Bemba guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Experts at the Enough Project have been following the case, and are available for comment and analysis.

Verdict Monday in War Crimes Trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba

On Monday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is scheduled to deliver a verdict in the war crimes trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba. Experts at the Enough Project have been following the case, and will be available for comment and analysis.

World Wildlife Day 2016: Blood Ivory - The Elephant in the Room

Thursday, March 3rd 2016 is World Wildlife Day. This year, the theme centers on protection of elephants in particular. Recognizing the links between wildlife trafficking and the perpetration of atrocities in central and eastern Africa, Enough is calling on U.S. Congress to pass critical anti-wildlife trafficking legislation.

“World Wildlife Day” as Elephants Face Extinction in Bloody Ivory Trade

As tomorrow marks World Wildlife Day, the Enough Project speaks out against the slaughter of wild elephants across Africa. Enough has documented in recent reports an out-of-control ivory trade that is deadly for both elephants and people, and urges support for critical anti-poaching legislation now gaining momentum in the US Senate, following passage of parallel legislation in the House late last year.

Dodd-Frank 1502: Impact Update

Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank 1502) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Conflict Minerals Rule have improved global minerals supply chain transparency and begun to help break links between the minerals trade and violent conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo).

Experts Laud Initiatives by Ban Ki-moon at Kinshasa Responsible Investment Conference

The Enough Project lauded remarks today by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the opening session of the Great Lakes Private Sector Investment Conference in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Point of Origin - Status Report on the Impact of Dodd-Frank 1502 in Congo

Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank 1502) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Conflict Minerals Rule have improved global minerals supply chain transparency and begun to help break links between the minerals trade and violent conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. For nearly two decades, illicit mining and minerals trafficking – primarily in tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (“3TG”) – have provided significant financing to a range of armed groups as well as corrupt and abusive elements of the Congolese army.

As UN Chief Comes to Congo, New Report Tracks Efforts to Dismantle Resource Curse

“Point of Origin” report published today documents local views on impact of USA Dodd-Frank 1502 Law and reform efforts in Congo’s mining trade: “Recent progress should galvanize policymakers to strengthen 1502's enforcement”

New Report - Point of Origin: Status Report on the Impact of Dodd-Frank 1502 in Congo

In a new Enough Project report based on 2015 and 2016 field research in eastern Congo, Senior Policy Analyst Holly Dranginis provides a status update on the impact of Dodd-Frank 1502 in Congo, including progress, challenges, and policy recommendations for continued improvements.

Boom Town: What happened when Wall Street reform came to Congo’s frontier mining towns

On February 11, Enough published a new piece on the impact Dodd-Frank Section 1502 has had on some of Congo's mining communities, based on field interviews from a recent trip to eastern Congo.

Sen. Markey urges strong U.S. policy, including targeted sanctions, in support of timely, free, and fair Congolese Elections

On Thursday, February 4, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, expressing deep concern over, and urging strong action in response to, delayed Presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo).

Student Leads Wisconsin School District to Go “Conflict-Free” as International Movement Gathers Steam in 2015

From high schools and college campuses to cities and states, the “Conflict-Free” movement continued to expand this year. Spurred by the activism of a high school student, the latest resolution by a Wisconsin school district adds another victory in an international campaign working to ensure that laptops, cell phones, and other popular consumer products are not connected to killing, child abductions, or sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

What if Black Friday were Conflict-Free?

As you embark on Black Friday and holiday shopping, the Enough Project hopes that you consider companies’ sourcing practices when you make your purchasing decisions on electronics and other items, and continue to tell companies that you want to be able to buy conflict-free products made with minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

500+ Conflict-Free Campus Initiative Student Leaders Sign Letter to U.S. Envoy Perriello

On November 6, 2015, a cohort of Conflict-Free Campus Initiative leaders met with U.S. Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Tom Perriello, to present a letter of support for his appointment signed by over 500 students around the country and to discuss their shared priorities of supporting peace in the region.

Growing the Conflict-Free Movement at Illinois College

In this guest blog, Conflict-Free Campus Initiative Campus Organizer Allie McNamara describes how she got involved with the conflict-free movement and what she’s doing to support peace in Congo on her campus.