Shaky transitional government avoided collapse despite former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba’s threat to withdraw support by 31 January if elections scheduled for 30 June postponed till October. Electoral commission president, Apollinaire Malu Malu, said holding elections June would be difficult, sparking Kinshasa protests, which killed 4, and general strike in capital. South African president Mbeki visited DR Congo 13 January, shuttling between president and 4 vice-presidents. In east of country, uneasy peace in UN-imposed buffer zone unable to prevent militia attacks on aid agencies North Kivu. Rwanda welcomed African Union communiqué calling for “forceful disarmament” of Rwandan ex-FAR and Interhamwe rebels in eastern DR Congo. Rejecting UN claims of Rwandan “covert residual presence” in DR Congo, Rwanda’s foreign minister claimed Congolese army helping arm Rwandan Hutu rebels. In Ituri province, outbreak of violence between Hema and Lendu militias led 10-15,000 to flee; UNHCR said many quickly returned. Disarmament process disrupted by lack of militia cooperation; both sides blamed each other for 28 January burning of She village, 60km northeast of Bunia. EU officials announced European police mission in Kinshasa to be operational by mid-February.

In face of UN and African Union condemnation, Rwanda withdrew invasion threat 20 December; Rwanda claims DR Congo and UN forces (MONUC) unable or unwilling to disarm Rwandan

Rwanda repeatedly threatened to relaunch military action against Rwandan Hutu Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels eastern DR Congo; former rebel commander Rwarakabije estimated FDLR forces at 12,000. Threats followed President Kagame’s strong criticism of UN proposals for voluntary disarmament of rebels blamed for 1994 genocide: “if you want peace, you have to make war”. Fears raised that Rwandan incursion in DR Congo would undermine fragile Kinshasa transitional government; spokesman for Kabila said up to 10,000 extra troops would be deployed to border areas while UN Security Council, calling for accelerated repatriation of foreign fighters, warned Rwanda against any attack. FDLR alleged Rwandan troops had already crossed into North Kivu 28 November heading for Masisi and Bunia. In earlier attempt to defuse Rwandan concerns, 3,260 members of Congolese army deployed with UN troops south of Bukavu 8 November to encourage disarmament and repatriation of foreign fighters. Leaders of central African countries met Dar- es-Salaam 20 November, committing themselves to regional peace and development. President Kabila fired 6 ministers accused of corruption.

President Kabila visited Kisingani, eastern DR Congo, amidst tight security 16 October, claiming country secure; but trips further east and Kisingani meeting were cancelled. 3,000 refugees fled to Kilwa Island, Zambia, after Portuguese-speaking Tigres or Diabolos fighters took Kilwa mining town, Katanga province, 15 October. Army retook town days later, killing 30; captured rebel leader died 17 October. DR Congo recalled ambassador to Belgium 22 October following Belgian foreign minister’s comments disparaging transitional government. In positive development, International Criminal Court signed agreement with DR Congo 6 October to investigate war crimes in Ituri province. Ugandan President Museveni suggested “provisional immunity” for Ituri warlords needed until DR Congo peace process secured. Human Rights Watch claimed Uganda- backed FAPC militia responsible for torture of 18 and death of 6 civilians Ituri province 14 October.

UN Security Council agreed 29 September to enlarge UN peacekeeping (MONUC) presence from 10,800 to 16,700; less than 23,900 called for by UN Secretary General. Situation DR Congo remained tense. Troops loyal to Kinshasa transitional government took control of Nyabibwe, Duti and Minova towns South Kivu province 11- 12 September; previously held by mutinous Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) rebels led by General Nkunda. RCD rebels retreated to North Kivu stronghold but fighting continued 19 September around mineral-rich Numbi. Clashes between RCD-Goma and Mai-Mai factions, both supposedly integrated into Congolese army, killed 15 around Walikale mining district, also South Kivu. UN-backed program to disarm 15,000 fighters in Ituri province started Bunia 1 September; few weapons collected. In positive development, DR Congo and Rwanda agreed 22 September to set up Joint Verification Mechanism (JVM) to monitor common border October.

Instability increased following killing of 160 Congolese Tutsis in Burundi refugee camp 13 August. Refugees had fled fighting in Bukavu, eastern DR Congo (DRC), June 2004. Burundi suggested DRC army involvement in massacre; Rwanda blamed DRC-based Rwandan Hutu Interahamwe rebels; both warned of possible military intervention in DRC. Azarias Ruberwa, DRC vice president and head of Rwanda-backed RCD Tutsi former rebel movement, temporarily left transitional government 23 August, protesting Kinshasa’s failure to provide security and reintegrate militias in Ituri and Kivu provinces. DRC President Kabila rejected renegotiation of transitional government under South African mediation; but South African President Mbeki met with Ruberwa on 2-day visit in attempt to end dispute. Talks in Kampala, Uganda, led to DRC, Uganda and Rwanda agreement 25 August to disarm all rebel groups immediately. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan suggested 16 August increasing size of UN peacekeeping mission (MONUC) from 10,800 to 23,900 as part of ongoing Security Council discussions on strengthening MONUC mandate and capacity; U.S. and others suggested such increases unrealisable. MONUC mandate to be renewed by 1 October.

Sporadic violence continued across eastern Congo, prompting calls for strengthening of UN peacekeeping mission (MONUC). Mission extended to 1 October in 29 July review, with thorough revamp planned for coming months to boost effectiveness, possibly including troop increase. Estimated 35,000 displaced from Kalehe, 35km north of Bukavu, as struggle between General Nkunda’s Tutsi Congolese rebels and army continues. UN report claimed Rwanda backed Nkunda’s forces in June occupation of Bukavu, supplying arms in spite of embargo; denied by Rwanda. Congolese army continued to fight Rwandan Hutu Interahamwe rebels, killing 23 North Kivu 12 July. Elsewhere, 50 killed in ethnic militia struggle for Djalasiga gold mine Ituri province despite 14 May Act of Engagement peace deal and UN military presence.

South Kivu situation extremely fragile, though tension eased after government forces retook Kamanyola 22 June from Colonel Jules Mutebutsi, officer in former Rwandan-backed RCD rebel movement. Forces loyal to Mutebutsi and General Laurent Nkunda captured and held Bukavu 2-9 June, leaving over 100 dead, causing waves of refugees before withdrawing. Mutebutsi withdrew to neighbouring Rwanda with several hundred men - disarmed by Rwandan authorities. Nkunda pulled back to north as Congolese president Joseph Kabila deployed 10,000 troops to eastern Congo. Aid agencies began slow return to region. U.S. and British diplomats shuttled between Kinshasa and Kigali to diffuse crisis. Kabila and Rwandan president Paul Kagame met 25 June in Nigerian capital, Abuja, agreeing to set up joint monitoring mechanism to deal with security concerns. Meeting with Uganda planned early July. Clashes in North Kivu between Congolese army and Rwandan Hutu Interahamwe rebels continued. Major Eric Lenge, senior officer in Kabila’s presidential guard, reportedly attempted coup in Kinshasa night of 10-11 June. Government said some participants arrested, but Lenge and alleged accomplices escaped. Two rival militia leaders arrested by MONUC in Ituri province. International Criminal Court (ICC) decided 23 June to open investigation into possible war crimes in Congo..

Growing instability North and South Kivu, eastern DR Congo, leading to 20,000 displaced over last month. Fighting broke out Bukavu 27 May between DRC army and faction loyal to ex-RCD Colonel Jules Mutebusi killing 45 including UN observer. UN bolstered security, sending 52 additional peacekeepers and confining RCD troops to barracks. 31 May 1,000 further renegade troops advanced to airport 35 km north of Bukavu before halting after call from DRC vice president and former RCD head Azarias Ruberwa. In separate violence 5 Congolese killed 7 May in raid by 350 Hutu Rwandan rebels on Kingi village. 4 Congolese soldiers killed by same forces 25 May. Rwanda threatened military action unless DRC and stretched UN peacekeeping operation (MONUC) re- establish control. DRC foreign minister accepted no current Rwandan involvement. Burundi stepped up border security with DRC on Rusizi river to prevent Rwandan Hutu infiltration. In positive development, UN-mediated talks in Ituri led to signing 17 May of commitment to peace and disarmament of 7 militia groups. Ruberwa claimed “end of war in Ituri”.

Rwandan troops reportedly crossed into DRC 21 April in breach of peace agreement, and forced patrol of UN peacekeepers to return to base. UN peacekeeping mission (MONUC) began deploying in troubled Kivus region, with full deployment expected by end of May. Kivus still subject to widespread ethnic violence. At least 61 killed in clashes late April in South Kivu between Rwandan Hutu rebels and DRC troops. President Kabila asked International Criminal Court prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, to investigate possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide: investigation could commence later this year.