[wanabidii] BREAKING: DRC Resolution Passes

Judy Miriga Diaspora Spokesperson Executive Director Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc., USA http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com         BREAKING: DRC Resolution Passes Today, HRES 131, a resolution "Concerning the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the need for international efforts toward long-term peace, stability, and observance of human rights" passed the Africa Subcommittee under unanimous consent and takes an important and positive step forward in efforts to raise awareness on the ongoing crisis in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region of Africa. With 56 Democrat and Republican House members as cosponsors, the legislation now heads to the full House Foreign Affairs Committee for consideration. Adding U.S. Jobs through Exports to Africa Last week, the Africa Subcommittee held a hearing to examine H.R. 1777, the "Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013," currently sponsored by Reps. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.). The hearing focused on the need to develop a comprehensive U.S. strategy for public and private investment, trade and development in Africa. The bill, which was previously introduced in is a positive step forward for efforts already underway in the House and Senate to enhance U.S.-Africa trade and investment relations. "Seven out of the 10 fastest growing economies are not in the Americas…they are in Africa! The United States will move forward by helping Africa to move forward," said Rep. Rush, an original bill sponsor. "We can help foster and sustain economic and business investment, and trading climates that encourage more U.S. businesses to conduct business in Africa and with Africans. By dramatically increasing the scale and scope of our public and private investments in (and our trading with) Africa, the U.S. people and government can contribute much more meaningfully to Africa's positive transformation and the mutual expansion of the American and African middle classes." Nations around the world have taken notice of the trade and investment opportunity throughout the continent and are engaging with African nations to provide goods and services to bolster and improve their own economic condition as well as relations. The U.S. can play a critical role by first considering this measure and other pieces of legislation that recognize the many opportunities to invest in Africa. With rapidly expanding African markets, U.S. business and technical know-how is a comparative advantage for a continent ready to improve infrastructure and spur growth. These are the opportunities that can and will prove transformative for the U.S. economy and the billion Africans eager to be full participants in a global marketplace. Africa is no longer interested in development aid alone. What must be recognized is that Africa itself is in transition and seeks partners that want to provide opportunities for trade, economic growth and investment. Shifting Order: Aid to Africa Last week, The Economist published the above graphic illustrating aid flows to Africa from China and overall development assistance. While Western nations have provided increasing levels of aid to Africa for some time, this trend in recent years is undergoing a re-balancing of sorts where countries like China and India have increased or intend to increase their foreign aid outflow. In 2011, the news magazine reported "a proposal by India to set up its own aid agency to distribute $11 billion over the next five to seven years." This is similar to news from the recent visit by China's President Xi. When in Africa on his first overseas trip, it was suggested that a new BRICs development bank would be set up in South Africa. With respect to India, a country that has been one of the world's largest recipients of foreign aid, it would be a seismic shift and a new world order if the West is no longer alone in foreign aid transfers to developing nations. In the case of China and in recent years, the story is much the same. Despite difficulty in knowing exactly how much China has committed to African nations and where that aid goes, the Center for Global Development reports China has committed approximately $75 billion between 2000 and 2011 to Africa. That's roughly 85 percent of what the U.S. committed to over the same period. The two primary areas where China has focused its attention the most are in transport and energy. While speculation abounds as to China's true aims, one perspective (reported by CGD) is worth considering: "Chinese aid, which focuses on overlooked areas like infrastructure, rather than education or health, is actually complementary to the West's." House Africa Subcommittee The Subcommittee has been busy with a series of hearing across its broad jurisdiction over the last several weeks. MAY 15, 2013 Subcommittee Markup: Concerning the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the need for international efforts toward long-term peace, stability, and observance of human rights. MAY 7, 2013 Subcommittee Hearing: Increasing American Jobs through Greater Exports to Africa To learn more and to watch past and upcoming committee hearings, visithttp://democrats.foreignaffairs.house.gov/ Our mailing address is: Office of U.S. Representative Karen Bass 408 Cannon Washington, DC 20515 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences   Statement on Secretary Kerry's Commitment to Appoint DRC Envoy Apr 17, 2013 Issues: Foreign Policy Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Karen Bass (D – Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, urged Secretary of State John Kerry to appoint a Special Envoy to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes Region in response to the ongoing conflict in the DRC. In response, Secretary Kerry announced that he would appoint a special envoy during testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the United States' priorities abroad and the 2014 budget. His announcement is consistent with legislation introduced by Congresswoman Bass in March calling on the United States to take a comprehensive approach to resolve the crisis in the DRC, which remains one of the deadliest conflicts the world has witnessed since World War II. "Let me be the first to applaud Secretary Kerry for realizing the need for the United States to take additional steps in helping to resolve the crisis in the DRC," Congresswoman Bass said. "I was pleased to hear the Secretary's commitment to appoint a special envoy to focus solely on providing U.S. leadership in bringing a resolution to the violence and instability that has plagued the DRC for far too long. I believe a special envoy will be welcome news from regional governments as well as provide a constructive partner in working with the international community in finding lasting peace for those suffering in the DRC." Congresswoman Bass also applauded Secretary Kerry's recognition of the growing economic potential of Africa as well as the need for the United States to do more to compete with the growing economic influence of nations such as China, Brazil and India. Contact Rep. Karen Bass Welcome to the on-line office for Congresswoman Karen Bass. Please visit the Contact Me page to contact Karen electronically or click on the office location nearest you for details. Washington, DC Los Angeles Washington, DC 408 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7084 Fax: (202) 225-2422 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30AM-5:30PM     Central African Republic: Witness Regrets ICC Is Unaware of Crimes Bozizé Forces Committed By Wakabi Wairagala, 13 May 2013 Related Topics Human Rights Equatorial Guinea: Online Media Crackdown... Central African Republic Central African Republic: Bozizé Soldiers... Legal Affairs Southern Africa: Madagascar's Rajoelina Refu... Congo-Kinshasa Congo-Kinshasa: Towards Internal Solutions... International Organisations Mali: Which Way Forward? Today, a witness said he regretted that the crimes his colleagues committed while they fought to capture power in the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2002 and 2003 were not known to the world court trying former Congolese opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba. Testifying under the court-given name 'Witness D04-56,' the former fighter in General François Bozizé's rebellion (which led to a capture of state power in March 2003), said he regretted that there were many unreported crimes committed by rebels in their drive to gain state power. The witness, who has been testifying at the International Criminal Court (ICC) since last Tuesday, has told the court that he and his colleagues in the Bozizé rebellion brutalized civilians during the armed conflict in which Mr. Bemba's forces fought on the side of then Central African president Ange-Félix Patassé. He said the rebels committed rape, murder, and looting, crimes he claimed prosecutors at the ICC had wrongly blamed on Mr. Bemba's forces. The witness, who described himself as a Central African national of Congolese origin, said he was not aware of any crimes committed by forces belonging to the accused's Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC). 'Witness D04-56', the nineteenth individual to testify for Mr. Bemba, has told the court that the Bozizé rebels committed acts of violence against civilians, including in towns occupied by the accused's troops. He said the fighters, comprised of defectors from the national army, Chadian nationals, and other local recruits, spoke the Congolese language of Lingala as they perpetrated these crimes. During re-direct questioning today, defense lawyer Peter Haynes presented to court a February 2003 report from the French press agency AFP, quoting residents of the towns of Bozoum and Sibut recounting brutal crimes, including rapes and torture, allegedly suffered at the hands of the Bozizé rebels. According to the report, the residents were "very happy" to be liberated by government forces with the support of the Bemba troops. "It is the truth," the witness said of the remarks by individuals interviewed by AFP. He said he and his colleagues did all the things that were reported by the news agency. "I feel bad about what happened. Many other cases [of rebel crimes] were not reported on," he said. Mr. Bemba, the MLC commander-in-chief, is on trial for allegedly failing to control his troops, who prosecutors claim perpetrated rape, murder and pillaging during their five months deployment in the conflict country. He denies the charges. The testimony by 'Witness D04-56' has been heard via video link from an unknown location. In addition to his image and voice being distorted during public broadcasts, some of his evidence has been heard in closed session in order to protect his identity. Before adjourning the hearing this evening, after 'Witness D04-56' completed his testimony, presiding judge Sylvia Steiner said the date for the next hearing would be communicated in due course.

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