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DR Congo Says Rwanda Army in Goma
Deutsche Welle
27 Jan 2025, 20:11
Photo: AFP TV/AFP/Getty Images
Congo's government on Monday accused Rwanda of an incursion into the North Kivu province in the east of the country, hours after the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels claimed control over the provincial capital Goma.
"The government continues to work to prevent carnage and loss of life in light of Rwanda's clear intentions," government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said in a post on the platform X.
He spoke of the "presence of the Rwandan army" in Goma.
Muyaya said Kinshasa urged residents of the eastern city to stay at home and to refrain from committing acts of vandalism and looting.
What else do we know about the situation in Goma?
As rebels entered Goma, thousands of inmates broke out of the city's Munzenze prison.
The UN-backed Radio Okapi station reported that the jailbreak had been caused by a fire at the facilities.
The Reuters news agency cited UN sources as saying that Congolese forces exchanged artillery fire with Rwandan troops across the border between the two Central African countries.
Rwandan army spokesperson Ronald Rwivanga said that five civilians were killed and 25 were wounded on the outskirts of the border town of Gisenyi, according to the AFP news agency.
The Congolese government statement comes hours after ethnic Tutsi-led M23 rebels said they had taken control of Goma.
On Saturday, international peacekeepers from South Africa, Malawi and Uruguay were killed in clashes with M23 fighters.
On Sunday, the UN Security Council ordered the group to halt its offensive in eastern Congo and "condemned the ongoing flagrant disregard for [Congo's] sovereignty and territorial integrity," while calling on "external forces" to withdraw.
What is the conflict in eastern Congo?
Congo, the US and UN experts accuse Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group.
Kigali denies supporting the militia, but has acknowledged it has stationed troops and missile systems in eastern Congo.
Eastern Congo is rich in minerals and natural resources and has been contested by scores of different armed groups.
Angola-mediated negotiations between Congo and Rwanda collapsed in December after Kigali insisted Kinshasa hold direct peace talks with M23.
The fighting in Congo has internally displaced over 7 million people.
M23 also captured Goma in 2012 but agreed to withdraw just days later.
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Devastating Road Accident in Ethiopia: At Least 66 Dead
A tragic road accident in Ethiopia has claimed the lives of at least 66 people, with four others injured. The incident occurred at the Gelana Bridge in Bona Zuria Woreda, located in the southern region of the East African country.
According to separate reports on Monday (December 30) by Reuters and The Guardian, local officials confirmed the death toll. Reuters, citing AFP, reported that at least 66 people were killed, while The Guardian noted that over 60 fatalities were confirmed by local health authorities in southern Ethiopia.
The Sidama region, where the accident occurred, is approximately 300 kilometers south of the capital, Addis Ababa. The Sidama Regional Health Bureau stated on Facebook, "A total of 66 people have died in a vehicle accident." However, no further details about the incident were provided.
The bureau mentioned that the accident happened on the Gelana Bridge in Bona Zuria Woreda and added, "Four injured passengers are receiving treatment at Bona General Hospital."
Blurred images shared by the bureau showed a crowd surrounding a partially submerged vehicle, with some people appearing to assist in retrieving it from the water. Other photos depicted the bodies of the deceased, covered with blue tarpaulins and laid on the ground.
Afghanistan Taliban Targets "Several Points" in Pakistan, Tensions Increase
Afghanistan's Taliban forces targeted "several points" in Pakistan on Saturday, Taliban said, days after Pakistaircraft carried out aerial bombardments inside the country, as per Al Jazeera.
The statement, which was released by Taliban did not directly specify that Pakistan was hit, but said the attacks were conducted "beyond the "hypothetical line" - an expression used by Afghan authorities to refer to a border with Pakistan which has been in dispute since long.
"Several points beyond the hypothetical line, serving as centres and hideouts for malicious elements and their supporters who organised and coordinated attacks in Afghanistan, were targeted in retaliation from the southeastern direction of the country," Al Jazeera quoted Taliban as saying.
Asked whether the statement referred to Pakistan, Taliban spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi said, "We do not consider it to be the territory of Pakistan, therefore, we cannot confirm the territory, but it was on the other side of the hypothetical line."
Afghanistan has rejected the Durand Line, a border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which was drawn by the Britishers in the 19th century, as per Al Jazeera. The Taliban sees it as a divisive line between Pashtuns on both sides of the border.
"Clarity! Several points on the other side of the virtual line "Durand" in the south-eastern direction of the country were targeted, which were hideouts and centers for evil elements and their supporters, who were organizing attacks in Afghanistan," Taliban said in a post on X.
There are no reports of casualties from either side, Al Jazeera reported.
Afghanistan has a complicated history with Pakistan. While Pakistan welcomed the Taliban in Kabul as a natural ally, the Taliban government is proving to be less cooperative than Pakistan had hoped. The current Talibani regime is trying to align itself with the nation's rhetoric as they are trying to form a 'government' as a metamorphosis from a fighting group. The regime is also trying to forge relations beyond heavy reliance on Pakistan, as per Al Jazeera.
China's Trade Tensions With US Remain High Ahead of Trump Inauguration
Trade tensions with the United States remain a top challenge for China's foreign trade, an industry association said on Friday, as the world's second-largest economy braces for new obstacles under the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
The China-related trade and economic friction index for 19 countries and regions stood at 118 in October, remaining at a high level, and the US had the highest index for trade friction with China, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade said.
The total value of trade measures related to China implemented by the 19 countries and regions increased by 10.3 per cent year on year but decreased by 7.8 per cent month on month. The trade friction indices in the electronics, machinery, transport equipment, and light industry sectors remained high, the council said.
The global trade friction index for October stood at 102, down from 105 in September but still at a high level. It was down 10.3 per cent year on year and 7.4 per cent month on month.
Trump, who will begin his second term as US president on January 20, has threatened to impose additional tariffs of up to 60 per cent on imports from China and has raised the prospect of "an additional 10 percent" on top of that. Although it is not clear how the increases would be implemented, the looming risks have prompted importers to front-load deliveries of goods from China.
China's exports to the US have grown for seven consecutive months. In November, they surged 8 per cent year on year by value to US$47.3 billion, contributing to the highest trade surplus since September 2022, according to Chinese customs data.
"The Chinese business community is urging the US to genuinely adhere to World Trade Organization rules," said Sun Xiao, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
The Chinese business community is urging the US to genuinely adhere to World Trade Organization rules, immediately halt unilateral restrictions, and promote industry cooperation through dialogue and negotiation
In recent years, the US has escalated export controls on semiconductor products to China, continuously adding Chinese companies to its entity list, which "has had a serious impact on Sino-US semiconductor industry cooperation and has extended to sectors such as automotive and telecommunications," council spokesman Sun Xiao said at a news conference in Beijing on Friday.
On Monday, the outgoing Biden administration in the US announced a Section 301 trade investigation into "legacy" semiconductors made by China.
"The Chinese business community is urging the US to genuinely adhere to World Trade Organization rules, immediately halt unilateral restrictions, and promote industry cooperation through dialogue and negotiation," Sun said. "This will help safeguard the stability and security of global industrial and supply chains, injecting more momentum and certainty into the world economy."
China Firing Preemptive Trade War Shots at Trump
China has heightened trade war tensions with the United States by extending existing tariffs imposed on a crucial chemical solvent, sanctioning seven American firms on security grounds and threatening to stop buying US semiconductors within a single day.
China’s Ministry of Commerce (MoC) announced on December 27 that it will continue to impose anti-dumping duties on n-butanol imports from the US, Taiwan and Malaysia for another five years, effective from December 29, 2024.
The MoC said removing the anti-dumping duties would likely lead to a resumption or continuation of dumping practices and subsequent harm to China’s domestic n-butanol industry.
N-butanol is a key organic chemical used in the production of various products including paints, adhesives and plasticizers.
On December 29, 2018, China imposed 52.2-139.3% tariffs on n-butanol imports from the US and 12.7-26.7% tariffs on those from Malaysia. A 56.1% duty was imposed on all Taiwanese firms, except Formosa Plastics Corp, which only paid 6%.
UNGA President, Dr. Khalilur Rahman Discuss 2025 Rohingya Conference
Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative of the Chief Adviser on Rohingya Crisis and Priority Issues, met Ambassador Philemon Yang, the President of the UN General Assembly (PGA), in New York yesterday.
The main point of discussion was the modalities and objectives of the upcoming International Conference on the Rohingya Crisis, to be convened by the UN in 2025 as per a UN General Assembly consensus resolution adopted this year.
The idea of such a conference was initiated by the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus during his statement in the UN General Assembly in September 2024, with a view to finding out sustainable and peaceful solution of the Rohingya issue.
During the discussion, Dr. Khalilur Rahman expressed Bangladesh’s willingness to fully assist the UN for holding the conference. He informed Ambassador Yang that keen interest is already being raised among the international community about the conference and its outcome.
He apprised the PGA about latest political developments in the region; and Bangladesh Government’s willingness and efforts towards effective engagement with and cooperation from all parties concerned for sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
While stressing upon the need for early repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas which is essential for ensuring peace and stability of the whole region, the discussions also highlighted the emerging need of providing humanitarian assistance to Rakhine State in view of recent developments.
PGA Ambassador Yang appreciated Bangladesh’s proactive role in the UN on critical issues. As the convenor of the International Conference, he assured of his all-out support for maximum participation and a pragmatic outcome of the conference aiming at peaceful solution of the crisis.
He thanked the High Representative for reaching out, and expressed willingness to work closely on the holding of the conference.
BSF Reports: / Muslims, Not Hindus, Flocked to India from Bangladesh After August
According to the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), more Muslims, not Hindus, have illegally entered India from Bangladesh since August last year. The number of Bangladeshi nationals caught attempting to cross the border illegally between August and the third week of December has been higher among Muslims.
The BSF reports that, compared to the previous two years, there has been a slight increase in the number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in 2024, though the overall increase between August and December has not been significant.
Key Statistics from the BSF Report: (August to December 24, 2024)
Total illegal immigrants caught: 716 Bangladeshi citizens
Hindus: 301
Muslims: 415
Comparison with previous years:
2023: 203 Hindus and 449 Muslims caught
2022: 114 Hindus and 298 Muslims caught
Reason for illegal immigration: Many Bangladeshis are attempting illegal entry due to visa restrictions or other needs (business, family, etc.).
This information comes from the BSF’s South Bengal border division.
Several BSF officers told the BBC that a small number of Hindu Bangladeshis, who were caught trying to cross illegally, stated during initial questioning that they left Bangladesh due to “persecution” and “violence” against Hindus.
The statistics obtained by the BBC, though from the South Bengal border division, reflect similar trends across the entire India-Bangladesh border, according to BSF officials.
Analysts were somewhat surprised by this, as for some time, Hindu nationalist organizations in India have been framing the narrative that many Hindus are fleeing Bangladesh due to alleged “persecution” and “violence.”
However, the data from the South Bengal border division reveals that between August and December 24 of the past year, 716 Bangladeshi citizens were caught by Indian border guards while attempting to illegally cross. Among them, 301 were Hindus and 415 were Muslims. Officials also noted that the overall pattern of immigration did not change significantly when compared to the full-year statistics.
The number of both Hindu and overall illegal immigrants has slightly increased, according to BSF sources, but the trend remains consistent across the India-Bangladesh border.
From the statistics of illegal immigrants caught between August and December in the previous two years, it appears that in 2023, 203 Hindus and 449 Muslims were caught at the South Bengal border, while in 2022, 114 Hindus and 298 Muslims were detained.
Since August, BSF sources report that only a very small number of Hindu illegal immigrants have cited “persecution or fear of persecution” as the reason for fleeing Bangladesh. These individuals make up only 1 to 2 percent of the detained immigrants.
A senior BSF official mentioned that, “Since August, the Indian High Commission has been issuing very few visas to Bangladeshis. However, many Bangladeshis still come to India for business, family, or other purposes, and this continues legally. Due to increased visa restrictions, some people may be attempting to enter illegally and are getting caught.”
The official added, “There are no gaps in our surveillance, and the number of border guards has been increased across the entire India-Bangladesh border. No additional guards have been brought in from other areas; the local battalion headquarters' guards are now being assigned to border duty.”
(Source: BBC Bengali)
Pakistani Girls from Dawoodi Bohra community Continue to Grapple with Secretive Practice of FGM: Report
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a prevalent yet largely unacknowledged practice among Pakistan's Dawoodi Bohra community, a Shia Muslim sect primarily originating from Gujarat, with estimates indicating that 75 per cent to 85 per cent of Dawoodi Bohra women in Pakistan undergo FGM, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
The FGM is often performed in private homes by older women using unsterilised tools and without anaesthesia, or by medical professionals in urban centres like Karachi. With an estimated 1,00,000 Dawoodi Bohras in Pakistan, the practic continues in secrecy.
According to the report, despite FGM receiving international attention in parts of Africa, most Pakistanis are unaware of its prevalence within their own borders. Lack of silence, public scrutiny or legal action allows the practice to persist unchecked.
Comprehensive national data on FGM in Pakistan is nonexistent, and within the Dawoodi Bohra community, the procedure is referred to as "circumcision" rather than "mutilation."
Girls often undergo the procedure at a young age.
Mariam, a 27-year-old survivor, recalls undergoing FGM at the age of seven and still grapples with its impact.
Mariam said as quoted by Al Jazeera, "When you question an authority, you are shown the way out. I feel like something is missing inside me. It's as if something has been taken away, and that has turned into a negative part of my body."
In 2016, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the global leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, reaffirmed support for the practice, describing it as beneficial for the body and soul. He emphasised that female circumcision, or khatna, should be performed discreetly.
Saifuddin had said, "It must be done... if it is a woman, it must be discreet."
Citing the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey of 2017-18, Al Jazeera reported that 28 per cent of the country's women aged 15- 49 have experienced physical violence, and 6 per cent have faced sexual violence.
Additionally, 34 per cent of women who have ever been married have endured spousal physical, sexual, or emotional violence.
Despite these alarming statistics, Pakistan has no specific legislation criminalising FGM.
While existing laws under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), such as Sections 328A (child cruelty), 333 (amputation or dismemberment), and 337F (causing lacerations), could be applied, no known prosecutions have occurred, according to the report.
Domestic violence and child protection laws address physical harm but fail to include FGM. Although the government acknowledged the issue in a 2006 National Plan of Action, no steps have been taken to eradicate the practice.
As per the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in Pakistan, mainly in Karachi, the Bohra community has the practice of FGM but this practice takes place secretly with Bohri girls when they are just seven years old.
It is reported that these are not only Pakistani Bohri girls who suffer through this agony but young British girls of Pakistani origin are brought by their Bohri parents to Pakistan for a couple of weeks to carry out the FGM procedure. The practice is also found in Muslim communities near the Iran-Pakistan border.
It is claimed that nearly "90 per cent of Bohra girls are forced to undergo female genital mutilation." If 90 per cent of girls in the community go through this, the Institute for Social Justice (ISJ) Pakistan believes that (as given the size of the community in Karachi) every year about 1000 girls undergo the practice of FGM, as reported Al Jazeera.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is practised. FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.
FGM has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways. The practice involves removing and injuring healthy and normal female genital tissue, interfering with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies. It can lead to immediate health risks, as well as a variety of long-term complications affecting women's physical, mental and sexual health and well-being throughout the life course. All forms of FGM are associated with increased health risk in the short- and long-term. (ANI)
