World Bank to help Congo Develop its Mining Sector

Sylvie Dosso Kouame, an official of the World Bank revealed that the World Bank is set to support the Republic of Congo in the development of the mining sector in an effort to diversify the economy. She stated: "It is an honour to have this opportunity to reaffirm the bank's willingness to support the Republic of Congo in its efforts to diversify its economy and manage its natural resources. The statement was made in Brazzaville at the opening of the first international conference on mines in Congo according to NAN.

"The government's decision to identify the mining sector as a priority sector is a very important one because the Republic of Congo can effectively become a major power in the mining industry both on the African and world stage and significantly stimulate the non-petroleum economy," she said. She spoke at a two-day conference organised by the Republic of Congo's Mines ministry in partnership with Ametrade Ltd., to bring together participants from Africa and elsewhere to promote opportunities in the Congolese mining sector.

She further opined that the eventual strategy of promoting the mining sector would contribute towards development and reduce poverty in the country. Kouame urged the Congolese government to revise its legal and taxation laws on the mining sector. According to her, this would help to consolidate the progress achieved since the coming into force of the mining code in 2005. The World Bank's official emphasise on the need for the state to have the necessary expertise when negotiating contracts with mining companies.

The World Bank has been accused of not being fair over the years when it comes to African matters. It has best served the interests of the foreign powers seeking to milk and suck Africa dry. The most worrisome and mind-boggling is that African leaders and policy-makers rush to those whose policies have not benefited any country on the continent beginning from the notorious structural adjustment programme of the 80s to the deregulation policy of the present era. Its policies have never suited Africa yet Africans kowtow to allow more.

Rwandan Army Slapped the United States on the Sanctions Imposed on Kigali

Rwandan army has taken a good swipe at the United States' sanctions for the use of child soldiers by rebels it is accused of supporting in Democratic Republic of Congo, saying it had no factual basis. "It is surprising that Rwanda would be liable for matters that are neither on its territory nor in its practices," army spokesperson Joseph Nzabamwita said in a statement, adding that the "decision to include Rwanda among states that use child soldiers is not based on evidence or facts".

This is not the first time Rwanda is showing that it cannot be tossed around by anybody. When Britain stated that it would withdraw aid from the East African nation over the same allegation of supporting the M23 rebels, President Paul Kagame minced no word is putting Britain in its proper and deserved place by telling it to keep its aid. He went further to say that Africa has come of age and should not complain of been controlled by the imperialists. The audacity of Kagame stems from the fact he has led Rwanda to become prosperous after the colossal Rwandan genocide of 1994.

The United Nations also accuses Rwanda of backing the M23, a charge the country has rigorously adamantly denied. Various human rights groups not excluding the UN rights body have also accused the M23 rebels of committing serious atrocities; including rape and murder, in addition to the use of child soldiers, in a conflict that has caused tens of thousands of refugees to flee.

The United States, due to all these allegations, slammed sanctions on Rwanda centrally over the use of child soldiers by the rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the United States was invoking the 2008 Child Soldiers Protection Act in sanctioning Rwanda, as Washington seeks to end "any involvement in the recruitment of child soldiers".

The sanctions were linked to actions by the M23. Thomas-Greenfield said the US will continue to have discussions with the Rwandan government on the issue. The sanctions terminate financial and military assistance for the fiscal year 2014, which began on 1 October. The sanctions will end all international military education and training in financial year 2014.

The United States slams Sanctions on Rwanda Over M23 Rebels Acts

Rwanda continues to be the potential target for the activities of the M23 rebels whom it has been accused of supporting without remorse. The M23 was founded by former Tutsi rebels who were incorporated into the Congolese army under the 2009 peace deal. In April 2012, the M23 revolted and launched the latest rebellion, ravaging DR Congo's mineral-rich and conflict-prone east.

The United Nations also accuses Rwanda of backing the M23, a charge the country has rigorously adamantly denied. Various human rights groups not excluding the UN rights body have also accused the M23 rebels of committing serious atrocities; including rape and murder, in addition to the use of child soldiers, in a conflict that has caused tens of thousands of refugees to flee.

The United States, due to all these allegations, slammed sanctions on Rwanda centrally over the use of child soldiers by the rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the United States was invoking the 2008 Child Soldiers Protection Act in sanctioning Rwanda, as Washington seeks to end "any involvement in the recruitment of child soldiers".

The sanctions were linked to actions by the M23. Thomas-Greenfield said the US will continue to have discussions with the Rwandan government on the issue. The sanctions terminate financial and military assistance for the fiscal year 2014, which began on 1 October. The sanctions will end all international military education and training in financial year 2014.

The US will however continue to support peacekeeping training that is not restricted to this child soldiers prevention act. United Nations Brigade, created by the Security Council and composed of Tanzanian, South African and Malawian soldiers has been able to record tremendous gains in DR Congo. It has driven the rebels far into the border with Rwanda which made resumption of peace talks in Uganda almost inevitable.

United States to hold on on Fresh Sanctions on Iran to Give Room for Diplomacy

The US Senate is weighing a new round of fresh sanctions against Iran following the passage in July of a House bill that would seek to further cut Iran's oil exports by another one million barrels a day for the next year to almost zero according to reported estimates. The legislation also vows military force against Iran should they defy orders not to pursue a nuclear weapon. Wendy Sherman warned during the hearing that the current government shutdown is curtailing the government's ability to oversee the existing sanctions. "Our ability to do that, to enforce sanctions, to stop sanction evaders, is being hampered significantly by the shutdown," according to Sherman.

RT reports that the top US State Department official urged members of Congress to hold onto fresh sanctions against Iran to give President Barack Obama's administration time to assess the new conciliatory tone from the Iranian government. "Let me assure you that we will continue to vigorously enforce the sanctions that are in place as we explore a negotiated resolution, and will be especially focused on sanctions evasion and efforts by the Iranians to relieve the pressure," Wendy Sherman, undersecretary of state for political affairs, said during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

Sherman asked lawmakers to at least wait until US and Iranian officials meet in Geneva in mid-October (15th and 16th ) before moving forward with more sanctions. Sherman is leading the US delegation in talks with Iran. The UK, Germany, France, Russia, and China will also participate in the Geneva talks, although direct Iran-US meetings are expected be the most important of the negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu had said the that overtures from Rouhani are from a "wolf in sheep's clothing." This is having a great influence on the conservatives in the House.

The US, United Nations, and European Union have all joined to press Iran with punitive sanctions for what they say are measures to curb Tehran's nuclear weapons programme. Iran counters the claims, saying that it simply aims to produce and use nuclear energy. The sanctions in place have devastated the Iranian economy, cutting oil exports in half while causing crippling inflation and high unemployment. Yet new President Hassan Rouhani has recently expressed a desire to reconcile with US officials, marking the possibility of new relations between the countries.

Sanctions on Iranian oil exports, shipping, and insurance businesses are biting on the economy of Tehran and costing the Islamic Republic billions in revenue each month. Existing measures already pressure countries including China, India, and Japan to reduce importing Iranian oil by threatening to block their banks from the US financial system. Recently, political prisoners wrote to President Obama about the sanctions with a view to advising him to explore the peaceful avenue the Rouhani government represents. Tehran also released numerous political prisoners whom Washington called 'prisoners of conscience'. This act also sent a kind of goodwill message to the White House.