Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 07/07/2025issafrica.org/iss-today/wi...issafrica.orgWill the US brokered Rwanda-DRC deal pave the way for peace? | ISS AfricaDomestic power struggles between President Tshisekedi and former president Kabila will likely complicate difficult negotiations with M23. 101 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 09/05/2025www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...hrw.orgUS: Don’t Forcibly Transfer Migrants to LibyaThe United States should not forcibly transfer migrants to Libya, where inhumane detention conditions are well-documented, including torture, ill treatment, sexual assault, and unlawful killings. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 07/05/2025The EU and the US, racing to the bottom in Libya. www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...reuters.comExclusive: U.S. may soon deport migrants to Libya on military flight, sources sayU.S. President Donald Trump's administration may deport migrants to Libya for the first time this week, three U.S. officials said on Tuesday, as part of his immigration crackdown and despite Washington's past condemnation of Libya's harsh treatment of detainees. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 25/04/2025issafrica.org/iss-today/ch...issafrica.orgChallenges facing the latest truce between Kinshasa and M23 | ISS AfricaDynamics on the ground in eastern DRC and the country’s capital will test Qatar’s mediation efforts. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 15/03/2025While the DRC is courting the US with a minerals-for-security deal, it is being considered for travel restrictions by a new US travel ban (as is Angola). www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/u...nytimes.comDraft List for New Travel Ban Proposes Trump Target 43 Countries (Gift Article)A draft circulating inside the administration lists three tiers of countries whose citizens may face restrictions on entering the United States. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 14/03/2025Worrying signs as Burundi approaches elections. www.iwacu-burundi.org/processus-el...iwacu-burundi.orgProcessus électoral : La montée des inquiétudesÀ trois mois des premières élections de 2025, les inquiétudes grandissent sur leur organisation. Partis et coalitions alertent sur des défis majeurs : climat politique et sécuritaire tendu, cadre léga... 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 02/03/2025The planned regional summit that was, apparently, not planned. www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/2...rfi.frConflit dans l'est de la RDC: la réunion ministérielle EAC-SADC reportéeCette réunion, présentée comme clé, devait se tenir ce vendredi 28 février à Harare entre les ministres de la SADC et de l’EAC. Elle n'a finalement pas eu lieu. Selon les délégations rwandaise et cong... 000 0
Reposted by Bram VerelstDe Tijd @tijd.be · 17/02/2025Opmars M23 in Oost-Congo: ‘Koloniale grenzen worden openlijk in vraag gesteld’tijd.beOpmars M23 in Oost-Congo: ‘Koloniale grenzen worden openlijk in vraag gesteld’Nu de rebellenalliantie M23 grote delen van Kivu controleert, verbergen de buurlanden Oeganda en Rwanda amper nog waarom ze met troepen in Oost-Congo aanwezig zijn. ‘De logica van ‘land for peace’ in de oorlog tussen Rusland en Oekraïne zal wellicht ook in Rwanda met interesse gevolgd worden.’ 001 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 17/02/2025"Un seul pays, le Burundi, a plaidé ce dimanche 16 février pour que les chefs d’État condamnent le Rwanda en conclusion de leur sommet. Mais dans la salle, « personne n’a rebondi », raconte un participant." www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/2...rfi.frLe malaise de l'Union africaine face au conflit dans l'est de la RDCPendant que l’AFC/M23, soutenu par l’armée rwandaise, faisait son entrée dans Bukavu ce week-end, les chefs d’États de l’Union africaine, étaient réunis à Addis-Abeba pour leur sommet annuel. Le confl... 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 14/02/2025M23 forcefully displacing already displaced civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law. This from a movement demanding the return of (mostly) Tutsi refugees to the DRC. www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...hrw.orgDR Congo: M23 Drives Displaced People From Goma CampsThe Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has unlawfully ordered tens of thousands of displaced people to leave the camps around Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 14/02/20256 days ago, the EAC-SADC summit directed army chiefs to meet within 5 days to provide direction on an immediate ceasefire and develop a securitisation plan for Goma. In the meantime, M23/AFC consolidated its control over Goma and progressed Southward, taking control of Kavumu airport today. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 11/02/2025In light of the ongoing aid cuts, a good moment to revisit this debate @thebaffler.com thebaffler.com/issues/no-71thebaffler.comno. 71—Whither Humanitarianism?THE FIRST QUARTER of the twenty-first century fast approaches its end, and all is not well in human welfare. According to the UN secretary-general, some 360 million people worldwide are in need of… 051 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 11/02/2025www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2025/02...thenewhumanitarian.orgDanish Refugee Council announces “emergency termination” of staffThe initial estimate of 2,000 layoffs would see DRC lose a quarter of its workforce. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 11/02/2025Version en français: issafrica.org/fr/iss-today...issafrica.orgEst de la RDC : la diplomatie régionale à l’épreuve | ISS AfricaAlors que le M23 poursuit sa marche destructive, le sommet CAE-SADC doit tirer les leçons de l'échec des efforts de paix. 010 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 09/02/2025The EAC/SADC summit demonstrated incapacity to deal with dynamics on the ground, as M23/AFC openly establishes itself as an occupying power in the Kivus and declares a liberation war. Not even calls to withdraw. 100 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 07/02/2025www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...dailymaverick.co.zaEastern DRC conflict: Unpacking difficult task of regional diplomacyAs M23 continues its destructive march, the upcoming EAC-SADC summit must consider lessons from failed peace efforts. 010 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 07/02/2025Some thoughts on the M23 crisis and prospects for regional diplomacy. issafrica.org/iss-today/ea...issafrica.orgEastern DRC: unpacking the difficult task of regional diplomacy | ISS AfricaAs M23 continues its destructive march, the EAC-SADC summit must consider lessons from failed peace efforts. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 06/02/2025This got lost in all of the news on the M23 crisis, but reports that Burundian secretary general of the ruling party CNDD-FDD, one of the most influential figures in the Burundian regime, is in a critical condition because of a sudden illness. www.sosmediasburundi.org/en/2025/01/2...sosmediasburundi.orgBurundi : in very critical condition, the secretary general of the CNDD-FDD was evacuated abroad - %%sitetitle%%Reverien Ndikuriyo, secretary general of the CNDD-FDD (ruling party) suddenly fell ill on Thursday. From Ngozi (northern Burundi), he was transferred to Bujumbura (commercial capital), before being ev... 010 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 31/01/2025Ik sprak met @tijd.be over de Europese en Belgische houding naar het M23 conflict in Oost-Congo. 110 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 31/01/2025Although I welcome the debate on international sanctions and measures to stem the crisis in DRC, we should prioritise the immediate needs of those suffering from conflict and thus focus efforts on humanitarian access and care first. This requires involvement from multiple parties (1/2) 100 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 31/01/2025Misconstrued causes will lead to misconstrued solutions. We need to look beyond economic interests as well. 020 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 30/01/2025@afpfr.bsky.social on the escalation in Eastern DRC, with some words from me. www.barrons.com/news/what-do...barrons.com 010 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 29/01/2025I spoke to VOA on the ongoing crisis in the DRC and regional mediation. www.voaafrica.com/a/kenya-s-pr...voaafrica.comKenya’s President Ruto calls emergency regional summit over DRCKenyan President William Ruto, chair of the East African Community Heads of State Summit, has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Bram Vere... 010 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 28/01/2025That the M23 crisis in the DRC was not even among the 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2025 of @crisisgroup.org, says a lot about the volatile times we are in today. 010 0
Reposted by Bram VerelstKristof Titeca @kristoftiteca.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Mon analyse sur le financement de l'UE pour #Rwanda - et les problêmes avec ce financement: afriquexxi.info/L-Europe-fun...afriquexxi.infoL'Europe, funambule précaire entre le Rwanda et la RD Congo - AnalysePour renouveler un financement de 20 millions d’euros au Rwanda en appui à son intervention armée dans le nord du Mozambique, l’Union européenne a dû convaincre des États membres récalcitrants. (…) 033 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Laten we het inderdaad hebben over de DR Congo, maar laten we ons leiden door feiten, niet door simplismen. 021 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 25/01/2025FYI, Rwanda is the 3rd largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping missions. 000 0
Reposted by Bram VerelstDoctors Without Borders @doctorswithoutborders.org · 24/01/2025🟥DR Congo UPDATE - Fighting between the M23/AFC, the FARDC and their respective allies has resumed with increased intensity in North and South Kivu. MSF is supporting the Kyeshero Hospital in Goma and continuing the care for patients in other areas of North and South Kivu. 064 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 23/01/2025We are likely to see further international condemnations of M23 and concerns about the humanitarian consequences of their advances, but here is a fact: only half (!) of total humanitarian funding needs for the DRC are met, while governments continue to slash development and humanitarian budgets. 010 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 20/01/2025Amnesty report documents deadly use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas in Eastern DRC. Latest UN Group of Experts on the DRC report attributed one of the deadliest shellings (8ème CEPAC near Goma) to the RDF. www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...amnesty.orgDR Congo: Rwandan-backed armed group and Congolese army must stop using explosive weapons in densely populated areasBetween January and July 2024, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group and the Congolese army (FARDC) launched explosive weapons with wide area effects into d... 000 0
Reposted by Bram VerelstAfrique XXI @afriquexxi.bsky.social · 17/01/2025Les récits progressistes ou réactionnaires "tendent à réduire l’ #Afrique à un simple réceptacle de politiques extérieures", écrivent les chercheurs @ethuin.bsky.social & Aymar Nyenyezi Bisoka. Une analyse passionnante qui décortique comment l'Occident dépolitise les luttes en #RDC #Congo #Kinshasaafriquexxi.infoEn RD Congo, une vision occidentale qui perpétue la violence - AnalysePersistance des dynamiques coloniales, pillage des ressources, corruption, conflits... À travers leurs discours, les pensées progressistes comme réactionnaires dépolitisent le pays. « Ces récits (…) 02822 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 14/01/2025issafrica.org/iss-today/ca...issafrica.orgCan Burundi afford to pull its troops out of Somalia? | ISS AfricaWithdrawing from the AU peace mission in Somalia could have significant consequences for Burundi. 010 0
Reposted by Bram VerelstZecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 11/01/2025THREAD: This is Naima, an Ethiopian migrant. She was kidnapped by Libyan human traffickers, who sent footage of her being tortured to her family, demanding a ransom of $6,000 for her life. The images went viral this week. Libya is a hub of trafficker brutality, murder and extortion. Know more. 47334 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 28/12/2024At least 21 civilians killed by attacks attributed to the ADF in eastern DR Congo. More than ten years since the surge in civilian massacres. In 2025, the group will be thirty years old, although much has changed since. www.rtbf.be/article/rdc-...rtbf.beRDC : au moins 21 personnes ont été tuées en une semaine par des rebelles ADF dans l’est du paysAu moins 21 personnes ont été tuées en une semaine par des rebelles ADF dans l’est de la République démocratique du... 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 28/12/2024It seems that Burundi will not participate in the new AUSSOM mission. A watershed moment for its national army that has deployed in Somalia since 2007. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 10/12/2024This is a good read. www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/202...thenewhumanitarian.orgAfrican-led peacekeeping fills a UN-sized holeAs the UN shifts to more of a support role, regional powers have launched a series of leaner, cheaper stabilisation and intervention missions. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 06/12/2024"A lawyer for Mr. Hegseth, Timothy C. Parlatore, said that crusader symbols are common among military veterans like Mr. Hegseth, who served at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba and in Iraq and Afghanistan." www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/u...nytimes.comPete Hegseth and His ‘Battle Cry’ for a New Christian CrusadeThe veteran picked to lead the Defense Department has praised the brutal religious military campaigns of the past and has called for a Christian approach to governing. 000 0
Bram Verelst @bramverelst.bsky.social · 05/12/2024Amnesty International concludes that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. www.amnesty.org/en/documents...amnesty.orgIsrael/Occupied Palestinian Territory: ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza - Amnesty InternationalThis report documents Israel’s actions during its offensive on the occupied Gaza Strip from 7 October 2023. It examines the killing of civilians, damage to and destruction of civilian infrastructure, ... 100 0
Reposted by Bram VerelstAfrique XXI @afriquexxi.bsky.social · 03/12/2024Afrique XXI's pages are open to unsolicited submissions in French and English. We'll take care of the translation. Here's the procedureafriquexxi.infoSubmit articlesAfrique XXI welcomes proposals for articles from all quarters. Please send them by e-mail to afriquexxi@afriquexxi.info We publish articles averaging 8,000 to 12,000 characters in length (…) 0128 0
