UN to Militia: Demobilise by Friday or face military action in DR Congo

DR Congo: Time is rapidly running out on a Friday, January 2, 2015 deadline set by the UN Security Council and regional African governments for the rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo known as the FDLR to fully demobilize or face military operations.

Rather than demobilize, the FDLR has been generating income from gold and charcoal, mobilizing political support, and continuing to pose a regional security threat, according to a recent report by the Enough Project, “How to Dismantle a Deadly Militia.” Experts warn that military operations targeting the FDLR must prioritize civilian protection, and the report proposes seven critical non-military initiatives to accompany any forceful actions against the FDLR.