Three US citizens are among 37 defendants sentenced to death by a military court on Friday for their role in a May failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Armed men briefly occupied an office of the presidency in the capital Kinshasa on May 19 before their leader, US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, was killed by security forces.&nbsp;

His son, Marcel Malanga, was among the Americans on trial, along with Marcel's friend, Tyler Thompson, who played high school football with him in Utah. Both are in their 20s.

The third American, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, was a business associate of Christian Malanga.

All three were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other charges, and sentenced to death in a ruling read on live TV.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;DR Congo military court sentences 37 to death in coup trial

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Malanga had previously told the court that his father had threatened to kill him unless he participated. He also told the court it was his first time visiting Congo at the invitation of his father, whom he had not seen in years.&nbsp;

The Americans are among some 50 people, including US, British, Canadian, Belgian, and Congolese citizens, standing trial following the failed coup.

A total of 37 defendants were sentenced to death.

The verdict was read out under a tent in the yard of Ndolo military prison on the outskirts of Kinshasa. The defendants were seated in front of the judge, wearing blue and yellow prison-issued tops.

The trial began in July.

In Washington, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said embassy staff had attended the proceedings and would continue to follow developments closely.

"We understand that the legal process in the DRC allows for defendants to appeal the court's decision," he told a briefing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/129-dead-in-dr-congo-in-attempted-prison-break-government-755397">Also read:&nbsp;129 dead in DR Congo in attempted prison break: Government</a>

The 37 defendants include Belgian-Congolese citizen Jean-Jacques Wondo. Wondo's family released video messages addressed to Congo President Félix Tshisekedi ahead of the trial to ask for his release.

"I beg you, intervene, he is innocent," Nathalie Kayembe Wondo, his wife, said in the message.

Relatives of Marcel Malanga and Thompson did not respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;

Marcel Malanga's mother, Brittney Sawyer, has previously said her son is innocent.&nbsp;

Thompson's stepmother, Miranda Thompson, has previously said her stepson travelled to Congo on vacation to explore the world.&nbsp;

Thompson is feeling lonely and isolated in prison, according to the fundraising site that his family set up to support his defence.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Three US citizens are among 37 defendants sentenced to death by a military court on Friday for their role in a May failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Three US citizens are among 37 defendants sentenced to death by a military court on Friday for their role in a May failed coup in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Armed men briefly occupied an office of the presidency in the capital Kinshasa on May 19 before their leader, US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, was killed by security forces. His son, Marcel Malanga, was among the Americans on trial, along with Marcel's friend, Tyler Thompson, who played high school football with him in Utah. Both are in their 20s. The third American, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, was a business associate of Christian Malanga. All three were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and other charges, and sentenced to death in a ruling read on live TV. Watch | DR Congo military court sentences 37 to death in coup trial × Malanga had previously told the court that his father had threatened to kill him unless he participated. He also told the court it was his first time visiting Congo at the invitation of his father, whom he had not seen in years. The Americans are among some 50 people, including US, British, Canadian, Belgian, and Congolese citizens, standing trial following the failed coup. A total of 37 defendants were sentenced to death. The verdict was read out under a tent in the yard of Ndolo military prison on the outskirts of Kinshasa. The defendants were seated in front of the judge, wearing blue and yellow prison-issued tops. The trial began in July. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said embassy staff had attended the proceedings and would continue to follow developments closely. "We understand that the legal process in the DRC allows for defendants to appeal the court's decision," he told a briefing. Also read: 129 dead in DR Congo in attempted prison break: Government The 37 defendants include Belgian-Congolese citizen Jean-Jacques Wondo. Wondo's family released video messages addressed to Congo President Félix Tshisekedi ahead of the trial to ask for his release. "I beg you, intervene, he is innocent," Nathalie Kayembe Wondo, his wife, said in the message. Relatives of Marcel Malanga and Thompson did not respond to requests for comment. Marcel Malanga's mother, Brittney Sawyer, has previously said her son is innocent. Thompson's stepmother, Miranda Thompson, has previously said her stepson travelled to Congo on vacation to explore the world. Thompson is feeling lonely and isolated in prison, according to the fundraising site that his family set up to support his defence. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Three Americans among 37 sentenced to death in DR Congo over role in failed coup

In what may come as rather bizarre advice, a British organisation is calling for hunger-stricken African nations to develop the practice of eating insects. The $58,000 project, a part of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office aims “to promote the production of insects for human food and for use in the manufacture of animal feeds”, according to The Guardian report.

In what may come as rather bizarre advice, a British organisation is calling for hunger-stricken African nations to develop the practice of eating insects. The $58,000 project, a part of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office aims “to promote the production of insects for human food and for use in the manufacture of animal feeds”, according to The Guardian report. The project is expected to run from March to December 2022 and is currently in operation in the North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod), a charity based in England and Wales is funding the project. The organisation in a response to the publication stated that it was wrong to claim that "the programme is encouraging people to eat insects". In pics | Thousands of men and women in South Africa celebrate the coronation of new Zulu king Primarily, cattle farming is the main occupation of inhabitants of the aforementioned regions. However, the increase in population and scarcity of resources mean that tremendous strain is being put on water supplies, required in large quantities for beef farming. Thus, the project, at least on paper attempts to reduce the reliance on such natural resources by stating that insect-eating requires less land and water than conventional livestock. African caterpillars, migratory locusts, and black soldier flies are some of the insect delicacies put on the menu for the locals to eat. WATCH | Zulu 'bare-breasted maiden' dance revived first time since Covid Although it may not be to everyone's liking, insects are a good source of high-quality animal protein. As a result, in many regions of Africa, edible insects are a part of the basic diet. As for South Kivu, the ground zero of the project, 23 species of insects are consumed. African palm weevil, the litter beetle, termites and crickets are some of the edible insect species consumed here. UN's World Food Programme (WFP) in a report has stated that over 22 million inhabitants living in the Horn of Africa face the threat of starvation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Farming and eating edible insects', British organisations' idea to help a hungry Africa

US tech giants Apple, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet have been named in a lawsuit over the deaths of child labourers in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).

Cobalt, a rare metal, is widely used by firms to make smartphones, laptops and electric cars.

Tesla and Dell have also been named in the lawsuit as defendants.

The International Rights Advocates (IRA) in its website said it had &nbsp;filed a federal class action lawsuit on behalf of fourteen plaintiffs which it said were linked to were "either guardians of children killed in tunnel or wall collapses while mining cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo."

The IRA said it had "evidence" that the tech companies "in particular aided and abetted the mines that abused and profited from forcing Plaintiffs and other children to mine cobalt under conditions that led to their deaths or serious, crippling injuries."

The tech companies have been&nbsp;accused of child labour in "violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act."

The campaign group said Congo is "the world’s largest deposits of cobalt" which is being used as an essential element in lithium-ion battery for "tech and electric car companies". Due to the boom in demand cobalt in mined under "most extreme contrasts" in DRC by children paid a dollar or two a day to supply cobalt, it said.

IRA said&nbsp;that the said companies failed to regulate their supply chains and instead profited from exploitation. The case has been launched by families whose children were killed or maimed while mining for cobalt,&nbsp;some children were killed in tunnel collapses while others were paralysed or suffered life-changing injuries, the advocacy group added.

The majority of Congo’s cobalt comes from large mining sites where rock is dug up by trucks, however,&nbsp;a growing proportion comes from an estimated one&nbsp;lakh fifty thousand "artisanal"&nbsp;or informal miners who dig by hand&nbsp;with growing demand for the metal&nbsp;scrutiny of mining practices is also on the rise.

US tech giants Apple, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet have been named in a lawsuit over the deaths of child labourers in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).

US tech giants Apple, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet have been named in a lawsuit over the deaths of child labourers in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC). Cobalt, a rare metal, is widely used by firms to make smartphones, laptops and electric cars. Tesla and Dell have also been named in the lawsuit as defendants. The International Rights Advocates (IRA) in its website said it had filed a federal class action lawsuit on behalf of fourteen plaintiffs which it said were linked to were "either guardians of children killed in tunnel or wall collapses while mining cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo." The IRA said it had "evidence" that the tech companies "in particular aided and abetted the mines that abused and profited from forcing Plaintiffs and other children to mine cobalt under conditions that led to their deaths or serious, crippling injuries." The tech companies have been accused of child labour in "violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act." The campaign group said Congo is "the world’s largest deposits of cobalt" which is being used as an essential element in lithium-ion battery for "tech and electric car companies". Due to the boom in demand cobalt in mined under "most extreme contrasts" in DRC by children paid a dollar or two a day to supply cobalt, it said. IRA said that the said companies failed to regulate their supply chains and instead profited from exploitation. The case has been launched by families whose children were killed or maimed while mining for cobalt, some children were killed in tunnel collapses while others were paralysed or suffered life-changing injuries, the advocacy group added. The majority of Congo’s cobalt comes from large mining sites where rock is dug up by trucks, however, a growing proportion comes from an estimated one lakh fifty thousand "artisanal" or informal miners who dig by hand with growing demand for the metal scrutiny of mining practices is also on the rise.

US tech giants accused over cobalt mine child labour abuse

South&nbsp;Sudan's exiled&nbsp;rebel&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Riek Machar on Saturday jetted&nbsp;back&nbsp;to the country for another round of&nbsp;peace&nbsp;talks&nbsp;with President Salva Kiir.

This meeting is expected to come up with a way forward on forming a new government in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;by the November 12th deadline.

President Kiir's government says the unity government should be formed as scheduled in the agreement.

"The meeting was to see the way forward, discuss all the other outstanding issues that are connected with the implementation of the agreement. And among them is, of course, the security arrangement," said Michael Makuei Lueth, Information Minister of&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan.

Machar,&nbsp;leader&nbsp;of&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;People's Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), who is currently living in neighbouring&nbsp;Sudan, made his third trip to Juba, the capital and largest city of&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan,&nbsp;after he fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following renewed violence in July 2016.

Machar held a face-to-face meeting with President Salva Kiir last month where the two agreed to resolve pending issues that have dragged implementation of the&nbsp;peace&nbsp;deal.

Peter Manawa Gatkuoth, deputy head of Information of the SPLM-IO, told reporters at Juba International Airport that the opposition&nbsp;leader&nbsp;wants an overhaul of the security sector before forming a unity government.

"We should unify, train and deploy unified forces. That's why we put it as a condition as the SPLM-IO, to form a government of national unity. We need to solve the issue of security arrangement," said Gatkuoth.

South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;descended into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir sacked Machar, leading to fighting between soldiers loyal to the two&nbsp;leaders.

The conflict killed tens of thousands and displaced millions both internally and externally.

A&nbsp;peace&nbsp;deal signed in 2015 collapsed after the outbreak of renewed violence in July 2016, forcing Machar to flee the capital.

Under the 2018&nbsp;peace&nbsp;deal, Machar will take up one of the four vice presidency positions in the transitional government.

South Sudan's exiled rebel leader Riek Machar on Saturday jetted back to the country for another round of peace talks with President Salva Kiir. This meeting is expected to come up with a way forward on forming a new government in South Sudan by the November 12th deadline.

South Sudan's exiled rebel leader Riek Machar on Saturday jetted back to the country for another round of peace talks with President Salva Kiir. This meeting is expected to come up with a way forward on forming a new government in South Sudan by the November 12th deadline. President Kiir's government says the unity government should be formed as scheduled in the agreement. "The meeting was to see the way forward, discuss all the other outstanding issues that are connected with the implementation of the agreement. And among them is, of course, the security arrangement," said Michael Makuei Lueth, Information Minister of South Sudan. Machar, leader of Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), who is currently living in neighbouring Sudan, made his third trip to Juba, the capital and largest city of South Sudan, after he fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following renewed violence in July 2016. Machar held a face-to-face meeting with President Salva Kiir last month where the two agreed to resolve pending issues that have dragged implementation of the peace deal. Peter Manawa Gatkuoth, deputy head of Information of the SPLM-IO, told reporters at Juba International Airport that the opposition leader wants an overhaul of the security sector before forming a unity government. "We should unify, train and deploy unified forces. That's why we put it as a condition as the SPLM-IO, to form a government of national unity. We need to solve the issue of security arrangement," said Gatkuoth. South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir sacked Machar, leading to fighting between soldiers loyal to the two leaders. The conflict killed tens of thousands and displaced millions both internally and externally. A peace deal signed in 2015 collapsed after the outbreak of renewed violence in July 2016, forcing Machar to flee the capital. Under the 2018 peace deal, Machar will take up one of the four vice presidency positions in the transitional government.

South Sudan rebel leader jets back home for peace talks

Congolese security forces evicted illegal miners from a copper and cobalt mine run by Glencore on Thursday and then dispersed them when they protested outside the governor's office, local activists said.

The move by the police and army came one week after a landslide at the Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) concession, majority-owned by a Glencore subsidiary, killed 43 people, prompting a government pledge to remove the miners.

Glencore said in a statement that the Democratic Republic of Congo's army had been deployed to an area around KCC. It said the company had insisted soldiers exercise restraint and respect human rights.

Earlier this week, the miners defied a deadline from the army to leave the mine. Activists said they feared the standoff would lead to violent clashes and human rights abuses.

Emmanuel Umpula, the director of the watchdog group African Resources Watch, said that after being evicted, some of the miners protested outside the governor's office in the city of Kolwezi to demand a new concession to exploit and were dispersed by security forces.

Mike Lameki, a human rights activist in Kolwezi, said the miners marched on the governor's office around 7 a.m. (0500 GMT). After being dispersed, they headed to the neighbourhood of Kasulo.

"On the way, they met up with friends who had come from other parts of town," he said. "Then they started pillaging."

Photos shared by Lameki from one store showed shattered glass and supermarket items strewn across the floor.

Umpula and Lameki both said the security forces had opened fire to disperse the protesters, but it was unclear if they had fired live rounds or rubber bullets.

Army and government officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Dangerous condition

Rights activists have criticised the planned expulsion, saying it would do nothing to address underlying factors, such as poverty and unemployment, that push people to brave dangerous conditions in mines.

Glencore estimates about 2,000 illegal miners enter KCC every day.

Last week, the army evicted thousands of miners from China Molybdenum's nearby Tenke Fungurume mine.

General John Numbi, who led the operation, said the soldiers did not fire a single shot. African Resources Watch said they did and cited local villagers as saying three people died from gunshot wounds.

Last Thursday's accident at KCC briefly sent Glencore's shares tumbling 7%, underscoring foreign investors' exposure to illegal mining activity on their properties.

The government of Lualaba province estimates that 170,000 informal miners operate in the province. They burrow deep underground with rudimentary tools, leading to frequent accidents.

Congo produces more than half the world's cobalt, a key component in an electric car and other electronic batteries, but is one of the world's least developed countries, afflicted by corruption and conflict.

Congolese security forces evicted illegal miners from a copper and cobalt mine run by Glencore on Thursday and then dispersed them when they protested outside the governor's office, local activists said.

Congolese security forces evicted illegal miners from a copper and cobalt mine run by Glencore on Thursday and then dispersed them when they protested outside the governor's office, local activists said. The move by the police and army came one week after a landslide at the Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) concession, majority-owned by a Glencore subsidiary, killed 43 people, prompting a government pledge to remove the miners. Glencore said in a statement that the Democratic Republic of Congo's army had been deployed to an area around KCC. It said the company had insisted soldiers exercise restraint and respect human rights. Earlier this week, the miners defied a deadline from the army to leave the mine. Activists said they feared the standoff would lead to violent clashes and human rights abuses. Emmanuel Umpula, the director of the watchdog group African Resources Watch, said that after being evicted, some of the miners protested outside the governor's office in the city of Kolwezi to demand a new concession to exploit and were dispersed by security forces. Mike Lameki, a human rights activist in Kolwezi, said the miners marched on the governor's office around 7 a.m. (0500 GMT). After being dispersed, they headed to the neighbourhood of Kasulo. "On the way, they met up with friends who had come from other parts of town," he said. "Then they started pillaging." Photos shared by Lameki from one store showed shattered glass and supermarket items strewn across the floor. Umpula and Lameki both said the security forces had opened fire to disperse the protesters, but it was unclear if they had fired live rounds or rubber bullets. Army and government officials could not be immediately reached for comment. Dangerous condition Rights activists have criticised the planned expulsion, saying it would do nothing to address underlying factors, such as poverty and unemployment, that push people to brave dangerous conditions in mines. Glencore estimates about 2,000 illegal miners enter KCC every day. Last week, the army evicted thousands of miners from China Molybdenum's nearby Tenke Fungurume mine. General John Numbi, who led the operation, said the soldiers did not fire a single shot. African Resources Watch said they did and cited local villagers as saying three people died from gunshot wounds. Last Thursday's accident at KCC briefly sent Glencore's shares tumbling 7%, underscoring foreign investors' exposure to illegal mining activity on their properties. The government of Lualaba province estimates that 170,000 informal miners operate in the province. They burrow deep underground with rudimentary tools, leading to frequent accidents. Congo produces more than half the world's cobalt, a key component in an electric car and other electronic batteries, but is one of the world's least developed countries, afflicted by corruption and conflict.

Congolese security forces evict illegal miners from Glencore project

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-death-toll-rises-to-565-201603">outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus</a>, which has infected more than 2,000 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has spread to Uganda, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

&nbsp;A 5-year-old Congolese boy has been diagnosed with Ebola in Uganda, CNN reported while quoting the country`s Ministry of Health and WHO."The child and his family entered the country through Bwera Border post and sought medical care at Kagando hospital where health workers identified Ebola as a possible cause of illness," the WHO said in a statement issued on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The child is currently at an Ebola treatment unit in the Ugandan town of Bwera which falls in the Kasese district. This is the second largest Ebola outbreak in history.

&nbsp;Over 1,300 people have lost their lives due to the virus since August. The main areas which have been severely affected are DR Congo`s North Kivu and Ituri provinces.

&nbsp;A recent spike in the number of those found to be infected with Ebola has raised concerns about the spread of the virus across DR Congo`s borders. In anticipation of this, health workers in Uganda have been vaccinated against it and trained to recognise symptoms of the infection.

"Although there have been numerous previous alerts, this is the first confirmed case in Uganda during the Ebola outbreak on-going in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo," WHO said.

&nbsp;The world health body added that a Rapid Response Team has been dispatched to Kasese "to start contact tracing and management of cases that are likely to occur".

Around 11,000 people had lost their lives in the deadliest Ebola outbreak which occurred in 2014.&nbsp;

Ebola first appeared in 1976 in Sudan, followed by DR Congo. The virus can be transmitted to humans from wild animals.&nbsp;

Symptoms of the disease include fever, severe headache and haemorrhaging. In the 2014 outbreak, the virus infected approximately 28,600 people in the western African countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

The outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, which has infected more than 2,000 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has spread to Uganda, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, which has infected more than 2,000 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has spread to Uganda, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). A 5-year-old Congolese boy has been diagnosed with Ebola in Uganda, CNN reported while quoting the country`s Ministry of Health and WHO."The child and his family entered the country through Bwera Border post and sought medical care at Kagando hospital where health workers identified Ebola as a possible cause of illness," the WHO said in a statement issued on Tuesday. The child is currently at an Ebola treatment unit in the Ugandan town of Bwera which falls in the Kasese district. This is the second largest Ebola outbreak in history. Over 1,300 people have lost their lives due to the virus since August. The main areas which have been severely affected are DR Congo`s North Kivu and Ituri provinces. A recent spike in the number of those found to be infected with Ebola has raised concerns about the spread of the virus across DR Congo`s borders. In anticipation of this, health workers in Uganda have been vaccinated against it and trained to recognise symptoms of the infection. "Although there have been numerous previous alerts, this is the first confirmed case in Uganda during the Ebola outbreak on-going in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo," WHO said. The world health body added that a Rapid Response Team has been dispatched to Kasese "to start contact tracing and management of cases that are likely to occur". Around 11,000 people had lost their lives in the deadliest Ebola outbreak which occurred in 2014. Ebola first appeared in 1976 in Sudan, followed by DR Congo. The virus can be transmitted to humans from wild animals. Symptoms of the disease include fever, severe headache and haemorrhaging. In the 2014 outbreak, the virus infected approximately 28,600 people in the western African countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Deadly Ebola virus spreads to Uganda from Democratic Republic Congo

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-not-on-track-with-climate-change-un-chief-antonio-guterres-218068">UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres</a> has honoured an Indian police officer with a prestigious medal for sacrificing his life during the world body's peacekeeping mission in the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Jitendra Kumar was posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjold medal on Friday at the UN headquarters during a special tea reception hosted by India's Permanent Mission to the UN to commemorate the International Day of UN Peacekeepers and pay&nbsp;homage to those who couldn't return&nbsp;after their service in the missions.

Kumar, who is among the 119 men and women to be awarded the medal for their courage and sacrifice in the line of duty, laid down his life while serving in the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Central African country. India's envoy to the UN Syed Akbaruddin received the award on his behalf.

The recipients for this year's award included military and police personnel, international civil servants, national staff and UN Volunteers from 38 countries who served in 12 different UN peace operations around the world.

Admiring their bravery and courage, the UN chief said, hailing from different backgrounds, our fallen heroes were united in their efforts to help the UN attain its most important objective - to save further generations from the scourge of war."

Guterres also laid a wreath to honour the fallen peacekeepers. We ask much of our peacekeepers. In return, we must continue to do all we can to ensure they are as safe as possible,&nbsp;he said, adding that more than 3,800 peacekeepers have lost their lives in the 72 peacekeeping missions since 1948.

Noting that the missions in Mali, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are among the most dangerous that we have ever undertaken, he said, last year we lost 98 military, police and civilian peacekeepers from 36 countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Akbaruddin said the award has given UN member states images for our heroes. Since the award was instituted, the peacekeepers were unnamed, faceless heroes. The Secretary-General has given us a face that all of us can revere at the United Nations," he said.

The Dag Hammarskjold medal is named after the UN's second Secretary-General who died in a plane crash in the Congo in 1961 while trying to broker a peace agreement to end the conflict in the country.&nbsp;

India is the fourth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping. It currently contributes more than 6,400 military and police personnel to the UN peace operations in Abyei, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, the Middle East, South Sudan and Western Sahara.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has honoured an Indian police officer with a prestigious medal for sacrificing his life during the world body's peacekeeping mission in the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has honoured an Indian police officer with a prestigious medal for sacrificing his life during the world body's peacekeeping mission in the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo. Jitendra Kumar was posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjold medal on Friday at the UN headquarters during a special tea reception hosted by India's Permanent Mission to the UN to commemorate the International Day of UN Peacekeepers and pay homage to those who couldn't return after their service in the missions. Kumar, who is among the 119 men and women to be awarded the medal for their courage and sacrifice in the line of duty, laid down his life while serving in the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Central African country. India's envoy to the UN Syed Akbaruddin received the award on his behalf. The recipients for this year's award included military and police personnel, international civil servants, national staff and UN Volunteers from 38 countries who served in 12 different UN peace operations around the world. Admiring their bravery and courage, the UN chief said, hailing from different backgrounds, our fallen heroes were united in their efforts to help the UN attain its most important objective - to save further generations from the scourge of war." Guterres also laid a wreath to honour the fallen peacekeepers. We ask much of our peacekeepers. In return, we must continue to do all we can to ensure they are as safe as possible, he said, adding that more than 3,800 peacekeepers have lost their lives in the 72 peacekeeping missions since 1948. Noting that the missions in Mali, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are among the most dangerous that we have ever undertaken, he said, last year we lost 98 military, police and civilian peacekeepers from 36 countries. Speaking on the occasion, Akbaruddin said the award has given UN member states images for our heroes. Since the award was instituted, the peacekeepers were unnamed, faceless heroes. The Secretary-General has given us a face that all of us can revere at the United Nations," he said. The Dag Hammarskjold medal is named after the UN's second Secretary-General who died in a plane crash in the Congo in 1961 while trying to broker a peace agreement to end the conflict in the country. India is the fourth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping. It currently contributes more than 6,400 military and police personnel to the UN peace operations in Abyei, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, the Middle East, South Sudan and Western Sahara.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres honours Indian police officer posthumously for contribution to UN peacekeeping

The Democratic Republic of Congo's main opposition party met on Friday for a two-day congress to choose a new leader who is also likely to be its candidate in upcoming presidential elections.

Frontrunner among the four candidates vying for the leadership of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) is Felix Tshisekedi, the son of the party's founder, former premier Etienne Tshisekedi, who died in Brussels in February last year.

Elections for DRC's head of state are due to take place on December 23 after two postponements that have stoked fears the sprawling, volatile state could spiral into war.

President Joseph Kabila has been in power since 2001 and should have stepped down at the end of 2016 after he reached his two-term constitutional limit.

He is staying on under a constitutional clause that empowers the president to remain in office so long as his or her successor has not been elected.

Escalating tension over Kabila's future has fed protests that have met with a crackdown that has claimed dozens of lives.

According to an opinion poll released Friday, 69 percent of the population do not trust the electoral commission to stage fair elections and 80 percent have a negative view of Kabila.

Sixty-six percent would vote for an opposition candidate, while Kabila would get only six percent if he sought to run again.

Among opposition candidates, the most popular was Moise Katumbi, a wealthy businessman and former governor of Katanga province, who was supported by 24 percent of those who gave an opinion.

He was followed by Tshisekedi with 13 percent.

Katumbi, who lives in exile, formally launched his presidential campaign on March 12, unveiling a political party called Together for Change.

The survey, conducted by phone among a thousand people in 26 provinces, was organised by BERCI -- the Bureau d’Etudes, de Recherches et de Consulting International -- and the Congo Research Group (CRG) at New York University.&nbsp

The UDPS was set up in 1982 at the height of the dictatorship of former president Joseph-Desire Mobutu. It has been in opposition ever since, and experienced numerous internal divisions.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's main opposition party met on Friday for a two-day congress to choose a new leader who is also likely to be its candidate in upcoming presidential elections

The Democratic Republic of Congo's main opposition party met on Friday for a two-day congress to choose a new leader who is also likely to be its candidate in upcoming presidential elections. Frontrunner among the four candidates vying for the leadership of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) is Felix Tshisekedi, the son of the party's founder, former premier Etienne Tshisekedi, who died in Brussels in February last year. Elections for DRC's head of state are due to take place on December 23 after two postponements that have stoked fears the sprawling, volatile state could spiral into war. President Joseph Kabila has been in power since 2001 and should have stepped down at the end of 2016 after he reached his two-term constitutional limit. He is staying on under a constitutional clause that empowers the president to remain in office so long as his or her successor has not been elected. Escalating tension over Kabila's future has fed protests that have met with a crackdown that has claimed dozens of lives. According to an opinion poll released Friday, 69 percent of the population do not trust the electoral commission to stage fair elections and 80 percent have a negative view of Kabila. Sixty-six percent would vote for an opposition candidate, while Kabila would get only six percent if he sought to run again. Among opposition candidates, the most popular was Moise Katumbi, a wealthy businessman and former governor of Katanga province, who was supported by 24 percent of those who gave an opinion. He was followed by Tshisekedi with 13 percent. Katumbi, who lives in exile, formally launched his presidential campaign on March 12, unveiling a political party called Together for Change. The survey, conducted by phone among a thousand people in 26 provinces, was organised by BERCI -- the Bureau d’Etudes, de Recherches et de Consulting International -- and the Congo Research Group (CRG) at New York University. The UDPS was set up in 1982 at the height of the dictatorship of former president Joseph-Desire Mobutu. It has been in opposition ever since, and experienced numerous internal divisions.

DR Congo opposition party set to choose its champion

Seven people died in a raid by suspected Ugandan Islamist rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the latest in a string of deadly cross-border attacks, officials said Sunday.&nbsp;

&quot;Six people were shot dead and another was stabbed&quot; in the village of Eringeti in DR Congo&#39;s restive North Kivu province, a Congolese military source said.&nbsp;

Eringeti&#39;s mayor Leon Baungatho said the assault happened around 5.30 pm (1530 GMT) on Saturday.&nbsp;

&quot;We are still grieving,&quot; said regional official Noela Kavivutwiraki. &quot;The army needs to redouble its efforts to prevent suprise attacks from Ugandan rebels.&quot; &nbsp;

Thought to be behind a string of deadly attacks in North Kivu, the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia stands accused of a number of attrocities in DR Congo. &nbsp;

Congolese authorities and the UN mission in DR Congo, MONUSCO, accuse the ADF of having killed more than 700 civilians as well as combatants in the Beni region from 2014-16.&nbsp;

The ADF is also accused of killing 14 UN peacekeepers in eastern DR Congo on December 7, in the biggest single loss of peacekeepers in nearly a quarter of a century.&nbsp;

The government in January declared it was waging &quot;war&quot; on the ADF and a Congolese militia, the Yakutumba, which is active in South Kivu province, several hundred kilometres (miles) to the south.&nbsp;

Eringeti's mayor Leon Baungatho said the assault happened around 5.30 pm on Saturday

Seven people died in a raid by suspected Ugandan Islamist rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the latest in a string of deadly cross-border attacks, officials said Sunday. "Six people were shot dead and another was stabbed" in the village of Eringeti in DR Congo's restive North Kivu province, a Congolese military source said. Eringeti's mayor Leon Baungatho said the assault happened around 5.30 pm (1530 GMT) on Saturday. "We are still grieving," said regional official Noela Kavivutwiraki. "The army needs to redouble its efforts to prevent suprise attacks from Ugandan rebels." Thought to be behind a string of deadly attacks in North Kivu, the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia stands accused of a number of attrocities in DR Congo. Congolese authorities and the UN mission in DR Congo, MONUSCO, accuse the ADF of having killed more than 700 civilians as well as combatants in the Beni region from 2014-16. The ADF is also accused of killing 14 UN peacekeepers in eastern DR Congo on December 7, in the biggest single loss of peacekeepers in nearly a quarter of a century. The government in January declared it was waging "war" on the ADF and a Congolese militia, the Yakutumba, which is active in South Kivu province, several hundred kilometres (miles) to the south.

Seven dead in east Democratic Republic Congo raid blamed on Ugandan rebels