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Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ethnic origin of members and supporters of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (Alliance des forces démocratiques pour la libération du Congo-Zaïre, AFDL); whether certain members are of Rwandan origin

A number of sources report that the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (Alliance des forces démocratiques pour la libération du Congo-Zaïre, AFDL) was made up of Tutsis (PHW 2008 2008, 286; Friends of the Congo 30 Apr. 2008; UN 19 Feb. 2002; RFI n.d.). In addition, according to the Political Handbook of the World 2000-2002, most AFDL members were Tutsi, but individuals of Luba and Shaba ethnic origin were also affiliated with the AFDL (2004, 255). Other sources report that the AFDL included people from different ethnic minority groups (Europa 2007 2007, 1347; PHW 2008 2008, 286; UN 19 Feb. 2002). Moreover, two sources indicate that some Tutsis within the AFDL were of Rwandan origin (Friends of the Congo 30 Apr. 2008; Jeuneafrique.com 15 Aug. 2004). The United States (US) Department of State indicates that the Secretary General of the AFDL was Rwandan (US Apr. 2008).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Europa World Year Book 2007. 2007. 48th Edition. Vol. 1. London: Routledge.

Friends of the Congo. 30 April 2008. Correspondence from the Director General to the Research Directorate.

Jeuneafrique.com. 15 August 2004. Dominique Mataillet. "Qui sont les Banyamulenges?" <http://www.jeuneafrique.com/jeune_afrique/article_jeune_afrique.asp?art_cle=LIN15084quisosegnel0> [Accessed 25 Apr. 2008]

Political Handbook of the World 2008 (PHW 2008). 2008. Edited by Arthur S. Banks, Thomas C. Muller and William R. Overstreet. Washington, DC: CQ Press.

Political Handbook of the World 2000-2002. 2004. Edited by Arthur S. Banks, Thomas C. Muller and William R. Overstreet. Binghamton University, State University of New York: CSA Publications.

Radio France internationale (RFI). N.d. "Congo démocratique : origine du conflit." <http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/013/article_5522.asp> [Accessed 25 Apr. 2008]

United Nations (UN). 19 February 2002. Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). "DRC: Special Report on Tensions in the Northeast." <http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=30336> [Accessed 25 Apr. 2008]

United States (US). April 2008. Department of State. Bureau of African Affairs. "Background Note: Democratic Republic of the Congo." <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2823.htm> [Accessed 25 Apr. 2008]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica.com, Amnesty International (AI), L'Avenir [Kinshasa], British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), European Country of Origin Information Network (ecoi.net), Factiva, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Ligue des droits de la personne dans la région des Grands Lacs (LDGL), L'Observateur [Gombe], Le Phare [Kinshasa], Le Soft [Kinshasa], United Nations (UN) Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Mission des Nations Unies en République Démocratique du Congo, MONUC).