Republic of the Congo: Situation of members of the "Mokongo" ethnic group and, in particular, whether they are targeted by government forces and armed militias; if so, the protection offered by the state (June 2006)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 26 June 2006 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | COG101516.FE |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Republic of the Congo: Situation of members of the "Mokongo" ethnic group and, in particular, whether they are targeted by government forces and armed militias; if so, the protection offered by the state (June 2006), 26 June 2006, COG101516.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/46fb72fd23.html [accessed 16 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No information on the existence of an ethnic group called "Mokongo" could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response to Information Request. However, various sources indicate the existence in the Republic of the Congo of an ethnic group called "Kongo" or "Bakongo" (Mondes rebelles 2001, 858; Encyclopedia of the Third World 1992, 429; Minnesota State University n.d.).
The Bakongo, who live in the southern part of the country, are not a [translation] "homogeneous group" (Mondes rebelles 2001, 858); the group comprises various subgroups, including the Laris (Balaris), Soundis, Yombes, Vilis, Kambas (ibid.; Encyclopedia of the Third World 1992, 429), Babembes, Kougnis and Dondos (ibid.). Some Bakongo people also live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Angola (Mondes rebelles 2001, 858; Minnesota State University n.d. ).
No information on the treatment of the Bakongos by government authorities and armed militias could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
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 additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th ed, Vol. 1. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File.
Mondes rebelles : guérillas, milices, groupes terroristes. 2001. Edited by Jean-Marc Balencie and Arnaud de la Grange. Paris: Éditions Michalon.
Minnesota State University. N.d. "Bakongo."
Additional Sources Consulted
Publications: Africa Confidential, Africa Research Bulletin, Jeune Afrique, Resource Centre country file.
Internet sites, including: AllAfrica.com, Amnesty International, BBC News, CIA World Factbook, Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI.net), Factiva, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Crisis Group (ICG), Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH), Minorities at Risk Project, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), ReliefWeb, United Kingdom Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), United Nations Security Council, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, United States Department of State.
