Democratic Republic of Congo: Treatment of a person whose family members served in the army under the regime of former President Mobutu (March 2004)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 26 March 2004 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RDC42521.FE |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo: Treatment of a person whose family members served in the army under the regime of former President Mobutu (March 2004), 26 March 2004, RDC42521.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/41501c527.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| 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. |
The President of the African Association for the Defence of Human Rights (Association africaine de défense des droits de l'homme, ASADHO) said during a 25 March 2004 telephone interview that his organization is not aware of any particular treatment that would be imposed on a person merely because members of his or her family had served in the former army, under the Mobutu regime. He added that most members of the Zairean Armed Forces (Forces armées zaïroises, formerly FAZ) are currently serving in the Congolese Armed Forces (Forces armées congolaises, FAC) (ASADHO 25 Mar. 2004).
A report on the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC), published in October 2003, indicated that many former FAZ soldiers are now serving in the current Congolese army and that, in 2002, "all the key positions in the FAC high command were occupied by former FAZ soldiers" (United Kingdom Oct. 2003). FAZ soldiers who are still living abroad are therefore not at risk of "persecution" if they return to RDC (ibid.).
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 to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Association africaine de défense des droits de l'homme (ASADHO) [Kinshasa]. 25 March 2004. Telephone interview with the President.
United Kingdom. October 2003. Ministry of the Interior, Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). Democratic Republic of Congo. Country Report. Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential
Africa Research Bulletin
Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent
Keesing's Record of World Events
Resource Centre country file. RDC.
Internet sites, including: Africatime, AllAfrica, Amnesty International, Country Reports 2003, Dialog, Digitalcongo.net, European Country of Origin Information Network, FIDH, HRW, Minorities at Risk Project.
