Africa in the News: EU Mission to CAR Delayed; AGI to Host CAR Religious Leaders; Tech Companies Comply with Dodd-Frank; and U.S. and South Africa Concerned by Rwanda’s Actions

EU Mission to the Central African Republic (CAR) Experiences Delays

The EU is reportedly having difficulties securing troop and equipment commitments to the Central African Republic from EU member states.  The EU plan is to send between 800 and 1,000 troops to bolster support for African and French troops already on the ground. Meanwhile, revenge attacks continue to force Muslims out of the CAR.  On this side of the Atlantic, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted earlier this month to condemn the CAR crisis.  The resolution calls on President Obama to create both a short-term and long-term strategy for the CAR.

CAR Religious Leaders to Speak at Brookings

The Africa Growth Initiative will discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the CAR next week on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 when it hosts panel of influential interfaith leaders from the country, including:  Reverend Nicolas Guérékoyamé Gbangou, president of the Alliance of Evangelicals (CAR); Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangui; and Imam Omar Kabine Layama, president of the Central African Republic Islamic Community (CICA).  Brookings Senior Fellow Amadou Sy will moderate the discussion.  Please join us at Brookings or watch the webcast here.  Join the conversation on twitter by using the hashtag #CARCrisis.

Intel and Other Tech Companies Comply with Dodd-Frank

This week, Intel CEO, Brian Krzanich spoke with U.S. Senate officials in a panel moderated by Brookings Nonresident Fellow Witney Schneidman.  Intel offered to help other companies in the tech industry comply with Dodd-Frank regulations on conflict minerals.  The company plans to open source its supply chain system for verification of conflict free minerals.  The Dodd-Frank Act requires companies in the U.S. to show that they are not sourcing minerals such as gold, tantalum, tin and tungsten from mines that contribute to conflict.  Motorola Solutions, Inc. and AVX Corporation also announced the expansion of Solutions for Hope this week.  Solutions for Hope is a mineral verification and sourcing system that allows the two companies to source tantalum from the Democratic Republic of the Congo while maintaining compliance with Dodd-Frank.

South Africa and U.S. Congressman Royce Express Concern over Relations with Rwanda

Rwanda faced some foreign policy challenges between both the U.S. and South Africa this week.  Last week, South Africa expelled Rwandan diplomats connected to a break-in at the South African home of Rwandan dissident General Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa.  Rwanda responded with a reciprocal expulsion of South Africa diplomats. This week, South Africa further warned Rwanda regarding illegal activities on South African turf.  The diplomatic row between Rwanda and South Africa has drawn the attention of U.S. Congressman Edward Royce, the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.  Royce urged Secretary of State John Kerry to re-evaluate the relationship between Rwanda and the United States. Royce pointed out that this is the second time this year that Rwanda has been implicated in criminal behavior.  A former Rwandan spy chief (and critic of Rwandan President Paul Kagame) was assassinated in South Africa in January.