DRC – 31 July 2014

Nord-Kivu Authorities Ban Media Coverage of Muslim Community
Reporters Without Borders deplores the ban on any media coverage linked to the local Muslim community that the Higher Council for Broadcasting (CSAC) in the eastern province of Nord-Kivu issued on 28 July, which Muslims celebrate as Eid al-Fitr, the end of the month-long Ramadan fast. CSAC provincial coordinator Musingi Kongolo Annocie said in the communiqué announcing the ban that it was designed to help promote “peace and peaceful cohabitation in Nord-Kivu.” But it forces news media and journalists to refrain from covering a significant ongoing event on unfounded security grounds.
Reporters sans Frontières

World Bank Approves U.S. $92.1 Million to Expand DRC’s Connectivity to Regional States
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a US $ 92.1 million International Development Assistance (IDA) grant to support the fifth phase of the Central African Backbone Program (CAB Program) for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This project will allow the country to access the fastest, most modern means of telecommunications at much lower prices by linking DRC’s main economic clusters to each other, and to regional and global networks through neighboring countries.
CIO East Africa

IFC issues loan to DRC agribusiness
The $18m loan to Terra and African Milling Company Congo was issued in the wake of a decision by the institution to double its commitment to Africa’s agriculture sector.
Agri Investor

Case of alleged coup plotters from DRC postponed
Lawyers representing 20 alleged coup plotters from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have again secured a postponement of the trial in the High Court in Pretoria. The men were arrested in February last year on allegations that they were plotting to overthrow the DRC government. Defence lawyer, Thesigan Pillay, says the postponement until next Monday will afford the accused time to submit more court applications challenging their arrests.
SABC