A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. February 2015. / This study examines the practice of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) by South African mining transnational companies (TNCs) operating some mining projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It analyses whether and how South African mining TNCs carry out EIAs for their mining projects in the DRC, especially whether they follow (1) the DRC EIA policies, (2) the South African EIAs policies (3) international EIA policies, or (4) internal company policies. It also examines what motivates the companies to follow any of the policy path, by assessing whether financial or policy regimes evaluations motivates the TNCs to follow the certain path. Through the case studies of AngloGold Ashanti and Metorex (Pty) Limited, the study demonstrates the complexity involved in making decisions on choosing a policy path to follow which confronts TNCs. The conclusion we draw from this study is that TNCs do not follow a single policy path in carrying out EIAs but integrate a number of policies and standards and the integration of various policies and standards demands highly qualified and well trained staff as well as availability of an enabling scientific and research infrastructure within the host country.

Conflict related sexual violence is a phenomenon that has come to light since world war II, however it is only in recent years that conflict related sexual violence has been discussed in larger forums. In recent years the subject of Conflict related sexual violence has been researched and brought to light in media. This thesis aims to study the conflict related sexual violence in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The method applied on this thesis was a comparative feminist study. The theoretical framework used in this study is liberal feminism and radical feminism. In this study a comparison between the two feministic focuses has been the main object. The result of the study found that both radical feminism and liberal feminism can explain conflict related sexual violence. Radical feminism main concepts in their theory is sexual oppression that women face. Liberal feminism focus on inequality in the society between the sexes. In the result it was found that both perspectives of feminism could explain the sexual violence as something structural. There is inequality between the sexes in a societal level therefor sexual violence can be used as a way to maintain power.

<p>The first part of this study evaluates the historical events that led to the referral of the DRC situation to the ICC. This includes the background of the conflict and the extent to which international crimes have been committed. Both regional and domestic attempts and initiatives to address the conflict are discussed, with specific reference to peace agreements and restorative justice mechanisms. The second part of the study deals with the prosecution of the perpetrators by the ICC. It examines the approach of the Pre- Trial Chamber to two legal issues, the principle of complementarity and modes of criminal participation as part of the ICC Statute. In this regard, the study makes a critical evaluation of two preliminary decisions confirming the charges against Lubanga, Katanga and Chui before the cases proceeded to the trial stage.</p>

A multi-tiered system of supports offers a comprehensive model for the prevention of academic and behavior problems in schools. To date, research has emphasized the impact of universal and intensive interventions. However, the need for research on secondary or targeted group interventions (Tier 2) for those students who do not respond to the universal level of support is growing. This study evaluated CICO, a Tier 2 intervention, in improving student behavior when it is used with three elementary students from a high-need population and in conjunction with student accountability tracking, designed to promote parental involvement. Functional assessments indicated that all three students had attention-maintained problem behavior during instruction sessions. The study employed a concurrent multiple baseline design across students to assess the effects of CICO and CICO with accountability tracking on academic engagement and problem behavior. Results indicated that the team members were able to implement CICO with fidelity and their implementation of the intervention was effective in increasing academic engagement and reducing problem behavior. The CICO with accountability tracking implementation with one student contributed to further improvement of his target behaviors. These effects were shown to be maintained moderately well for two students who underwent fading. Results are discussed in terms of the study limitations and implications for practice and future research.

<p>The first part of this study evaluates the historical events that led to the referral of the DRC situation to the ICC. This includes the background of the conflict and the extent to which international crimes have been committed. Both regional and domestic attempts and initiatives to address the conflict are discussed, with specific reference to peace agreements and restorative justice mechanisms. The second part of the study deals with the prosecution of the perpetrators by the ICC. It examines the approach of the Pre- Trial Chamber to two legal issues, the principle of complementarity and modes of criminal participation as part of the ICC Statute. In this regard, the study makes a critical evaluation of two preliminary decisions confirming the charges against Lubanga, Katanga and Chui before the cases proceeded to the trial stage.</p>

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:34:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5295.pdf: 1433477 bytes, checksum: 3b6ce879c42cc230da03d945fedcfc38 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-14 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / The analytical capability of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICPMSs) and their wide use in different fields of science are well known. However some drawbacks, such as the occurrence of isobaric and polyatomic interferences and ionic suppression effects are commonly related to this method, mainly for ICP-MSs with quadrupole analyzers (ICP-QMS). Consequently, some elements as Cr and V are negatively affected due to polyatomic interferences caused by Ar, C, Cl, N, O and S species. Along the development of this method, different strategies were proposed such as dynamic reaction cell technologies (DRC) and collision-reaction interface (CRI) in order to correct for these effects. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the application of CRI and DRC interfaces for polyatomic interferences correction affecting Cr and V determination. Solutions containing from 1000 up to 10000 mg L-1 of C, Cl, N and S were employed in order to evaluate polyatomic formation and correction of their effects with both devices. Helium and H2 were used as collision reaction gases through the skimmer cone in the ICP-QMS-CRI whereas NH3 was introduced into the DRC-ICP-QMS. These solutions contained 5 Sg L-1 of Cr and V. The figures of merit evaluated were: limits of detection (LOD, ng L-1), background equivalent concentration (BEC, ng L-1) and signal-to-background ratio (SBR) for instrument optimization and sample preparation based on microwave-assisted digestion (MAD), microwave induced combustion (MIC) and sample dilution with internal standardization for different samples were investigated. It was observed that the collision and reaction devices employed led to improvements of SBR, BEC and LOD values for Cr and V from 5 to 100-fold when compared with measurements without using either CRI or DRC. However, signal intensities for Cr and V with both devices decreased when compared with signal intensities obtained with pure analytical solutions. Losses of signal intensities were more critical in ICP-QMS-CRI, independently on the gas (20 mL min-1 He or H2), than in DRC-ICP-QMS (0.5 mL min-1 NH3). Consequently, better LOD and BEC values were achieved for DRC than CRI for Cr and V determinations in crude oil samples from three different sources and lubricant oil. Finally, it could be pointed out that both systems presented advantages and disadvantages that will depend on the analytical task but spectral interferences caused by concomitants could be solved using both devices. / A capacidade analítica do espectrômetro de massa com plasma acoplado indutivamente (ICP-MS) e sua ampla utilização em diferentes setores científicotecnológicos é bem conhecida. No entanto alguns inconvenientes, tais como a ocorrência de interferências isobáricas e poliatômicas e efeitos de supressão iônica são comumente relacionados com esse método, principalmente para o ICP-MS com analisador quadrupolar (ICP-QMS). Consequentemente, alguns elementos como Cr e V são negativamente afetados devido a interferências causadas por espécies poliatômicas contendo Ar, C, Cl, N, O e S. Ao longo do desenvolvimento deste equipamento, diferentes dispositivos e estratégias foram propostos para minimização dessas interferências. O objetivo desta tese foi avaliar o desempenho analítico da interface de colisão-reação (CRI) e da cela dinâmica de reação (DRC) para a correção de interferências poliatômicas para Cr e V e determinação desses analitos em diferentes amostras. Essas soluções continham 5 Sg L-1 de Cr e V. Soluções contendo de 1000 a 10000 mg L-1 de C, Cl, N e S foram empregadas visando avaliar a formação de espécies poliatômicas e correção de seus efeitos usando CRI e DRC. Hélio e H2 foram utilizados como gases colisional e reacional, respectivamente, através do cone skimmer no ICP-QMS-CRI. O emprego do gás NH3 foi avaliado para DRC-ICP-QMS. Concentração equivalente ao sinal de fundo (BEC, ng L-1), limites de detecção (LOD, ng L-1) e a razão sinal analítico / sinal de fundo (SBR) foram empregados para avaliação do desempenho analítico dos diferentes procedimentos de preparo de amostras (digestão assistida por microondas MAD, combustão induzida por micro-ondas MIC e diluição e calibração externa com padronização interna). Ao empregar os dispositivos de reação-colisão foram observados aperfeiçoamentos dos valores de LOD de 5 e 100 vezes para Cr e V, respectivamente, quando comparada com as medições sem o emprego da DRC ou CRI. No entanto, as intensidades de sinal para Cr e V foram reduzidas para ambos dispositivos quando comparadas com as intensidades de sinal obtidas com soluções analíticas de calibração. As reduções de intensidade de sinal foram mais severas em ICP-QMS-CRI, independentemente do gás (20 mL min-1 He ou H2), do que na DRC-ICP-QMS (0,5 mL min-1 NH3). Consequentemente, melhores valores de LOD e BEC foram obtidos empregando DRC que para CRI na determinação de Cr e V em petróleo e óleo lubrificante. Finalmente, deve-se salientar que ambos os dispositivos e configurações de ICP-MS apresentam vantagens e limitações que dependerão da tarefa analítica, entretanto ambos dispositivos apresentaram capacidade analítica para resolver interferências espectrais.

This thesis aims to investigate why inclusion of civil society actors in peace processes leads to more durable peace in some cases while not in others. It argues that the influence, rather than inclusion, of civil society organizations (CSOs) explains this variation. It is hypothesized that when CSOs have influence in peace negotiations, peace is more likely to be durable, as well as when a wide range of CSOs have influence in peace negotiations, peace is more likely to be durable. This is explored through a structured focused comparison between the peace processes leading up to peace agreements in Sierra Leone in 1996, the DRC in 2002, the Ivory Coast in 2003 and Liberia in 2003. The empirical findings lend support to the hypotheses and point in the direction of influence of CSOs in peace processes being of importance for the durability of peace. Certain evidence suggesting legitimacy being the causal mechanism is found. However, the empirical analysis also points towards other factors being potential alternative explanations such as war fatigue and sequencing of the process. The suggestive findings and the potential alternative explanations should be investigated further in order to increase the chances of durable peace.

The growing popularity of the internet and its activities have opened a wide range of business opportunities especially in terms of e-business. Though, reports show that the adoption rate of e-commerce in developed countries seem to be striving, a lot of developing countries still struggle with slow e-commerce adoption rate. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one these countries where e-commerce adoption is still in its infant stages. However, because of the recent infrastructure improvements and the growth in telecommunication services in the country, internet penetration, more specifically, mobile Internet penetration is growing at a significantly fast pace. This could mean opportunities for e-business services in DRC. The objective of this research is to investigate the factors that could influence online shopping adoption in DRC. This investigation was carried out by adapting an extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A quantitative approach was used in the collection of data and the data was edited and analyzed using the programming language, R. Also, the analytical techniques used in conducting this research include: Descriptive Statistical Methods (Cross tabulation, frequencies) and inferential Statistical Methods (Logistic Regression, ANOVA and Chi square tests). The results from this research show that contrary to the conceptualized model in the literature review where the main constructs included: Perceived Ease of Use(PEOU), Perceived Usefulness(PU) and Perceived Trust(PT), it appears that Perceived Ease of Use(PEOU) does not have any significance in a user’s intention to shop online(p>0.01). However, this research found that Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Trust have a strong statistical significance to a user’s intention to shop online. Furthermore, we found that Gender, Income and Age do not have any moderating influence on the relationship between a user’s perception and their intention to shop online in DRC. However, when the relationship between VI perception and intention to shop online is moderated by experience, we find that there is a variation between users with prior online shopping experience and those without. While these research findings make for remarkable recommendations on a user’s intention to shop online, we recommend that further research on actual usage of e-commerce be examined in DRC to get a better understanding of consumer online behaviors.

Magister Legum - LLM / The first part of this study evaluates the historical events that led to the referral of the DRC situation to the ICC. This includes the background of the conflict and the extent to which international crimes have been committed. Both regional and domestic attempts and initiatives to address the conflict are discussed, with specific reference to peace agreements and restorative justice mechanisms. The second part of the study deals with the prosecution of the perpetrators by the ICC. It examines the approach of the Pre- Trial Chamber to two legal issues, the principle of complementarity and modes of criminal participation as part of the ICC Statute. In this regard, the study makes a critical evaluation of two preliminary decisions confirming the charges against Lubanga, Katanga and Chui before the cases proceeded to the trial stage. / South Africa

As already the title of the diploma thesis is saying " Conflict minerals and the Democratic republic of Congo" aims at discussing issues around conflict minerals produced in DRC, including illicit trade, exports, smuggling minerals from DRC and committing crimes such as human rights abuses including rapes, sexual violence, executions, forced recruitment, abduction, child work etc. The militarisation mostly in eastern parts of the country leads to escalated conflict, in which rebel groups are warring in order to obtain power and control over rich natural resources in country. Long lasting conflicts, insecurity in the country, failed governance, wide-spread corruption, illegal exploitation of natural resources and of miners as well have reach the level of poverty, economic weakness, as well as political inability to lead the country and control its own natural wealth and prevent from any kind of foreign touch, mostly by armed or rebel groups. This thesis presents measures, which have to be taken in order to mitigate rebel groups power in the country, enhance transparency, remove corruption and exercise due diligence for responsible supply chain and thus strengthen economic and political development as well as human right