No mention of the Kasai tribe could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, sources indicate that two of the ten provinces which comprise the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) are named Western Kasai and Eastern Kasai (Kasaï Occidental et Kasaï Oriental) (Europa 2000, 2000, 1086; The World Factbook 1 Jan. 2000). The attached map shows the geographical location of the two provinces.

The two provinces are manly inhabited by the Luba-Kasai [Lubas from Katanga province are named Lubakats] (Danso Nov. 2000). See also RDC 32201.F and RDC31728.F respectively of 30 June 1999 and of 21 April 1999.

Current information on the treatment of the Luba-Kasai by the Kabila régime and on whether they are aligned with any of the fighting forces currently active in the country could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, two May 1999 reports, including one from the Congolese Rally for Democracy-RCD (Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie) [one of armed factions currently against Kabila régime] Website, revealed that six individuals from both Kasai Orientale and Kasai oriental were on the RCD Executive Committee of about 30 members (RCD 23 May 1999; Afrique-Express May 1999). Sources also state that during a RCD founding members' meeting held on 28 October 2000, Alpahonse Onusumba Yemba, from eastern Kasai, was chosen as new leader to replace Emile Ilunga ((Info-Congo Oct.-Nov.-Dec. 2000), BBC 28 Oct. 2000)

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.

Afrique-Express. May 1999. "République démocratique du Congo (RDC) : La nouvelle direction du Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie (RCD)." http://www.afrique-express.com/archive/Central/rdcongo/rdcongohome.htm [Accessed 5 Jan. 2001].

BBC. 28 October 2000. "Congolese Rebels Choose Onusumba As Leader." http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_996000/996370.stm [Accessed 5 Jan. 2000]

The Europa World Year Book 2000. 2000. 41st ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications Limited.

Forces of Freedom in Democratic Republic of Congo. 21 May 2000. "Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie : comité exécutif." http://congo.co.za/Francais/rdc_comite_executif_29_mai_99.htm [Accessed 5 Jan. 2001].

Donso, Alexander. November 1999. Luba of Kasai Province-Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre). Minorities at Risk. http:www.bsos.umd.edu/cidcm/mar/zailuba.htm [Accessed 5 Jan. 2001]

Info-Congo/Kinshasa [Montréal]. October-November-December 2000. No 163-164. "Changement de direction au RCD/Goma."

The World Factbook. 1 January 2000. "Congo, Democratic Republic of the." http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html [Accessed 5 Jan. 2001]

Amnesty International. 1980. A map of the Democratic Republic of Congo, p. 1.

Africa Confidential 2000.

Africa Research Bulletin 2000.

Amnesty International. 2000. Annual Report.

1999 Country Reports. 2000.

Human Rights Watch (HRW). 2000-2001. Annual Reports.

Info-Congo/Kinshasa 2000

IRB databases.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 2000.

LEXIS-NEXIS.

West Africa 2000.

World News Connection (WNC).

Internet site, including:

Amnesty International Online.

ASADHO.

FIDH Online.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Online.

International Crisis Group (ICG).

Observatoire de l'Afrique centrale.

Office fédéral des réfugiés (ODR), Suisse.

Reliefweb.

UK Home Office country report.

La Voix sans voix (VSV)

Search Engines, including:

Google.

Lycos.