Manono, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Coordinates: 5°6′0″S 26°25′0″E / 5.1°S 26.416667°E / -5.1; 26.416667 Manono is a town and territory^[1] in Tanganyika Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It lies on the western bank of a tributary of the Luvua River. The town is a river port, with barges bringing cargo from Lubumbashi.^[2] Manono is also connected to a disused railway line.^[2][3] Economic activity is centered on mining, with the surrounding area containing approximately 100 million tonnes of minerals, including columbite, tin and tantalite.^[2][4] The collapse of the world tin price in the 1980s severely hit the towns economy.^[2] A hydro-electric power plant used to provide electricity, however it was destroyed during the war.^[2] The town used to have a brewery which supplied the surrounding region, however it was destroyed during the war.^[2] Manono was severely effected by the Second Congo War, with many buildings destroyed. Rally for Congolese Democracy rebelsand allied Rwandan soldiers took control of Manono in 1999.^[5][6] The UN carried out arms decommissioning in 2008, offering to accept guns in exchange for a bicycle. The scheme was successful in removing weapons.^[7] The town is served by Manono Airport^[8] Manono has a cathedral which was built by Belgian missionaries, and was severely damaged during the war.^[2]

References

1. ^ "Democratic Republic of Congo - Tanganyika". Map Library. http://www.maplibrary.org/stacks/Africa/Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Congo/Tanganyika/index.php. Retrieved 2009-03-23. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Beer and normality in DR Congo". BBC News. 2008-11-27. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7637282.stm. Retrieved 2009-03-23. 
3. ^ National Geographic Atlas of the World: Revised Sixth Edition, National Geographic Society, 1992
4. ^ "Manono, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)". mindat.org. http://www.mindat.org/loc-4333.html. Retrieved 2009-03-23. 
5. ^ "IRIN Update 688 for 8 June [19990608"]. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 1999-06-08. http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Hornet/irin688.html. Retrieved 2009-03-23. 
6. ^ "Southern African News Features". sardc.net. 2000-10-01. http://www.sardc.net/Editorial/sanf/2000/Iss19/DRC.html. Retrieved 2009-03-23. 
7. ^ "The tragedy of Congo". guardian.co.uk. 2008-11-04. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2008/nov/04/congo-international-aid-agency-goal. Retrieved 2009-03-23. 
8. ^ "Manono Airport (MNO) Details - Democratic Republic Of Congo". world-airport-codes.com. http://www.world-airport-codes.com/democratic-republic-of-congo/manono-4466.html. Retrieved 2009-03-23.