Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Encyclopedia
Beni is a town in north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, lying immediately west of the Virunga National Park
and the Rwenzori Mountains, on the edge of the Ituri Forest.
, an airport
and the Christian Bilingual University of Congo
(UCBC
). As of 2009 it had an estimated population of 102,624.
Beni contains four communes, or municipalities: Beni, Bungulu, Ruwenzori and Muhekera.
The town was the scene of fierce fighting in the Second Congo War
around 2001.
Beni also has many MONUC bases; elements of the Indian-led North Kivu Brigade are based in the town.
Beni's mayor was in 2007 Jules Mungwana Kasereka, since Julien Kahongya was elevated to Governor of Nord-Kivu.
Virunga National Park
The Virunga National Park , formerly named Albert National Park, is a 7800 square km National Park that stretches from the Virunga Mountains in the South, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the North, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori...
and the Rwenzori Mountains, on the edge of the Ituri Forest.
Overview
It is home to a marketMarket
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
, an airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
and the Christian Bilingual University of Congo
Univerité Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo
UCBC is a Christian bilingual university in the town of Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo.- Preparatory Year :CI/UCBC aligns Preparatory year with its academic program...
(UCBC
Univerité Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo
UCBC is a Christian bilingual university in the town of Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo.- Preparatory Year :CI/UCBC aligns Preparatory year with its academic program...
). As of 2009 it had an estimated population of 102,624.
Beni contains four communes, or municipalities: Beni, Bungulu, Ruwenzori and Muhekera.
The town was the scene of fierce fighting in the Second Congo War
Second Congo War
The Second Congo War, also known as Coltan War and the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , and officially ended in July 2003 when the Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo took power; however, hostilities continue to this...
around 2001.
Beni also has many MONUC bases; elements of the Indian-led North Kivu Brigade are based in the town.
Beni's mayor was in 2007 Jules Mungwana Kasereka, since Julien Kahongya was elevated to Governor of Nord-Kivu.