DRC Condemns Rwanda and M23 for Imposing New Taxes on Rubaya Mines
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through its Ministry of Mines, has condemned the new taxes imposed by Rwanda and its proxies, the March 23 Movement (M23), on the Rubaya mines in Masisi territory, North Kivu province.
In a press release, Minister of Mines Antoinette Nsamba Kalambayi expressed grave concern over the situation. She protested that traders and artisanal miners at the Rubaya mining site, currently occupied by M23 with Rwandan support, are being forced to pay exorbitant taxes: $3,000 per tonne for coltan and $2,000 per tonne for cassiterite. These payments are being made in Kigali, Rwanda.
“The M23 gathered all the traders and artisanal miners at the Rubaya site to establish new working arrangements and obtain authorization to continue their activities. It was during this meeting that the new pricing was imposed on them,” the press release stated.
The Ministry of Mines revealed that minerals produced at Rubaya are being acquired by the M23, stored in a warehouse in Mushake, and then exported to Rwanda. This practice constitutes “a flagrant violation of international and regional regulations.”
Minister Kalambayi is calling for sanctions against Rwanda. She urges international partners, notably the UN and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), to impose an embargo on Rwanda for violating international agreements regarding the importation and exploitation of minerals from conflict zones.
She seeks a firm commitment from all stakeholders, including end consumers of mining products, to ensure a healthy and responsible supply of mineral resources.
