Category: Regional conflict

In a late-night speech on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi outlined five urgent measures to address the escalating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): President Tshisekedi also paid tribute to the bravery of the FARDC and Wazalendo soldiers. “Your courage, discipline, and unwavering commitment inspire and unite the people of this nation. The Republic will never abandon you, and your sacrifices will never be forgotten. You represent the honor of the Congolese nation,” he declared. In closing, he reassured all Congolese citizens, both at… Read More Here

Marine Le Pen, President of the National Rally group in the French National Assembly, sharply criticized the European Union (EU) in a recent interview, accusing it of being complicit in the plundering of minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) via Rwanda. Le Pen claimed, “If the EU were truly committed to ethics, it would cease to be the recipient of the plunder that Rwanda is carrying out against the DRC. Rwanda is looting valuable raw materials, including rare minerals that belong to the Congolese people, and selling them… Read More Here

The M23 rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accelerated its illegal mining activities, with analysts predicting an increase in illicit trade of minerals like coltan and gold, which are smuggled through neighboring Rwanda. This week, the Rwanda-backed insurgency made significant strides by capturing Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, marking a pivotal moment in a conflict with government forces that has raised concerns about the potential for regional instability. While Rwanda denies supporting the rebels, analysts have pointed to the M23 group’s reliance on revenue from… Read More Here

Alphamin Resources’ stock dropped by 9.4%, its steepest decline in nine years, after Rwanda-backed rebels seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the DRC, where the company’s tin mines are located. Earlier, shares had plunged by as much as a third before recovering. M23 rebels, having advanced rapidly, now patrol Goma, a key trading hub for DRC mineral exports to Rwanda. However, Alphamin’s tin, sourced from mines located about 120 miles west of the city, is sent northeast to Uganda, not through Goma. CEO Maritz Smith declined to… Read More Here

During an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Sunday, January 27, 2025, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), strongly condemned what she described as a “systematic and coordinated strategy” orchestrated by Rwanda, involving its support for the M23 terrorist group. The escalating violence in eastern DRC, including attacks on civilians and peacekeepers, has prompted global powers to respond, emphasizing the far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences of the crisis. Russia, represented by Vasily Nebenzia, called for an immediate halt to… Read More Here

Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took a sharp turn this past weekend, as the DRC recalled its embassy staff from Kigali amidst escalating tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels. In a statement released on Saturday, the DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision to withdraw its diplomats from Rwanda, citing growing concerns over the situation. The statement also ordered the Rwandan embassy in Kinshasa to halt all diplomatic and consular activities within 48 hours. The… Read More Here

On Monday, July 8, the United States condemned the ongoing illegal trade of minerals from conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The State Department emphasized that these natural resources transit through Rwanda and Uganda before reaching other countries for refining. These minerals, including gold and tantalum, are often extracted in artisanal and semi-industrial manners and play a significant role in funding the conflict. “These minerals often benefit armed groups and leave the country via Rwanda and Uganda before being transported to major refining and processing countries,” the… Read More Here

China has called for accountability from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a tragic incident in Djugu, Ituri province, where six Chinese nationals were killed in a targeted attack by militiamen from the Congo Development Cooperative (CODECO). In a statement issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China urged the Congolese government to swiftly apprehend those responsible for the murders and ensure they face justice for their heinous acts against Chinese citizens. Beijing emphasized the need for the DRC to enhance the protection of all its nationals within Congolese… Read More Here