Category: Regional conflict

At a briefing on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, Minister of Mines Kizito Pakabomba reaffirmed the Congolese government’s commitment to strengthening mineral traceability in response to ongoing conflict in the East, exacerbated by Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebel group. Pakabomba highlighted that the DRC has undertaken significant measures to ensure its minerals meet international certification standards, particularly for the U.S. and European markets. “With the United States, we are engaged in the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) to certify DRC’s minerals, ensuring their traceability and preventing conflict minerals from entering supply… Read More Here

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the immediate withdrawal of M23 rebels from Bukavu and Kavumu Airport in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Following a meeting with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi on Saturday, Macron emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and the restoration of civilian and military authority in the city. “The M23 must immediately withdraw from Bukavu and allow the prompt return of civilian and military authorities,” Macron stated. He also insisted on the liberation of Kavumu Airport to facilitate the resumption of civilian and humanitarian… Read More Here

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on February 14, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of destabilizing eastern DRC to exploit its vast reserves of 3T minerals—tungsten, tin, and tantalum—which are critical for modern technology production. Tshisekedi denounced Rwanda’s territorial claims over parts of North and South Kivu, particularly Masisi and Rutshuru, labeling them an “aberration” aimed at justifying its ongoing illegal mining operations. He highlighted the Rubaya mine in Masisi, a key source of coltan and other 3T ores, as a primary target of Rwandan-backed forces. He further stated:… Read More Here

The International Chamber of Commerce and Development (CCID) has urged the United Nations to enhance transparency in the transfer of raw materials from Rwanda. Speaking at the 37th special session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 7, 2025, CCID emphasized the need for greater oversight to prevent crimes associated with mineral exploitation in the region. The organization stressed that improving transparency would facilitate legal action against those responsible for resource looting and related human rights violations. “A concerted effort is needed to regulate the transfer of raw… Read More Here

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