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Category: Regional conflict

South African Peacekeeper Killed in Clashes with M23 Rebels in Eastern DRC 1 Mining in DRC Regional conflict 

South African Peacekeeper Killed in Clashes with M23 Rebels in Eastern DRC

Constance
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the death of one of its peacekeeping soldiers following violent clashes with M23 rebels near the city of Sake in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The city is located 27 kilometers west of Goma. The SANDF reported that 13 other soldiers were wounded in the intense confrontation with the M23 rebels. The clashes were triggered by an ambush initially launched by the Congolese army (FARDC), to which the M23 rebels retaliated fiercely. “The members of the SANDF came… Read More Here
Presidents of DRC and Poland Discuss Security and Bilateral Relations 2 Governance Mining in DRC Regional conflict 

Presidents of DRC and Poland Discuss Security and Bilateral Relations

Constance
Last Friday, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held a telephone conversation with Polish President Andrzej Duda. The discussion focused on topics of mutual interest, including bilateral relations and the security situation in eastern DRC. President Duda, on behalf of Poland, condemned the attempt to destabilize Congolese institutions on Sunday, May 19, in Kinshasa. He reaffirmed Poland’s commitment to peace, security, and the preservation of the DRC’s territorial integrity. Addressing recent social media controversies regarding his visit to Rwanda, President Duda denounced the manipulations and expressed… Read More Here
Family of American caught up in DRC failed coup say their son went to Africa on vacation 3 Mining in DRC Governance Regional conflict 

Family of American caught up in DRC failed coup say their son went to Africa on vacation

Constance
The family of an American caught up in a failed coup attempt in Congo said their son was in Africa on vacation with family friends and had not previously engaged in political activism, according to a statement provided to The Associated Press. Tyler Thompson, 21, was one of at least three Americans who were named by the Congolese army as being part of a failed effort to overthrow the government in Kinshasa in the early hours Sunday under eccentric, self-exiled leader Christian Malanga. The two other Americans allegedly involved were… Read More Here
DRC Forces Push to Reclaim Key Mining Town from M23 Rebels 4 Mining in DRC Coltan Regional conflict 

DRC Forces Push to Reclaim Key Mining Town from M23 Rebels

Constance
The armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have launched multiple assaults this week, in collaboration with the youth militia group Wazalendo, to retake the mining town of Rubaya from the M23 rebels, who are reportedly supported by Rwanda. Local sources indicate that intense fighting is currently underway in Runigi, less than 10 km from Rubaya in Masisi territory, between loyalist forces and the rebels. Reports to MINES.CD confirm that Wazalendo resistance fighters have regained control of the village of Somikivu in Rutshuru territory and are advancing on… Read More Here
Kenyan President Calls on DRC to Address Internal Strife 5 Mining in DRC Governance Regional conflict 

Kenyan President Calls on DRC to Address Internal Strife

Constance
Kenyan President William Ruto has urged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to confront its internal challenges and cease falsely implicating Rwanda in the violence plaguing its eastern territories. In an interview with the French media outlet Jeune Afrique, President Ruto stressed the importance of the DRC, led by President Felix Tshisekedi, addressing the root causes of the conflict in the east, primarily driven by the M23 rebel fighters. During a meeting of heads of state, it was confirmed that the M23 fighters are of Congolese origin, not Rwandan, as… Read More Here
Companies Boycott Minerals from Conflict Zones in Eastern DRC 6 Mining in DRC Regional conflict 

Companies Boycott Minerals from Conflict Zones in Eastern DRC

Constance
Numerous companies have opted to refrain from purchasing minerals originating from areas under the control of M23/RDF rebels in Masisi territory, located in the province of North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This strategic decision aims to halt the financing of armed groups and combat human rights abuses associated with mining activities in conflict zones. Yvette Mwanza, the provincial president of the North Kivu Chamber of Mines, announced this collective boycott during an address to the local press. She emphasized the need for strict adherence to international standards… Read More Here
Rwanda and M23 Rebels Intensify Illicit Mineral Exploitation in Rubaya 7 Mining in DRC Regional conflict 

Rwanda and M23 Rebels Intensify Illicit Mineral Exploitation in Rubaya

Constance
Rwanda and the M23 rebels are escalating their exploitation of 3T minerals (tin, tungsten, and tantalum), in Rubaya, a mining town in North Kivu province, These ores are purchased from artisanal miners, stored in the large Mushake deposits, and then transported to Rwanda. On May 8, 2024, Antoinette N’Samba, the Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), issued a press release appealing to the United Nations and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to address the illicit exploitation of minerals in Rubaya by Rwanda… Read More Here
EU and DRC Collaborate on Mineral Traceability Amid Tensions with Rwanda 8 Mining in DRC Regional conflict 

EU and DRC Collaborate on Mineral Traceability Amid Tensions with Rwanda

Constance
The European Union is working with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to improve the traceability of the country’s vast natural resources, following accusations from Kinshasa that Rwanda is looting its mineral wealth. This collaboration comes after a contentious supply deal between the EU and Rwanda. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has criticized the EU-Rwanda agreement, signed in February, as a “provocation.” The DRC and Rwanda have long been at odds, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of supporting the Tutsi-led M23 rebel group. This group has seized significant territories in eastern DRC… Read More Here
DRC Accuses Rwanda of Illicit Mineral Exploitation and Calls for Embargo 9 Mining in DRC Regional conflict 

DRC Accuses Rwanda of Illicit Mineral Exploitation and Calls for Embargo

Constance
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has raised serious concerns about the exploitation and illegal importation of its minerals by Kigali through the M23/RDF rebels. According to a statement by DRC’s Minister of Mines, Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi, on the instructions of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, a tax of $3,000 per ton of coltan and $2,000 per ton of cassiterite has been imposed, with payments being made in Kigali after the sale. “After authorizing the creation of a mining cooperative in Rubaya to supervise artisanal mining, the M23 intensified their efforts… Read More Here
North Kivu: Coltan Price Soars from $30 to $70 Amid M23 Rebel Control of Rubaya 10 Mining in DRC Coltan Regional conflict 

North Kivu: Coltan Price Soars from $30 to $70 Amid M23 Rebel Control of Rubaya

Constance
Since the rise of the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, to control the mining town of Rubaya in North Kivu province, the cost of mining activities has significantly increased. According to local civil society, since the M23 rebels took over Rubaya, the price of a kilogram of coltan has soared from $30 to $70. Additionally, the daily wage for a digger has jumped from 10,000 Congolese francs (CDF) to 30,000 CDF. “1 kg of coltan, which sold for $30, now even raw sand sells for $70 per kilo. We believe… Read More Here

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