Governance - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Tshisekedi and Kagame Hold Landmark Talks in Doha Amid Escalating DRC Conflict 1

After months of failed attempts, Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Paul Kagame of Rwanda finally met on March 18, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. Mediated by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the meeting marked a significant diplomatic breakthrough in efforts to resolve the escalating conflict in eastern DRC. A joint communiqué issued after the talks reaffirmed all parties’ commitment to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” referencing agreements made at the February East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Corporate News Governance

CNPAV Demands Fair Renegotiation of Sicomines Agreement to Protect DRC’s Interests

March 9, 2025March 10, 2025 Constance0 comment

The Congo Is Not for Sale coalition (CNPAV) is urging the Presidency, the government, Parliament, and the executive committee of the EITI-DRC to take concrete steps to reassess the Sicomines convention and its fifth amendment. The coalition calls for a fairer balance of interests between the parties by addressing structural imbalances, financial losses, and ongoing uncertainty over infrastructure funding. CNPAV reaffirms its commitment to a just renegotiation of the Sicomines contract—one that prioritizes both the short- and long-term interests of the Congolese people and ensures a fairer economic future for… Read More Here

International Governance

US and Ukraine Revive Minerals Deal After Contentious Oval Office Meeting

March 6, 2025March 6, 2025 Constance

The United States and Ukraine are moving forward with a minerals agreement that was derailed after a tense Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, sources familiar with the situation revealed on Tuesday. Trump has expressed a desire to announce the deal during his address to Congress on Tuesday evening, though it remains unsigned, and the situation could still change, according to three sources. The White House, Ukraine’s presidential administration in Kyiv, and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington have not responded to requests for comment.… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Governance Uranium

DRC Seeks Exclusive Partnership with US for Critical Minerals and Security Assistance

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has proposed an exclusive partnership with the United States, offering access to its vast mineral resources and infrastructure projects in exchange for security assistance amid a rebellion supported by neighboring Rwanda. In a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Congo requested an urgent meeting between Presidents Felix Tshisekedi and Donald Trump to discuss a potential agreement that would grant American companies access to some of the world’s most valuable minerals essential for the global energy transition. “As the world’s largest supplier of… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy Governance

DRC Anti-Corruption Network Proposes Reductions in Govt Spending

February 28, 2025February 28, 2025 Constance

The Pan-African Anti-Corruption Network (Unis), a member of the Congo is not for Sale (CNPV) organization, has released a report proposing measures to reduce the cost of governmental institutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report, published on Monday, February 24, focuses on cutting unnecessary expenses, particularly those associated with political institutions. Unis recommends the abolition of the Senate, a parliamentary institution comprising 109 senators, the honorary president, and staff, which incurs significant costs to the Congolese state despite its limited and often redundant role in the legislative… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy Governance

DRC Prime Minister Seeks WTO Support for Economic Transformation

February 28, 2025February 28, 2025 Constance

Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka is actively engaging in diplomatic efforts in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of her push to address the crisis in eastern DRC and advocate for stronger sanctions against Rwanda for ongoing atrocities. On the sidelines of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Prime Minister Suminwa met with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to discuss strategies for transforming the Congolese economy and accelerating the country’s development agenda. “The DRC is at a turning point for its development,” Suminwa stated. “We need greater… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance Regional conflict

EU Reassesses MoU with Rwanda Amid Growing DRC Conflict

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025 Constance

On February 24, 2025, the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council announced a review of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rwanda, originally signed in February 2024. This decision, made public by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, is part of broader EU efforts to press Rwanda to respect the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kallas, who is also Vice-President of the European Commission, stated, “Consultations on defense issues with Rwanda have been suspended. There is also a political decision to apply sanctions, depending on developments on the… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

DRC Prime Minister Advocates for Sanctions Against Rwanda at UN Human Rights Council

February 26, 2025February 26, 2025 Constance

On Monday, February 24, 2025, Prime Minister and Head of Government, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, addressed the High-Level Segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. Representing President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Prime Minister Suminwa led a Congolese delegation that included the Minister of Human Rights, Chantal Chambu Mwavita, the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grâce Yamba Kazadi. During her speech, Prime Minister Suminwa expressed gratitude for the swift processing of the DRC Government’s request last… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

President Tshisekedi Attends Munich Security Conference Amid Regional Tensions

February 16, 2025February 16, 2025 Constance

President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) arrived in Germany on Thursday, February 13, 2025, to participate in the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC), running from February 14 to 16, 2025. He is accompanied by First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi. The conference brings together heads of state, ministers, and leaders of international organizations to discuss key geopolitical and strategic challenges. This year’s agenda will focus on the security and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, following the offensive by the Rwandan army and M23 rebels on Goma.… Read More Here

Governance

Angola’s President Takes AU Helm Amid Rising Regional Crises

February 16, 2025February 16, 2025 Constance

Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço officially assumed the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU) for 2025 on Saturday, February 15, succeeding Mauritania’s Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani. The transition took place during the opening of the 38th AU Summit at the organization’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In a formal ceremony attended by several heads of state, outgoing AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, and other dignitaries, Lourenço received the symbolic gavel from Ghazouani, signifying his leadership role at the continental level until February 2026. According to an official… Read More Here