Governance - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

President Tshisekedi Meets British Minister to Discuss Eastern DRC Security 1

President Félix Tshisekedi met on Wednesday at the African Union City with a British delegation led by Richard Henry Ronald Benyon, Britain’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Environment and Climate. The security crisis in the east of the country was among the topics discussed. “We want to help the DRC find solutions to this terrible situation. We will use all channels of communication to focus on peace in the DRC,” Lord Benyon said. In addition, Lord Benyon reiterated the UK’s commitment to creating a mutually beneficial partnership with the… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance News in Brief

ARSP Cancels Three Subcontracts Worth US$1 Billion Due to Legal Violations

March 14, 2024March 14, 2024 Constance

The Regulatory Authority for Public Procurement (ARSP) has taken decisive action by canceling three subcontract agreements, valued at over US$1 billion collectively, for violations of the law. Among the affected companies are RSN (CREC 7, CREC 9) and International Fourteenth First Congo SARL, both affiliated with SICOMINES shareholders, who were operating as subcontractors for excavation projects within the main company. The third company facing sanctions is BANGDE CONSTRUCTION. These cancellations come as a response to these subcontractors’ failure to comply with legal requirements. Their combined contracts exceeded the stipulated limit,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

Kagame and Lourenço Discuss DRC Security in Luanda Meeting

March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 Constance

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenço met in Luanda on Monday, March 11, to discuss the security situation in eastern DR Congo, as reported by Village Urugwiro. Kagame was on a one-day working visit to Luanda, where both leaders agreed on key steps to address the root causes of the conflict. They emphasized the importance of upholding the Luanda and Nairobi processes to achieve peace and stability in the region. Lourenço, serving as a mediator between Rwanda and DR Congo, played a crucial role in… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

Félix Tshisekedi Enhances Bilateral Relations during Qatar Visit

March 8, 2024March 8, 2024 Constance

Félix Tshisekedi embarked on a two-day working visit to Doha, Qatar, on Monday, aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between Qatar and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) across various areas of mutual interest. Upon arrival, the Congolese president received a warm welcome from Dr. Ahmad bin Hassen Al Hammadi, Secretary General of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Valerie Lusamba Kabeya, Ambassador of the DRC to Qatar. During the first day of his mission, President Tshisekedi visited the DRC embassy in Doha, where he engaged with the diplomatic staff… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

Angola Mediates Congolese-Rwandan Talks to Address Eastern Congo Crisis

March 3, 2024March 3, 2024 Constance

Angolan President Joao Lourenço, acting as a mediator appointed by the African Union, welcomed his Congolese counterpart, President Antoine Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, in Luanda last week to discuss the prevailing situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The key outcome of the meeting was President Tshisekedi’s acceptance of the principle of a meeting with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, according to Foreign Relations Minister Tete António. “The Republic of Angola, in its role as mediator, bears the responsibility of facilitating the necessary steps to materialize this meeting,” Minister António… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance News in Brief

President Tshisekedi Discusses Eastern DRC Security with Angolan Counterpart

February 28, 2024February 28, 2024 Constance

President Félix Tshisekedi arrived in Luanda, Angola, on Tuesday morning for a one-on-one meeting with his Angolan counterpart to address the security situation in eastern DRC. Upon the Angolan President’s initiative, this closed session in Luanda follows up on the mini-summit on security in eastern DRC held on February 18 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government. During the discussions, the DRC reiterated its stance, emphasizing the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan military troops from Congolese territory, cessation of hostilities… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

President Tshisekedi Condemns Rwanda-EU Pact as Threat to DRC’s Resources

February 25, 2024February 25, 2024 Constance

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has sharply criticized the recent memorandum of understanding between Rwanda and the European Union (EU) regarding sustainable value chains for critical raw materials. Speaking during a special press briefing aired live on the national channel, Rtnc, Tshisekedi labeled the agreement as a tasteless provocation. Tshisekedi argued that the pact would only serve to further exploit the DRC’s natural resources to the benefit of the Rwandan regime. He condemned the EU’s involvement, accusing it of indirectly supporting the illicit trade of… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance News in Brief

ARSP Cancels Three Subcontracting Contracts Worth Estimated $1 Billion for Law Violation

February 23, 2024February 23, 2024 Constance

CRSN (CREC 7, CREC 9) and INTERNATIONAL FOURTEENTH FIRST CONGO SARL are the first two companies affected by this cancellation measure, both held by shareholders of SICOMINES disguised as subcontractors for excavation works within the same main company. The third company sanctioned for the same offense is BANGDE CONSTRUCTION. Despite not being eligible, these three subcontractors alone hold contracts worth over a billion dollars, which constitutes a violation of the law. Therefore, this measure will enable companies with majority Congolese capital to obtain more contracts in line with the vision… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

DRC Prime Minister Resigns to Assume Legislative Role

February 21, 2024February 21, 2024 Constance

In a surprising turn of events, Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has tendered his resignation to President Félix Tshisekedi. This decision comes just eight days after the validation of his mandate as a national Deputy, signaling a swift transition from executive to legislative responsibilities. Under the unique electoral provisions of the DRC, government officials who are elected as National Deputies are granted an 8-day window to decide whether to accept their elected posts. As the deadline approached on Tuesday, February 20th at midnight… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

DRC and China Settle 16-Year Mining Dispute with $5.8 Billion Deal

February 12, 2024February 12, 2024 Constance

A rift between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo has been averted owing to the intervention of the Congolese government. The Congolese government noted that it recently resolved the controversial mining deal between it and China. The contentious deal had felt like it would sour the relationship between both countries. A report by the East African showed that DRC government officials disclosed recently that open talks with Beijing led to the new agreement. It happened sixteen years after the two parties signed “the contract of the century,” as described… Read More Here