DRC: Fatal Assault on Chinese Mining Base in Fizi, South Kivu
Unidentified armed individuals carried out an intrusion during the night from Sunday to Monday, October 9, within a mining installation operated by the company TSM Mining in Kachemba, in the territory of Fizi, province of South Kivu.
According to security sources, the attack, which occurred around 1 a.m., was carried out by suspected attackers from the village of Kalondakibuyu, located in the territory of Kabambare, Maniema.
The targeted concession, specializing in gold mining, was the target of a shootout between the attackers and members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) responsible for protecting foreign workers.
Fizi Territorial Administrator Samy Kalondji Badibanga confirmed the incident, revealing that the attack resulted in the death of four people, including two Chinese nationals, as well as injuries, including a Ghanaian interpreter and a Chinese citizen.
The attackers took away various valuable items, including mobile phones and travel documents, including passports.
Badibanga expressed concern over the recent increase in insecurity in the region, characterized by armed attacks. He called on local authorities, the FARDC, the Congolese National Police (PNC), the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) and the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) to strengthen security measures to protect residents and their property, including foreign workers.
The territorial administrator also denounced the lack of cooperation from Chinese mining companies in the region, urging them to comply with local administrative and security procedures, while stressing the need to establish appropriate security mechanisms.
Attacks on Chinese mining facilities in the Fizi region have become frequent, with a previous attack in Kalulula in late September resulting in the deaths of four people.
