M23 Rebels Seize Control of Coltan Mining Town in Eastern DRC

M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have captured Rubaya, a vital mining town known for its coltan reserves, following days of intense conflict, according to a rebel spokesperson.

Eastern Congo has endured violence since the 1990s, fueled by struggles over identity, ethnicity, and resources, resulting in millions of deaths and the emergence of numerous armed groups.

Willy Ngoma, the spokesperson for the Tutsi-led M23 militia, stated that they had taken control of Rubaya in North Kivu province after confronting other armed factions, including the Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda.

Congo’s army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Guillaume Njike, stated that they were verifying the situation and could not confirm the town’s capture by the rebels.

Rubaya is renowned for its tantalum-rich coltan deposits, crucial for energy transition and electronics manufacturing. This mineral is utilized in smartphones, laptops, and game consoles.

The M23 rebels have intermittently seized Rubaya during their recent offensive, escalating tensions in the region.

The Congolese government, UN officials, and Western powers have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, an allegation repeatedly denied by Rwanda.

Reports indicate that Rubaya’s population is fleeing due to intense clashes, although the mining quarries remain untouched.

Previously under the control of the Wazalendo militia, Rubaya’s strategic significance in the tantalum and tungsten supply chain has drawn international attention.

The illicit trade in minerals like tin, gold, coltan, and tantalum has fueled conflicts in Congo, with neighboring countries implicated in smuggling operations.

Amid concerns about conflict minerals, Congo’s government is pressing companies like Apple for transparency in their supply chains.

However, Apple maintains that its supply chain does not finance or benefit armed groups in Congo or neighboring countries.