Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Killed 319 Civilians in July, UN Says
The killings happened in the same month that Congo and the M23 rebel group signed a so-called declaration of principles to end fighting after months of talks.
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The Hill
18 minutes ago
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Germany stops military exports that could be used in Gaza
BERLIN (AP) — Germany will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza 'until further notice,' Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Friday, in a strikingly quick response by one of Israel's strongest international backers to a decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet to take over Gaza City. The move by Germany, which has previously stopped short of tougher lines against Israel's government taken by some of its European Union allies, appeared likely to further isolate Israel in the wake of the controversial military takeover plan that has been decried by the United Nations and supporters of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. In a statement, Merz emphasized that Israel 'has the right to defend itself against Hamas' terror' and said that the release of Israeli hostages and purposeful negotiations toward a cease-fire in the 22-month conflict 'are our top priority.' He said Hamas must not have a role in the future of Gaza. 'The even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved by the Israeli Cabinet last night, makes it increasingly difficult for the German government to see how these goals will be achieved,' he added. 'Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice.' The German government remains deeply concerned about the suffering of civilians in Gaza, he said, adding: 'With the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears even greater responsibility than before for providing for their needs.' He called on Israel to allow comprehensive access for aid deliveries — including for U.N. organizations and other NGOs — and said Israel 'must continue to comprehensively and sustainably address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.' Germany also called on Israel's government 'not to take any further steps toward annexing the West Bank.' It was not immediately clear which military equipment from Germany would be affected. Germany, with its history with the Holocaust, has been among the strongest Western backers of Israel — no matter which government is in power. Merz's government did not join announcements by President Emmanuel Macron of key German ally France and Britain's Keir Starmer that they plan to formally recognize a Palestinian state in September.
News24
21 minutes ago
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UK resets ties with Zimbabwe in push for critical minerals
Zimbabwe and the UK are rekindling diplomatic ties after almost three decades of tension, driven by a global surge in demand for critical minerals that's led the former colonial power to pursue $1 billion in deals with the resource-rich nation. In June, the UK dispatched Minister for Africa Lord Ray Collins of Highbury to meet Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other senior leaders. The trip marked a rare encounter between the two nations' officials after years of deteriorating relations, especially under former President Robert Mugabe — a vocal critic of Britain's 90-year colonial rule of the southern African nation. Collins described his visit as a 'mission for economic growth' that would lead to 'a win-win situation' for both countries. The British Embassy in Harare echoed that sentiment in the past week, citing a $1 billion pipeline of prospective deals across key sectors such as agriculture, finance, telecommunications, renewable energy and critical minerals that it wants to close. It identified the 30-megawatt Vungu solar energy investment as a 'beacon project' and said others will follow soon. 'The UK is working hard to increase trade and investment for mutual benefit,' a spokesperson said in an emailed response to questions. Zimbabwe's foreign affairs spokesperson didn't respond to a request for comment. United by deep people-to-people links, the UK and Zimbabwe are focused on our partnership for economic growth, from trade and investment to energy and climate. Relations between Zimbabwe and Western powers, including the UK, were largely cordial after independence in 1980, with Britain serving as the country's biggest trading partner and a key source of aid supporting land reform and economic development. In 1997, the ties deteriorated after Britain refused to fund the land reform program. In a letter that November, the UK government said it had no colonial obligation to finance the program. That sparked tensions between the two countries and fueled debate over land redistribution in Zimbabwe. Two years later, Zimbabwe defaulted on loan repayments, and in 2000, it began state-sanctioned farm seizures that displaced 4 500 White farmers and caused agricultural output to plunge. In response, the UK and other Western nations imposed sanctions, citing violations of property rights. By 2024, the UK ranked as Zimbabwe's 14th-largest trading partner, with total trade valued at $155 million — significantly overshadowed by China's $3.9 billion and the United Arab Emirates's $2.9 billion. The UK's renewed engagement with Zimbabwe reflects more than a diplomatic thaw and signals a strategic interest in critical minerals, particularly lithium, said Zaynab Hoosen, senior Africa analyst at Pangea-Risk, a specialist intelligence advisory firm. 'Zimbabwe's substantial lithium reserves offer a timely opportunity to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on dominant producers.' Western nations from the US to the UK are scouring the globe for greater access to critical minerals needed for clean energy, military infrastructure, advanced defence systems, semiconductors and electric-vehicle batteries. The UK said in a policy paper last month that an upcoming critical minerals strategy will highlight the importance of forming targeted growth partnerships. Its strategy in Africa is undergoing an overhaul from traditional aid toward commercially focused, mutually beneficial ties under its new 'Approach to Africa,' unveiled in June, Hoosen said. 'Recent moves include an infrastructure partnership with South Africa, which builds on existing cooperation in platinum group metals and the UK's first trade and investment mission to Angola, where UK-based firm Pensana Plc is advancing the Longonjo Rare Earth Project.' For Zimbabwe, the benefits go beyond minerals diplomacy, as the stronger ties with the UK 'offer access to diversified investment, expanded trade and renewed international legitimacy,' Hoosen added. The improved relations also coincide with Zimbabwe's 'economic diplomacy' strategy adopted by its cabinet last month that prioritises key sectors including mining, manufacturing and agriculture in foreign relations. 'Zimbabwe is what it is because of the economic endowments that it has,' Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira told a post-cabinet briefing on July 29 as he unveiled the new policy. The southern African nation won't hesitate to 'leverage' on its natural resources to further its national interests, he said.
33 minutes ago
Congo reshuffles cabinet to bring onboard opposition members
KINSHASA, Congo -- The Congolese government has reshuffled its cabinet which now includes opposition members in an effort to cobble together support across the remaining regions where the government still retains control. In a television address by the government spokesperson, Tina Salama, late Thursday, the government announced the 53 members of the new cabinet, including Adolphe Muzito, a former prime minister under former President Joseph Kabila as the vice prime minister in charge of the budget. More than 90% of the old cabinet members have been retained. The incumbent president, Felix Tshisekedi, defeated Kabila in 2019, putting an end to the latter's 18-year rule of the central African country. Direct talks in Doha scheduled for Friday between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group will not take place as neither party has traveled there. On Thursday, the rebel group claimed it had not received an official invitation to the talks. More than 100 different groups are fighting in the mineral-rich eastern region. Prominent among them is the M23 movement, which now controls key cities in the region. The M23 group had said it would not be engaging in further talks if Kinshasa does not release approximately 700 members and sympathizers it has allegedly imprisoned. The government had committed to releasing the prisoners but no release has been recorded. On Thursday, the government denounced the rebel group's violation of the peace agreement signed in June. In February, the president announced wide-ranging political changes and a proposed 'government of national unity' to forestall the conflict in the eastern part from spilling over into broader fighting. Initially announced as a smaller cabinet, the new one remains bloated, only one fewer than than the last cabinet announced in May 2024 as an effort to retain broad support across the country.
