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The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Congo army and rebels trade blame over clashes, troop buildup
FILE PHOTO: Members of the M23 rebel group ride on a pickup truck as they leave their position for patrols amid conflict between them and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer//File Photo KINSHASA (Reuters) -Congo's army on Tuesday accused Rwanda-backed rebels of carrying out multiple attacks in eastern Congo which it said violated agreements signed in Washington and Doha, and warned it reserved the right to respond to provocations. The army statement came a day after the rebel group, known as M23, accused Congolese forces of mobilising more troops and violating the terms of a declaration of principles signed on July 19 in Doha voicing support for a permanent ceasefire. The conflicting statements came as peace talks scheduled to resume in Doha last week have been delayed. In the declaration of principles, Congo and M23 pledged to begin talks by August 8 and aim for a final deal by August 18. Neither side currently has delegations in Doha. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said last week that the rebels had not received an invitation to the talks. Another rebel leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the group would not go to Doha "until Kinshasa begins to respect the declaration of principles, which provides for the release of our detained members". The statement on Tuesday from Congo's army said M23 was perpetrating almost daily attacks on its positions. The earlier M23 statement said Congo's army had carried out significant troop movements and military equipment deployments in six different locations. The Qatar-hosted talks were intended to run parallel to a mediation effort by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration involving Congo and Rwanda. Washington hopes the diplomatic push will produce a sustainable peace and attract billions of dollars of Western investment to a region rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium. M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's largest city Goma in January as part of a rapid advance that has given them control of more territory than ever before. Rwanda, which has long denied helping M23, says its forces act in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. (Reporting Congo newsroom; Writing by by Ayen Deng Bior; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Ed Osmond)
Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Congo, M23 rebels to sign declaration of principles to end fighting, sources say
FILE PHOTO: Members of the M23 rebel group ride on a pickup truck as they leave their position for patrols amid conflict between them and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Congo and the M23 rebel group have agreed to a declaration of principles to end fighting in eastern Congo, a sign of progress after months of talks mediated by Qatar, though key details still need to be negotiated, four sources said on Friday. The declaration, expected to be signed on Saturday in Doha, comes amid heavy U.S. pressure to finalise deals that would bring peace to eastern Congo. This could potentially attract billions of dollars of Western investment to a region rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, lithium and other minerals. M23, in the latest of a string of uprisings supported by Rwanda, seized Goma, eastern Congo's largest city, in January and went on to make gains across North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. The fighting has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more this year while escalating the risk of a full-blown regional war. Several of Congo's neighbours already have troops deployed in the volatile region. In March Qatar brokered a surprise meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame during which they called for an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire. That led to direct talks, also in Doha, between Congo and M23. Congo had previously rejected the idea of holding talks with M23, branding it a terrorist group. In April, both sides pledged to work towards a ceasefire. But sources in both delegations have expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations and the lack of progress on confidence-building measures including the release of M23 members held by Congo and the re-opening of banks in rebel-held territory. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Asia Indonesia court jails former trade minister for 4½ years in sugar graft case Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 7-year-old girl, cabby taken to hospital after vehicle pile-up in City Hall area Singapore Former NUH male nurse charged after he allegedly molested man at hospital It was unclear on Friday how many of those issues have been resolved. There are also bigger questions on possible Rwandan and M23 withdrawals from eastern Congo. "The American pressure is very strong," a Congolese source said on Friday, noting the presence in Doha of Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa. "But there are still many points unresolved. This is only one step in the discussions." TALKS IN WASHINGTON Washington has also hosted talks between Congo and Rwanda. On June 27 the two countries' foreign ministers signed a peace deal and met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump warned of "very severe penalties, financial and otherwise" if the deal is violated. Trump also invited Tshisekedi and Kagame to Washington to sign a package of deals that Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, dubbed the "Washington Accord". Speaking to reporters on July 2, Boulos said the Trump administration would "love" to hold that meeting at the end of July. But he also said U.S. officials hope to have a deal in Doha finalised by then. Congo, the United Nations and Western powers say Rwanda is supporting M23 by sending troops and arms. A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance. Rwanda has long denied helping M23 and says its forces are acting in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). REUTERS
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Congo gold miner says M23 rebels force staff to work without pay
A Congolese boy plays with a handmade ball near a temporary shelter at Rugombo Stadium, after fleeing from renewed clashes between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in Rugombo commune of Cibitoke Province, Burundi February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Evrard Ngendakumana/File Photo Burundian volunteers prepare food for Congolese families at Rugombo Stadium, after Congolese fled from renewed clashes between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in Rugombo commune of Cibitoke Province, Burundi February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Evrard Ngendakumana/File Photo Gold miner Twangiza Mining SA has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of forcing its employees to work against their will and without pay after seizing its mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. M23 staged a lightning advance earlier this year in eastern Congo, taking control of more land than ever before in North and South Kivu provinces. The Twangiza Mining site is located in South Kivu province. In May, the company said it had been ordered to suspend operations at the mine after M23 accused it of not paying taxes. In a new statement dated Friday, Twangiza Mining, which is headquartered in Congo and describes itself as a Chinese firm, said its workers were being "held in captivity, forced to work in inhuman conditions, without any security measure, remuneration or medical coverage." Reuters could not independently verify the company's assertions. M23 and Congo's government did not respond to requests for comment. The statement from Twangiza Mining also said production had been "paralyzed" and that the site was "entirely controlled" by a group of Rwandan nationals who, working with M23 and claiming to be new investors, have been exploiting the mine "for their own profit by treating our employees like slaves deprived of all protection". Congo, the United Nations and Western powers say Rwanda is supporting M23 by sending troops and arms. Rwanda has long denied helping M23, saying its forces were acting in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Yolande Makolo, Rwanda government spokesperson, said on Monday that Rwanda had nothing to do with the dispute with Twangiza Mining. "Rwanda is not involved in this situation, and the accusations against Rwandan citizens are without basis - there is no record or information of any Rwanda citizens involved in such activities," Makolo said. "This is a local issue that should be taken up with the authorities in the area." On Friday, the foreign ministers of Rwanda and Congo signed a U.S.-brokered peace deal, raising hopes for an end to fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more so far this year. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration aims to attract billions of dollars in Western investment to Congo, which is rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium. Qatar has been hosting talks between Congo and M23. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
