Latest news with #CentralAfrican
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Congo, M23 rebel group sign declaration of principles in Qatar to end fighting
Find out what's new on ST website and app. 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 The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group signed on Saturday a declaration of principles to end fighting in eastern Congo, a sign of progress even as sources briefed on the talks said details needed to be negotiated. The signing by representatives from both sides took place at a ceremony in Qatar that followed months of Qatari mediation after talks began in April. The United States has exerted pressure to finalise a durable peace deal in the volatile Central African country. U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear he hopes that would attract Western investment to a region rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, lithium and other minerals. M23, in the latest of a series 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-scale regional war. Several of Congo's neighbours already had troops deployed in eastern Congo when the advance began. 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. 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. It was unclear on Saturday how many of those issues have been resolved. Bigger outstanding questions concerning the possible Rwandan and M23 withdrawals from eastern Congo were not expected to be fully addressed by the declaration of principles. REUTERS
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo to promote tourism
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the 'heart of Africa' will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, Congolese tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy 'to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent' by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their 'blood-stained' sponsorship agreements with 'Visit Rwanda'. The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. 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, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. ($1 = 0.8626 euros) -REUTERS
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
DR Congo Signs €40M Tourism Deal with FC Barcelona
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the 'heart of Africa' will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, Congolese tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy 'to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent' by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their 'blood-stained' sponsorship agreements with 'Visit Rwanda'. The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. 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, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. ($1 = 0.8626 euros) -REUTERS
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo to promote tourism
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Girona - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - March 30, 2025 General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo KINSHASA - Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the "heart of Africa" will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Asia Air India probe of Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, Congolese tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy "to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent" by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their "blood-stained" sponsorship agreements with "Visit Rwanda". The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. 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, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. REUTERS
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Soccer-Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo tourism ministry
KINSHASA (Reuters) -Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the "heart of Africa" will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their "blood-stained" sponsorship agreements with "Visit Rwanda". The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercisedcommand and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. ($1 = 0.8626 euros) (Reporting by Stanis Bujakera; Writing by Robbie Corey-BouletEditing by Toby Davis)
