Latest news with #Nangaa
The Hill
24-03-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Congo rebel leader says sanctions, any minerals deal with the US won't stop fighting in the east
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The leader of the rebels who captured two key cities in eastern Congo tells The Associated Press that international sanctions and Congo's proposed minerals deal with the United States in search of peace will not stop the fighting. With a $5 million bounty placed on the rebel leaders by Congo's government, 'we will fight like people who got nothing to lose in order to secure the future of our country,' said Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance that includes the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Nangaa dismissed Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi's comments last week that his country — whose mineral resources are estimated to be worth $24 trillion and critical to much of the world's technology — is looking for a minerals partnership with the U.S. The U.S. government has not publicly spoken about any such deal, which local observers say could be similar to the Trump administration's recent offer to Ukraine to help end the war with Russia. 'This problem can be better resolved by the concerned Congolese, not foreigners with different geopolitical agendas,' Nangaa told the AP over the weekend. 'Trying to bribe U.S. with mines can undermine U.S. credibility.' The rebel leader also rejected the outcome of last week's meeting between Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Qatar, saying such a move to achieve peace without his group's involvement would fail. He said the rebels can only have a dialogue with Congo's government if the country acknowledges their grievances and the root causes of the conflict. 'Anything regarding us which are done without us, it's against us,' Nangaa said. Since launching a major escalation of their decadelong fighting with Congolese forces in January, the M23 rebels have captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu and several towns in eastern Congo, prompting fears of regional war involving neighbors whose militaries are also on the ground. Efforts to achieve a ceasefire collapsed last week after the rebels pulled out of talks facilitated by Angola, condemning European Union sanctions on its leaders. Angola on Monday said its president and chairperson of the African Union, Joao Lourenco, was withdrawing as the key mediator to focus on Africa's general peace and security. Another country will take over mediation efforts, it said. Also Monday, the M23 rebels said their planned withdrawal from the strategic town of Walikale, which they captured last week, is delayed because Congolese forces are allegedly still positioned in the area with attack drones. M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka said their presence 'compromises' peace initiatives. The AP has reached out to Congo's military. Holding Walikale gives the rebels control of a road linking four provinces in eastern Congo — North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Maniema — effectively cutting off Congolese army positions. The M23 is the most potent of about 100 armed factions vying for control in eastern Congo. It is mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis who failed to integrate into the Congolese army. The group says it is defending ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination. Although U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 forces from neighboring Rwanda supporting the rebels in Congo, Nangaa asserted that the rebel alliance is independent and seeks to address 'the root cause of more than 30 years of instability in our country.'
Euronews
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
DR Congo rebel leader says sanctions, US minerals deal won't stop fighting in the east
ADVERTISEMENT The head of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), an armed coalition that includes the M23 rebel group, has said that international sanctions and a planned minerals partnership with the United States will not stop the ongoing fighting in the country's east. Corneille Nangaa, who leads the alliance, told the Associated Press that rebel fighters will not be deterred, even with bounties placed on their leaders by the Congolese government. "We will fight like people who got nothing to lose in order to secure the future of our country," Nangaa said, dismissing recent remarks by President Félix Tshisekedi, who said that a minerals deal with Washington could bring peace and stability to the region. Since launching a major offensive in late January, M23 rebels have seized key cities including Goma and Bukavu, as well as the strategic town of Walikale, giving them control over a critical road connecting four provinces in the east; North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Maniema. Former members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and police officers who allegedly surrendered to M23 rebels arrive in Goma, 23 February, 2025 AP Photo Thousands of Congolese soldiers have reportedly fled or surrendered, fuelling fears of a wider regional war as neighbouring countries' forces are also present on the ground. According to the US Department of Commerce, DR Congo's vast mineral wealth, valued at $24 trillion (€22 trillion), remains underdeveloped. However, the US government has not confirmed the existence of any formal deal. Nangaa condemned the government's strategy, arguing that the conflict should be addressed internally. "This problem can be better resolved by the concerned Congolese, not foreigners with different geopolitical agendas," he said. "Trying to bribe the US with mines can undermine US credibility." Related DR Congo says it will engage in peace talks with M23 rebels in Angola M23 rebels withdraw from DR Congo peace talks as EU imposes sanctions DR Congo and Rwanda presidents meet in Qatar for peace talks Peace talks collapse Peace negotiations facilitated by Angola collapsed last week after the rebels withdrew in protest at European Union sanctions targeting their leadership. Nangaa also rejected a recent Qatar-held meeting between Congolese and Rwandan officials, saying any talks that exclude the AFC would not lead to lasting peace. "Anything regarding us which is done without us, it's against us," he stated. The group has said it would only consider direct dialogue with Kinshasa if its grievances are acknowledged. While UN experts estimate up to 4,000 Rwandan troops have supported the rebels, Nangaa insists the AFC is an independent alliance committed to tackling "the root cause of more than 30 years of instability in our country."
Al-Ahram Weekly
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Congo rebel leader says sanctions, any minerals deal with US won't stop fighting in the east - Africa
The leader of the rebels who captured two key cities in eastern Congo says international sanctions and the planned minerals deal that the country has offered the U.S. will not stop the fighting between their members and Congolese forces in the hard-hit region. With such sanctions and a bounty placed on the rebel leaders by Congo's government, 'we will fight like people who got nothing to lose to secure the future of our country,' Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) that includes the M23 rebel group, told The Associated Press. Nangaa also dismissed Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi's comments last week that his country is looking for a minerals partnership with the U.S. that will bring peace and stability to both countries. Since launching a major escalation of their decadelong fighting with the Congolese forces in late January, the M23 rebels have captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu and several towns in eastern Congo, forcing thousands of soldiers to either flee or surrender and prompting fears of regional warfare involving neighbours whose militaries are also on the ground. Most of Congo's mineral resources, estimated to be worth $24 trillion and critical to much of the world's technology, remain untapped, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce last year. The U.S. government has not publicly spoken about any minerals deal being planned with Congo, which local observers say could be similar to the Trump administration's offer for Ukraine to help end the war with Russia. 'This problem can be better resolved by the concerned Congolese, not foreigners with different geopolitical agendas,' Nangaa told The AP over the weekend. 'Trying to bribe Uthe .S. with mines can undermine U.S. credibility.' Efforts to achieve a ceasefire collapsed last week after the rebels pulled out from talks being facilitated by Angola, condemning European Union sanctions on its leaders. Nangaa also rejected the outcome of a meeting between Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Qatar, saying such a move to achieve peace without the group's involvement would fail and that the rebels can only have a dialogue with Congo's government if the country acknowledges their grievances and the root causes of the conflict. 'Anything regarding us which are done without us, it's against us,' Nangaa said. Despite calls for a ceasefire, M23 rebels have now seized the key town of Walikale giving them control of a strategic road linking four provinces in eastern Congo — North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Maniema — effectively cutting off Congolese army positions. In seizing more territories beyond Goma — the only city they captured during their short-lived uprising in 2012— the rebels aim to 'secure' citizens in those places and fight the root causes of the conflict, the rebel leader said. The most potent of about 100 armed factions vying for control in eastern Congo, M23 is mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis who failed to integrate into the Congolese army. The group says it is defending ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination. Although U.N. experts estimate up to 4,000 Rwandan forces are supporting the rebels in Congo, Nangaa said the rebel alliance is independent and seeks to address "the root cause of more than 30 years of instability in our country.' Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minerals deal with US won't stop fighting in DR of Congo, says rebel leader
The leader of the rebels who captured two key cities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo says international sanctions and the planned minerals deal that the country has offered the US will not stop the fighting between their members and Congolese forces in the hard-hit region. With such sanctions and a bounty placed on the rebel leaders by the Democratic Republic of the Congo's government, 'we will fight like people who got nothing to lose in order to secure the future of our country,' Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) that includes the M23 rebel group, told The Associated Press. Mr Nangaa also dismissed Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi's comments last week that his country is looking for a minerals partnership with the US that will bring peace and stability for both countries. Since launching a major escalation of their decade-long fighting with the Congolese forces in late January, the M23 rebels have captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu and several towns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, forcing thousands of soldiers to either flee or surrender and prompting fears of regional warfare involving neighbours whose militaries are also on the ground. Most of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's mineral resources, estimated to be worth 24 trillion dollars (£18.5 trillion) and critical to much of the world's technology, remain untapped, according to the US Department of Commerce last year. The US government has not publicly spoken about any minerals deal being planned with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which local observers say could be similar to the Trump administration's offer for Ukraine to help end the war with Russia. 'This problem can be better resolved by the concerned Congolese, not foreigners with different geopolitical agendas,' Mr Nangaa told The AP over the weekend. 'Trying to bribe US with mines can undermine US credibility.' Efforts to achieve a ceasefire collapsed last week after the rebels pulled out from talks being facilitated by Angola, condemning European Union sanctions on its leaders. Mr Nangaa also rejected the outcome of a meeting between Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Qatar, saying such a move to achieve peace without the group's involvement would fail and that the rebels can only have a dialogue with the Democratic Republic of the Congo's government if the country acknowledges their grievances and the root causes of the conflict. 'Anything regarding us which are done without us, it's against us,' Mr Nangaa said. Despite calls for a ceasefire, M23 rebels have now seized the key town of Walikale which gives them control of a strategic road linking four provinces in eastern Congo — North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Maniema — effectively cutting off Congolese army positions. In seizing more territories beyond Goma — the only city they captured during their short-lived uprising in 2012 — the rebels aim to 'secure' citizens in those places and fight the root causes of the conflict, the rebel leader said. The most potent of about 100 armed factions vying for control in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, M23, is mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis who failed to integrate into the Congolese army. The group says it is defending ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination. Although UN experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces supporting the rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr Nangaa said the rebel alliance is independent and seeks to address 'the root cause of more than 30 years of instability in our country'.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Congo rebel leader says sanctions, any minerals deal with US won't stop fighting in the east
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The leader of the rebels who captured two key cities in eastern Congo says international sanctions and the planned minerals deal that the country has offered the U.S. will not stop the fighting between their members and Congolese forces in the hard-hit region. With such sanctions and a bounty placed on the rebel leaders by Congo's government, 'we will fight like people who got nothing to lose in order to secure the future of our country,' Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) that includes the M23 rebel group, told The Associated Press. Nangaa also dismissed Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi's comments last week that his country is looking for a minerals partnership with the U.S. that will bring peace and stability for both countries. Since launching a major escalation of their decadelong fighting with the Congolese forces in late January, the M23 rebels have captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu and several towns in eastern Congo, forcing thousands of soldiers to either flee or surrender and prompting fears of regional warfare involving neighbors whose militaries are also on the ground. Most of Congo's mineral resources, estimated to be worth $24 trillion and critical to much of the world's technology, remain untapped, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce last year. The U.S. government has not publicly spoken about any minerals deal being planned with Congo, which local observers say could be similar to the Trump administration's offer for Ukraine to help end the war with Russia. 'This problem can be better resolved by the concerned Congolese, not foreigners with different geopolitical agendas,' Nangaa told The AP over the weekend. 'Trying to bribe U.S. with mines can undermine U.S. credibility.' Efforts to achieve a ceasefire collapsed last week after the rebels pulled out from talks being facilitated by Angola, condemning European Union sanctions on its leaders. Nangaa also rejected the outcome of a meeting between Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Qatar, saying such a move to achieve peace without the group's involvement would fail and that the rebels can only have a dialogue with Congo's government if the country acknowledges their grievances and the root causes of the conflict. 'Anything regarding us which are done without us, it's against us,' Nangaa said. Despite calls for a ceasefire, M23 rebels have now seized the key town of Walikale that gives them control of a strategic road linking four provinces in eastern Congo — North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Maniema — effectively cutting off Congolese army positions. In seizing more territories beyond Goma — the only city they captured during their short-lived uprising in 2012— the rebels aim to 'secure' citizens in those places and fight the root causes of the conflict, the rebel leader said. The most potent of about 100 armed factions vying for control in eastern Congo, M23 is mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis who failed to integrate into the Congolese army. The group says it is defending ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination. Although U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces supporting the rebels in Congo, Nangaa said the rebel alliance is independent and seeks to address "the root cause of more than 30 years of instability in our country.'
