Rebels accused of ‘ethnic cleansing’ in eastern Congo
The government of Congo accused the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group of engaging in ‘ethnic cleansing’ in the eastern part of the country on Tuesday.
Minister of Interior, Jacquemain Shabani condemned the influx of foreign populations into Rutshuru and Masisi territories in North Kivu province, where local residents were forcibly displaced by violence.
In eastern Congo’s mineral-rich territory near Rwanda, violence has surged as the M23 rebel group reemerges, with more than 100 armed factions competing for territorial control.
This conflict has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 7 million people, with numerous populations beyond the reach of assistance.
M23, also known as the March 23 Movement, is a rebel military outfit primarily made up of ethnic Tutsis who split from the Congolese army just over ten years ago. The group’s capture of Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city on the Rwanda border, propelled it to prominence in 2012.
The Congo alleges that Rwanda has committed war crimes in the east, while US and UN experts claim Rwanda provides military support to M23, which Rwanda denies; however, in February, Rwanda admitted to having troops and missile systems in eastern Congo for security purposes, citing a buildup of Congolese forces near the border.
The July truce negotiated by the United States and Angola has alleviated tensions between Rwandan and Congolese forces, but skirmishes involving M23 and other armed groups remain ongoing.
In another development, UN says D.R. Congo rebels generating $300,000 monthly in seized mining area
Rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have consolidated control over the Rubaya coltan-mining region, imposing a production tax estimated to generate around $300,000 in monthly revenue, the United Nations security council heard on Monday.
The M23 movement, a Tutsi-led organization purportedly backed by Rwanda, seized the area, which produces minerals used in smartphones and computers, following intense fighting in April.
Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. mission in DRC, told the Security Council that trade from minerals in the Rubaya area accounts for over 15% of global tantalum supply.
DRC is the world’s top producer of tantalum which is considered a critical mineral by the United States and the European Union.
“This generates an estimated $300,000 in revenue per month to the armed group,” Keita said. “This is deeply concerning and needs to be stopped,” he added.
“The criminal laundering of the DRC’s natural resources smuggled out of the country is strengthening armed groups, sustaining the exploitation of civilian populations, some of them reduced to de-facto slavery, and undermining peace-making efforts,” Keita noted.
The majority of DRC’s mineral resources are situated in the east, a region plagued by conflict over land and resources between several armed factions. The situation has deteriorated since the resurgence of the M23 rebellion in March 2022.
Thousands have been killed and over 1 million displaced since the resurgence of fighting.
Manufacturers are under scrutiny to ensure that metals used in products such as laptops and batteries for electric vehicles are not sourced from conflict zones like eastern DRC.
Keita said that as profits from mining have surged, armed groups have become militarized entrepreneurs, making them stronger both militarily and financially.
“Unless international sanctions are imposed on those benefiting from this criminal trade, peace will remain elusive, and civilians will continue to suffer,” Keita said.
