Latest news with #YolandeMakolo
Business Insider
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
UN report reveals involvement of Russian-linked firm in DRC's illicit mineral trade
A new United Nations report has for the first time publicly identified a Russian-linked company operating in Rwanda as being complicit in the illicit trade of minerals sourced from conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The United Nations has directly linked an entity to the trade of conflict minerals from zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Boss Mining Solution, operated by Rwandan businessman and linked to two Russian owners is accused of acquiring conflict minerals from M23-controlled areas. Rwanda disputes the UN findings, arguing that its military involvement in border regions addresses security threats rather than exploiting mineral resources. Reuters reports that the allegation against the mining company marks the first time the United Nations has named an entity allegedly complicit in trafficking minerals looted from the Democratic Republic of Congo since M23 insurgents seized key mining territories last year. The confidential UN report, which details how the recent territorial gains by M23 have further destabilized a region already plagued by decades of conflict, identified Boss Mining Solution as a key player in the smuggling of minerals from rebel-held areas. The report reveals that Boss Mining acquired coltan and other minerals from M23-controlled areas. Miningmx reports that the company exported at least 150 tons of coltan worth $6.6 million in 2024, making it Rwanda's sixth-largest exporter, despite the country having minimal coltan production. According to the company's corporate profile reviewed by Reuters, Boss Mining is operated by Eddy Habimana, a Rwandan businessman. The firm is also linked to two Russia-born mining executives, who are listed as owners in official Rwandan corporate documents. Rwanda government spokesperson Yolande Makolo, however, rejected the report, telling Reuters that the UN account ' misrepresents Rwanda's longstanding security concerns' regarding Hutu rebel groups that have targeted ethnic Tutsis in both Rwanda and Congo—a threat, she said, that ' necessitates the defense posture in our border areas.' The UN panel's findings suggest that Boss Mining Solution played a key role in the cross-border trafficking of these minerals, despite longstanding international bans on sourcing commodities from insurgent-controlled zones. Conflict minerals strain Rwanda-DRC relations Tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, rooted in historic grievances and cross-border insurgencies, have been increasingly driven by the illicit trade in conflict minerals. Eastern Congo's vast deposits of gold, coltan, tin, and tantalum have attracted armed groups and fueled instability. Rwanda denies backing M23 rebels, but the group, widely believed to have Kigali's support, has seized major mining areas, disrupting supply chains and worsening the humanitarian crisis. The UN and global watchdogs have heightened scrutiny. Proceeds from the mineral trade have played a crucial role in financing M23's insurgency.
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.
Reuters
30-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Congo gold miner says M23 rebels force staff to work without pay
June 30 (Reuters) - 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.
TimesLIVE
27-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
DRC drops demand for immediate Rwandan troop pullout, say sources
Peace deal expected to be signed in Washington on Friday By Congolese negotiators have dropped a demand that Rwandan troops immediately leave eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), paving the way for a US-brokered peace agreement to be signed between the longtime foes on Friday, four sources told Reuters. Rwanda has sent at least 7,000 soldiers over the border, according to analysts and diplomats, in support of the M23 rebels, who seized eastern DRC's two largest cities and lucrative mining areas in a lightning advance earlier this year. Rwanda has long denied providing arms and troops to M23 and says it is acting in self-defence. DRC and Rwandan officials are expected to sign a peace deal in Washington on Friday following a diplomatic push by US President Donald Trump's administration to end years of conflict with roots in Rwanda's 1994 genocide. The agreement also aims to attract Western investment to the two countries' mining sectors, which boast deposits of tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium, while giving the US access to critical minerals. Sources told Reuters earlier this month that Washington DC was pushing for Rwanda to withdraw its troops before the deal's signing, a pre-condition that was also included in a US-prepared draft authenticated by diplomats. But that timeline was certain to face resistance from Rwanda. Kigali considers DRC-based armed groups an existential threat, particularly the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which includes remnants of Rwanda's former army and militias that carried out the genocide. Three sources told Reuters that the new version of the agreement aims to obtain the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern DRC over several months, while two of them said the withdrawal would be conditioned on operations against the FDLR. The sources — three diplomats and a DRC official — asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the talks. Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told Reuters on Thursday that under the agreement the "lifting of defensive measures in our border area" would be contingent upon the FDLR's "neutralisation". Tina Salama, spokesperson for DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, told Reuters that Kinshasa was intent on securing the "disengagement or total withdrawal" of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory. A state department spokesperson said it did not comment on ongoing diplomatic negotiations. It remains unclear how far the agreement to be signed on Friday will advance beyond a declaration of principles agreed in April. Technical experts from the two countries initialed a draft peace agreement last week, saying it addressed issues related to territorial integrity, "a prohibition of hostilities" and the disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration of non-state armed groups. It also referred to a mechanism agreed as part of an earlier Angolan-backed peace effort to monitor and verify the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers and DRC military operations targeting the FDLR.
Mint
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Congo drops demand for immediate Rwandan troop pullout, sources say
Peace deal expected to be signed in Washington on Friday Sources say new terms call for Rwanda's gradual withdrawal US seeks end to conflict, access to critical minerals June 26 (Reuters) - Congolese negotiators have dropped a demand that Rwandan troops immediately leave eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, paving the way for a U.S.-brokered peace agreement to be signed between the longtime foes on Friday, four sources told Reuters. Rwanda has sent at least 7,000 soldiers over the border, according to analysts and diplomats, in support of the M23 rebels, who seized eastern Congo's two largest cities and lucrative mining areas in a lightning advance earlier this year. Rwanda has long denied providing arms and troops to M23 and says it is acting in self-defence. Congolese and Rwandan officials are expected to sign a peace deal in Washington on Friday following a diplomatic push by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to end years of conflict with roots in Rwanda's 1994 genocide. The agreement also aims to attract Western investment to the two countries' mining sectors, which boast deposits of tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium, while giving the U.S. access to critical minerals. Sources told Reuters earlier this month that Washington was pushing for Rwanda to withdraw its troops before the deal's signing, a pre-condition that was also included in a U.S.-prepared draft authenticated by diplomats. But that timeline was certain to face resistance from Rwanda. Kigali considers Congo-based armed groups an existential threat, particularly the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which includes remnants of Rwanda's former army and militias that carried out the genocide. Three sources told Reuters that the new version of the agreement aims to obtain the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern Congo over several months, while two of them said the withdrawal would be conditioned on operations against the FDLR. The sources - three diplomats and a Congolese official - asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the talks. Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told Reuters on Thursday that under the agreement the "lifting of defensive measures in our border area" would be contingent upon the FDLR's "neutralisation". Congo's government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A State Department spokesperson said it did not comment on ongoing diplomatic negotiations. It remains unclear how far the agreement to be signed on Friday will advance beyond a declaration of principles agreed in April. Technical experts from the two countries initialed a draft peace agreement last week, saying it addressed issues related to territorial integrity, "a prohibition of hostilities" and the disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration of non-state armed groups. It also referred to a mechanism agreed as part of an earlier Angolan-backed peace effort to monitor and verify the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers and Congolese military operations targeting the FDLR. (Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Writing by Robbie Corey-Boulet; Editing by Joe Bavier)
