Struggle for mineral resources drives conflict in DRC
These resources estimated at $24 trillion, African Stream said
The escalation of tensions in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reflects the struggle for the giant natural wealth of the country estimated at $24 trillion, the African Stream web portal said.
“A significant share of Congolese minerals are funnelled into profitable global markets via neighbouring Rwanda, which faces allegations of profiting from illicit mining operations within the Congo,” the news portal noted.
Although the mineral portfolio of Rwanda is relatively modest as compared with DRC, the country “reported mining revenues exceeding $1.1 billion in 2023, marking a 43% year-on-year increase,” the web portal said.
Data are particularly impressive for such strategic minerals as cassiterite, tungsten, and tantalum (coltan), it added.
Rebels from the March 23 (M23) Movement and Rwandan army units that support them are only 60 kilometers away from the city of Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which raises concerns about the conflict expanding further, Agence France Presse reported, citing United Nations Under Secretary General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
According to him, the M23 forces and the Rwandan army are advancing at a high pace. Lacroix said the UN was concerned not only about the situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo but also about the possibility of a broader regional conflict.
This is why it’s crucial to make every diplomatic effort to prevent such a scenario and stop military activities, he stressed.
The rebels started advancing towards Bukavu two days ago, after their units pulled out of the city of Minova in the province of South Kivu that they had seized before.
Bukavu, a city with a population of over one million, is located on the southern coast of Lake Kivu. The lake’s eastern shores are part of Rwanda.
Earlier, units of the M23 Movement seized Goma, the capital of the Congolese province of North Kivu.
