M23 Rebels Seize Strategic Town Near Goma in Eastern Congo

M23 Rebels Seize Strategic Town Near Goma in Eastern Congo

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured a key town near the provincial capital Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, local politicians reported on Sunday, Reuters says. The Tutsi-led M23 group has been carrying out a renewed insurgency in eastern Congo since 2022. Congo and the United Nations allege that Rwanda supports the rebels with troops and weapons, a claim Rwanda denies, insisting its actions are defensive.

January 6, 2025 4

Africa

Apple Denies Using Conflict Minerals And Cuts Supply Ties with Congo

Apple has strongly refuted claims of using conflict minerals in its products, announcing earlier this year that it directed suppliers to cease sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The company cited escalating conflict in the region as the reason for its decision, according to a statement to Reuters.

December 18, 2024 3

Africa

Biden Expresses Pride In Visit to Angola

US President Joseph Biden expressed pride in being the first American president to visit Angola as he began talks with President João Lourenço. And according to BBC Africa, the discussions at the presidential palace in Luanda focused on security and trade, with the US government backing a new 1,300km railway project linking an Angolan port to mining regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.

December 4, 2024 5

Africa

Biden’s Africa Trip to Focus on U.S.-Backed Railway Project

U.S President Joseph Biden embarks on a trip to Angola, fulfilling a promise to visit Africa during his presidency. Reuters says his visit will highlight a major U.S.-backed railway project aimed at diverting critical minerals away from China. The project, partially funded by a U.S. loan, connects the resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to Angola's Lobito port, providing a faster route for exports to the West.

December 2, 2024 8

Africa

SADC Extends Troop Deployment in DRC by One Year

Southern Africa’s regional bloc, SADC, has extended its troop deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo by another year, continuing efforts to support the government in its fight against rebel groups, according to Reuters. The mission, which began in December 2023, aims to address the ongoing security and humanitarian challenges in the country, a key producer of metals like cobalt and copper.

November 21, 2024 17

Africa

South African government continues to mediate peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The South African government continues its efforts to mediate peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. Addressing the media, International Relations and Cooperation minister, Ronald Lamola, said government supports ongoing negotiations and diplomatic solutions to resolve the conflict in the DRC. According to Lamola, government is also working with global partners to address the humanitarian crisis and help bring lasting peace to Sudan:

November 13, 2024 22

Africa

Girls more susceptible to Mpox sub-variant

A study has shown that girls and young women may be more vulnerable to a sub-variant of the mpox virus, which has spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to nearby countries. Research published in Eurosurveillance reveals that among 154 confirmed cases in Burundi between 3 July and 9 September 2024, the median age was 9.5 years. According to Bloomberg, the average age for infected girls was six, while for […]

October 22, 2024 16

Africa

M23 Rebel Group Expands Control in Eastern DRC with Capture of Kalembe

The M23 rebel group has captured the town of Kalembe in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, further extending its influence in the area, according to an official and a former lawmaker, as seen by Reuters. The Tutsi-led M23 has been conducting an insurgency in the conflict-ridden eastern region since 2022. Both Congo and the United Nations have accused neighboring Rwanda of providing support to the group through its own troops […]

October 22, 2024 6

Africa

DRC faces hunger crisis

The World Food Programme says more than a million people are facing hunger in the Democratic Republic of Congo's northeastern province of Ituri. The UN agency says women and children displaced by the conflict between tribal militias have been the hardest hit.

October 17, 2024 20