RDC: Societe Civile Forces Vives de la Republique – Coordination Provinciale du Nord-Kivu – Communique de Presse No. 002 (21.01.2025)

DRC: Moise Nyarugabo Muhizi – Another Sound of Alarm: A Massacre is Being Prepared in the Highlands of Uvira, Fizi and Mwenga, Particularly in Minembwe (19.01.2025)

RDC: Twirwaneho – Communique de Presse No. 02 (19.01.2025)

RDC: Justicia Asbl – Communique de Presse No. 005 (17.01.2025)

DRC: AFC/M23 monopolized the illicit trade of coltan to Rwanda

“AFC/M23 ensured a monopoly for the export of coltan from Rubaya to Rwanda, prioritized high-volume trade and levied significant taxes. Fraudulent extraction, trade and export to Rwanda of Rubaya minerals thus benefited both AFC/M23 and the Rwandan economy” (S/2024/969, 27.12.2024).

“M23 combatants patrolled Rubaya town and the mining sites to ensure that traders and diggers sold minerals only to AFC/M23-authorized Congolese and Rwandan traders. Violations of AFC/M23-imposed rules were punished with arrest and detention in Mushaki” (S/2024/969, 27.12.2024).

“In Rubaya, witnesses to AFC/M23 mineral convoys reported that minerals were loaded twice weekly into convoys of four to five vehicles capable of transporting up to five tons per load. From mid-May to late October, the frequency and volumes of minerals leaving Rubaya were constant. AFC/M23 thus controlled the trade and transport of around 120 tons of coltan monthly” (S/2024/969, 27.12.2024).

The proxy wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo have as long as I can remember been about “blood diamonds” or illicit trade of the vast minerals of the nation. The AFC/M23 insurgency and militia with the Kivu provinces are there for one main reason. They are there to ensure wealth through the illicit trade of coltan from the DRC to Rwanda.

It isn’t shocking that this is happening, and this is how the Rwandan government can afford to keep up their presence and reasons to be part of the proxy war within the DRC. They are profiting from it and is the real excuse for why they are there. If it wasn’t for the minerals and the possible monopoly of it. The Rwandan wouldn’t support and give logistical support to the AFC/M23.

The ones believing that Kigali doesn’t know what is going on is naïve. It’s hard not to know the illicit mineral trade and how it covers the costs of operating a proxy militia in the DRC. The Rwandan army and authorities have a prerogative to do this. As the money gained from the export is surely making it a wise business decision to support it. They are making money hands over fist and by taking control of territories, which are known for mineral riches. That is close to the borders of Rwanda. Therefore, it all makes sense, and they cannot deny these sorts of witness reports forever.

This story is far from over. The trade of coltan shouldn’t be neglected. It tells what is happening and gives AFC/M23 leverage to operate. They are getting funding by partaking in it and it’s now proven. Nothing was shocking in the UN Experts Report of 27th December 2024. However, we know they will downplay it and act like its biased.

Alas, the reality is grim, and this shows what matters to the AFC/M23 and its backers. They have found a “gold mine” and now wants to extract it. The ones doing it doesn’t want this amplified and creating headlines. That hurts the leadership of Kigali, and it won’t to be challenged for how it works within the DRC. It is a no mystery, but Kagame and his likes wants to be disassociated with AFC/M23, but it wants the cash it collects in the DRC. That is the picture and what we are seeing. Peace.

RDC: Twirwaneho – Communique de Presse No. 1 – Alerte lancement de l’operation Fimbo : nettoyage ethnique des banyamulenge par les FARDC et leurs allies (11.01.2025)

RDC: Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) – Official Communique of January 8th, 2025 (08.01.2025)

RDC: Societe Civile Forces Vives de la Republique – Coordination Provinciale du Nord-Kivu – Communique de Presse No. 001 (07.01.2025)

RDC: MONUSCO – La MONUSCO condamne la violation du cessez-le-feu et la poursuite de l’expansion territoriale du M23 au Nord-Kivu (07.01.2025)

Opinion: We know M23 is connected to Kigali

“The Group notes that the systematic support and presence of RDF in the territorial conquest of the designated group M23 is a sanctionable act. Furthermore, the deployment of RDF, the national armed forces of Rwanda, on Democratic Republic of the Congo territory violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. RDF de facto control and direction over M23 operations also renders Rwanda liable for the actions of M23” (Final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNSC – S/2024/432, 04.06.2024).

The leadership and the authorities of Kigali wants to act like Kinshasa is acting out of spite. They are moving the goalpost and playing it out like it’s all Kinshasa’s fault for the military intervention in the Kivu provinces. Seriously, we aren’t children anymore and Paul Kagame’s henchmen cannot fool the world this time around.

Yes, Fatshi and his handlers aren’t the wisest or the smartest. Neither are they savvy or able to rig the algorithms. That is something Kinshasa needs to think of as the Rwandan white-washing and industrial propaganda machine is a beast the UPDS and the coalition of parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) isn’t able to contain.

That’s why the defence of the stoppage and stop of negotiations between the trilateral talks in Angola. The DRC and Rwanda needs to hold these talks and dialogue. The Kigali regime cannot run away from its ties to the M23. Neither their logistical support and even training of people within the militia, which we already know.

The Kigali regime cannot run away from the reality and the UN Experts Reports on the insecurity and intelligence surrounding them. That consistently stipulates the connection between Kigali and the ones running the M23. There are other benefactors and others who are involved, but they aren’t included in the talks or dialogue either. They should be there as well, but the regime is playing loosely with reality here.

Kinshasa can hold direct talks with the M23. They also needs to hold the ones holding them operative accountable as well. They are responsible and helping the M23 to work within the DRC. This being Kigali or Kampala. These people needs to be addressed and we cannot act like this isn’t a thing. They are earning profits and able to enrich themselves on the business of having proxy-militias within the DRC. If it wasn’t good for the pockets. These nations wouldn’t be involved in this for decades upon decades.

Now Kigali says its because of the fear of the FDLR, but that is also a ghost of the past from Rwanda. That is a militia that is built and operating in the DRC because of how the RPF took power in the 1990s. Therefore, all of this is implicating Rwanda regardless. That’s why they cannot shift blame and say Fatshi has do everything. Especially, when we know who sends ammunition and training militias on the regular.

We can act a fool, but we all are smarter than just that. They can put their name on an Arsenal jersey, but that doesn’t mean Kigali is all beautiful. We know the truth and the it isn’t even hidden.

Will the rulers of Kigali say the UN Experts are wrong and say they are publishing lies? Will they say the witnesses and the reports that is too them is all false? It cannot be when it is reported year-in and year-out. Peace.