DR Congo Roundup: Minerals smuggling, US sanctions against M23, World Bank budgetary support

Government acts against mining smuggling

The Congolese government has implemented new measures to combat mining smuggling in the eastern region. Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba, announced on February 18 that a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the European Union to ensure the traceability of minerals, Radio Kapi reports. The DRC aims to curb illicit mineral trade by leveraging economic and diplomatic strategies, including ICGLR measures to track mineral origins and prevent the sale of minerals from conflict zones.

U.S. sanctions M23 spokesperson

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Lawrence Kanyuka, a key M23 figure, along with his two companies - Kingston Holding (France) and Kingston Fresh (UK) - on February 20. The sanctions follow M23’s violent occupation of Goma and Bukavu, resulting in civilian casualties. Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley T. Smith said, “OFAC is also sanctioning Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston (Kanyuka), a prominent member and spokesperson for M23 and the Congo River Alliance, and two of Kanyuka’s companies registered in the United Kingdom and France. In late January, M23 and the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) captured Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu in the DRC, in a battle that killed thousands of civilians. M23 and the RDF continued their advance, capturing Kavumu Airport, a key transportation hub in eastern DRC, and occupying the city of Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu." The Congolese government welcomed the sanctions and urged other institutions to take similar action.

DRC condemns African Security Council members

At a UN Security Council session on February 19, the DRC criticised Algeria, Somalia, and Sierra Leone for refusing to condemn Rwanda’s support for M23 rebels. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner accused the three nations of aligning with the African Union’s reluctance to denounce Rwanda, despite UN evidence of its involvement. "Mr President, three meetings in less than a month? Today, you all condemned Rwanda in your speeches. I apologize to all of you, except the A3, namely Algeria, Somalia and Sierra Leone," Wagner is quoted by Deskeco.

U.S. calls for urgent UN action on M23

The U.S. renewed calls for the UN Security Council to take immediate action against the M23 rebellion, accusing Rwanda of fueling the conflict. During a session on February 19, U.S. Deputy Representative Dorothy Camille Shea denounced M23’s repeated ceasefire violations and territorial expansion. The U.S. strongly condemned the capture of Kavumu Airport and Bukavu, calling for Kigali’s return to negotiations to prevent further violence. “How many times do we have to meet to discuss this predictable cycle of violence? For two months, we have consistently watched the M23 and Rwanda ignore the ceasefire, seize territory under false pretenses, and deny that they have no intention of going further, only to repeat this cycle, we have watched the M23 sow chaos, violence against civilians in the streets of Masisi, Goma, and now Bukavu. All under the guise of liberation and the restoration of order. The United States strongly condemns the capture of Kavumu airport and the city of Bukavu by the M23 and Rwandan forces,” Actualite CD quoted Shea.

World Bank pledges budgetary support

Facing economic strain from ongoing conflict, the DRC has received assurances of flexible financial support from the World Bank. Minister of State for Budget Aimé Boji met with World Bank Country Director Albert G. Zeufack, who expressed solidarity and commitment to aiding the DRC. La Prosperite Online reports that the institution acknowledged the war’s severe economic impact and pledged to assist in rationalising public spending while prioritising security and development efforts.