The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has put a hold on its withdrawal, citing continued violence in the east of the country. The decision comes after the first phase of the withdrawal, completed in June, and is attributed to an escalation of clashes blamed on neighboring Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebel group.
A militia attack on a gold mine in northeastern Congo resulted in the deaths of six Chinese miners and two Congolese soldiers. The attack, claimed by the CODECO militia, highlights the escalating violence in the resource-rich region, where numerous armed groups fight for control of valuable minerals.
Attacks on two camps for displaced people in eastern Congo’s North Kivu province on Friday killed at least 12 people, including children, according to local officials, an aid group and the United Nations. The UN called the attacks a “flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime”. The Congolese army blamed the attacks on an alleged rebel group, known as M23, with links to Rwanda, while M23 denied involvement. UN experts and the US State Department have accused Rwanda of backing the M23, but Rwanda denies the claims.
The Ministry of Forest Economy and the Ministry of Cultural, Tourist, Artistic, and Leisure Industry of Congo are embarking on a multi-city tour in the United States to promote Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. The tour, spanning from May 2 to 13, will highlight the park’s significance as a global eco-tourism destination and its role in sustainable tourism and carbon credit initiatives.
Home Office minister Chris Philp faced ridicule after he questioned whether Rwanda and Congo were different countries. The blunder occurred during a BBC Question Time discussion on the government’s deportation policy. An audience member raised concerns about Congolese people being sent to Rwanda under the scheme, given the hostile relations between the two countries. However, Philp initially seemed unable to comprehend that Rwanda and Congo were separate entities, prompting laughter and disbelief from the audience and fellow panelists. The incident highlighted concerns about the minister’s understanding of the situation in the region, where a humanitarian crisis is unfolding due to the M23 rebel group’s advance in eastern Congo.
