As vast swaths of Congolese territory are seized by a Rwandan-backed armed group, Congo’s president looks to make a minerals deal with the United States.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has urged the US to purchase strategic raw materials directly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calling it the "true owner" of the resources, rather than Rwanda, which he accused of looting them through violence against the Congolese people.
As Rwanda-backed rebels closed in on eastern Congo's largest city, retreating army soldiers barged into Suzanne Amisi Wilonja's home near the airport to loot, firing indiscriminately and shooting her 10-year-old son Sylvain in the head.
President Felix Tshisekedi urged direct trade and didn't rule out a minerals deal if tied to ending the nation's conflict.
On February 16th soldiers from M 23 marched single-file through the streets of Bukavu, eastern Congo’s second-largest city. The beleaguered remains of the Congolese army had retreated without a fight. Rebel fighters toting grenade-launchers and machine-guns took triumphant selfies in the city’s main square.
Rwanda law makers called out DRC Government's collaboration with mercenaries from EU
As Rwanda-backed rebels strolled through the streets of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's second-largest city, President Felix Tshisekedi's office claimed it was actually still controlled by his army and "valiant" allied forces.
Analysis - The current conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) resemble the situation during the Second Congo War between 1998 and 2003. This resulted in millions of deaths, with neighbouring countries - especially Rwanda,
The Rwandan High Commission in London has defended its security policies in response to a summons by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), citing existential threats from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the armed group FDLR.