Kizito Pakabomba, Minister of Mines for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has strongly condemned the ongoing exploitation of his country’s mineral resources by Rwanda, allegedly under the guise of the M23-AFC rebel group.
Speaking at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, on February 2, Pakabomba labeled Rwanda’s actions as a direct act of aggression against the DRC.
“From this platform in Cape Town, we unequivocally denounce the plundering of our mineral resources by Rwanda, which is waging an unacceptable aggression against our nation,” Pakabomba declared. “Supporting African cooperation means rejecting silence in the face of such blatant violations of our sovereignty!”
He called for swift action from both African and international authorities to halt the exploitation, which he warned is undermining the DRC’s economic stability and regional peace.
Pakabomba’s remarks come amid growing concerns over military occupation and illegal mining activities in the eastern DRC. Following the Rwandan army and its M23-AFC allies advancing into the city of Goma, President Félix Tshisekedi addressed the nation on January 29, highlighting the escalating threat to both the DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.
