Category: Opinion

China’s annual two sessions could offer valuable insights into addressing these issues through technological advancement and rural revitalization. The sessions underscore the significance of leveraging technological advancements to empower agricultural development and rural revitalization.

This focus aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s hallmark campaign for rural revitalization, aimed at achieving common prosperity and a moderately prosperous society.

China underscores agriculture’s fundamental role in its national economy, which can serve as a model for African nations. Recognizing farming as a critical economic asset encourages targeted investments and supportive policies.

Prioritizing agricultural investment fosters an environment where agriculture is viewed as essential for economic stability and growth, ensuring a robust foundation for broad-based development.

In particular, China unveiled its “No. 1 Central Document” for 2025 on February 23, outlining the priorities for further deepening rural reforms and advancing all-around rural revitalization.

The document emphasizes the continuous enhancement of the supply capacity of key agricultural products like grain, the consolidation and expansion of poverty alleviation achievements, and the strengthening of wealth-creating industries for farmers.

These measures aim to promote rural construction, improve the rural governance system, and optimize resource allocation. Crucially, safeguarding food security and ensuring the stable supply of key agricultural products are top priorities for national security, signaling their importance.

The focus on agricultural investment and rural revitalization has led to significant improvements in productivity and sustainability. Enhancing infrastructure and providing financial resources are central to this strategy.

By channeling investments into rural areas, African countries can stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and reduce rural poverty. Improved infrastructure, such as roads and storage facilities, enhances market access and reduces post-harvest losses, fostering rural prosperity.

Technological innovation is pivotal to China’s agricultural strategy. From precision farming and drone technology to AI-driven pest control and climate-resilient crops, technology boosts efficiency and resilience.

The “No. 1 Central Document” also calls for developing new quality productive forces in agriculture tailored to local conditions. It advocates for cultivating leading high-tech agricultural enterprises and accelerating breakthroughs in crop varieties.

More so, the document highlights the importance of upgrading agricultural product processing and improving rural logistics distribution to support the digital economy in rural areas.

Embracing agri-tech can transform African agriculture. Governments should collaborate with the private sector to introduce and scale technologies that address local agricultural challenges, such as drought-resistant seeds and efficient irrigation systems.

China’s approach to food security includes boosting domestic production, building strategic reserves and enhancing supply chains. Such measures mitigate risks associated with global market fluctuations and natural disasters.

The emphasis on high-quality rural logistics distribution aligns with efforts to ensure that rural areas are well-integrated into broader economic activities. African nations should adopt comprehensive strategies to ensure food security.

This involves enhancing local production capacities, establishing food reserves and strengthening logistics networks to secure reliable food supplies during crises.

With climate change increasing the frequency of natural disasters, China invests heavily in early warning systems, disaster-proof infrastructure and sustainable farming practices.

Developing robust disaster preparedness frameworks is crucial for African agriculture. Investments in resilient infrastructure, real-time monitoring systems and community training programs are essential steps towards reducing vulnerability and enhancing recovery capacity.

African countries can draw from these experiences to strengthen their agricultural sectors and achieve sustainable rural development. Through shared knowledge and enhanced cooperation, both China and Africa can build a future where agriculture remains a pillar of economic and social well-being.

The author is a CGTN Digital reporter and analyst, non-resident research fellow of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University

We pray and hope, begging foreigners to save us from endless suffering. But the origin of our struggles lies in the colonizers’ deliberate destabilization of our region. For decades, our lands have been plundered, our leaders assassinated, and our future betrayed.

Insecurity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has deep historical roots and has persisted for much of the past century.

In the South and East, people have forgotten what peace and freedom feel like—the joy of home now a distant memory. When borders were drawn, entire communities lost their nations, denied citizenship for generations. Their land was welcomed, yet their rights were stripped away, igniting a struggle for survival.

They have been chased, abandoned, overlooked, humiliated, scarred, tortured, and killed. Many were forced to flee, becoming refugees to save their lives. All this suffering has unfolded before the eyes of international organizations and world leaders—yet nothing has changed.

In eastern Congo, freedom fighters (AFC/M23) are battling for their rights, but the world remains silent—or worse, stands against them. Western media distorts the truth, falsely accusing Rwanda of invading Congolese land, while in reality, Rwanda has been sheltering, treating, and feeding Congolese refugees for decades.

Meanwhile, Congolese leaders deflect responsibility, blaming their neighbors instead of addressing the root causes of their crisis, which stems from decades of persecution and marginalization of the Kinyarwanda speaking minority.

The DRC is not just a nation; it is a treasure trove of resources. And many of its so-called visitors are nothing more than looters. The South has joined hands with foreign powers in a deceptive game, one disguised as support but driven by greed. There are hidden truths behind this war—secrets buried in undisclosed agreements, concealed from public knowledge.

Peacekeeping missions mask ulterior motives. Foreign powers and international organizations operate under the guise of humanitarianism while advancing their own interests. Meanwhile, Congolese soldiers die, families grieve, and millions are displaced.

Who suffers the most from this ongoing tragedy? The Congolese people. We, as Africans, bear the cost. Global leaders fly in, hold meetings, issue reports—filled with lies—while innocent civilians perish, and our continent’s soldiers, including generals, fall in battle.

Natural resources, especially minerals, are the real reason behind the region’s instability. If not the only reason, they are certainly the most significant one.

The Berlin Conference stripped Africa of its sovereignty. Colonizers imposed manipulation and called it education. They introduced intimidation and labeled it religion. We have inherited pain, a burden passed down from generation to generation.

My mind is restless, my heart is heavy, my soul is screaming, and my breath is fading.

Africans, imagine our ancestors—those who died as heroes—watching us now.
What are they thinking? How are they feeling? I am asking!

Brothers and sisters, let us honor the vision of our forefathers who fought relentlessly for African liberation and unity. Kwame Nkrumah, W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Patrice Lumumba, Amílcar Cabral, and many others dreamed of a free and empowered Africa, calling us to stand together in solidarity.

Haile Selassie, Jomo Kenyatta, and Muammar Gaddafi envisioned bold projects for African unity and development—reminding us of the power of collective strength.

Let us never forget: the tragic assassination of Lumumba, Mandela’s unwavering persistence, Sankara’s revolutionary spirit, Nyerere’s philosophy of self-reliance, and John Pombe Magufuli’s tireless drive for development.

And we must also remember the cultural warriors—Miriam Makeba, Chinua Achebe—who used art and literature to awaken African consciousness. Their sacrifices should fuel our determination to build a united and self-sufficient Africa.

We need a generation united by a single mission: protecting Africa’s riches from long-term exploitation.

From Namibia to Libya, Somalia to Guinea, let us rise together and reclaim our continent. Africans, wake up! Stand up! Speak up!

Let us reject dependency on foreign aid. Let us create from within and build legacies that will endure.

If we must die from hunger, let it be while cultivating our own land. If we must die from disease, let it be while building our own hospitals with strong laboratories.

For the generations to come, our sacrifices today will pave the way for a sovereign and dignified Africa.

The writer is a Pan-Africanist and Poet.

This has placed credible certification schemes at the center of the debate. For businesses operating in or sourcing from Africa’s vital forest ecosystems, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification offers a compelling solution.

Recent research has demonstrated the positive effects of FSC-certified forestry. For example, a 2024 University of Utrecht study in the Congo Basin, found that FSC-certified management of tropical forests clearly benefits large mammals when compared to non-certified areas.

Similarly, an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) study in 2013 highlighted how FSC’s ‘ape-friendly’ practices play a crucial role in protecting critically endangered apes in Central Africa. These findings are part of a growing body of evidence demonstrating FSC’s positive impact on ecosystems, economies, and communities.

Despite these benefits, consumer recognition and understanding of the FSC label, while growing, remains uneven. FSC’s 2023 global consumer recognition study revealed that only 46% of global consumers (across 33 countries) recognize the logo.

Awareness is higher in key African markets, with 58% recognition in Kenya and South Africa. This suggests significant potential for businesses to leverage FSC certification to make a difference and embed sustainability as a key value of their company.

So, what exactly is FSC, and why should businesses care?

As Trevor Armel, FSC’s Marketing Director, notes, “FSC is a sustainable forest management solution to help protect healthy and resilient forests, for all, forever.”

The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-profit organization that has over 150 million hectares of certified forests globally. Its rigorous standards are trusted by NGOs, consumers, and businesses alike as a robust mechanism for promoting responsible forestry.

FSC’s strength lies in its ability to co-create solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems related to forests. Governed by environmental, social, and economic perspectives, it helps forest managers, smallholders, and governments ensure thriving forest ecosystems while safeguarding the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

Founded in 1993, FSC’s forestry standards provide a proven tool to combat the climate and biodiversity crises. Its rigorous forestry standards offer a market-driven solution that connects responsible forestry practices with consumer demand.

FSC certification bridges the gap between aspiration and action, providing credible assurance of responsible sourcing from forest to consumer. At the core of the FSC system are two key components: Forest management and chain of custody certifications.

FSC Forest Management Certification: This certification requires adherence to ten principles that ensure forests are managed in a way that is economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially beneficial.

Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification: CoC certification verifies that materials originating from FSC-certified forests are tracked and separated throughout the supply chain, from the forest to the finished product, guaranteeing the integrity of FSC-certified products.

FSC standards are among the most stringent globally and are code-compliant with ISEAL – International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling, the global association for social and environmental standards.

They are globally consistent yet nationally adapted and locally risk relevant, ensuring relevance while maintaining core principles. FSC’s member-led democracy ensures that environmental, social, and economic perspectives are equally considered. Over 1,200 individuals and organizations shape its policies.

Reputable environmental NGOs, including WWF and the Rainforest Alliance, are members and strongly endorse FSC’s strict standards.

Leading companies like IKEA, McDonald’s, Amazon, and Tetra Pak rely on FSC certification, making it the preferred system for many global brands. FSC issues more chain-of-custody certificates than any other forest certification scheme.

The FSC logo is the most recognized brand for responsible forestry. Consumers express higher confidence in FSC than in businesses or governments regarding sustainable forestry and chain of custody practices.

FSC ensures the veracity of sustainability claims through independent audits throughout the supply chain, protecting against greenwashing.

FSC’s system integrity team actively combats unacceptable activities. Its Policy for Association allows the organization to exclude entities engaged in destructive practices, both within and outside certified areas.

Beyond its core certification, FSC offers additional tools and solutions such as the Ecosystem Services and Verified Impact. Ecosystem Services measures the benefits derived from healthy forests, providing valuable data for understanding their true value, often vastly exceeding the value of extractive industries.

These claims provide a mechanism to quantify the value of conservation efforts, incentivize responsible management, and increase confidence in ecosystem services markets. They can also demonstrate contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

FSC certification is not just an environmental good; it is a sound business strategy. In an increasingly discerning marketplace, it offers companies a powerful way to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, build brand trust, and secure access to premium markets.

For African businesses, particularly those operating in the forestry sector, embracing FSC certification is a crucial step towards long-term viability and responsible stewardship of the continent’s invaluable natural resources.

Richard Fergusson is the Sub-Regional Coordinator – Southern Africa, FSC
Israel Bionyi Nyoh is the Senior Regional Communications Manager – Africa, FSC

And in today’s rapidly evolving economy, workforce development has become a cornerstone for fostering economic prosperity and empowering individuals with skills needed to thrive in high-demand industries.

Workforce development refers to the strategies, programs, and policies aimed at enhancing skills, knowledge, and abilities of individuals to meet the current and future needs of the labor market.

It encompasses a wide range of components, including education and training, career counselling, apprenticeships, and job placement services and this is essential for achieving the country’s economic goals and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

Key components include aligning education with industry needs, fostering lifelong learning, and ensuring inclusive access to training opportunities for all segments of the population. Through this, Rwanda can build a labor force that is not only skilled but also adaptable to the dynamic demands of a global economy.

Rwanda’s labor market is promising and constrained in equal measure. Approximately 64% of its population is under the age of 30, representing a significant potential workforce. Yet, much of this labor force operates in the informal sector.

Sectors such as technology, healthcare, and manufacturing, critical to Rwanda’s economic vision, are experiencing skills shortages yet many workers in low-paying or part-time roles do not fully utilize their skills or potential.

Furthermore, there is a lack of robust coordination among government, industry, educational institutions, and development partners in workforce development interventions. This fragmentation often results in duplicated efforts and inefficiencies.

Forums such as the Sector Skills Councils play a critical role in addressing this challenge by bringing together diverse stakeholders to align training programs with labor market needs and ensure cohesive planning and implementation.

The government has heavily invested in technical and vocational education and there is still room for enhancing its quality and alignment with private sector demands. Expanding access to and improving the effectiveness of TVET is vital to providing job-relevant skills that meet the needs of emerging industries.

More so, strengthening partnerships between TVET institutions and industries can help bridge the gap between training and employment, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to contribute to Rwanda’s economic transformation.

How to build a skilled workforce

Aligning education and training with Rwanda’s market needs is essential for building a skilled workforce. The government has made strides with initiatives like the National Skills Development and Employment Promotion Strategy, but more collaboration with private sector stakeholders is necessary.

Curricula in schools and universities must prioritize skills relevant to high-growth sectors, while Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs should be expanded to provide practical training for industries like construction, ICT, and renewable energy.

Investing in digital literacy is crucial for Rwanda’s aspirations to become a technology hub with digital skills reaching rural and underserved communities, Rwanda can prepare its workforce for the demands of a tech-driven economy.

With initiatives such as the Business Development Fund and local incubators, Rwanda has already laid the groundwork to support small businesses. Expanding access to mentorship, funding, and markets will empower more individuals to create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

Basic literacy and numeracy remain essential, particularly in rural areas, where education access has historically been limited. Simultaneously, lifelong learning initiatives, such as professional development programs will ensure that workers adapt to changing economic demands and technological advancements.

Apprenticeships, industry attachments, career guidance, mentorship, job matching, and work readiness training programs are vital for preparing graduates and job seekers to enter the workforce with confidence.

In Rwanda, uneducated and unemployed youth comprises 14.2% of the working age and 32.9% of the total youth population. This stems from restricted access to education, skills training, and job opportunities, posing challenges to achieving middle-income status by 2035 and high-income status by 2050.

Strategies to integrate this population into the labor force include targeted outreach programs, subsidized vocational training, and initiatives that combine education with hands-on work experience.

Recognizing short jobs skills training programmes can open pathways to further training and employment opportunities, ensuring that this group of people is not left behind in Rwanda’s economic transformation.

Expanding and revitalizing Public Employment Services (PES) is crucial to unlocking their full potential as powerful engines for job creation and labor market support. Currently, these centers often fall short of meeting the needs of job seekers and employers alike.

By enhancing their scope, accessibility, and effectiveness, PES can become indispensable resources, providing tailored job search assistance, robust career guidance, and valuable labor market insights.

Strengthening these services will not only bridge the gap between skills and opportunities but also empower individuals to navigate an ever-evolving job market with confidence and clarity.

Lastly, employers must ensure that recruitment and workplace policies are designed to accommodate diverse talent pools, including individuals with disabilities, women, and people from marginalized communities.

By fostering an inclusive work environment, organizations can tap into a broader range of skills and perspectives, driving innovation and productivity while addressing systemic barriers to employment.

The role of labor market policies & partnerships

By creating incentives for job creation in key sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and renewable energy, the government can stimulate demand for skilled workers while fostering economic growth.

Programs like tax breaks for companies that invest in training and hiring local talent can encourage industries to contribute actively to workforce development thereby creating pathways for young people to gain practical skills and transition into full-time employment.

Incentivizing investments in sectors like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly construction, Rwanda can create job opportunities that align with global shifts towards environmental responsibility.

Prepare the workforce for technological changes, such as automation and artificial intelligence, Rwanda can ensure that its labor force remains competitive and adaptable in a rapidly evolving global economy.

More so, Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can enhance the impact of investments in training and infrastructure. Multinational companies and local enterprises alike can offer apprenticeships and internships that build practical skills while contributing to national capacity-building efforts.

Through funding innovative projects and sharing best practices from other regions, they can complement Rwanda’s efforts to close the skills gap asss government persists in formulating policies that incentivize investment in workforce development.

The author is a workforce development expert

“Given the ongoing media attacks against Rwanda, should we, as Rwandans, be posting on social media to respond to these accusations?” asked one of the friends who preferred anonymity. It was a valid question, one that carried significant weight, given the context of the media narrative surrounding the DRC conflict.

The attack on Rwanda’s image is not a simple misunderstanding but a large and well oorchestrated misinformation campaign being spread across social media and various media outlets.

Rwanda has been falsely accused of involvement in the conflict in the DRC, with allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group. However, those of us who are familiar with the situation know the truth.

The M23, the group often blamed for the conflict, is fighting for the rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese people, who have been oppressed and marginalized for decades.

Yet, despite this knowledge, some Rwandans find themselves caught up at cross roads when it comes to responding. As the conversation continued my other friend responded quickly. “I don’t post because of where I work,” she said.

With awe written all over my face, I wondered what she meant by ‘where I work’ and quickly deep within imagined that as a public servant, she was actually in a good position to post in response. I thought she should set an example for fellow Rwandans, especially young people, who look up to her.

“I follow what people are saying, those who are attacking us and those who are defending us. I also feel like responding, but I am afraid,” another friend said.

Still, I was surprised and kept wondering why someone would be afraid or scared to defend their country. Isn’t it the right thing to do? Especially in this case where we all know the truth and the root cause of the problem?”

“I wish I had your experience and knowledge. If I did, I’d be responding like Tom Ndahiro or Minister Nduhungirehe!” I said, throwing everyone into prolonged laughter.

After recollecting ourselves, we unanimously agreed that it’s important to respond to the media lies, we understand the need to do this and appreciate those who are doing it, but there is need to be careful.

One of the friends who does cross-border business, reasoned that responding to these people would affect friendships and businesses. There are friends, clients, or business partners who either intentionally or ignorantly support the other side, and confronting these people would negatively affect our businesses.

“More so, I’m also not comfortable with writing something and leaving it online because one day, those very people, institutions, organizations, and countries we are responding to may be people we need services from. They could bring up what we said about them,” she said.

I nodded in agreement but couldn’t comprehend and insisted on the importance of defending our country. “Ma’am, I get you, but I think we should be ready to do anything for our country in any way, especially in cases like this one where Rwanda is being wrongly accused of participating in the DRC conflict,” I argued.

I feel that nothing can stop me from doing this, not even my employer if they obliged me to keep silent. Rather, I would trade my job to protect my country. I have a firm conviction that such lies about my country should not go unchallenged.

In this case of the DRC conflict, the truth is clear. The M23 group is fighting for the rights of the Kinyarwanda-speaking people who have been oppressed for generations. These people are not foreigners; they are victims of a government that has failed to protect their rights.

Yet, the international community has sided with the Congolese government rather than advocating for the rights of these innocent citizens, protecting them, and addressing the root causes of this problem, which has persisted for decades. This is not just a moral failure; it is a betrayal of the very ideals these organizations claim to uphold.

It is for these reasons that I believe every Rwandan should take action. Whether it’s through social media, conversations with friends and family, or any other platform, we must speak out against the lies being spread about our country.

We must counter the narratives being pushed by the media with facts and insights about the situation in the DRC. Let us speak from the heart and stand firm in our belief that the truth must prevail. Our collective voices can help set the record straight, not only for Rwanda but for the entire African continent.

Now, more than ever, we need to stand together as Africans. We must not allow ourselves to be silenced by the powerful forces that seek to maintain control over our resources and our destiny.

Let us defend our leaders, our people, and our nations from those who would exploit us for their own gain. The so-called international community has long shown that it does not care about the well-being of Africans.

It prioritizes its own interests, taking our resources while offering us loans and aid that keep us in a perpetual state of dependency.

The time has come for us Africans to stand up for ourselves. Let us speak out, educate ourselves, and inspire others to do the same. We must reclaim our narrative and defend our continent from those who seek to dominate and exploit it.

Together, we can create a future where Africa is free to tell its own story and to stand proudly at the global stage.

ganza.bertin@gmail.com
The author is a concerned citizen

The resolution ignored to focus on dealing with the root causes of the conflict, especially the existential threat posed by the Kinshasa government against Congolese Tutsi.

The UNSC calls for M23 to, “immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from areas it controls, ’’ gives no explanation as to where they want M23 to go. These are Congolese, most of them with parents living as refugees in neighboring countries and beyond.

However, when the DR Congo representative during the UNSC session called the presence of M23 in its controlled areas as an, “illegal occupation of DRC territory by the [Rwandan Defence Force] and their supporters,” it is clear that the DR Congo authorities do not recognize M23 as Congolese, but an invasion by Rwanda.

The Council’s one sided resolution therefore, which calls for withdrawal of M23, supports Kinshasa’s assertion that M23 are foreign terrorists who invaded their country.

This is a dangerous mistake by the UNSC that complicates rather than solving the eastern DRC crisis.

When the UNSC downplays the threat of hate speech, killing and cannibalization of Congolese Tutsi and ignores to condemn the Kinshasa government that publicly supports their extermination, it indicates that the UNSC by omission or design is an accomplice in the extermination agenda of the Congolese Tutsi in DR Congo.

In April, 2024, when the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu was in Rwanda for the 30th commemoration of genocide against the Tutsi, she warned that there are, “risk factors for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity” in eastern DR Congo.

Sadly, the world has not learned from the past. The UNSC did not see any urgency to heed Nderitu’s warning, and there was no Security Council session or resolution to deal with the threat, which raises suspicion on functionality of the UN system.

Instead, the UNSC and their UN Group of Experts wastes more time setting the narrative that the war in eastern DR Congo is about mineral resources. The “ever Again” pledged in 1945, has been turned into a meaningless slogan. Greed, conspiracy, lies and double standards have ruled the world at the expense of truth, and humanness.

Contrary to UNSC condemnation of M23 as aggressors, the population in the rebel controlled areas received them with jubilation as liberators rather than “terrorist aggressors.” The population has been guaranteed security against by protecting them from the killing of FADRC and its coalition.

If M23 withdraws from the controlled areas, it would be catastrophic because FARDC and its coalition will come back and wipe out the remaining Congolese Tutsi that the M23 is fighting to protect. The UN peacekeepers (MONUSCO) have been in the country for more than 30 years and have not been able to protect the Congolese Tutsi from being killed.

The UNSC made a positive contribution by urging Kinshasa and Kigali to return to diplomatic talks, through the Luanda and Nairobi processes, which had already been agreed on when the leaders of East African Community (EAC) and South African Development Community (SADC) met in Dar-es Salaam on February, 8, 2025.

For the UNSC to adopt a resolution on the eastern DR Congo crisis at a time African leaders who understand better what is going were in agreement on how to deal with the situation, it played out like a coup d’état against the African led initiative in finding a solution to the eastern DRC crisis.

Although the M23 agreed to hold talks, Tshisekedi has repeatedly said that as long as he is still in power, he will never negotiate with M23. Who will force Tshisekedi to a negotiating table, when the UNSC does not call Tshisekedi to order, but heaps blame on Rwanda and M23?

The narrative that the crisis in eastern DRC is about minerals is deceptive. Tom Burgis in his book, “The Looting Machine,” clearly documents the real plunderers of DR Congo minerals. It is the western countries that have messed up Congo, which makes them hold Tshisekedi like a pampered child who can do anything and goes away with it.

In January, demonstrators supported by government officials, attacked several foreign embassies in Kinshasa, including France, Belgium, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. These acts were in breach of International law which decrees that embassies are ‘inviolable, and Tsheisekedi was neither held accountable nor his ambassador abroad summoned.

The incorporation of genocidal FDLR in the DR Congo national army and use of European mercenaries, both violations of international law, were not condemned by the UNSC. DR Congo shelled Rwandan territory killing innocent civilians, yet the UNSC did not condemn the aggression.

The west does not want to hold DR Congo leadership accountable because they know where their bread is buttered. In the1940-1950s, the U.S was mining uranium at the Shinkolobwe mine in the Katanga province. The uranium used to make atomic bombs(“little boy”) that the United States dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II, was mined in Southern DR Congo at the Shinkolobwe mine.

Today, mining companies in DR Congo are from western capitals. The DR Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, largely used in stability and performance of lithium-ion batteries, crucial for powering both EVs and mobile phones. These are not made in Rwanda, but in western countries. This is the reason why when you talk about Congo, western countries only hear about minerals, and the Congolese Tutsi who are left to die.

Despite DR Congo being endowed with deposits of minerals estimated in excess of U.S. $24 trillion, the country remains among the poorest in the world, with almost three in four people living on less than $1.90 per day! The west is interested in the mineral resources not in the well-being of Congolese.

The UN resolution does not come to solve the cause of the M23 rebellion, but to deal with the symptoms. It is one sided and pushes Kinshasa’s genocide agenda against Congolese Tutsi under the carpet. There was no mention of the hundreds of thousands of Congolese Kinyarwanda speaking people who have spent more than 30 years in refugee camps in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and other countries.

The valid conclusion is that Congo still belongs to the west while Tshisekedi is simply their untouchable custodian. The UNSC position on the crisis in eastern DR Congo should be an eye opener and reminder that the UN represents a new and modern day Berlin Conference concerned only by protecting their own interests.

The writer is a media consultant and former head of Media Development Department at Rwanda Governance Board.