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  • Over 200 killed in mine collapse in DR Congo: official

    Over 200 killed in mine collapse in DR Congo: official

    The incident occurred at the Rubaya mining sites, known for the coltan resources, in North Kivu province following “exceptionally heavy rains,” according to a statement issued by the DRC Ministry of Mines.

    According to the provisional toll, more than 200 people lost their lives, including around 70 minors.

    The Rubaya mining zone has been under the control of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group since 2024, making rescue operations particularly difficult, the statement said.

    The ministry noted that the mining zone had previously been reclassified since November as a “red zone,” a designation that formally prohibits mining and mineral trading.

    “There was indeed a landslide following heavy rainfall on the mountain known as Kasasa. The earth swallowed many people,” David Kasereka, an artisanal miner and resident of Rubaya, told Xinhua on Tuesday.

    The M23 has not yet commented on the incident.

    In January, at least 200 people were killed after several shafts collapsed at coltan mining sites in Rubaya. Local media reported that the death toll may have exceeded 400, excluding those still missing.

    Coltan, or columbite-tantalite, is the main source of tantalum, a rare metal used in the production of advanced electronic devices. The United Nations estimated that the Rubaya mines alone account for about 15 percent of the global tantalum supply.

    Miners load excavated ore at a coltan mining site in the town of Rubaya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 7, 2025.
  • “Sanction DRC, not Rwanda,” former Belgian senator tells America

    “Sanction DRC, not Rwanda,” former Belgian senator tells America

    In a post published on X, Destexhe criticised recent U.S. sanctions imposed on Rwanda’s military and defended Kigali’s position in the ongoing eastern Congo conflict.

    “It is the DRC (Congo) that should be sanctioned, not Rwanda,” he wrote. “The DRC ignited this conflict by persecuting Congolese Tutsis.”

    Destexhe accused Kinshasa of failing to uphold its commitments under international agreements, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773, and of maintaining ties with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who fled to the DRC. He further pointed out that the Congolese government finances extremist Wazalendo militias and collaborates with foreign mercenaries.

    According to Destexhe, ongoing bombings in Minembwe and drone strikes in eastern Congo demonstrate what he described as indiscriminate attacks affecting civilians. He argued that the ultimate objective of Kinshasa’s military posture appears to be confrontation with Rwanda.

    His comments come days after the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) as an institution and four senior military officials, including Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Mubarakh Muganga and other top commanders. Washington accused Rwanda of backing the AFC/M23 rebel coalition operating in eastern Congo, allegations Kigali has consistently denied.

    The Rwandan government expressed regret over the March 2, 2026, sanctions, calling them “unjust” and “one-sided.” In a statement, Kigali said the measures misrepresent the conflict and unfairly target only one party to the peace process.

    Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed the Washington Accords in Washington, D.C., on December 4, 2025, aimed at restoring stability in eastern Congo. Under the agreement, Kinshasa committed to an irreversible and verifiable end to state support for the FDLR. However, the militia group remains active in the region despite the commitments outlined in the agreement.

    Rwanda maintains that its actions along the border are defensive measures prompted by repeated attacks, including cross-border incidents.

    In his post, Destexhe sharply criticised Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, alleging corruption and mismanagement, and arguing that the Congolese military is incapable of securing a decisive victory against M23. He urged U.S. policymakers to reconsider their approach.

    “Wake up, America!” he stated.

    Alain Destexhe, a former Belgian senator and researcher, has criticised recent U.S. sanctions imposed on Rwanda’s military and defended Kigali’s position in the ongoing eastern Congo conflict.

  • AFC/M23 enrolls over 1,500 special force recruits, reaffirms goal to oust Tshisekedi

    AFC/M23 enrolls over 1,500 special force recruits, reaffirms goal to oust Tshisekedi

    The passout ceremony marking the completion of military training for the recruits was held in Lumangabo on March 2, 2026.

    Addressing the new fighters, AFC/M23 military commander Maj Gen Sultani Makenga sharply criticized the Kinshasa administration, accusing it of misrule and fueling insecurity across the country.

    He alleged that President Tshisekedi has weakened state institutions and allowed armed groups and irregular forces to operate with impunity.

    Maj Gen Makenga claimed that the movement’s objective is to “liberate the country” and end what he described as targeted violence against civilians.

    He accused the government of arming militias and incorporating foreign fighters, including elements linked to the FDLR terrorist group, into the national army. He further alleged that such actions had contributed to ethnic tensions and civilian suffering.

    According to Maj Gen Makenga, large numbers of Congolese refugees fled to neighboring countries due to violence attributed to FARDC troops and allied groups.

    “That is why our movement decided to rise and bring an end to these problems,” he told the recruits. “By joining this force, you must be ready to liberate Congo and protect its people. You must demonstrate discipline and prove that you are different from what the population experienced before.”

    He urged former FARDC soldiers now integrated into AFC/M23 to uphold strict ethical standards and avoid misconduct.

    “Wherever you pass, civilians should see a difference. They must see protectors, not looters,” he said. “Our people have endured years of suffering; displacement, killings, and exile. It is your responsibility to help end that hardship.”

    Maj Gen Makenga reiterated that the coalition seeks what it describes as a reformed and inclusive state, and called on the fighters to remain committed to that objective.

    During the ceremony, the recruits responded affirmatively when asked whether they were prepared to remove the current leadership in Kinshasa.

    Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced prolonged conflict involving FARDC, Wazalendo local militias, fighters linked to the FDLR, Burundian troops, foreign mercenaries, and AFC/M23 forces.

    The coalition maintains that its struggle is aimed at defending communities it says have faced discrimination and violence, while pursuing political change.

    The new special force recruits include former members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).
  • At least 7 killed in landslide in eastern DR Congo

    At least 7 killed in landslide in eastern DR Congo

    “There was indeed a landslide following heavy rainfall on the mountain known as Kasasa. The earth swallowed many people. We are awaiting the official death toll,” David Kasereka, an artisanal miner and resident of Rubaya, told Xinhua.

    The Rubaya mines in North Kivu Province are a crucial global source of coltan and have been controlled by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group since 2024.

    The M23 has yet to comment on the tragedy.

    In January 2026, at least 200 miners were killed after several shafts collapsed at coltan mining sites in Rubaya. Local media reported that the death toll may have exceeded 400, excluding those still missing.

    Coltan, or columbite-tantalite, is the main source of tantalum, a rare metal used in the production of advanced electronic devices. The United Nations estimated that the Rubaya mines alone account for about 15 percent of the global tantalum supply.

    File photo of labourers digging at the Rubaya coltan mine taken in Rubaya, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, March 24, 2025. © Zohra Bensemra, Reuters
  • AFC/M23 forces strike back at Kinshasa drone attacks after Ngoma’s killing

    AFC/M23 forces strike back at Kinshasa drone attacks after Ngoma’s killing

    In an official communique, the group said its forces, positioned on the outskirts of Kisangani, neutralised drones that were “about to be launched to massacre civilians and attack our positions.” AFC/M23 described the operation as a “patriotic duty to protect innocent populations.”

    Lt Col Ngoma, a senior official within the group, was reportedly killed in a drone strike by Kinshasa forces in Rubaya on February 24, a development that AFC/M23 said underscores the government’s violation of the ceasefire and its strategy of terror targeting both soldiers and civilians.

    “The blood of our compatriots who were brutally murdered, including Lieutenant Colonel Ngoma, will neither be forgotten nor passed over in silence,” AFC/M23’s spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a communiqué. “The Kinshasa regime and its criminal coalition bear full responsibility for these heinous crimes.”

    The group vowed that operations to neutralize the drone threat would continue “resolutely” as long as civilian populations remain at risk in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. AFC/M23 reaffirmed its solidarity with affected communities and its determination to defend and protect civilians from any threat.

    AFC/M23 said the attack that killed Col. Willy Ngoma targeted both soldiers and civilians far from the front lines.
  • Sudan claims targeted by drone attacks launched from Ethiopia

    Sudan claims targeted by drone attacks launched from Ethiopia

    In a statement, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the authorities “had been monitoring throughout February and early March the entry of drones from inside Ethiopian territory, engaging targets within Sudan.”

    The ministry described these actions as “condemned and unacceptable hostile behavior, representing a flagrant violation of Sudan’s sovereignty and a clear act of aggression against the Sudanese state.”

    Khartoum warned the Ethiopian authorities of what it termed “the consequences of these hostile acts,” affirming that it reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity by the means it deems appropriate, according to the statement.

    This marks the first time the Sudanese government has announced direct official accusations against Ethiopia of interfering in the ongoing war in Sudan.

    Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted in April 2023 and has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions inside Sudan and across its borders.

    Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo)
  • Walikale: AFC/M23 reclaims Buhimba after intense clashes

    Walikale: AFC/M23 reclaims Buhimba after intense clashes

    Local sources say the offensive was launched from Kilongo, in Osso Banyungu groupement of Masisi Territory. After hours of clashes, Congolese troops and Wazalendo fighters withdrew from Buhimba, retreating west toward Ngenge.

    The fighting forced many residents to flee. Civilians in Ngenge and Kangati, fearing further advances, began moving toward forested areas and nearby localities including Kimua.

    AFC/M23 escalated operations after government forces reportedly killed its military spokesperson, Lt Col Willy Ngoma, near Rubaya on February 24, 2026. Since then, the group says it has retaken several positions around Rubaya, accusing Kinshasa of breaching a ceasefire agreement signed in Qatar.

    On March 1, four drones targeted Bangoka International Airport in Kisangani. Authorities said the drones were intercepted by the military.

    Reports attribute the attack to AFC/M23, mirroring a similar incident reported last month.

    Although Bangoka airport mainly serves civilian flights, part of the facility is used by the Congolese military, with its runway supporting combat aircraft and drones conducting operations in North Kivu and South Kivu.

    The AFC/M23 rebel coalition recaptured the Buhimba trading center in Walikale Territory, following heavy fighting with forces.

  • Tanzania urges restraint over Middle East tensions

    Tanzania urges restraint over Middle East tensions

    The ministry said in a statement on Saturday that the government is closely monitoring the situation and remains in contact with Tanzanian diplomatic missions in the region.

    “Tanzanian nationals residing in or traveling within the affected areas are strongly advised to remain vigilant, prioritize their safety, and adhere to guidance issued by local authorities and Tanzanian missions,” the statement said.

    The ministry reaffirmed Tanzania’s solidarity with the international community in calling for de-escalation and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. 

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Offices in Dar es Salaam
  • AFC/M23 confirms death of military spokesperson Willy Ngoma

    AFC/M23 confirms death of military spokesperson Willy Ngoma

    In an official communique released on Saturday night, the group said the strike occurred on February 24, 2026, and targeted both soldiers and civilian populations far from the front lines.

    Initial media reports indicated that Ngoma, a senior official within the AFC/M23 ranks, was killed in a drone strike by the Kinshasa forces in Rubaya.

    AFC/M23 accused the Kinshasa regime of violating the ceasefire and imposing a full-scale war against the group. The communique states that these attacks have claimed multiple lives and continue to put civilians at risk across the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

    “These crimes will neither go unnoticed nor unpunished. The memory of the victims binds us and engages our collective responsibility,” the statement read, emphasising the group’s commitment to defending both civilians and its forces.

    The rebel group further noted that the AFC/M23 had repeatedly alerted national and international partners about ongoing ceasefire violations and massacres of civilians in numerous densely populated areas of North Kivu and South Kivu.

    According to the group, the affected areas include Kawele, Mweso, Rutigita, Kitazungura, Rugezi, Kitendebwa, Kashihe, Kiduveri, Rubaya, Rumbishi, Walikale, Masisi, Kalehe, Gasovu, Nkowe, Gatoyi, Minembwe, Gasheke, Murema, Mberwa, Ruki, Mutobo, Nyaruhinga, Mulumemunene, Rutare, Kadasomwa, Nyagisozi, Nyabikeri, Kinyumba, Nyabyondo, Miyanga, Kasirosiro, Bunyantenge, and Misiya, as well as their surrounding areas.

    Despite these warnings, the group says, the Kinshasa regime continued its attacks, demonstrating a “blatant disregard for de-escalation efforts.”

    The AFC/M23 also reaffirmed its dedication to the peace process while vowing to continue protecting the populations and territories under its control.

    AFC/M23 said the attack that killed Col. Willy Ngoma targeted both soldiers and civilians far from the front lines.

  • South Sudan hosts over 613,000 refugees, asylum seekers: UNHCR

    South Sudan hosts over 613,000 refugees, asylum seekers: UNHCR

    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the total figure includes 610,268 registered refugees and 3,442 asylum-seekers.

    “The vast majority, 94 percent or 576,672 individuals, are Sudanese refugees, followed by 14,677 or 2 percent from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 6,599 from Ethiopia, 5,605 from the Central African Republic, 5,165 from Eritrea, and 1,550 from other nationalities,” the UNHCR said in its latest report released in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

    It said the South Sudanese government continues to grant prima facie refugee status to those fleeing Sudan in response to the ongoing conflict.

    According to the UNHCR, 49 percent of the refugee population are females aged 0-59, while women and children combined account for 75 percent of the total.

    The agency said Ethiopians and Eritreans each account for 37 percent of the total, forming the two largest groups of asylum seeker population, followed by Burundians with 9 percent, Ugandans with 7 percent, and 9 percent other nationalities.

    South Sudan remains at the center of one of the region’s largest displacement crises, with more than 2.3 million South Sudanese living as refugees in the DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan, the UNHCR said.

    UNHCR staff pre-register recently arrived Sudanese refugees in Koufroun site, Chad. © UNHCR/