Of course, here is an article on the latest events in the province of Lualaba in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The media recently covered the violent demonstrations that took place in Kisankala on May 18 and 19, 2023. These demonstrations were caused by unease among the population, particularly among artisanal diggers, following their expulsion from digging sites of ores which they had occupied for several years. These sites were then transferred to industrial mining operators of Lebanese origin.
The violence erupted when a protester was shot in her leg. The most radical of the demonstrators set fire to machines and trucks, thus blocking the activities on the exploitation sites.
The Minister of Mines then went to the site to calm the situation and promised the diggers that they could work in certain areas of these sites, in good agreement with the Lebanese operators. However, a new violent incident broke out soon after between the diggers and the mine operators.
The situation is complex: the sites of Kalakundi, Sierra and Moto-pompe concerned by these events are part of a mining perimeter known to the mining cadastre, under Exploitation License No. 591, the holder of which is the mining company Swanmines, resulting from a partnership between the company Africo Resources DRC and the GCM.
Representatives of Swanmines pointed out that the perimeter concerned is the subject of industrial looting by Lebanese operators who illegally exploit the sites of Kalakundi, pumping station and Sierra, with the protection of armed men. These illegal operators have taken over the sites by violent means and are now threatening the security guards on duty.
Despite the complaints lodged with the competent authorities, no concrete action has been taken against the despoiling operators or the receivers of the stolen minerals. It would seem that these operations are organized under the guise of people pretending to be members of the presidential family, allowing them to benefit from total impunity from the military and civil authorities.
The situation is therefore worrying and generates a feeling of injustice among the victims, who are hoping for an intervention from the authorities to put an end to this industrial looting. This raises many questions about the ability of the Congolese state to protect the mining rights derived from its natural resources, as well as to ensure the safety of its citizens against these criminal acts.