The province of Lualaba in the Democratic Republic of Congo has recently been the scene of violent demonstrations, which have led the local media to take an interest in the origin of these events. According to some testimonies, the tension would have started to rise when armed men chased artisanal diggers from certain sites they exploited, in order to allow Lebanese operators to settle there. When protesters resisted the eviction, a young woman was shot and injured, which escalated the violence.
The situation on the ground is all the more worrying as the places in question are part of a mining perimeter under Exploitation License No. 591, held by the mining company Swanmines. According to the representatives of this mining company, these sites are the subject of illegal exploitation by Lebanese operators who have monopolized these spaces in a violent manner and are threatening the security guards posted there. Complaints lodged with the competent authorities have so far yielded nothing.
The observation is bitter, because this situation is not isolated, far from it. The country needs tougher regulations to govern mining, according to a recent article by Fatshimetre. Moreover, the growing insecurity in certain provinces, notably that of North Kivu, is a major challenge for the country.
Despite these challenges, there is also positive news to report. The Democratic Republic of Congo and the European Union recently launched a strategic partnership for a responsible value chain of critical minerals, which should help improve transparency and fairness in mining. Similarly, ambitious conservation programs have enabled the reintroduction of endangered species in certain regions of the country.
In sum, the DRC faces significant challenges, but it can count on positive initiatives to build a more sustainable future. The events in Kisankala should be a strong signal for the authorities to better protect workers and the environment in the mining sector