Chinese gold mining company TSM recently closed its operations in the village of Tulonge, located south of Misisi in Fizi territory, South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This decision follows incessant attacks by Mayi-Mayi militia against the company’s mining sites.
The latest incident took place a few days ago, when the Mai-Mai Yakutumba group attacked the Chinese camp, killing two soldiers of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and two Chinese nationals. Four other people, including two Ghanaians, a Chinese and their Congolese interpreter, were also seriously injured in the attack. The attackers took with them valuable property, including a sum of money, migration documents and a quantity of gold.
Faced with this escalation of violence, the TSM took the decision to close its activities and repatriate part of its staff. The administrator of the Fizi territory, Samy Kalonji, deplores this situation and points out the activism of local armed groups, which destabilize the region and discourage foreign investors. It calls on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the Congolese Defense Forces to support a joint mission to assess the situation and act accordingly.
Unfortunately, this situation is not isolated in the region. Indeed, previously, the gold mining company BANRO had also closed its activities due to attacks by armed groups. Additionally, international NGOs, such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), have also had to shut down their operations for security reasons.
This situation highlights the challenges facing foreign investors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The authorities must take measures to ensure the safety of workers and investments, in order to promote the economic development of the South Kivu region and stabilize the situation.
The events in Tulonge also serve as a reminder of the importance of promoting peace and security to enable economic sectors, such as mining, to thrive. Without concerted action to eradicate armed groups and ensure investment security, the DRC’s economic potential risks being hampered.
It is therefore essential that the Congolese authorities, supported by the international community, take measures to put an end to insecurity and promote an environment conducive to investments. This will not only create jobs and improve the living conditions of local populations, but also stimulate economic growth in the region..
In the interest of all, it is necessary to find lasting solutions to put an end to attacks by armed groups and guarantee the security of foreign investments. The economic prosperity and well-being of the inhabitants of the Democratic Republic of Congo are at stake.