First Independent Mena Newspaper
The Trump administration has reaffirmed its commitment to the $4 billion Lobito Corridor rail project in Africa, aiming to strengthen United States-Africa economic ties while countering China’s growing influence in the region. The initiative, which connects Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is seen as a vital trade route for transporting minerals […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have agreed to direct peace talks, set to take place on 9 April in Doha, Qatar. This marks a significant step towards resolving one of Central Africa’s most enduring and violent conflicts, which has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and caused widespread […]
The United Nations has raised alarm over the growing control of M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with fears that the group could seize additional provinces. Bintou Keita, the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo (MONUSCO), briefed the UN Security Council on Thursday (27 March), revealing that M23 rebels now […]
DP World has appointed Portuguese construction giant Mota-Engil to oversee the development of the Banana Port, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) first deep-water maritime gateway. Located in Kongo Central province along the Atlantic coast, the port is expected to revolutionize trade in the DRC and strengthen regional economic networks. Banana Port, one of Africa’s […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has expressed willingness to engage in direct dialogue with the M23 rebel group, signaling a shift in its stance toward resolving the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country. This decision comes after years of resistance to negotiations and follows a series of successful military offensives by […]
Angola’s presidency confirmed that peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the M23 rebel group will proceed as planned in Luanda, despite the rebels’ withdrawal from the negotiations. The M23 announced on Monday (17 March) they were pulling out due to sanctions imposed by the European Union on several Rwandan officials, […]
Civil society groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are calling for a fresh review of the country’s mining agreement with Chinese companies, citing substantial financial losses and continued imbalances despite a 2024 renegotiation. The “Congo Is Not For Sale” coalition (CNPAV) claims that the revised deal, originally signed in 2008 by the then-president […]
Direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the M23 rebel group are scheduled to begin in Angola’s capital city Luanda on 18 March, as announced by Angola’s presidency. This marks a significant development after months of escalating conflict in the volatile eastern DRC, where the M23 rebels, widely believed to […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States are engaged in preliminary talks over a potential minerals-for-security agreement, which could reshape global supply chains for critical minerals. It comes as U.S. president Donald Trump recently vowed to take “historic action” to “dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths.” Under the proposed […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has offered a $5 million reward for the capture of three M23 rebel leaders, just as its fighters keep pushing deeper into the country’s mineral-rich eastern region, eyeing the strategic town of Walikale. The M23 leaders, including Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa and Sultani Makenga, were convicted of treason last […]