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Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Kinshasa

Head of State

President Félix Tshisekedi

Head of Government

Prime Minister Judith Suminwa

Workers direct lorry traffic in Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

30 Mar 2026 - 2:25PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China will stockpile critical resources and boost energy supply security

22 Mar 2026 - 6:58PM

China-Africa relations

China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism

16 Mar 2026 - 6:13PMvideocam

Africa

DR Congo says least 200 dead in coltan mine collapse

The collapse took place at the Rubaya mines, where rebels claim ‘bombings’ killed only five people.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:19PM

M-23 soldiers patrol near the open pit coltan mine in Rubaya, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

Why US money may not be enough to break China’s rare earths dominance

Washington aims to spend billions in Africa to build up a strategic reserve of key minerals, but analysts warn it may not be so simple.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Why Beijing’s US$4.5 billion Niger-Benin oil pipeline is under fire from rebels

Chinese nationals warned to avoid high-risk areas after infrastructure becomes a primary target for rebels seeking to halt military junta.

27 Feb 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

A volunteer grinds coffee beans with children during a hands-on experience session at the Ethiopian pavilion of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, Hunan province on August 30, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

20 Feb 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Over 1,000 Kenyans recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine war: report

Russian embassy denied Moscow’s involvement in illegally recruiting, though it said ‌foreign citizens could voluntarily join its forces.

20 Feb 2026 - 2:44PM

China-Latin America relations

China’s Chalco, Rio Tinto buy Brazil’s CBA for US$886 million to secure minerals

Acquisition of Brazilian flagship aluminium firm reinforces China’s growing footprint in the country’s strategic mineral assets sector.

28 Feb 2026 - 4:29AMvideocam

China’s aluminium giant Chalco and Rio Tinto have agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Brazilian flagship aluminium firm CBA. Photo: Shutterstock

Africa

Over 200 dead in DR Congo after landslide collapses mines: rebel authorities

The nation is a major supplier of coltan - dug out by hand - which contains a key component for smartphones, computers and aircraft engines.

31 Jan 2026 - 5:44PMvideocam

An aerial view of miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 200 people are feared dead after a landslide. File photo: AFP

Africa

The brutal life of child recruits under a shadowy African rebel group

Kidnapped, drugged and forced to loot, survivors detail life inside the ADF’s hidden forest camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

26 Dec 2025 - 1:54PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese workers return to Africa as lucrative job opportunities beckon

Large-scale, China-backed projects entice contract workers to take up posts in some African nations, while political instability keeps others away.

21 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

Africa

Rwanda-backed rebels enter key DR Congo town, as Trump peace deal crumbles

M23 advance in DR Congo comes less than a week after after the signing of a peace deal in Washington.

11 Dec 2025 - 2:29PM

A deserted street in Uvira on Tuesday as M23 forces advanced towards the town. Photo: AFP

Africa

‘Miracle’ Africa peace deal, signed at Trump’s urging, already unravelling

A US-backed agreement to end one of Africa’s longest wars is at risk as DR Congo and Burundi condemn Rwanda and M23 rebel advances.

9 Dec 2025 - 3:40PM

M23 rebels earlier this year. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of violating its commitments to a US-brokered peace deal. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

6 Dec 2025 - 6:51AMvideocam

Africa

Trump praises African leaders, who sign his deal as fighting continues

‘Historic’ agreement aims to end conflict in eastern DR Congo and unlock access to the region’s critical mineral reserves for the US.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:44PM

United States

US Institute of Peace renamed after ‘greatest dealmaker’ Trump

‘Donald J. Trump’ emblazes Washington headquarters of the US Institute of Peace in time for a peace deal signing.

4 Dec 2025 - 1:25PM

United States

Congo and Rwanda presidents to meet in US to sign peace deal

The Congolese government says its signing is conditional on Rwanda’s withdrawal of support for the M23 rebels fighting in eastern Congo.

29 Nov 2025 - 11:39AM

Switzerland

Red Cross to cut 2,900 jobs, slash budget as donors shift focus towards defence

Failure to prevent conflict and provide humanitarian relief risks ‘a world of ever more and greater suffering’, president warns.

21 Nov 2025 - 9:05PM

United States

Opinion | Don’t blame China for America’s authoritarian turn

America’s authoritarian turn didn’t start with Donald Trump and has been decades in the making.

19 Nov 2025 - 9:30AM

US President Donald Trump participates in a reenlistment ceremony for soldiers during a military parade commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary on his 79th birthday on June 14 in Washington. Photo: AP

Europe’s refugee crisis

UK toughens asylum policy as anti-immigration sentiment rises

Policy overhaul seeks greater control over who can remain in Britain as tens of thousands of people claim asylum.

18 Nov 2025 - 1:34PM

Migrants in Gravelines, northern France, walk in the water to board a small boat in an attempt to reach Britain. Photo: AP

Africa

At least 32 killed in DR Congo after bridge at mine collapsed

Authorities say overcrowding and panic - allegedly sparked by soldiers’ gunfire - caused the bridge to fall at the copper and cobalt mine.

17 Nov 2025 - 1:05PM

Climate change

The world has a decade to save the biggest tropical carbon sink

Report warns that further damage to Africa’s vast tropical forests risks undermining the world’s fight against climate change.

10 Nov 2025 - 2:59PMvideocam

Science

Science drives China’s westward expansion in Africa

Discoveries of large untapped mineral deposits in West Africa are behind Beijing’s push to invest heavily in exploration and mining.

26 Oct 2025 - 4:05PMvideocam

After almost three decades of false starts, Guinea’s massive Simandou iron ore mine is on track to deliver its first shipment this year, in a significant breakthrough for Chinese hopes of breaking its dependence on Australia and Brazil. Photo: Rio Tinto Simfer

Africa

DR Congo military court sentences ex-president to death for treason

Joseph Kabila, who ruled from 2001 to 2019, was convicted in absentia of crimes including collaborating with M23 anti-government rebels.

1 Oct 2025 - 1:19PM

Former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila. File photo: AP

US-China relations

US invests in Zambia project in bid to loosen China’s grip on critical minerals

USTDA will provide US$1.4 million grant to Metalex Africa to fund feasibility study on expanding the copper and cobalt mine.

19 Sep 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Africa

DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal outlines US role in minerals sector

Among regulatory initiatives and reforms, the deal calls for third-party inspections of mine sites and working with private sector partners.

14 Sep 2025 - 4:38PM

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Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

China will stockpile critical resources and boost energy supply security

China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism

DR Congo says least 200 dead in coltan mine collapse

The collapse took place at the Rubaya mines, where rebels claim ‘bombings’ killed only five people.

Why US money may not be enough to break China’s rare earths dominance

Washington aims to spend billions in Africa to build up a strategic reserve of key minerals, but analysts warn it may not be so simple.

Why Beijing’s US$4.5 billion Niger-Benin oil pipeline is under fire from rebels

Chinese nationals warned to avoid high-risk areas after infrastructure becomes a primary target for rebels seeking to halt military junta.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

Over 1,000 Kenyans recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine war: report

Russian embassy denied Moscow’s involvement in illegally recruiting, though it said ‌foreign citizens could voluntarily join its forces.

China’s Chalco, Rio Tinto buy Brazil’s CBA for US$886 million to secure minerals

Acquisition of Brazilian flagship aluminium firm reinforces China’s growing footprint in the country’s strategic mineral assets sector.

Over 200 dead in DR Congo after landslide collapses mines: rebel authorities

The nation is a major supplier of coltan - dug out by hand - which contains a key component for smartphones, computers and aircraft engines.

The brutal life of child recruits under a shadowy African rebel group

Kidnapped, drugged and forced to loot, survivors detail life inside the ADF’s hidden forest camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Chinese workers return to Africa as lucrative job opportunities beckon

Large-scale, China-backed projects entice contract workers to take up posts in some African nations, while political instability keeps others away.

Rwanda-backed rebels enter key DR Congo town, as Trump peace deal crumbles

M23 advance in DR Congo comes less than a week after after the signing of a peace deal in Washington.

‘Miracle’ Africa peace deal, signed at Trump’s urging, already unravelling

A US-backed agreement to end one of Africa’s longest wars is at risk as DR Congo and Burundi condemn Rwanda and M23 rebel advances.

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

Trump praises African leaders, who sign his deal as fighting continues

‘Historic’ agreement aims to end conflict in eastern DR Congo and unlock access to the region’s critical mineral reserves for the US.

US Institute of Peace renamed after ‘greatest dealmaker’ Trump

‘Donald J. Trump’ emblazes Washington headquarters of the US Institute of Peace in time for a peace deal signing.

Congo and Rwanda presidents to meet in US to sign peace deal

The Congolese government says its signing is conditional on Rwanda’s withdrawal of support for the M23 rebels fighting in eastern Congo.

Red Cross to cut 2,900 jobs, slash budget as donors shift focus towards defence

Failure to prevent conflict and provide humanitarian relief risks ‘a world of ever more and greater suffering’, president warns.

Opinion | Don’t blame China for America’s authoritarian turn

America’s authoritarian turn didn’t start with Donald Trump and has been decades in the making.

UK toughens asylum policy as anti-immigration sentiment rises

Policy overhaul seeks greater control over who can remain in Britain as tens of thousands of people claim asylum.

At least 32 killed in DR Congo after bridge at mine collapsed

Authorities say overcrowding and panic - allegedly sparked by soldiers’ gunfire - caused the bridge to fall at the copper and cobalt mine.

The world has a decade to save the biggest tropical carbon sink

Report warns that further damage to Africa’s vast tropical forests risks undermining the world’s fight against climate change.

Science drives China’s westward expansion in Africa

Discoveries of large untapped mineral deposits in West Africa are behind Beijing’s push to invest heavily in exploration and mining.

DR Congo military court sentences ex-president to death for treason

Joseph Kabila, who ruled from 2001 to 2019, was convicted in absentia of crimes including collaborating with M23 anti-government rebels.

US invests in Zambia project in bid to loosen China’s grip on critical minerals

USTDA will provide US$1.4 million grant to Metalex Africa to fund feasibility study on expanding the copper and cobalt mine.

DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal outlines US role in minerals sector

Among regulatory initiatives and reforms, the deal calls for third-party inspections of mine sites and working with private sector partners.

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer