The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) has strongly rejected Bintou Keita’s, head of the UN’s MONUSCO mission in DR Congo, claims that the M23 Movement is earning $300,000 per month from mining operations in Rubaya. The AFC described these allegations as an attempt to tarnish its image and asserted that MONUSCO has no concrete evidence to back the claims.
On Monday, Keita informed the UN Security Council that M23’s control over Masisi and Rutshuru territories allowed the Movement to command coltan production in those areas fully.
Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the AFC, expressed deep concerns over Keita’s remarks, calling them misleading. He emphasized that the AFC categorically denies the allegations, challenging MONUSCO to provide solid proof of M23’s supposed financial gains from Rubaya’s mining activities.
Kanyuka pointed out that before M23’s takeover of Rubaya, the area was controlled by armed groups such as the FDLR, Mai-Mai Nyatura, and Burundian forces. He accused these groups of exploiting local civilians, including children, in mining operations, all of which were allegedly known to both Kinshasa and MONUSCO. Kanyuka further argued that MONUSCO’s accusations were meant to divert attention from its own failures and hidden interests in DR Congo.
The UN peacekeeping mission, which has been in eastern DR Congo for over 20 years, has been criticized for its lack of success, with both the local population and Kinshasa repeatedly calling for its departure. According to Kanyuka, AFC blames MONUSCO for failing in its mission, highlighting that the number of armed groups in the country has surged from 44-50 in 2013 to 255 by 2023, as reported by the UN.
Despite years of effort and billions of dollars, Kanyuka stated that MONUSCO has been unable to restore peace, making it one of the most expensive and ineffective UN missions in history.
The AFC also accused MONUSCO of collaborating with both government forces and rebel groups such as FDLR and ADF-Nalu, activities which have resulted in civilian casualties. MONUSCO has previously denied these allegations.
Kanyuka further claimed that Keita’s comments ignored the positive achievements of M23, including restoring peace and stability, repatriating displaced populations, rebuilding infrastructure, and providing healthcare and education in the areas under their control.
UN experts have long alleged that M23 is backed by Rwanda in its conflict against Congolese government forces and their allied militias. These experts also accuse the Congolese army of collaborating with rebel groups like FDLR, which opposes Rwanda.
Both sides have denied the allegations.
While a ceasefire agreement was reached nearly two months ago, the peace talks in Luanda, Angola, have yet to produce tangible results.
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