I've been following things in Bukavu and Goma, and recently learning more about the mining operations in the Kasai provinces. We had been talking about mercenaries in Goma (which seem to be Romanian) in this thread, and there's so much going on in DRC that it's going to need its own post: #1054884622955184228 message
#DR Congo
sharp wadi
I was here before you notified me 
fathom portal
I'm up for digging into this also
mental tide
So I am currently reading this https://www.amazon.com/Cobalt-Red-Blood-Congo-Powers-ebook/dp/B09Y462D6Z and by the end of Chapter 1 I was in Google Earth etc. It's really good so far.
however here's a puzzle for us to pick apart. what is up with https://twitter.com/goma24news ? they come off as anti-DRC. I want to dig into the history of this "news" org
very anti-president https://twitter.com/goma24news/status/1672292289652113420
and this seems to be a sister effort https://twitter.com/kivunews24 it's just interesting
definitely pro M23
I guess this is all Rwanda-operated but I don't have any proof yet, however commenters in the posts say so
sharp wadi
Goma24s fb page seems abandoned and links to an abandoned domain
Sadly no saved snapshots in archive.today
And that Goma24 keeps retweeting this guy who defines himself as a proud Rwandan (and of course has Twitter Blue) https://twitter.com/FelixMugenzi
Who also writes from this medium in Kigali (919 followers but verified of course) https://twitter.com/MY250TV
mental tide
kivu news 24 still has a facebook, last post a few months ago https://www.facebook.com/people/Kivu-News-24/
fathom portal
The Romanian connection appears to be a PMC run by ex-FFL member, Horatiu Potra.
mental tide
links to a youtube https://www.youtube.com/@kivunews2462/featured
sharp wadi
And that Goma24 keeps retweeting this guy who defines himself as a proud Rwandan...
He also has #PK in his profile which I'm quite confident that stands for Paul Kagame
fathom portal
This is Potra's 'official Website'
sharp wadi
This article was published a few days ago, mentions 1k soliders https://www.africaintelligence.com/central-africa/2023/06/23/horatiu-potra-boosts-his-private-military-contingent-in-goma,109997023-art
mental tide
kivu news quit posting in March but they were talking about Wagner
sharp wadi
I honestly need a diagram between the different groups, they're so many actors there...
mental tide
YEP
fathom portal
mental tide
but I think the kivu/goma24 is really interesting. disinformation efforts!
mental tide
This is Potra
https://twitter.com/FMLarousse/status/1609900066579550209/photo/1
damn he looks a lil prigozhin-esque
sharp wadi
Romanian Prigozhin 😅
fathom portal
damn he looks a lil prigozhin-esque
In business mode
sharp wadi
What's with warlords and being bald?
Also I guess that picture is on the Romanian coast in the Black Sea?
fathom portal
You think that is the same dude?.... the business one is from a Twitter profile from 2010 with just one tweet.... can't vouch for it being legit as there is some weird follwer stuff going on.
mental tide
when the dust up about "is it wagner?" was happening around December, I found this review
they had talked about soldiers staying and then the hotel was closed for bookings for several months
fathom portal
What's with warlords and being bald?
Stress.....
mental tide
You think that is the same dude?.... the business one is from a Twitter profile ...
I think so with the caveat that I am not a pro at anything
sharp wadi
Is that from the same hotel you messaged me a couple months ago?
mental tide
yep
sharp wadi
You think that is the same dude?.... the business one is from a Twitter profile ...
I guess we can test with an AI
mental tide
had the tab open for six months 
sharp wadi
Too relatable
mental tide
going to paste and pin this too so I can close the tab
https://kivusecurity.org/
fathom portal
when the dust up about "is it wagner?" was happening around December, I found th...
There is a reply to that Twitter post above saying 30 Romanian soldiers were staying at a hotel near the lake.
Plenty of photos here... one of Romanian PMC guarding the runway at Goma from M23
mental tide
I honestly need a diagram between the different groups, they're so many actors t...
not a diagram but https://kivusecurity.org/about/armedGroups
fathom portal
sharp wadi
This article mentions the role of a (unnamed) former French colonel, advising Potra and also coached the Congolese Minister of Defence https://congovirtuel.com/information/m23-pres-de-360-nouveaux-militaires-prives-roumains-dhoratiu-potra-en-renfort-aux-fardc/?amp=1
sharp wadi
not a diagram but https://kivusecurity.org/about/armedGroups
There's so many.... so hard to track 😕
More pictures of Potra
fathom portal
From reading the articles there is talk of some sort of link between Potra & Wagner but nothing conclusive.
mental tide
Potra's website, talking about protection of sensitive areas, including mines http://asociatiaralf.ro/protection-of-sensitive-areas/
sharp wadi
https://osintteam.blog/meet-the-romanian-ex-legionnaire-turned-businessman-part-...
I'm looking at the flight data in ADS-B and it doesn't seem to match?
mental tide
this all should keep us busy forever, essentially
sharp wadi
fathom portal
sharp wadi
This is the day where it supposedly flew to Goma, but it's connecting between Lanarca and Bucharest, which are also mentioned in the article
But I don't see the link with Goma
mental tide
the flight radar listings have three different flights - H3881, 2, and 3
sharp wadi
Also ADB-S sees the callsign as HLJ882, which is the same for the flight from Goma to Lanarca
Yet here I only see a flight from Bucharest to Lanarca
fathom portal
Some background on Agemira, the Sofia based company working out of Goma airport that Potra's men have been working with.
https://www.southworld.net/dr-congo-north-and-south-kivu-security-companies-business-as-usual/
mental tide
we need a list like Kivu Security Tracker but for military contractors
sharp wadi
That plane on the 22nd Feb apparently went to West Pakistan and returned the day after, with a stop in Tbilisi
mental tide
these guys are busy
sharp wadi
Yes, it's constantly flying through Italy
Is this an artifact? It's marked as the same leg but looks like it landed and then took off Cairo. Because I doubt it went to Ethiopia to just U-turn
Especially since that day it already arrived from I believe Italy (no data until it's flying high over Hungary
This plane is really bugging me, so many flights, some of them quite odd (6 flights through Italy in a single day, including a back and forth from Bergamo to Lampedusa)
But nothing that makes me think it's connected to Goma
Also FR24 says that H3882 is an Aeroitalia code
I'm tempted to write to the author of the article, because this is really bothering me
If you google for HLJ882 you do find a flight from Goma to Lanarca on the 22nd December tho 
So it seems this plane has been rented from this charter to Aeroitalia, that's why it keeps flying in there
But I'm still bugged by why there's this mismatch between ADS-B and every other
For the 22nd Dec
mental tide
Maybe crosspost in #maritime for some expert opinion
sharp wadi
No, I have finally sorted out
So you see here that it is departing south, and on first sight it does appear like it's just an artifact and it just goes to Lanarca
But
If we compare between the point I linked above, which is the last one before it gets interrupted, and now after the interruption
We can compare the time epochs, 1671707525 and 1671748057
First one corresponds to 11:12 GMT, the second one to 22:27 GMT 22nd Dec 2022
So ADS-B is missing the data treating it as a single leg, but this actually supports that it flew to Goma and returned back on the very same day
(we don't know where it flew once the data is lost, but from other sources it does tell it's Goma)
mental tide
I have noticed on ADSB that stuff across central Africa sometimes disappears, but this seemed rather northwards for that.
The point at which there is no data, I mean
sharp wadi
There aren't many repeaters in Africa, crossing places like the Sahara is very much like crossing an ocean
In any case, that means that the data regarding its arrival to Goma and then departure is not collected by ADS-B, leading to all that confusion, but now it's sorted out
fathom portal
For the 22nd Dec
From looking at the playback for Dec 22... it looks like it was an AeroItalia 737-7k2 chartered by Romanian airline Hello Jet ... landing at 16:54, registration YR-BMR, call-sign HLJ881, hex # 4A09B2.
It seems the Potra's crew provide security for the workers of the Bulgarian company, Agemira who maintain the helicopters and jets for the Congolese Air Force...... the workforce consists of 40 engineers and pilots from Bulgaria, Belarus and Georgia ....which would explain the stops in Tbilisi. The Romanian PMCs and Agemire workers are all housed at the Hotel Mbiza.
Potra is under contract to a company called 'Congo Protection' owned by local businessman Bijou Eliya and MP Patrick Bologna (Avenir du Congo Party-ACO).
Bologna's name pops up here tied in with Kabila's sketchy business dealings.
proud jungle
This article mentions the role of a (unnamed) former French colonel, advising Po...
About that "unnamed" former French colonel who accompanied Bemba on his Goma tour two weeks ago... These look like official visits from that visit with two white dudes: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=643074087850764&set=pcb.643074107850762
Black shirt is also visible at :27 in this video: https://information.tv5monde.com/afrique/video/rdc-le-ministre-jean-pierre-bemba-appelle-deposer-les-armes-goma-2647991
I wonder who this guy is and if he's associated with Potra or Agemira... gonna do some digging this afternoon
fathom portal
About that "unnamed" former French colonel who accompanied Bemba on his Goma tou...
Agemira is owned by another Frenchie, Olivier “Colonel Mario” Bazin..... he gets a mention here
https://corruption-tracker.org/case/ivory_coast_oil_for_arms
proud jungle
Agemira is owned by another Frenchie, Olivier “Colonel Mario” Bazin..... he gets...
Sounds like a classy guy 🤮
Also looks like he was involved in laundering gold from Gabon... https://www.liberation.fr/societe/2004/10/23/le-blanchiment-d-or-foireux-de-bazin-l-africain_497029/
This is a pretty good report (French) on foreign mercenary presence from Jan 2023: https://francegenocidetutsi.org/MercenairesGomaAI6janvier2023.pdf
(Ignore the URL name, it's an article from Africa Intelligence that's behind a paywall: https://www.africaintelligence.fr/afrique-centrale/2023/01/06/les-discrets-prestataires-prives-au-service-de-l-armee-congolaise-dans-l-est,109878940-eve)
fathom portal
Cheapest sub to Africa Intelligence is €2500 a year 😬
fathom portal
Frenchman Stéphane Giannesini jailed for 5 years and fined $480,000 for illegal trading of gold, customs fraud and money laundering.
fathom portal
Arrest of journalists today while they were covering a land dispute involving a local minister.
https://twitter.com/StanysBujakera/status/1674162356635443200
fathom portal
This report is from 2019 but some good background info.
fathom portal
These dudes haven't updated their map of armed groups for 3 years but still a good resource.
A geneology of armed groups'..... one that may take a little while to digest.
fathom portal
I'm going to have a dig into the Lala IDP camp attack from a couple of weeks ago.
CODECO the perpetrators, killing 46 people (20+ children) and razing a section of the camp...... main U.N. base for the area a mere 5km away.
CODECO have a track record with this sort of thing, killing 60 people in an attack on another IDP camp in Bule last year.
Nothing showing up on FIRMS for the dates but should be able to piece together evidence of damage and the mass grave site through Sentinel imagery, cloud cover willing.
mental tide
I have read that the GBV in some parts is tied to minerals; it's used to terrify villages and get everyone to flee. So I am working through my book, which is a page turner
fathom portal
I have read that the GBV in some parts is tied to minerals; it's used to terrify...
That book sounds good....I'll grab it today.
Hurst have a few relevant publications in their 'African Arguments" series.... on on bushmeat in the DRC and the other on mining,
https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/conflict-minerals-inc/#!/
mental tide
That book sounds good....I'll grab it today.
Hurst have a few relevant publicati...
I feel like you sleep with books under your pillow and absorb them that way
fathom portal
I feel like you sleep with books under your pillow and absorb them that way
I've got so many on the go at the moment 
mental tide
fathom portal
https://twitter.com/wammezz/status/1674133491959623680?t=U1S0mIH9vmvikeZ3ioxK6Q&...
Heh!....I was poking around in GE this morning looking for evidence of CH-4 hangars and there you go...I hadn't got to N'Dolo airport as yet....Wim delivers 🙏
fathom portal
Just going through one of the free copies of the Africa Intelligence report and in January they were reporting that a contingent of 200 Romanian's, under the command of Potra were training the Congolese army at a site near Saké.
fathom portal
fathom portal
About that "unnamed" former French colonel who accompanied Bemba on his Goma tou...
RALF patch on the Bemba security detail maybe?..... hard to tell but it would make sense.
I've asked a friend of mine at Le Monde if he knows anything about the mystery French national in that video.
fathom portal
An ambush by Mobondo militiamen kills 20 people at the village of Mulunu, north-east of Kinshasa.
fathom portal
I found this yesterday..... looks a bit "made for purpose".
The footage of the villagers fleeing could well be the outskirts of Goma but will have to search around for other possible instances of that PMC footage to see if it has been reused.
https://www.tiktok.com/@africanword/video/7233338577919151387?lang=en
sharp wadi
Found the flight in which probably Potra returned from Bucharest
Also from Hello Jets, it departed the previous day from Bucharest
Can't find any info of where it went, idk if anything would be visible in a paid FR24 account
But the callsign for the plane on the way from Bucharest is HLJ811, no callsign on the return
fathom portal
But the callsign for the plane on the way from Bucharest is HLJ811, no callsign ...
Bucharest - Hurghada - Goma
Returned to Bucharest the following day
sharp wadi
So we have a layover there too
fathom portal
Same route also flown on the 7th of February then return to Bucharest the following day.
sharp wadi
I'm thinking that Hello Jets may be worth to look into it
I tried to find who are the owners but it seems to be information that's locked away
fathom portal
I'm thinking that Hello Jets may be worth to look into it
Yeah....I think so
sharp wadi
The original plane got leased to Aeroitaly
The one that first took them to Goma
I can DM you their full legal name and business ID
fathom portal
Yeah, FR24 is only showing two planes in the Hello Jets fleet and they must charter other planes as needed
sharp wadi
But that's where it ends, I asked a Romanian friend of mine to see if he could help but he got into a wall too
The other plane doesn't seem to be flying
And they had a third one which is the one that flew to Goma first but it's now leased to Aeroitaly
sharp wadi
Yeah....I think so
After that trip it flew to France and then to Ireland and the UK (seems unrelated)
Seems it got leased to Aeroitaly too
Another trip, and this one ADS-B shows almost all the way to Goma https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=4a09b1&lat=17.753&lon=27.327&zoom=4.5&showTrace=2023-03-04
HLJ842
fathom portal
After that trip it flew to France and then to Ireland and the UK (seems unrelate...
The DRC is a real powerhouse nation in Africa...there are so many layers, actors and moving parts.
Really need to start to map some stuff out in an entity graph.
Actually, I'll start dumping stuff in Obsidian on the weekend.
sharp wadi
The odd bit is how one day the plane gets leased to Aeroitaly and the next one it flies to Goma
And the next day too
It's like if it went to Goma on its day off
@fathom portal Mind checking AEZ9620 on the 15th March and/or AEZ9461 the day after? They depart from Rome (and return) but leave to Africa and the track is lost little after reaching Algeria, and Aeroitaly doesn't list those flights
fathom portal
<@349326343151812609> Mind checking AEZ9620 on the 15th March and/or AEZ9461 the...
Have you got a registration?
sharp wadi
Same plane, YR-BMQ
All of these are on the same plane
Also, another trip to Goma: https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=4a09b1&lat=30.717&lon=22.306&zoom=4.1&showTrace=2023-04-03
They also leased to WizzAir
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=4a09b1&lat=23.541&lon=36.079&zoom=3.7&showTrace=2023-05-07×tamp=1683477559 Went back to Hurghada from Germany and back, although as a leased flight from Marabu airlines which flies there regularly
Actually it begins to do that route daily since that day until today
fathom portal
Nothing on FR24 for that registration - there are no flight listed from Feb 12th - 21st March
sharp wadi
Weird, it was flying regularly with Aeroitaly
On those dates
In fact, right after it returned to Rome on that flight, it went to Vitoria, in Spain (AEZ8668)
fathom portal
sharp wadi
That's for that plane? It doesn't match at all what ADS-B shows
fathom portal
That's for that plane? It doesn't match at all what ADS-B shows
Different AeroItalia plane but chartered to Hello Jet
This is the gap in flights for the registration and hex you were looking for.
Ahhhhh...... April 3rd
sharp wadi
Yep, that seems to be the last trip
zenith mulch
my new fave channel. Thanks for putting this together @mental tide, good to see DRC getting some attention.
I have a detailed spreadsheet of conflict across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu from 2019–2022. I'm happy to share that and assist with things as they come up. I've dug into CODECO quite a bit.
mental tide
my new fave channel. Thanks for putting this together <@126386632868888577>, goo...
No kidding! Have you seen this?
#1123414680212340910 message
zenith mulch
(re-sharing this old post of mine from the SSA channel)
DRC pro tip: use this website (UN OCHA's database for DRC) to find a wealth of data. https://ehtools.org/alert-register For example, here's a report from 2 days ago about IDPs near Goma. https://ehtools.org/alert-view/4666
Or check this report from January which has a linked PDF at the bottom of the page (always look for those attached documents). https://ehtools.org/alert-view/4566
You can also of course search within ehtools.org to find info on various actors, etc. https://www.google.com/search?q=filetype%3Apdf+"codeco"+site%3Aehtools.org&sxsrf=APwXEdfSjWtHMGVz6iSoKKQC36b_2Ct1ZQ%3A1688092155817&ei=-z2eZL69Md31kPIP5cC96Ag&ved=0ahUKEwj-pq6q-en_AhXdOkQIHWVgD40Q4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=filetype%3Apdf+"codeco"+site%3Aehtools.org&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQA0oECEEYAVDLBliDEGCVEWgBcAB4AIABQ4gB-QWSAQIxM5gBAKABAcABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
(I relied on that website to make this map showing IDPs in eastern DRC from 2019-2022) https://globalpressjournal.com/africa/democratic-republic-of-congo/family-found-opportunity-ituri-kidnapped/
sharp wadi
Found a quite extensive article in Romanian on Horatiu Potra, his background and his actions in Goma, as well as the potential link with Wagner: https://www.fanatik.ro/seful-mercenarilor-din-congo-ales-presedinte-la-app-fostul-partid-al-lui-liviu-dragnea-codrin-stefanescu-horatiu-potra-e-un-patriot-20362821
A quite important paragraph (translated with DeepL):
The Wagner group, which was until recently present in Mali and the Central African Republic, is a real "scarecrow" on the African continent. The confusion has increased even more as the generic name of the white mercenaries present in Goma is "Russians". Horatius Potra has denied any connection with the Wagner group.
So according to this, "Russians" is used for all white mercenaries in Goma and not just Russians. If that's true, then one has to be very careful when drawing links from testimonials talking about Russians as they could or could not be from there
It also brings the name of the founder of Hello Jets, who's the former owner of a now extint Romanian low cost company (Blue Air). It hints of a potential link between both, but I don't know if it's really anything or just sensationalism
celest fern
But on the other hand there must be a reason why white mercenaries are called "Russians", even if it's not correct for this one, there is a kernel of truth in there.
sharp wadi
Indeed, but in this case the mercenaries are known to be from countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Belarus and Georgia, so they could be put under the umbrella of "Russians" in a phenomenon similar to how someone would for instance refer in their ignorance to a group of South Asians as "Indians" when can you also have Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nepalis, etc
What I mean is that just because they mention "Russians" it is not confirmation alone of the presence of Russians and it could just be a stereotype, a generalisation
An article in English covering similar points: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/russian-question-in-congo-conflict-4093620
It notes how a UN resolution to stop reporting the UN regarding the supply of weapons to DRC happened just two days before Potra's arrival
mental tide
Indeed, but in this case the mercenaries are known to be from countries like Rom...
Yeah I was wondering if it was overly broad terminology pulling groups together. You see that a lot where I live. There's a big Somali community and people call them "the Africans" etc. Not to derail into that, but just adding my anecdotes that I think it's a common thing to do
sharp wadi
Yup, that's precisely what I mean
fathom portal
Reference: A bunch of DRC maps
Reference: DRC Administrative boundaries datasets
Ditto.....
fathom portal
Ditto.....
https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-cod
zenith mulch
Appreciate the maps! When I'm trying to find small villages mentioned in reports, I go to OSM first, then these super detailed provincial reference maps, then this IPIS map.
https://www.ipisresearch.be/mapping/webmapping/drcongo/v6/#-3/28/5/4/1/
Attaching the two reference maps I've relied on most (for North Kivu and Ituri provinces). Super detailed, great for Command + F searches of small villages.
zenith mulch
Ok, here's that spreadsheet I promised with attack dates, coordinates, displaced, killed numbers from Jan 2019–Aug 2022. From Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RsQyX4oLzmT40N7SAW2PPQRRpdqmfYACsETCbsknH1Y/edit?usp=sharing
And here's a narrower scope of just ADF attacks (Ituri and North Kivu). https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tQO5jAHvGGrUtPXSNH0Zmpo7DtDIOOl9Mu9dZBWIWGk/edit?usp=sharing
fathom portal
Ok, here's that spreadsheet I promised with attack dates, coordinates, displaced...
That's great.....thanks Bennett 👍
proud jungle
Ok, here's that spreadsheet I promised with attack dates, coordinates, displaced...
This is so helpful, thank you so much for sharing!!! I can't imagine how long it took you to look up all of those villages 🫣
proud jungle
I found this yesterday..... looks a bit "made for purpose".
The footage of the v...
The guy recording says the fleeing villagers are in Kibati (-1.5941983107630027, 29.26584259959047)
The radio tower visible in the video might be this one: -1.5891103686490937, 29.267627804164018
Doesn't help much with the other part of the video though
fathom portal
The guy recording says the fleeing villagers are in Kibati (-1.5941983107630027,...
Nice one!
I had a brief look the other day and didn't get time to dig into it.
The peaks are pretty distinctive though so I figured it was on that road heading out of Goma.
That radio tower looks promising!
fathom portal
Checks out in Peakvisor with Mt Karisimbi in the background 👍
zenith mulch
This is so helpful, thank you so much for sharing!!! I can't imagine how long it...
Of course! Yeah... that took a lifetime lol
fathom portal
A couple more photos of the mystery French dude & RAFL security detail .... it would be good to find out who the bearded bloke in the white shirt is too
And some recent photos via Twitter of CETA camp Airborne training this week..... can roughly make out a logo on those blue t-shirts
fathom portal
zenith mulch
It does seem pretty true that the UN ignores the fact that FDLR works with the army pretty often. Also interesting that Kagame doesn't deny support for M23, at least in this article. https://allafrica.com/stories/202307050124.html?utm_campaign=daily-headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=aans-view-link
fathom portal
It does seem pretty true that the UN ignores the fact that FDLR works with the a...
Yeah it is pretty much accepted that it is happening ....I wonder if this will change in the future.
It's not really something that can be ignored.
fathom portal
hollow frost
zenith mulch
(x-post) Sharing a little project I did for an online course I'm taking. My first Github repo, so be generous, it ain't pretty but there is some good data analysis on small-scale mining in DRC and its relationship with armed groups (and the army). https://bennett-gpj.github.io/Artisanal-mining-in-DRC/
fathom portal
(x-post) Sharing a little project I did for an online course I'm taking. My firs...
That's cool man.... what is the course you're doing?
zenith mulch
That's cool man.... what is the course you're doing?
the Lede Program at Columbia J School -- pretty hardcore crash course in coding, data vis, web building, etc. for journalists.
fathom portal
A few years old now, but a pretty wild story
fathom portal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkOVPS-WVO4
Cool, thanks for that.... there is obviously a lot of emphasis on the '3T's" but exploitation through all resources is a huge problem in the DRC.
There are bunch of papers here too:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301420719309833
hollow frost
mental tide
The runup to the election is going to be even rougher than usual
sharp wadi
mental tide
Translated with Google Lens. Try it yourself!
https://g.co/lenstranslate
fathom portal
mental tide
https://www.voanews.com/a/icc-confirms-30-million-reparations-in-dr-congo-warlord-case-/7181570.html
lime flume
Hi all. Any recommendations of books/documentaries to better understand the political/geopolitical situation in the Great lakes (incl. DR Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi)? Thanks!
sharp wadi
Hi all. Any recommendations of books/documentaries to better understand the poli...
I have yet to read them, but TH shared a few books in the #books channel a few days ago #books message
lime flume
Oh thanks - I'll check that!
fathom portal
I just picked up The War That Doesn’t Say it’s Name by Jason K Stearns which was recommended to me too
proud jungle
I had trouble getting through "The War that doesn't say its name," I found it very dense. "Dancing in the Glory of Monsters," also by Stearns, is a fantastic introduction to the region - it focuses on DRC but also talks about regional dynamics especially in uganda and rwanda
and a bit easier to read than the other!
yooo "king leopold's ghost" anyone???? That one totally kept me up at night
fathom portal
yooo "king leopold's ghost" anyone???? That one totally kept me up at night
Ahhh cool.... thanks for the other Stearns recommendation 👍
mental tide
yooo "king leopold's ghost" anyone???? That one totally kept me up at night
Just bought that yesterday
fathom portal
I'm pretty sure the cutoff for candidates for the December election was the 23rd, so there might be some news about that popping up today.
Construction company Congo Aconde is also owned by two North Korean nationals and has been involved in projects in Kolwezi.
Actually....it looks like Korea Paekho Trading Corporation & Congo Aconde SARL have already been linked.
fathom portal
fathom portal
From the recent CIJ Conference
fathom portal
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congos-army-rwandan-forces-crossed-congolese-border-2023-07-27/
proud jungle
This seems like it might be related... FARDC allegedly killed a Rwandan soldier in Rutagara Village, Buvira Groupement, Nyiragongo District - between Borne 13 and 14.
fathom portal
This seems like it might be related... FARDC allegedly killed a Rwandan soldier ...
Yeah I think that is probably the case
fathom portal
sharp wadi
Probably relevant for this context: Kagame had a meeting with security forces, presumably last night: https://twitter.com/BlazianP/status/1684768526186291201
fathom portal
Of interest to the region
zenith mulch
additional context: MONUSCO and the govt have agreed that it will pull out of DRC before the end of 2024
https://allafrica.com/stories/202308100278.html?utm_campaign=daily-headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=aans-view-link
the MONUSCO drawdown timeline can be found here around pg. 26
https://monusco.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/s-2021-807_-_sg_report_on_monusco_in_english.pdf
(I'm skeptical it will happen by end of 2024 because conditions like "peace" will have to be met before MONUSCO can exit, but anything can happen)
sharp wadi
https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1690469231345696768
Be warned that the article includes pictures of people scarred from attacks as well as mentions of sexual aggression and these could be distressing
Twitter
zenith mulch
"This gradual and phased withdrawal of MONUSCO by [end of 2024] was laid down by the UN Security Council resolution in 2020. **Guterres's announcement means there won't be debate on whether the mandate can be extended." **https://allafrica.com/stories/202308160606.html?utm_campaign=daily-headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=aans-view-link
mental tide
Following the protests, Tshisekedi also said that "after the presidential election in December 2023... there will be no reason for MONUSCO to remain in the DRC."
Fucking citation needed Tshisekedi
hollow frost
sharp wadi
Feel I'm missing something, Kibomango is a district in Kinshasa
proud jungle
According to this post (and a bunch of others circulating on Facebook) FARDC tanks were accidentally destroyed during a training exercise at a camp in Kibomango, Kinshasa. Four of five soldiers in the tank lost their lives:
It sounds to me like the Twitter user is claiming pro-M23 networks are circulating the video and claiming it's evidence of M23 victories over FARDC
which is where the confusion is coming from 🙂
More context - the incident would have happened on 8/24 and involves recruits to the GR (Republican Guard?) https://www.facebook.com/nilelile9/posts/pfbid037HXtHdwmcgmSL44nPB8wCokcvccU4y2shRAiRNpmSY47PgnFMvQhuZCsXze6KcVbl?__cft__[0]=AZVAPpwGpvUJg785gXDzLg8obDL8Xrka9el72SDOrR5q4gu2fXqdYHhcKMDAbdKqkXSmf883n7r8s8_zsOl0Q-Izs3wkvy9mEzZaNQbD3Sqt79F1B1Msyo6pqZmkBN8ANMlVMVH1LuUV8vo3Oj2aHhHC4l6URbr8REgnDzuPQ9EJKLm73pcazlZbxaRz2rfCvUo&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
What a tragedy
mental tide
hollow frost
hollow frost
sharp wadi
https://twitter.com/joanne_stocker/status/1703462545103679899?s=46&t=6Sn-YGNglfw...
Definitely interesting, but this is the other Congo 😅
Tbf, Brazzaville is just a couple km away from Kinshasa
mental tide
I made this list a while ago of DRC sources. It's definitely Goma-heavy currently but it will get more news from Kinshasha over time
mental tide
plain thorn
Found this earlier; late send sorry
An accusation, however, not some media, but can be a start on probing.
Burundian independent outlet Radio Publique Africaine: The Burundian army is accused of committing atrocities in the neighboring country of Congo.
The presence of M23 accused the Burundian army of being involved in the killing of Congolese civilians in an attack that is said to have been carried out by the soldiers of both countries.
https://www.facebook.com/100068401881935/posts/pfbid0ULy1BvJE6pm2gsuN8oPxStsj12NnoGX1XavpPGBV4y8bF7wany4tvAPsDhRdqdmjl/
fathom portal
proud jungle
Between conflict now 20 kms from Goma and the Congolese government pulling out all stops to get foreign allies on board, full-scale war in eastern DRC is looking more and more likely. https://actualite.cd/2023/10/26/agression-rwandaise-la-rdc-sactive-sur-le-front-diplomatique-et-previent-la-communaute
sharp wadi
That would turn Goma into a huge battlefield considering Goma and Gisenyi are effectively the same city
plain thorn
mental tide
It's going to be bad
sharp wadi
plain thorn
sharp wadi
FT interviewing Tshisekedi ahead of the upcoming election
mental tide
mental tide
How to get 120 armed groups to agree to a ceasefire?
https://apnews.com/article/congo-rwanda-ceasefire-us-m23-a20210a92573906e217c655668824923
plain thorn
Well….
Elections were held yesterday, was monitoring the developments. many polling stations didn’t open.
https://actualite.cd/2023/12/20/elections-en-rdc-les-centres-de-vote-qui-nont-pas-fonctionne-seront-operationnels-ce
sharp wadi
Well….
Elections were held yesterday, was monitoring the developments. many poll...
Oh, there's a lot going on, plenty of violence reported too, including arson, property destruction and physical violence, and I've seen rumours of two people killed in Bunia, where police fired warning shots
And yet these are perhaps the best organised elections the DRC had, because all the other ones were even worse.
mental tide
They are going to continue voting tomorrow in some places
Inside a Chaotic Billion-Dollar Election in a Pivotal African Nation https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/20/world/africa/congo-election-president-vote.html?unlocked_article_code=1.HU0.VFJX.6UYvZ-_lUISd&smid=nytcore-android-share
I can't believe the scale. 100,000 candidates between all elections, 40 million people voting, with a ton of supplies needing to be moved by air since the roads are impassible
plain thorn
If the international community can only intervene in election conduct….
proud jungle
I can't believe the scale. 100,000 candidates between all elections, 40 million ...
At some point I wanted to put all of the candidates into an excel chart with their social media profiles dodged a bullet there
mental tide
At some point I wanted to put all of the candidates into an excel chart with the...
We were so young and hopeful then
plain thorn
CENI: diaspora results show Tshisekedi landslide
https://actualite.cd/2023/12/22/resultats-de-la-diaspora-felix-tshisekedi-largement-dominateur-selon-la-ceni
mental tide
They want to vote so much
To get the equipment it's a helicopter and 3 days walk there
plain thorn
Partial results of elections: Tshisekedi landslide still
https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02VbJeeNzwCvHm8fvV5iptCfWXjD5gwxJNQVMzew91iBdXdobZcBCEZk181wnnJtAAl&id=100064537187875 (actualite.cd)
The incumbent also leads in 3 out of 4 constituencies in Kinshasa
https://actualite.cd/2023/12/26/rdc-felix-tshisekedi-en-tete-dans-les-resultats-partiels-de-trois-des-quatre
plain thorn
Partial results of elections: Tshisekedi landslide still
<https://facebook.com/s...
Partial results, in 177 electoral districts, 27 December 2023: Tshisekedi maintains lead
https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0nfxAQUNwZG3GD7fLBiEGHPc3isCtB7xQFAF8ZDQXJeaBofm2mL4fMihqjk8hFQeQl&id=100064537187875 (actualite.cd)
plain thorn
CENI greets us Happy New Year 🙄
https://actualite.cd/2023/12/31/rdc-felix-tshisekedi-reelu-president
plain thorn
The Congolese election commission said it had cancelled votes cast for 82 out of 101,000 candidates in legislative and local polls held in December for their involvement in alleged fraud and other issues that disrupted the general election.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-election-commission-cancels-82-candidates-over-fraud-december-polls-2024-01-06/
wise yew
https://thedefensepost.com/2024/02/12/rwanda-missiles-dr-congo/?expand_article=1 any way of verifying these reports?
proud jungle
https://thedefensepost.com/2024/02/12/rwanda-missiles-dr-congo/?expand_article=1...
https://twitter.com/MuwangaPaddy/status/1757330813811655015/photo/1 Here's a thread on it
Twitter
mental tide
Daniel Michombero seems to be in the area too
https://vxtwitter.com/michombero/status/1757681424021225614?s=19
mental tide
An NGO is evacuating its people from Goma - posting this mostly for the reports of what civilians are saying
https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/dr-congo-johanniter-evacuates-its-staff
proud jungle
https://www.radiookapi.net/2024/02/16/actualite/securite/sud-kivu-le-retrait-de-la-monusco-de-baraka-fizi-fixe-au-15-mars
MONUSCO is beginning its retreat from South Kivu by withrdrawing from bases in Fizi and Baraka. A bloody conflict in Minembwe between Rwandophone Banyamulenge and local community militias cost hundreds of lives and displaced tens of thousands last time it flared up from 2020-2022. With the deepening crisis around Goma and now the withdrawal of MONUSCO from the area, it's probably just a matter of time until violence returns to this region 😦
mental tide
It's going to be a fucked up messy mess of war crime central
plain thorn
mental tide
https://apnews.com/article/rwanda-congo-us-m23-violence-19d66c1f6e91c48cd78fc480...
Rwanda is sounding like it wants to have its own Donetsk People's Republic lately
proud jungle
A good primer from France 24 on what's going on in DRC this week and why people are so furious at the EU. From a Congolese perspective, signing a mineral deal with RW is basically endorsing M23's continued occupation of eastern DRC and the pillaging of its minerals for resale from Rwanda to international markets: https://twitter.com/pap_mas/status/1760995098333008122
Twitter
plain thorn
Turning a blind eye to Kagame’s atrocities. It was dictatorship replaced by dictatorship.
proud jungle
An incursion in northern DRC by an armed group from CAR (I'm not sure what evidence they have that they're Seleka as the article claims) appearing to target Mbororo/Fulani herdsmen in the area: https://eng.fatshimetrie.org/2024/02/22/armed-conflict-in-bas-uele-the-congolese-armed-forces-repel-the-attack-of-the-seleka-rebels/ (this article is a translation/summary of the original French from Radio Okapi, which is a decently reliable source: https://www.radiookapi.net/2024/02/24/actualite/securite/bas-uele-incursion-des-rebelles-centrafricains-seleka-dans-2-localites)
mental tide
An incursion in northern DRC by an armed group from CAR (I'm not sure what evide...
Now there's armed groups from additional outside countries? 
plain thorn
To post in #environment-wildlife
https://www.voanews.com/a/7510943.html
zenith mulch
Surprise, Erik Prince is trying to get in the fight in DRC. "The UN report says the plan to conclude a contract with Prince was halted [in mid-2023], although it was not clear whether the decision was temporary or permanent."
https://allafrica.com/stories/202403040097.html?utm_campaign=daily-headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=aans-view-link
proud jungle
Following an (extremely) sketchy and (extremely) delayed "investigation," the death of Cherubin Okende, opposition politician Moise Katumbi's right hand man, was ruled a suicide. No one actually believes this is the case - he disappeared after an appointment at the court and was found shot dead hours later in a car with a running engine. Journalist Stanys Bujakera, who was accused of leaking internal government documents that laid the blame squarely at the feet of the internal security service, is still in prison: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-opposition-spokesmans-death-ruled-suicide-2024-02-29/
proud jungle
"President Tshisekedi inaugurates a tree in Qatar" [political humor]
https://twitter.com/PatrickLokala_/status/1765372959517032587#m
Twitter
lime jacinth
But the appeals court said buying cobalt in the global supply chain did not amount to "participation in a venture" under a federal law protecting children and other victims of human trafficking and forced labor.
Circuit Judge Neomi Rao said the plaintiffs had legal standing to seek damages, but did not show the five companies had anything more than a buyer-seller relationship with suppliers, or had power to stop the use of child labor.
I really like this analysis
The author says it best:
https://twitter.com/ethuin/status/1768288397859189046?s=19
Twitter
"The absence of honest peace efforts and the recent radicalisation of the conflict – both militarily and discursively – have damaged the social fabric of the eastern DRC. As many told me during a recent stay in North Kivu, the political polarisation has become so acute that any attempt to take an impartial stance is seen as giving ‘support to the enemy’."
IMO when societies hit that point war is inevitable
proud jungle
The author says it best:
https://twitter.com/ethuin/status/1768288397859189046?s...
Thanks for sharing this fantastic analysis! He's getting put through a meatgrinder for it on social media which I feel like kind of proves his point lol
mental tide
Thanks for sharing this fantastic analysis! He's getting put through a meatgrind...
I've just seen pro Rwanda accounts chewing on him but I haven't checked since yesterday
proud jungle
Congolese government reinstated the death penalty today. This comes amid the "discovery" of many "traitors" among the FARDC (some of them from Rwandophone communities). This will definitely calm tensions and fix everything /s https://www.rfi.fr/fr/en-bref/20240315-la-rdc-rétablit-l-application-de-la-peine-de-mort-annonce-le-gouvernement?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=x&utm_source=shorty
plain thorn
mental tide
hollow frost
I am curious about the possible links to the Ugandan road project (commenced in 2021) and M23 return in 2021.
mental tide
hollow frost
https://x.com/ntvuganda/status/1769742563487948987?s=20 ADF has ramped up cross border attacks into Ug last year. perhaps this is an attempt to do the same
Twitter
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/17/ugandas-army-says-it-discovers-training-facility-for-islamist-militia in 2022 an underground training facility was discovered in Luwero District (Large Muslim population as a result of Nubian settlement during the time of Idi Amin and several foreign aid funded or Islamic Charity Projects in the area and also where the 1980s bush war that brought President Museveni to power began)
Currently there is no sign from US, UK, EU of a terror alert however Ugandan security is on High Alert
the GoU is fully convinced that in order to safegaurd Uganda, Oil pipeline and drilling then ADF cannot remain in Eastern DRC. There is also the risk of it being used as a training camp for radicals from accross the continent. For example in the late 2000s early to mid 2010s we heard rumors of Ugandans, Kenyans and other Africans being trained in Somalia. It is beleived this has resulted in AS, IS, Radical Terrorism opening up yet another front in East Africa. There were also rumors of meetings in Egypt by Islamic Extremists in 2021 who envisioned an entire continent of Africa under radical islamism. This has been evident in the rapid expansion of these groups activities. As the world focuses on Russia and Ukraine, we Africans are being left to fight the hydra beast of Islamic extremism alone.
@mental tide @proud jungle
UPDF going back to old methods of Augmentation Paramilitary or Vigilante Units. These are homegrown natives of the Operation Theatre that help soldiers from other parts of the country familiarise themselves with the environment (they know the terrain) as well as having the added morale boost benefit of fighting literally for their neighbourhoods and villages. This model has worked and helped UPDF flush ADF out of rwenzori sub region in the past and against Jospeh Kony and his LRA in the North (There have been human rights issues but i am only reporting what i have noted from online sources).
French trained UPDF mountain division will play a key role as well https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/updf-french-soldiers-conduct-rwenzori-joint-military-exercise-1828432
mental tide
<@126386632868888577> <@966121861522006076>
Thanks for tagging me, this is really interesting
proud jungle
the GoU is fully convinced that in order to safegaurd Uganda, Oil pipeline and d...
Fascinating analysis! Thanks for sharing! I really appreciate your perspective, especially since I lean towards the opinion that the ADF's ideological threat is almost always overblown in these conversations. The primary motivating factors would appear to be ethnic (defending Nande from encroachment by other ethnic groups - though this is less true since 2016 or so) and material (there's a lot of money to be made from controlling the flows of cacao, coffee, and timber in that region). ADF continues to kill hundreds of civilians in the areas it controls, but the potential for this violence to spread outside of areas immediately adjacent to traditional Nande territory seems limited.
ADF should be fought and defeated because it preys on civilians, but its Islamic State affiliation has always seemed opportunistic. Trying to deradicalize a population that (I've heard) ADF often has to forcefully "re-educate" into orthodox Sunnism after individuals are kidnapped seems like a misguided approach to this conflict.
But I will admit to being heavily influenced by analysis from Congo Research Group and a health skepticism of American claims about the threat of ISIS. (Gotta feed the military industrial complex somehow)
hollow frost
ISIS/ISCAP, AS always use social issues in an area to increase their support. It could be more sinister. While you are right that it is abit overblown and Op Shujaa has had mixed results and a significant failure to protect Congolese lives from reprisal attacks. I hope there is a way to flush them out for good. Similar to how UPDF flushed out Joseph Kony and US Marines under Obama helped pursue him all the way to CAR (again there are negative connotations and claims with UPDF presence in CAR: Bozize etc)
I beleive if African States can target their funding sources, command and control etc. They can be crippled.
How do you envision a path to sustainable peace and development in DRC @proud jungle @mental tide ?
proud jungle
I beleive if African States can target their funding sources, command and contro...
I agree with this wholeheartedly! Removing funding sources is also something that can hopefully be done without the same human rights violations associated with repeated military interventions in the Grand Nord.
I did a research project on funding sources for ADF a few years ago and what struck me was how absolutely everyone was in on the take, from the customs officials to some local chiefs, to national politicians in Kampala and Kinshasa and business people in the Gulf. So as far as a path to sustainable peace and development goes, I think the ultimate goal is to have stable governance and institutions that prioritize the people's well-being over personal enrichment. How we get there though I have no idea 😂
You'll know I've figured it out when I'm at the top of the Time 100 list
proud jungle
Stanis will be out soon
https://abcnews-go-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/abcnews.go...
PSYCHE the prosecution is appealing the decision so he's staying in jail for the time being
https://twitter.com/afrikarabia/status/1770185214163058691#m
This poor, poor, poor, poor man jfc
Twitter
hollow frost
East DRC is like Israel and Palestine conflict.
hollow frost
I agree with this wholeheartedly! Removing funding sources is also something tha...
might you be able to share it?
proud jungle
might you be able to share it?
I wish 😭 it was for a client
hollow frost
ok i understand
I think crippling ADF foreign links to (training, bomb-making, etc) as well as possibly infiltrating their communications with the Caliph Command
is a neccessary steo
*step
https://x.com/HassanIstiila/status/1660313712966639623?s=20 i wouldnt want ISCAP to gain access to Night Vision Goggles, drones, anti thermal imaging equipment etc like Al-shabab is getting nowadays
Twitter
proud jungle
PSYCHE the prosecution is appealing the decision so he's staying in jail for the...
double psyche he's on his way home ❤️ https://twitter.com/MuzindusiA/status/1770206843198898360#m
Twitter
proud jungle
A beautiful letter from Stanys Bujakera where he thanks journalism colleagues at home and internationally for campaigning for his release, and calls attention to the conditions in Makala Prison.
"Originally built for 1,500 the prison today holds 14,400 prisonners, 9,000 of whom are still awaiting a trial... Damas Ngoy Nkundu has been waiting for his trial for 21 years"
Twitter
lime jacinth
what outlets/journalists are doing good open-source work on M23's advance towards Goma?
mental tide
what outlets/journalists are doing good open-source work on M23's advance toward...
Open source? I don't think anyone. I have a Twitter list of DRC journalists that I follow
But most stuff like Kivu Security Tracker etc is closed
proud jungle
what outlets/journalists are doing good open-source work on M23's advance toward...
This guy published some decent Tweets earlier this year, but most of his interest is Islamist organizations in Africa https://twitter.com/ryanmofarrell?lang=en
This local journalist uses some rudimentary OSINT techniques for his reporting, and he's on the ground, but he's extremely partisan and can't always be trusted: https://twitter.com/michombero
This pro-Rwandan account is PROLIFIC at identifying and sharing hate crimes against Tutsis and identifying people posting anti-Tutsi hate speech in DRC, but again the content is extremely partisan: https://twitter.com/MaishaRdc
And this account contributes to identifying and attacking Rwandan disinformation networks in the DRC, but is again extremely partisan: https://twitter.com/cpgrdc
I'm sure there are others in Europe/the US that I'm not familiar with but the reality is that the DRC/Rwanda media environment is so polarized and so repressive there's little credible reporting coming from that space
Twitter
Twitter
Twitter
Twitter
proud jungle
But most stuff like Kivu Security Tracker etc is closed
I think ACLED still has conflict data for eastern DRC. HMU if you want it
mental tide
I think ACLED still has conflict data for eastern DRC. HMU if you want it
Damn I thought they were getting UN stuff which I considered closed
lime jacinth
Amazing, thank you! I feel like I've barely seen ANY coverage of this, even though it might kick off a major regional war. I'm very new to this space and not really plugged into relevant streams and sources
lime jacinth
I think ACLED still has conflict data for eastern DRC. HMU if you want it
Yeah this was the only recent OSINT-ey thing I saw
https://acleddata.com/2024/03/04/acled-brief-rwanda-backed-m23-rebels-advance-toward-goma-in-eastern-dr-congo/
mental tide
It's....a long learning journey
celest fern
Amazing, thank you! I feel like I've barely seen ANY coverage of this, even thou...
Manon and Sarah got you covered!
mental tide
But soon you'll be dropping Fatshi emoji 
proud jungle
And you'll find it completely normal to see memes of random Taliban guys with Congolese slogans posted by Fatshi stans https://twitter.com/AbouPatriote/status/1770713211429409090#m
Twitter
proud jungle
Amazing, thank you! I feel like I've barely seen ANY coverage of this, even thou...
It is completely perplexing to me that this is getting zero coverage. Possibly has to do with Western media's pro-Rwanda bias? IDK....
mental tide
When you go to France you'll only be able to speak about elections, violence, protests, and the UN, because that's the French you learned on Twitter. You can't ask where the bathroom is, tho. You don't know that phrase.
mental tide
It is completely perplexing to me that this is getting zero coverage. Possibly h...
But for real this is going to be awful, bloody, destabilizing, and I think we are headed towards at least DRC and Rwanda at war.
And all their proxies, militia from other places, and on and on.
proud jungle
Yeah this was the only recent OSINT-ey thing I saw
https://acleddata.com/2024/03...
Also this map doesn't take into account the recent spread of the conflict into South Kivu (Minova: https://twitter.com/KivuPulse/status/1770552622228906406)
-1.7060618832882575, 29.023717055065983 > general coords for Minova, I didn't geolocate that video
mental tide
Ya know the list of the armed groups in Eastern DRC might be useful too
lime jacinth
So in terms of open-source angles on M23's advance, I can think of a few. The most straightforward might be verifying some videos showing civilian harm, and combining with satellite imagery to show the changing frontline.
I remember a really detailed visualization many months ago of how the Ukrainian frontline and trench fortifications had changed recently, that could be interesting here too
I briefly looked at NASA's fire data (FIRMS) but didn't see anything that looked relevant
mental tide
I don't know if the area around Sake is as touch and go as Goma is nearby, but we often experience cloud cover
@fathom portal and @coarse turret look at satellites more than I do though. I'm the social media crawler
proud jungle
So in terms of open-source angles on M23's advance, I can think of a few. The mo...
Are you referring to the ISW map of UKR frontlines?
lime jacinth
I don't think so, IIRC someone on Twitter overlaid the outlines of trenches on top of satellite imagery and showed the detailed and minute changes. It was pretty cool but I'm having trouble finding it.
That level of granularity might not be possible here, but I would imagine the weapons systems M23 and FARDC is using leave some trace in satellite imagery
mental tide
I don't think so, IIRC someone on Twitter overlaid the outlines of trenches on t...
One thing I want to mention so that you and bcat know is that we have some street level imagery in Goma, namely on the N2, from August of 2023.
There was a massacre of civilians there and multiple people were live streaming/broadcasting. We retained that footage for future use in geolocations
I expect Goma to be a city at war in the near future and that footage could be invaluable since there's no street view.
proud jungle
Here's a map of M23 control from 1 March but IDK how granular or reliable it is
Here is another map from November 2022 to give you an idea of how rapidly the situation has deteriorated https://twitter.com/everruler14029/status/1593274706370695170/photo/1
Twitter
mental tide
So in terms of open-source angles on M23's advance, I can think of a few. The mo...
We do also have an Atlos instance started. I forgot about that because I'm deep in editorial work
coarse turret
what's going on?, i saw i got summoned by @mental tide 
mental tide
what's going on?, i saw i got summoned by <@126386632868888577> <:possumscream:1...
How's the satellite imagery over Sake? Is it as cloudy as Goma?
Also is Goma still cut off from the north? I am out of the loop since vacation. I have caught up with RL, work, and bcat modding, but not Congo lol
coarse turret
Also is Goma still cut off from the north? I am out of the loop since vacation. ...
i am pretty much like you at the moment, for the satellite imagery i can check also on planet but i doubt that i will find something not cloudy
mental tide
i am pretty much like you at the moment, for the satellite imagery i can check ...
No worries, I was just curious in a general way
proud jungle
Also is Goma still cut off from the north? I am out of the loop since vacation. ...
I believe so, though there may agreements to secure the passage of humanitarian aid. Last week, M23 also captured Rwindi (-0.7825841811193361, 29.292930353550968) and Vitshumbi (-0.6969505685744867, 29.38297733741901), so while everyone is worrying about Goma (for good reason) they're also consolidating/expanding in thr northern reaches of their territory
mental tide
Yikes on bikes dude
proud jungle
This is just my opinion, but I don't think they'll actually take Goma. In 2012, it was their 6-day occupation of Goma that triggered international backlash that led to M23 basically vanishing from existence for almost a decade. The lesson they may have taken away from this is that they can get away with pretty much anything as long as they technically stay out of Goma... they're fine randomly dropping bombs on the airport, raiding the occasional IDP camp, and beseiging the city as long as they don't set foot in it
Which means we could possibly see more activity in the western and northern parts of their territory, or expansion south into S Kivu (which they may be testing rn if reported explosion in Minova actually did come from them)
mental tide
I keep thinking about, if you block all routes from the north and west like they're currently doing, do you really need to take Goma or can you just bomb the airport and wait? idk.
coarse turret
I keep thinking about, if you block all routes from the north and west like they...
you probably just can bomb the airport and wait. Or wait for the lake to explode
mental tide
you probably just can bomb the airport and wait. Or wait for the lake to explode
Or the volcano
coarse turret
Or the volcano
i am kinda more scared about the lake
coarse turret
Or the volcano
hope they not gonna miss the airport and hit the lake
hollow frost
https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/rwanda-first-to-ratify-joint-eac-defence-pact-1331268 UG, Rwanda and Kenya have a mutual defense pact. Given the fact that Uganda and Rwanda have squashed their differences at least for now and given that General Muhoozi is now the UPDF CDF it could be possibly related to the Congo situation
https://x.com/nbstv/status/1771524037870576038?s=20 Ugandan Speaker of Parliament on Post Museveni Succession.
Twitter
Twitter
hollow frost
Or the volcano
Disclaimer: I am not on any side, i am just giving an analysis of the conflict from the perspective of Uganda and Rwanda. The Politics in the Great Lakes is like that between Israel and Palestine. An arab saying goes "When I am weak, how can i negotiate? When i am strong, how can i negotiate?" Long gruelling hundred KM marches in harsh terrain, insurgency, "winning hearts and minds" (PR war) and ideological clarity (whether right or wrong in the opinion of the reader) are very much in the DNA of the RPA-RPF(Rwanda) and NRA-NRM(Uganda). They are in essence revolutionary organisations, set on military and ideological foundations. Some researchers say(though debatable) they are not States with an Army, they are Armies with a state. And to an extent this allows them operate at a greater level of speed and efficiency than the civilian states that oppose them. At their very core is the understanding that to safegaurd their ideological "revolution" and the reasons for which they came to power is the military. Even civilian decision making in Cabinet, civil and Public service is similar to Military Command & Control Structures. As soldiers and as Generals (President Museveni and President Kagame) have fought in various theatres for the last 50 years+ what they know best is war, Even when fighting larger, more equipped forces. Like the US army, with the Blue Book, they firmly believe in ensuring that soldiers and civilian leaders and civilians understand their ideological grounds for fighting as well as try to proffessionalise their forces. The only thing that quote unquote "helped" the DRC last time was the UN pressure. After the withdrawal of M23 to lick their wounds in Cantonments in Ug and Rwanda, there was a feeling that the peace process was deliberately ignored. I believe given President Thsikedi's statements and perceived alliance with "unfriendly elements" this time M23 will march and if possible make serious efforts to remove President Tshikedi
I beleive the leaders in Uganda and Rwanda feel that during the Rwandese Genocide, the international community did not intervene at all and only intervened after the slaughter to prevent RPF forces from pursuing those they felt were perpetrators. This was an unfinished fight that has lingered for decades. To understand this we must look at the SPeeches of President Kagame and President Museveni on the matter and take them literally not figuratively because when they speak becuase regardless of them presiding over modern states they belong to the ideological generation of African leaders and politics.
proud jungle
https://www.voaafrica.com/a/indian-un-troops-abandon-positions-in-eastern-drc/7560967.html
MONUSCO troops abandoned their positions, which have since been taken by M23. Not a great look...
sharp wadi
proud jungle
Slavery-like conditions at Zijin's Carrilu cement plant in Kolwezi https://twitter.com/KiengeKki/status/1778428234201170363
Twitter
sharp wadi
In depth article on the M23 and its backing by Rwanda
Archive link: https://archive.ph/jZ3NP
sharp wadi
mental tide
keen pawn
Twitter
mental tide
Seeking Access to Congo’s Metals, White House Aims to Ease Sanctions https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/16/us/politics/congo-cobalt-us-sanctions.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sU0.2nHg.BjiaxbTuI31_
Gift link
mental tide
sharp wadi
Allegedly a failed coup at the DRC https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/democratic-republic-congo-army-says-it-stopped-attempted-coup-2024-05-19/
mental tide
Hey everyone, I am trying to collect as many social media posts about the failed coup as possible
Here's a Twitter list I'm working from https://x.com/i/lists/1698874917067051077
Please note that there are violent videos and if you come across them, DM me with them directly, or if they're not against the rules of this Discord, spoiler them appropriately
This was the person livestreaming https://www.facebook.com/christian.malanga - please note that some of the livestreams show what appear to be corpses
this is his website which...is instructive
hollow frost
Possibly the video shown (now taken down) on FB.
Content Warning: ||appears to have at least one incapacitated person||.
https://vxtwitter.com/Moise17434006/status/1792161994407129589
One of the gentlemen in black outfit is also shown here:
Like father, like son.
https://vxtwitter.com/Moise17434006/status/1792167202457567630
Dear Congolese, I don't know if what happened last night in Kinshasa is cinema or not.
But if you are fed up with Tshisekedi, the illegal president and election stealer, just join the professionals at #AFC .
Hollywood films are fiction and reality is something else.
It is not enough to smoke hemp like the Wazalendo do to succeed in a military operation.
Stop putting your lives and those of others in danger!
https://vxtwitter.com/SugiraMireille/status/1792156167793238476
mental tide
It appears that Christian Malanga is dead
hollow frost
Video of captured American and African in black outfits.
Content Warning: bloodied nose.
https://vxtwitter.com/Moise17434006/status/1792155670420025554
Another picture of father and son(?) along with unknown other:
https://vxtwitter.com/Moise17434006/status/1792180531741802715
https://vxtwitter.com/Moise17434006/status/1792168954049241248
hollow frost
It appears that Christian Malanga is dead
is Christian Malanga the elder? (I've seen photo evidence.)
hollow frost
I have a link maybe too graphic to really share here. where do you want it?
it's not gory but it does depict the deceased.
hollow frost
there's a video here I can't be much help with:
https://vxtwitter.com/Moise17434006/status/1792157013880815653
no idea who that guy is
he's speaking French though
mental tide
that's ok, we have French speakers 🙂
mental tide
pretty interesting claims to follow up on https://x.com/DinoMahtani/status/1792149779285467433
Twitter
here is reputable news naming Christian Malanga https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cgxx2zppyp0o
ok, I think I am caught up and/or stuff is being circulated so widely that it won't be hard to find
hollow frost
here's another detainee. unsure if this was linked anywhere else.
Content Warning: non-graphic, inhumane suspect detention.
hollow frost
here's another detainee. unsure if this was linked anywhere else.
**Content War...
The #RDC accuses the #Rwanda of the coup d'état against #Félix . I think the coup is very easy in #RDC , these people just weren't prepared and didn't use #UBWENGE . I think if Rwanda was part of this plan with #UBWENGE today we would be talking about a different story
mental tide
> The #RDC accuses the #Rwanda of the coup d'état against #Félix . I think the c...
i've been going through everyone's socials and I can't say i see any outright allegiance to Rwanda; instead this is "New Zaire" and seems to have been a thing for at least ~15 years. but I'm going to stop digging into the people and look more into "New Zaire" and see how that could be affiliated with Rwanda
a thread summarizing some facts:
https://vxtwitter.com/geoffreyyork/status/1792126572201206079
hollow frost
a thread summarizing some facts:
https://vxtwitter.com/geoffreyyork/status/17921...
the "white" gentleman pictured keeps getting lumped in with this other one:
idk if the implications are to suggest it's the same person.
i'm fairly strong at facial recognition and have a hard time seeing how this is the same guy.
mental tide
yeah i think it's the other guy with the bandanna over his face in the video
hollow frost
also, passport name is all over the place.
his full name is Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun?
mental tide
so I have done some work in facebook and I can DM you about it, but the name on the passport matches a Facebook account that has had interaction with the Malangas (the elder was the facebook livestreamer/New Zaire "president"
hollow frost
here's a random Scribd doc with precisely that name (it blurs once the page fully renders):
https://www.scribd.com/document/590563613/Mz-Government-Gazette-Series-III-Dated-2022-07-20-No-139
passport number differs.
as does the date range.
mental tide
the "white" gentleman pictured keeps getting lumped in with this other one:
idk...
there were multiple white men
https://x.com/geoffreyyork/status/1792136635913539669
Twitter
and I think black pants/masked face is bloody nose
I think ball cap and vest is passport
hollow frost
there were multiple white men
https://x.com/geoffreyyork/status/1792136635913539...
this face matches passport. no doubt about that.
masked man makes more sense here as the other.
mental tide
ball cap is wearing different colored pants from bloody nose
hollow frost
he is?
celest fern
He looks wet. Charcoal might show darker when wet.
hollow frost
true.
shoulders and general build are similar. those shoulders are rather distinctive, but not conclusive.
the way his waist tapers is also similar, but the stances aren't comparable in those photos.
has the skinny guy V-shape.
mental tide
so we have a bunch of unidentified Congolese (assumed), one deceased American/Congolese (Christian Malanga), one captured American/Congolese (his son, Marcel Malanga), one captured American (Ben Polun), and the rest are unidentified atm
hollow frost
slightly larger photo of same.
prob of limited use.
mental tide
ah here we are
hollow frost
yea that's from the Scribd link I found.
https://www.scribd.com/document/590563613/Mz-Government-Gazette-Series-III-Dated-2022-07-20-No-139
mental tide
fucking wild, they had like 20 dudes
i assume they were testng their product before this bright idea
mental tide
https://vxtwitter.com/geoffreyyork/status/1792189735533752628
google translate of this
an account of what happened by Vital Kamerhe's wife - apparently a drone was used
|| https://x.com/HamidaKamerhe/status/1792228486880374965 || spoilered because the preview has imagery of a man tied to the fence by his dreads
Twitter
taking an hour for reinforcements to arrive in Kinshasa is wild
sharp wadi
Comes to show how weak the DRC's government and its army is. We're not just talking about arriving in Kinshasa but a presidential palace of all things
mental tide
He has updated his assessment
https://twitter.com/ryanmofarrell/status/1792373144235225506?s=19
Twitter
mental tide
He has updated his assessment
https://twitter.com/ryanmofarrell/status/17923731...
The attached video does contain a man getting hit in the face with a rifle while being detained
hollow frost
The attached video does contain a man getting hit in the face with a rifle while...
Just so I'm clear, he's rescinding the man's identity?
Man in the ballcap and also bloody nose still presumed to be same person?
mental tide
Just so I'm clear, he's rescinding the man's identity?
Man in the ballcap and a...
That seems to be what he's saying yes. He doesn't believe bloody nose is the investor.
hollow frost
@mental tide
Have any higher qual imagery shown up for this badge?
Curious also why they wore blatant US flag patches during this coup op. There's a protocol for doing this, but reasons for that are unclear under these circumstances.
mental tide
Curious also why they wore blatant US flag patches during this coup op. There's ...
It's already being called a joint US-Israeli operation on Twitter 
hollow frost
Only the best of OSINT fam
mental tide
I'll keep an eye out for higher resolution as I scroll
mental tide
Only the best of OSINT fam
Speaking of, I think one of the bigger Congolese news outlets is misidentifying
https://vxtwitter.com/politicocd/status/1792301878606192832?s=19
hollow frost
Yes I just now saw that too.
They sure are.
Also, this is not profesh display of patchery.
Many of these gents appear particularly unsuited for the mission imo.
mental tide
If the US is couping we aren't sending our best
glad sinew
Hello! Noticed a signal jammer on the table. Not experienced with picking out models but I think its a Shenzhen Greetwin handheld signal jammer? https://greetwin.en.made-in-china.com/product/XnSrKFuAZsVm/China-Handheld-Signal-Jammer-24-Channel-GSM-LTE-WiFi-GPS-Lojack-etc-24bands-Powerful-Signal-Jammer.html
hollow frost
Hello! Noticed a signal jammer on the table. Not experienced with picking out mo...
lgtm
This fella, this shot.
He looks out of place.
No flag patch.
His pouches are empty.
Appears to be unarmed.
And looks like he wandered out of the night club restroom after the last-call floodlights came on.
glad sinew
lmao I noticed in another video a bunch of the soldiers didn't have weapons on them. Kind of concerning for a small group attempting a coup. I feel like at this point in the video they realize they are losing momentum?
mental tide
They really struggled to burn a DRC flag in one of the videos
hollow frost
@mental tide
My money on this one being the guy inhumanely detained. Fwiw.
hollow frost
lmao I noticed in another video a bunch of the soldiers didn't have weapons on t...
idk but the lack of proper arms for the occasion raises a lot of questions.
mental tide
Agreed
hollow frost
They're all huddled in this room seemingly unthreatened and unbothered. Not typical of a high-stakes coup attempt.
mental tide
They don't quite know what to do with an empty palace
fallow arch
It's already being called a joint US-Israeli operation on Twitter <:worryStare:7...
It's not
New Zaire has, certain forms of support from us, but it's very limited and would not be this. We don't even support stuff like that anymore.
Alas why we should be especially careful with identity claims
If they got folks or business associates unaffiliated with this over there, they absolutely could face greater negative situations than the local folks involved.
DRC security services are absolutely monitoring the net space also their native capabilities will absolutely not cover things like this to form, they're not a country like Lebanon whos had their services heavily supported in development by higher tier services.
fallow arch
Curious also why they wore blatant US flag patches during this coup op. There's ...
Also patches kind of track either way. We enter a weird area on the private sector affiliate spectrum here kind of distinct from the SilverCorp-esque memes and outright volunteer types we see reported. These guys likely weren't just flat New Zaire supporters but likely did so at least in rough relation to business interest, not necessarily doing it for the proverbial cause here. Given that context they probably were not thinking about running low viz for it, just got stuff for a kit.
mental tide
New Zaire has, certain forms of support from us, but it's very limited and would...
We're gonna need a source on that
mental tide
It's not
And of course it's not lol. They're using old footage of Malanga allegedly hanging out with the IDF
fallow arch
We're gonna need a source on that
We have plenty of government in exiles here but they have to act in very specific ways to prevent crossing into illegalities themselves. We extend them support by recognizing their existence and offering pathways for them to interact with our government, without letting it impact their naturalization or residency. Malange through the UCP has spent significant amounts of time here in the US campainging among Congolese diaspora, which is not something you can just show up and do in the US. There's a very good chance the talk about what's going on there was also picked up, wouldn't be surprised if we hear they got a "dont do that" message in a few months.
Hence "but its very limited and would not be this". We don't even support coups like that anymore, that's a thing of cold war era conceputalizations. Instead those same objectives are achieved through breeding overt and legitimate connections with things like governments in exile and offering them safe spaces to develop their own organic futures for their peoples (ala Belarus, Chechen Republic of Ichkeria)
mental tide
So you see a pattern here but don't have evidence that the US government was specifically supporting New Zaire
fallow arch
We are offering them indirect support by allowing them a safe space to organize and coordinate here in the US
Very distinct from things like providing supplies or explicitly allowing things like this
I can nerd out on how that works in terms of government influence but lot of folks probably dont recognize that distinction
mental tide
Versus him being a naturalized American who is exercising his First Amendment rights? And I can recognize that distinction
fallow arch
Versus him being a naturalized American who is exercising his First Amendment ri...
Yeah, so for example, since he's a foreigner, all that campaigning he does through/for UCP (an actual foreign government establishment, technically), technically requires approval as a Foreign Agent
So we would at least have to explicitly approve him (directly) to do such
That is a political decision
It's why we dont recognize groups like those in South Ossetia and Abkhazia (which did seek our support before Russia assisted them)
mental tide
"foreigner" - a naturalized citizen is still a "foreigner"?
fallow arch
"foreigner" - a naturalized citizen is still a "foreigner"?
I mean he's from a foreign nation, and beyond that was only here in exile and wanted to go home just, didnt have that as a simple option
I consider him both personally, they don't cancel one another out.
I'm actually not sure how INS and all would file that but I'm pretty sure naturalized citizens have to do a lot of the same stuff actual foreigners do who are on in on long term visas and the sort
The FA stuff would still apply anyways in the UCP context because of what it is, even if you were some random American supporting them running a social media page targeting audiences here, you'd have to do so (you dont have to be foreign to have to apply as a foreign agent, it has to do with whatever you're doing)
fallow arch
Detained or deported no, they could face legal action from DOJ though which is a headache
That can impact things with official filings in regards to their status, doesn't mean anything will happen in that regard.
Didn't say he did, was using it to clarify realistic bounds to what "support" happens. There's very little chance we supported it in any direct manner as we see claimed, and yes you could get in trouble here for planning such on our soil, if they wanted to charge you they would regardless of your risk averseness.
glad sinew
You make good points, maybe a good comparable but different incident would be Operation Gideon in Venezuela, 2020.
fallow arch
You make good points, maybe a good comparable but different incident would be Op...
Yeah some stark differences still but the somewhat closest similar example we have
sharp wadi
https://abcnews-go-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/abcnews.go.com/amp/International/a...
Page seems down 😦
mental tide
Page seems down 😦
It worked for me, I wonder if it's country blocked? Maybe try via their Twitter post
https://vxtwitter.com/ABC/status/1792790703178748343?s=19
sharp wadi
Yup, that link worked 
Thanks!
vital plover
fallow arch
This is also a good example of why you play carefully with the private sector here. Pay is really good but unless you're on an actual tight ship you'll probably sink with everyone else and the money would be for nada. Good on him for thinking it through and not taking it.
Based off the extra data we'd have now, I'd be semi-confident tagging early that Christian probably thought his window was closing in to be able to achieve his goals and wanted to do it now. That'd explain Marcels increased attempts at recruiting and growing disappointment from lack of positive responses, and then further why they'd act... as they did
And if anyone else wants further information pointing towards there likely being absolutely 0 government involvement, the fact they were going around lying about the trip is a pretty good sum up. If you get actual offers like that, it might be ambigiously worded but what's happening tends to be pretty damn clear still. This is not it
mental tide
vale mountain
plain thorn
"Since the resurgence of the M23 crisis, Uganda has not prevented the presence of M23 and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) troops on its territory or passage through it," the U.N. Security Council's Group of Experts said in the report, which was sent to the U.N. Security Council Sanctions Committee at the end of April and then to members of the Security Council in June.
The U.N. group also said it had obtained evidence confirming active support for M23 by officials from the military and military intelligence, with M23 leaders, including the sanctioned Sultani Makenga, travelling to Uganda for meetings.
sharp wadi
Yup, Ugandan support for M23 has been known for a while
abstract forum
Interesting info about IS-DRC/ADF financier Swalleh Abubakr and links to Suleiman Nsubuga. https://www.observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/81817-adf-rebel-suspect-extradited-from-zambia-remanded-to-luzira-for-terrorism
He was previously subject to UN reporting in coms with Meddie NKALUBO and South Africa IS cells
abstract forum
Swalleh and two other facilitators were just sanctioned
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2477
South Africa appearing more significant in Islamic States African networks.
abstract forum
Good to see more artilces like this emerging. This line tho, "Several months later, Uganda sent thousands of troops to Congo after a terrorist attack in downtown Kampala; both the Ugandan and Congolese governments blamed it on a **militia **based in northeastern Congo."
abstract forum
According to the latest UN report on Islamic state,
“In the months of May
and June alone, ADF killed over 260 civilians, with Member States reporting 500 deaths in North Kivu since January.
- Member States report that ADF commander Abwakasi (listed as Ahmad
Mahmood Hassan, CDi.040) led recent attacks that killed over 200 civilians.
Abwakasi was observed taking photographs of each attack and then transferring them to another device with Internet connection. At the same time, Member States noted an increase in propaganda highlighting ADF attacks, following months of near
silence. Regarding the leadership of ADF, it is reported that Seka Baluku (alias Musa Baluku, CDi.036) is gravely ill and seeking hospitalization.”
Allegedly Abwakasi leading prayers in a village south of Biakato from Caleb Weiss’s Twitter
mental tide
Allegedly Abwakasi leading prayers in a village south of Biakato from Caleb Weis...
Do you have the link to this tweet?
abstract forum
Do you have the link to this tweet?
Twitter
He’s regularly featured in ISCAP photo reports with his face blurred leading prayer
mental tide
https://x.com/caleb_weiss7/status/1803850620828598545?s=46&t=EDyv8BLbLQtUuC4fqWT...
Thanks so much, I want to check out this account 
abstract forum
Caleb is great
mental tide
I'm always looking for good sources to add to my DRC Twitter list!
abstract forum
the guys associated with Bridgeway Foundation are good starting points. They follow a lot of journalists in north kivu
mental tide
It seems everyone I know follows Caleb so I should also do that!
abstract forum
@mental tide Have you heard of Muhindo Charles Akili Mundos.
https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/NK-ZBiKyY8nacvDCoFwDUX2d5/
According to the latest UN committee report on Congo he’s possibly assisted a senior adf member escape prison
proud jungle
Pretty sure he's one of the people profiled in this report
Nvm I must have read about him somewhere else, I think I know where but it might take a minute to track down the source.
Leaving the earlier link up bc it's a great if dated resource on adf
https://www.congoresearchgroup.org/en/2017/09/20/the-beni-killings-our-findings/
Here we go! Another fantastic crg research project, I suggest reading the full report for context and because some of the people mentioned are still major players in drc politics
There's another source I had in mind that I think details his financial involvement with the group, I'll look for it tomorrow
abstract forum
Nvm I must have read about him somewhere else, I think I know where but it might...
Yeah I’ve read through. Solid article.
abstract forum
https://www.congoresearchgroup.org/en/2017/09/20/the-beni-killings-our-findings/...
Thanks I’ve haven’t read this yet so I’ll dig in
Here’s the allegation in the latest UN reporting
“Sources close to ADF and ADF detainees reported that Amigo, who was also close to Hamuli, played an important role in both attempts to liberate Hamuli and used his connections at the highest levels of the FARDC to do so, possibly including sanctioned individual Muhindo Ak Ili Mundos (CDi.032), as reported by Hamuli to a source (see also S/2015/797, para 93-97, S/2016/466, para 198-204 about Mundos and ADF). This illustrates that over the years, ADF has established close links with several FARDC elements and DRC authorities, including prominent figures, most of whom had served in Beni territory.”
Pg57
mental tide
Twitter
cerulean sonnet
sly steppe
Looking at Apple and Tesla DRC 3T + Gold sources, if anyone has any guidance, send it my way
sharp wadi
Afaik this is extremely hard to track, especially with open sources, but I would love to be wronged and shown a way too, I'm very interested as well
sly steppe
Afaik this is extremely hard to track, especially with open sources, but I would...
I'll keep you updated :)
rare nimbus
proud jungle
fathom portal
fathom portal
Nothing showing up on FIRMS for this....will have a search for images today
sharp wadi
FIRMS is, in my experience, not great for the DRC given the high cloud coverage
fathom portal
FIRMS is, in my experience, not great for the DRC given the high cloud coverage
Yeah it is potluck that's for sure
mental tide
celest fern
Crosspost with #latest-research message
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2024/12/10/retracing-the-congolese-march-where-dido-kakisingi-was-killed/
mental tide
Crosspost with https://discord.com/channels/709752884257882135/10431433950041334...
Here's our supplemental article with more background, some Facebook page findings, and translations of selected videos
summer shadow
FIRMS is, in my experience, not great for the DRC given the high cloud coverage
Does sentinel imagery work? (Either vegetation height analysis through DSMs or moisture content analysis)
For bigger fires maybe useful
Although i guess in most cases still hard unless you have access to higher resolution stuff
Both cause this way you might be able to try to see through clouds, but also cause you might detect them if the clouds clear for a little bit after the fire already ended
mental tide
Anyone else besides the usual suspects diving into the Amnesty report about the Goma massacre last year?
mental tide
This is really turning into a kerfluffle
"Hours earlier, Congo’s Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said on the social media platform X that anyone who reports on “the activities of the Rwandan army and its M23 auxiliaries, will now suffer the full force of the law (DEATH PENALTY).”
Muyaya, the government spokesperson, downplayed the threat, saying it was only an “interpretation” and that the minister’s statement was meant for anyone “who can be used ... to pass on messages from the enemy.”
Opposition spokesman Hervé Diakiese denounced Thursday’s ban and posted on X that freedom of expression means the ability “not only to say things that are pleasant to hear but also things that may displease. And the right to say so, even if they cause harm.”
“Being patriotic doesn’t mean being government propagandists,” Diakiese said.
Congo’s media regulatory body on Tuesday warned three French news organization — Radio France Internationale, France24 and TV5 Monde — over their coverage of the M23 rebels’ advances in eastern Congo."
rare nimbus
proud jungle
https://t.me/POPULARXFRONT/1601
Lol AJ trying to get back on the DRC's good side. One of the complaints leveled against AJ and some Western media outlets is that they were only covering M23 advances and not FARDC ones. So I guess AJ got the assignment 😂
mental tide
ancient vale
The video that reignites the controversy: who killed the Military Governor of North Kivu, Major General Peter CHIRIMWAMI NKUBA?
Last Thursday, when the noose was tightening on Sake, this video was widely shared by Internet users. The military Governor had just arrived on the front line, accompanied by a journalist who filmed him, tossing out a few words in Swahili to the inhabitants of Goma, whom he asked not to panic, asserting that the Governor was determined to regain control of Sake.
At the 19th second of the video, something unexpected happens: the Governor is stopped by some FARDC and Wazalendo elements. A discussion ensues, apparently heated... a situation that raises questions, because according to military ethics, lower-ranking soldiers cannot afford to address a two-star General in this way.
What were they saying to each other? What were they reproaching the Governor for? And what was the outcome of this exchange? Unfortunately, no one will know. No serious investigation will be carried out, and everything will be swept under the carpet.
Translated with DeepL
solid girder
next magnet
Does anyone know if there's a decent map of the current situation around Goma?
I doubt there is, but I thought I'd ask
mental tide
Does anyone know if there's a decent map of the current situation around Goma?
I liked this one a lot
The axis to the north is very touch and go along the N2 highway. M23 has historically been operating in Virunga National Park there
It looks very grim
Masisi and Katele in the northwest of the map have also fallen I think
next magnet
Yeah, they are also quite far north
Best guess is that they want to take Goma before the UNSC session on monday
After that probably a push to Bukavu
Idk what the end goal is though. If more foreign troops get deployed Rwanda will have trouble holding on
mental tide
Today the Congo River Alliance put out a statement instructing FARDC to lay down their arms within the next 48 hours, and the 48 hour deadline would give them until Monday. I'll get that tweet for you shortly
do you happen to use my Congo list on DRC?
mental tide
Today the Congo River Alliance put out a statement instructing FARDC to lay down...
I've been having the worst problems with twitter but hopefully this loads https://x.com/LawrenceKanyuka/status/1883170137723043925/photo/1
X
ancient vale
https://x.com/NewTimesRwanda/status/1883467793242505447
Closed airspace
X
sharp wadi
https://x.com/NewTimesRwanda/status/1883467793242505447
Closed airspace
M23 has no authority on the Goma airport, and as for now there are no unusual activity at the airport (it's not a very busy one and cancellations are common, so it will take time to confirm, but as of now the flight to Addis Ababa which can be used to measure the situation is expected to depart in a few hours per FR24)
Now, if M23 just got enough air defence capabilities to threaten airliners in Goma, that's something of interest. But unless we see signs of closing at the airport, I think this is propaganda
Also I just realised the source you shared is pro-Rwanda. Rwanda backs M23 and had a consistent disinfo and propaganda effort against the DRC
ancient vale
M23 has no authority on the Goma airport, and as for now there are no unusual ac...
you are right i was litterally reading about how this is propaganda and that monusco planes are still waiting to depart
i also saw claims that M23 shot down a plane, but no proof whatsoever, only a video of a downed helicopter from a few months ago
sharp wadi
Can you share the video of the downed helicopter? That would be huge news if confirmed
(I'm highly sceptical but that warrants verification)
ancient vale
no i'm just saying there is no proof that video was posted way before and not in goma airport, it just comfirms people online lie
but i can dm you the tiktok link if you want
sharp wadi
Yes please!
Even if it's from months ago, it's good to document it, if it indeed happened in the DRC
next magnet
M23 has no authority on the Goma airport, and as for now there are no unusual ac...
we have seen AD systems of unknown origin cough Rwandan cough, being operated inside the DRC
so they have the capability at the very least
sharp wadi
we have seen AD systems of unknown origin *cough* Rwandan *cough*, being operate...
Please provide me the sources to document them as that completely slipped under my radar, thanks
next magnet
Please provide me the sources to document them as that completely slipped under ...
UN is the source btw
proud jungle
Was gonna say it was in a recent GOE report!
I think this one from July https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/final-report-group-experts-democratic-republic-congo-s2024432-enarruzh
next magnet
Was gonna say it was in a recent GOE report!
thanks, was looking for it, but couldn't find it
sharp wadi
It does look that Goma airport has been closed by the Congolese government https://bsky.app/profile/ethuin.bsky.social/post/3lgnanxcbrs2s
mental tide
AFC's statements this week have been interesting in that they're acting like a municipal authority. "Restore power to Goma because our brothers shouldn't have to live in darkness" , "we have closed the airport" etc. you can get their statements from Lawrence Kanyuka on Twitter who I linked above
ancient vale
Bintou Keita at the UN meeting just said the Goma airport is now closed and they are trapped
flighradar still display scheduled departure
next magnet
https://x.com/Ljudps_RDC/status/1883536823454245276
Video, please ignore the caption
X
https://x.com/MONUSCO/status/1883530220294295593
4 photos of UN positions
X
proud jungle
Does anyone know if there's a decent map of the current situation around Goma?
Afrikarabia (Christophe Rigaud) is a pretty good source, looks like he has a map of M23 contrl from a few days ago https://x.com/afrikarabia/status/1882048829132054787
X
rare nimbus
formal maple
Hi everyone, I'm a journalist based in NYC and currently focusing on OSINT reporting in the DRC for a conflict reporting course at Columbia Journalism School with Azmat Khan. I am wondering what I could best focus on given the current situation and would like to hear your thoughts. One of my ideas was to investigate clear evidence that Rwanda is supporting M23, as it still seems that it's officially being denied despite there being evidence. Do you have an idea where I could find that evidence?
proud jungle
Hi everyone, I'm a journalist based in NYC and currently focusing on OSINT repor...
The last few UN Group of Expert reports cover this issue extensively. It's not necessarily open source but you might be able to find an angle for your investigation
formal maple
Thanks a lot, even though the last report didn't really say where evidence is from, it just said “obtained further evidence – authentic photographs, drone footage, video recordings, testimony, and intelligence – confirming systematic border incursions by RDF.” So I'm trying to find this drone footage, video recordings, photographs etc
mental tide
Contrasting the statements of M23 (we want to avenge the genocidal Congolese government) vs their actions (taking mining towns) is always instructive too 🙃
mental tide
proud jungle
Thanks a lot, even though the last report didn't really say where evidence is fr...
I think this image from the GOE report, no? #1123414680212340910 message It's the one from last July
dapper crown
Look in the GOE report annexes! The interesting stuff is always in there 😉
floral stream
celest fern
weary forge
Mentioning because there are a lot of geolocations in the article, GeoConfirmed has a DRC map https://geoconfirmed.org/drc
pine bramble
mental tide
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/7/thousands-flee-in-eastern-dr-congo-as-m2...
Was this article posted as context from earlier in the conflict? It's from February of last year
Also I removed the screenshot of popular front because the truck bed is full of bodies and we have rules about using spoilers for that - see #rules
rare nimbus
faint urchin
Doing some reading on DRC/Rwanda and it's interesting/fascinating/scary stuff and thought worth a share:
This is an incredibly good fact sheet showing off the range of mineral wealth in the DRC: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099101723140622516/pdf/P17516105e95da0de0a34c0dd670e6f75cf.pdf
As we can see from the above sheet there is a huge concentration of mineral wealth in the immediate region around Goma.
Here Kagame admits DRC minerals go through Rwanda:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gql91CphSXk
Here is a trade agreement signed between EU/Rwanda last year for mineral wealth: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_822
Goma is also the key in the trade of the minerals out of DRC through Rwanda to Dar-es Salaam to world markets: https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/news-research/latest-news/metals/012725-rwandan-backed-rebels-seize-goma-in-mineral-rich-eastern-congo
Here it shows DRC has somewhat chosen a Chinese company as it's lithium partner at least for it's biggest mine:
https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/natural-resource-governance/lithium-rush-africa/
And just for other interested parts of reading here is a good BBC article and NYT article on the current conflict:
BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgyzl1mlkvo
NYT: https://archive.is/OG8Nx
rare nimbus
mental tide
mental tide
https://www.msf.org/fr/rdcongo/rdc-goma-plong%C3%A9e-dans-le-chaos-des-centaines...
Detailed update about what's been going on in several districts of Goma
X
fathom portal
Just a heads up that there is some particularly gruesome footage circulating of the massacre of villagers (beheadings, villagers hacked to death with machetes).....a rough location is somewhere around 35km NW of Butembo.
Best avoid it
mental tide
Manon talked on the podcast about how Jason Stearns is a good resource. He has a new piece out
mental tide
Life After a Rebel Takeover https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/world/africa/life-after-a-rebel-takeover.html?unlocked_article_code=1.tk4.1l5n.jKB5VmSi85qL
Very little news from Goma is coming out due to the internet being blocked
jolly void
https://x.com/USEmbKinshasa/status/1886384254969397674
The Embassy advises U.S. citizens in the DRC to depart immediately via commercial means.
X
The UN is evacuating dependents from Kinshasa
ancient vale
Warning: Article has picture of mass grave
||https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20250204-est-de-la-rdc-près-de-3000-morts-dans-l-offensive-sur-goma-d-après-l-onu||
Eastern DRC: nearly 3,000 dead in the offensive on Goma, according to the UN
Nearly 3,000 dead in Goma following last week's clashes: this is the latest dramatic and still provisional death toll given by the United Nations on Tuesday February 4. Humanitarian organizations fear epidemics.
frank dew
News from The Guardian by Joost Batmeijer, Saskia Houttuin and Mark Townsend on the situation in Gomo https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/05/democratic-republic-congo-goma-women-raped-burned-death-prison-m23-rebels-rwanda
proud jungle
Warning: Article has picture of mass grave
||https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/2025...
https://bsky.app/profile/ethuin.bsky.social/post/3lheuotixlc2e
According to a top DRC researcher: I am told this number may not be wrong but also that the current state of oversight does neither allow to confirm or infirm this count.
ancient vale
https://bsky.app/profile/ethuin.bsky.social/post/3lheuotixlc2e
According to a to...
thanks for the heads up
mental tide
Seems like this has been a Russia-style "ceasefire"
https://apnews.com/article/congo-goma-m23-bukavu-rwanda-871a8bcd404f6579cb83f04f04338a7b
fathom portal
1st Meeting, 37th Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the situation in DRC is streaming live now
mental tide
so many good DRC articles coming out https://www.theafricareport.com/375904/drc-rwanda-rubaya-coltan-mine-at-the-heart-of-m23-financing/
celest fern
In this week's Book Club book (The Palestine Laboratory) the author mentions a lot of countries Israel has sold weapons and surveillance software to. DRC is not in there, but Rwanda is. It is claimed thst Israel sold weapons to Rwanda before and even during the genocide and that they have been using Pegasus since 2017, for instance.
Now I'm wondering of course: how much of that filered through to the current conflict? Any signs, weapons sightings etc?
fathom portal
In this week's Book Club book (The Palestine Laboratory) the author mentions a l...
There's a few photos of FARDC Unit 112 with Emtan MZ-4P's
fathom portal
All reports indicate that M23 took Kalehe yesterday and the current front is between Kasheke and Kabamba as they push south.
Speaking to Christoph Vogel last night he seems to think that Congolese forces have already moved equipment out of Kavumu airport to concentrate on Bukavu with possible reinforcements from Burundian troops.
It would be interesting to find out where the relocated their CH-4's.....maybe Lubumbashi?
As far as I can work out, this is a rough area of M23 control as it stands today.
proud jungle
All reports indicate that M23 took Kalehe yesterday and the current front is bet...
I think I saw something about them being moved a few days ago, I'll do some digging and get back to you!
fathom portal
I think I saw something about them being moved a few days ago, I'll do some digg...
Thanks Manon!
proud jungle
Thanks Manon!
I must have hallucinated the post. But my guess is that if they were relocated maybe they went to Kalemie (-5.873300347165239, 29.24848920508935) ? It's much closer than Lubumbashi, has a functioning airport with functoinal hangars, and there was a MONUSCO presence there until 2022, so clearly it has/had the capacity to handle military aircraft.
Another possible option might be Kindu (-2.9262914003125626, 25.91491400039984), which is also a functioning airport but the hangars don't look nearly as well-maintained, at least as of 1/2022 Google Earth imagery. Minister of Transportation and former MinDef (who also happens to be a convicted war criminal) Jean-Pierre Bemba was there a few days ago to "rally morale."
If they did relocate the CH-4s to Lubumbashi, that seems like it would be a major capitulation
fathom portal
I must have hallucinated the post. But my guess is that if they were relocated m...
I think Christoph mentioned they might have gone to Kalemie 👍
celest fern
Did we have confirmation about Bukavu before? https://vxtwitter.com/thomasvlinge/status/1890455360789520437
mental tide
Christ they just took Kavumu airport a matter of hours ago. However this should be checked as Thomas has gotten called out for sharing wrong locations before
celest fern
The location looks legit to me. Timing I daren't say.
mental tide
Yeah they were in Kavumu in daylight and I just don't know if they had enough daylight left to get to Bukavu
But they may have just crossed from Rwanda vs coming down the highway
next magnet
Did we have confirmation about Bukavu before? https://vxtwitter.com/thomasvlinge...
-2.5000119, 28.8516155
mental tide
Uganda looking like it's going to help itself to a province too
X
I am specifically looking for incidents around Panzi Hospital in Bukavu
mental tide
a recap: M23/Rwanda seized the North Kivu capital of Goma several weeks ago, just seized the South Kivu capital of Bukavu (in progress), and Uganda is going to take the province of Ituri to the north. In Kinshasa, there's going to be demonstrations about Catholic churches tomorrow. 
fathom portal
X
As per the above....if Christophe doesn't know what's going on, I'm pretty sure I have no hope
Lot's of confusion as to what is going on in Bukavu.
One possibility is the main M23 force is just south of Kavumu airport after securing that yesterday.
There has been talk of FARDC abandoning positions in Bukavu and perhaps an advance M23 element pushing into the city to take advantage of the FARDC chaos before heading back north to rejoin the main M23 force around Murhesa.
In the absence of FARDC, the local population went on a looting free-for-all, kids procured abandoned weapons and started walking the streets shooting into the air and finally FARDC strapped their stuff together enough to return to the city and resume their positions and start patrols.
This is roughly where I think we are at but we really need more information and will wait on that......and this is a stab in the dark at best
M23 in red, M23 advance party in green who have now rejoined the main force or thereabouts.
Yesterday, there was at least four round trips from Kigali to Bakavu by two Rwandan Air Force Mi-17V-5's - RAF1705 and RAF0105
Hard to work out if they landed or the exact route as they were flitting in and out.
mental tide
good explainer on the current state of things (current being "as of this weekend") https://theconversation.com/m23-rebels-are-marching-across-eastern-drc-the-interests-driving-players-in-the-conflict-249738
rare nimbus
forest chasm
US Office of Foreign Assets Control new DR Congo designations to specially designated nationals list (sanctions)
Source: https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20250220
Press Release: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0022
-
James Kabarebe (Kabarebe) is a former RDF general and the current Minister of State for Regional Integration in the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs...Kabarebe is a Rwandan government liaison to M23 and orchestrates RDF support for the armed group. In addition, Kabarebe manages much of Rwanda and M23’s generation of revenue from the DRC’s mineral resources.
-
Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston (Kanyuka) is M23’s civilian spokesperson and a public relations officer for the Congo River Alliance, a U.S.-sanctioned coalition of rebel groups that seeks to overthrow the DRC government.
-
Kingston Fresh LTD (Kingston Fresh) is a food services company in the UK that is directed and owned by Kanyuka
-
Kingston Holding is a mining consultancy based in Paris, France, that is managed and owned by Kanyuka.
faint urchin
https://x.com/AndrewMwenda/status/1892219193711382811
I know this discord is not for opinion or comment and I apologise, but what a mindbogglingly stupid statement. Totally out of whack with reality.
silk tartan
i am only sharing what may potentially be driving some policy makers. OP is a big person in GLR
silk tartan
**Disclaimer: I am not on any side, i am just giving an analysis of the conflict...
it is essential for people to understand this. These long "revolutionary marches" are deep in the DNA of both the Rwandese and Ugandan Militaries. I don't believe in the tribalist expansion ideology that many pro-Rwanda or pro-Uganda people are pushing but this is a reality on the ground.
shadow python
"A group of critically injured South African peacekeepers who were hurt in fighting in eastern Congo a month ago have been evacuated by the United Nations, the South African armed forces said Tuesday." https://www.africanews.com/2025/02/25/critically-injured-south-african-soldiers-evacuated-from-congo-amid-rebel-offensive/
shadow python
A different perspective. On women traders who trade across the border and the impact the war is having on their businesses and community : https://continent.substack.com/p/selling-tomatoes-in-a-war-zone
mental tide
Today in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province which is currently under M23 occupation, there were at least two explosions at a rally called by M23 leadership. There's scenes of some injured people in the following video:
|| https://x.com/SamuelBaker_B/status/1895209661827330518?t=iE65NevU1_E1dzic8S7QXg&s=19 ||
X
I've collected images and videos but I've seen references to the civilian population being ordered by M23 to appear at the rally. If you've seen anything like fliers distributed to back this claim up, I'm interested
royal coral
Congolese government and M23 are accusing eachother of being the source of the explosions... Difficult to establish however.
royal coral
Today in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province which is currently under M23...
As for proof of the "invitation" to the M23 meeting, this graphic was shared on social media. I am trying to find photos of physical fliers although a lot was done through radio and in person convocations.
X
Let me know if you are looking for any other information. I can check with my contacts in Bukavu. @mental tide
mental tide
Let me know if you are looking for any other information. I can check with my co...
Thank you for that post! I'm not sure if we have enough to do an article yet (waiting for my colleagues to have a look) so I don't want your contacts to go to any trouble - although I'd love for them to join the discord!
mental tide
Why Congo’s Vast Army Is Struggling to Fight a Far Smaller Militia https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/world/africa/congo-army-weak-rwanda-m23.html?unlocked_article_code=1.004.hv3o.d0XDxODz2azN
onyx mirage
Bluesky
forest chasm
The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) on Saturday (1 March 2025) dismissed social media rumours alleging weapons were being shipped from Kigoma Port on Lake Tanganyika to Kalemie in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Africa Ports article : https://africaports.co.za/#9578
TPA Statement (Swahili): https://ports.go.tz/index.php/en/news2/taarifa-kwa-umma-ufafanuzi-juu-ya-taarifa-zisizo-sahihi-za-mzigo-inayopita-bandari-ya-kigoma
mental tide
> The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) on Saturday (1 March 2025) dismissed social...
Ooh thanks we have some weapons watchers @coarse turret @fathom portal
forest chasm
Welcome @mental tide , another article: https://thechanzo.com/2025/03/03/tanzania-debunks-claims-of-weapons-shipment-to-kalemie-drc/
Examples of claims the vessel was transporting arms (disputed by the Tanzanian Port Authority)
https://x.com/DRCNewsToday/status/1896317329191117229
https://x.com/LeprinceKapi/status/1895722842152693854
https://x.com/MukabaGermain/status/1895592180309528788
X
X
X
mental tide
On February 21, a lobbyist representing the Congolese Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi sent letters to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other American officials inviting U.S. investment in Congo's vast mineral resources in exchange for helping to reinforce "regional stability".
mental tide
X
shadow python
BBC article on massacre of young people in the Kasika neighbourhood in Goma https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgj5gl25756o
summer shadow
Random, but does anyone have coords of the main refugee (resettlement) camps that were affected by events this/last year?
Experimenting with some GIS stuff for uni (have to look at refugee settlement expansion in Uganda) and thought this’d be an interesting topic to practice around (also cause knowing Congo the landscape will be difficult, which is a useful challenge)
proud jungle
Yes!! And it includes the status of the camps in January - many of them were in the process of being emptied, and many of them have probably continued to be emptied in the last month or two
The coords are approximate
summer shadow
The coords are approximate
Yeah good enough, can track it down based on that
Thanks!!
proud jungle
Np! You should share your project when it's done if you don't mind, super curious as to what you come up with!!
summer shadow
Np! You should share your project when it's done if you don't mind, super curiou...
Not sure if the Congo things will be worked out well enough or if it’ll just be a bunch of experiments that i don’t work out beyond the experiment stage. But worst case i’ll share my Uganda project in #chit-chat and ping you
Won’t be anything too impressive either way but maybe some nice maps with standard methods
proud jungle
Not sure if the Congo things will be worked out well enough or if it’ll just be ...
Thank you!!
rare nimbus
Yes!! And it includes the status of the camps in January - many of them were in ...
Be careful, mods don't like it when you upload files.
Best to send it privately.
proud jungle
Be careful, mods don't like it when you upload files.
Thanks for the tip!! I can DM anyone else who wants the files
fathom portal
Won’t be anything too impressive either way but maybe some nice maps with standa...
The Bulengo IDP camp near Lac Vert at the edge of Goma was probably the most dramatic and pronounced, but as manonymous has mentioned, there are many that have been abandoned since the Goma Offensive.
I'm sure the coordinates will be in the file but it's -1.622922, 29.123411 if needed.
I'm in touch with a Goma-based photojournalist who documented the dismantling of the camp if you need any photographs to back up your GIS work for uni.....sing out if you'd like me to put you in touch with him.
summer shadow
The Bulengo IDP camp near Lac Vert at the edge of Goma was probably the most dra...
Thanks!🫶 The actual uni assignment itself needs to be on Uganda specifically so this is more for personal practice and probably won’t need additional otg imagery. Thanks for the offer tho!🫡
mental tide
X
M23 pulled out of the scheduled negotiations with DRC tomorrow, citing these sanctions
X
lime jacinth
mental tide
https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/war-torn-congo-has-a-deal-for-trump-kick-out-re...
it's been interesting watching Fatshi waving minerals around while Trump talks to Zelensky about it
Congo officials tag Elon, etc, on Twitter about it
austere yoke
it's been interesting watching Fatshi waving minerals around while Trump talks t...
I’ve noticed Africans in other countries proposing similar ideas frequently in recent years. Like it’s often mentioned in relation to Wagner, and not just by politicians.
Very explicit offers of resource rights for security assistance, preferably without any pesky strings attached to election deadlines or democracy.
mental tide
Since China is doing the "resource rights for infrastructure" thing, and historically resources have simply been used to make government officials wealthy while not investing that wealth in the state, I'm not surprised that getting something for those resources instead of the historical nothing is appealing
summer shadow
Since China is doing the "resource rights for infrastructure" thing, and histori...
Not congo but I've noticed growing pushback to it in Zambia though (or more accurately, less positive views, I think it's still relatively positive overall). They developed a huge stake in the copper belt and especially between 2016-2022 I saw a massive increase in Chinese presence in Livingstone (Zambia's main city in the south and on the crossroads for the ports in Namibia). Got extreme enough that at one point during Zambia's independence day festivals, people were doing a Chinese dance in one of those dragon costumes. But last time I went the local presence in Livingstone was almost entirely gone (Chinese hotels that hosted the businessmen all shut down).
I think it's a mix of several factors (covid + general restructuring of the belt and road initiative), but also definitely feels like the local and political enthusiasm for deals with China massively decreased. Like, yes they invest heavily in infrastructure which is nice, but in the end they're not giving a great deal either (plus certain cultural differences I presume, but I have no experience with that).
Can imagine this pattern will to certain extents repeat in other african countries (depending on the level of democratic influence in politics and broader national economics)
So yeah, if the US goes further down this path with their foreign policy, I can imagine these countries might be very happy to try and switch back from China to the US
blissful stream
[ignore this I just want to get notifications]
celest fern
[ignore this I just want to get notifications]
There's a setting for that:
blissful stream
There's a setting for that:
holy shit thank you
rare nimbus
mental tide
DRC president commutes death sentences for 3 Americans convicted in coup attempt
https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/02/africa/americans-death-sentence-commuted-drc-intl
shadow python
Talks news from Africa NEws https://www.africanews.com/2025/04/04/us-holds-talks-with-kinshasa-on-developing-the-dr-congos-mineral-resources/
mental tide
Massad Boulos, Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law, said Thursday that he and the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo had “agreed a on a path forward” for a minerals deal, during his first trip after being named named senior adviser for Africa. The deal itself is far from final, but Boulos said the U.S. wanted “a lasting peace that affirms the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the D.R.C.”
Congo’s president, Felix Tshisekedi, offered the U.S. and Europe a stake in his country’s extensive mineral wealth in an interview in February. Congo is rich in minerals like gold, cobalt and others found in phones and computers, but many are already being mined by Chinese companies or are in territory controlled by M23, a militia backed by Rwanda. The militia has torn through vast stretches of eastern Congo since the beginning of the year, and Tshisekedi wants U.S. support against M23 and Rwanda in return for his country’s minerals.
shadow python
Does anyone have updates on the situation in Kinshasa w.r.t. the floods?
sharp wadi
Does anyone have updates on the situation in Kinshasa w.r.t. the floods?
33 dead per government sources yesterday https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/04/07/actualite/societe/inondations-kinshasa-le-gouvernement-annonce-un-bilan-provisoire-de-33
shadow python
33 dead per government sources yesterday https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/04/07/a...
nods Thanks! I was aware of the official statements. I was wondering whether anyone has links outside of the regular channels' perhaps someone on social media posting updates.
mental tide
Tshisekedi has been seen as the pro-US politician and is really working the pivot to the US from China at the moment
Additionally, the former president Joseph Kabila has apparently moved back to Goma, which is still under M23 occupation
https://x.com/VoiceOfCongo/status/1909688960667824528?t=4ps3-1rJyK-YFKxMQw15Ug&s=19
X
shadow python
wise yew
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-government-m23-rebel-delegations-doha...
What is Qatar's angle here? Why is a so called middle power brokering this settlement? Do they have a huge stake in the mineral value chain?
shadow python
What is Qatar's angle here? Why is a so called middle power brokering this settl...
I am not sure. I think Qatar might be considered more impartial than many other places? DW.com suggest they were chosen because they have a good history when it comes to peace talks https://www.dw.com/en/will-qatar-mediation-role-pacify-eastern-congo/a-71984284
wise yew
I am not sure. I think Qatar might be considered more impartial than many other ...
Who chose Qatar? There is definitely the possibility of a new frontier of the US China cold war in DRC given China's stake in Congo's mineral wealth and the US wanting a piece. What are the odds that the US encouraged Kigali/M23 to move on Kinshasa to force Fashi to run to the US for help as they knew China will not lift a finger
mental tide
Who chose Qatar? There is definitely the possibility of a new frontier of the US...
Do you have any evidence that the US did this?
wise yew
Do you have any evidence that the US did this?
None at all. Speculation on my part. But they have a long history of meddling in DRC to secure supply chains for minerals going back to the Mobutu era, he is widely regarded as a CIA asset
mental tide
Okay we just don't do speculation here. We work with open source information and evidence
wise yew
Okay we just don't do speculation here. We work with open source information and...
Understood.
mental tide
shadow python
mental tide
mental tide
https://www.theafricareport.com/381915/erik-prince-returns-to-the-drc-amid-us-mi...
This guy is notorious (Erik Prince) and whenever one of his companies becomes too toxic he rinses and repeats with a new one. Interesting that he's been talking with Kabila who has returned to Goma
sharp wadi
Speaking of Kabila, the DRC has opened legal investigations against him and suspended his party due to his connections with M23 https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/04/20/actualite/securite/constant-mutamba-ordonne-louverture-de-poursuites-judiciaires-contre
shadow python
shadow python
huge if true https://www.africanews.com/2025/04/24/m23-and-congolese-government-agree-to-halt-fighting-work-towards-peace/
sharp wadi
Potential good news for conducting open source research in the DRC: Starlink is available in the country according to You-Know-Who, after the Congolese government lifted a ban on Starlink back on Friday. Hopefully we soon see more congolese having access to the Internet.
https://www.reuters.com/science/starlink-is-now-available-congo-musk-says-2025-05-04/
mental tide
@vestal kernel here's our Congo post 🙂
Since I'm here I'll share what I'm reading https://www.accord.org.za/ajcr-issues/women-and-peace-building-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/
Which I found reading this
mental tide
This is not unexpected but it's still really hard for me to see. Michombero is a great local journalist in Eastern DRC, and M23 leadership in occupied Congo is starting rumors about him
https://x.com/michombero/status/1922726983622066421?t=S3QBmKBfKhIyKQwPLh5Pvw&s=19
X
@proud jungle gave Michombero a shout out on our Bellingchat episode
mental tide
Outlet Tazama RDC has decided to stop reporting on the security situation in the Kivu provinces. Additionally, a journalist from Goma was detained by M23, but Michombero says he's seen a video of the journalist alive. https://x.com/michombero/status/1929471959596744795
X
mental tide
NBC tied together a lot of leads some of us were following and did a great job
https://www.nbcnews.com/video/hidden-invasion-inside-rwanda-s-covert-war-in-eastern-congo-241043525685
mental tide
white tiger
Kabila’s Return to the DRC: Africa File Special Edition
Author: Yale Ford
Key Takeaway: Former Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has reentered Congolese politics to capitalize on the eastern DRC crisis and regain power by positioning himself as the leader of a broad opposition bloc that includes Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. The Kabila-M23 partnership is opportunistic and transactional, which is one of many reasons that Kabila is unlikely to use M23 to topple Tshisekedi militarily. Kabila’s reemergence risks convoluting the domestic peace process, which is necessary for long-term peace and stable economic investment in the DRC.
mental tide
Thanks for sharing. I've been curious about this
mental tide
mental tide
It doesn't involve M23
proud jungle
Yeah I was just checking up on how the Rwandan keyboard warriors are reacting and they're all very pleased that President Tshisekedi "agreed to disarm the FDLR" but the M23-aligned accounts are as belligerent as always. Here they are a few minutes ago accusing the Congolese of breaking the ceasefire: https://x.com/M23_TWIRWANEHO/status/1939773168090325030
Agreed with @mental tide on the issue of M23 not being involved - the peace deal just asks Kinshasa to "hold talks" with M23, which the Congolese president has staked his government on not doing. Rwanda and M23 have this cute shell game going where Kinshasa will only negotiate with Rwanda, and any agreement between the two countries is violated by M23 because of course Rwanda can't speak for the Completely Independent Movement that is M23 /s
The "peace deal" also doesn't settle any of the issues related to the territory that M23 has seized, the extraction/distribution of resources from that territory, and the very real fears of ethnic conflicts from the parties involved.
Not to get too deep into US politics, but I would consider this a classic Trump deal: looks great on Twitter but isn't worth the pixels it's written on.
X
arctic bloom
looks like US Army will deploy. been building FOBs in Kenya this year
i am typing with onscreen keyboard so my words are limited
mental tide
looks like US Army will deploy. been building FOBs in Kenya this year
Is this what you're referring to?
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4137524/us-kenya-partnership-fortified-through-joint-engineering-efforts-at-camp-simba/
arctic bloom
yes but there talks of more bases in kenyan policy circles. africom summit was in nairobi a few weeks ago
proud jungle
looks like US Army will deploy. been building FOBs in Kenya this year
I didn't see this as part of the deal. Seems dubious given the current political climate in the US but stranger things have happened, I guess?
arctic bloom
Could be separate but us military doctrine relies on staging grounds not too far away from conflict zones . i dont think US will have large base in drc. most likely mercenaries like erik prince will be used
proud jungle
Could be separate but us military doctrine relies on staging grounds not too far...
Could definitely see that happening, it wouldn't be the first time that DRC used mercenaries and I doubt they'll be any more effective than the last bunch that got hog tied and run out of town. But that's quite different than a US military deployment to eastern DRC, which sounds far fetched to me
arctic bloom
honestly not much a mercenary battalion can do when you consider their allies weaknesses and opponents capacity
proud jungle
honestly not much a mercenary battalion can do when you consider their allies we...
And the fundamental ineptitude of the Congolese armed forces!
Edit: Which I guess is what you were referring to with the "allies weaknesses" sorry
arctic bloom
but SA forces fought really well
arctic bloom
And the fundamental ineptitude of the Congolese armed forces!
Edit: Which I gues...
i tried to not put it bluntly but it was FARDC failure
If not for Uganda deployment m23 was going north in a hurry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thSyyKiTOnk rwandan army learnt from Russia Ukraine war and other conflicts they had 10+ years to prepare and so did drc
What do you think H.ETrump deal will mean for China OBOR in EAC ? @mental tide @proud jungle
sharp wadi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thSyyKiTOnk rwandan army learnt from Russia Ukra...
Just FYI, HistoryLegends is a channel infamous for being clickbait and riddled with falsehoods.
It's not a good source by any measure.
arctic bloom
Just FYI, HistoryLegends is a channel infamous for being clickbait and riddled w...
i know their style but i was only sharing the content as they summarized the invasion in detail. not perfect and kinda weird but have to live with it
celest fern
i know their style but i was only sharing the content as they summarized the inv...
In that case it would have been nice if you had added that to your post.
arctic bloom
In that case it would have been nice if you had added that to your post.
Apologies , noted
mental tide
arctic bloom
**Disclaimer: I am not on any side, i am just giving an analysis of the conflict...
@mental tide here was my analysis from last year
X
mental tide
https://x.com/rbarwanda/status/1941263251364577386
You're the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency account on Twitter?
arctic bloom
no the comment i replied above. Sharing the link is a corelation of the assessment
arctic bloom
You're the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency account on Twitter?
was just trying to offer context
arctic bloom
**Disclaimer: I am not on any side, i am just giving an analysis of the conflict...
this comment
mental tide
was just trying to offer context
thanks! I follow you now
mental tide
Almost made it to the end without a Heart of Darkness reference 
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/how-did-marcel-malanga-tyler-thompson-join-a-coup-in-congo.html
proud jungle
BBC reporting on the current status of the Rubaya mine, which Bellingcat bought imagery of a few months ago
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyvj986l615o
desert sky
BBC reporting on the current status of the Rubaya mine, which Bellingcat bought ...
here if anyone wants to relook at the old imagery: https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/2024/10/11/from-mauritius-to-sudan-you-told-us-where-to-look-here-are-the-results/
white tiger
mental tide
Note that he's being tried in absentia
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4e4z892j5o.amp
shadow python
white tiger
Didn't see anything, there was a report of hundreds of Hutu farmers killed in the DRC by M23 about two weeks ago. Rwanda and M23 dispute this claim. https://www.africanews.com/2025/07/31/un-accuses-m23-rebels-in-dr-congo-of-killing-scores-of-civilians/
velvet nymph
These massacres are reportedly from July 11
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8x5y2zvzk0o
white tiger
https://x.com/hrw/status/1963609000806588584 super interesting piece of work
X
there isn't a Rwanda or a Mozambique thread, and there's a possibility this relates to testimonies of Rwandan army troop losses in the DRC
This claim's already been spreading through both Congolese and Rwandan media, with Rwanda releasing a statement about the topic - https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20250906-est-de-la-rdc-hausse-des-tombes-de-soldats-à-kigali-selon-hrw-une-enquête-malhonnête-pour-le-rwanda https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/rwanda/206749/rwanda-calls-human-rights-watchs-count-of-new-graves-at-military-cemetery-disrespectful
mental tide
shadow python
Dutch language article on this bitcoin mine in east Congo/DRC. Translation of three main takeaways at top of article:
- The Virunga Foundation, a British NGO that protects a National Park in Eastern Congo, will manage a new nature reserve. The "green corridor Kivu-Kinshasa" covers almost a quarter of the former Belgian colony and more than thirty million people live there. The NGO is led by a Belgian prince, Emmanuel de Merode.
- The EU supported the Virunga Foundation with more than 150 million euros, especially for development projects in the vicinity of the park. They are often considered success, but FTM discovered that millions are wasted.
- For example, the EU focused on tourism, while the park hardly attracts holidaymakers because it is in a war zone. And Brussels paid millions in the construction of a hydroelectric power plant without a network. Now a bitcoin company is active, which thanks to the EU support uses cheap green electricity to "dig" cryptocurrency.
https://www.ftm.nl/artikelen/naar-bitcoins-delven-in-het-regenwoud-van-congo-met-subsidie-van-de-eu
https://archive.ph/hcX8m
white tiger
super interesting, thanks for sharing this
shadow python
They have an english language version now apaprently: https://www.ftm.eu/articles/bitcoin-mining-in-congo-rainforest-thanks-to-eu
shadow python
"Both sides are now dispatching hundreds of men to multiple frontline towns in Congo's eastern provinces bordering Rwanda and Burundi, where violence continues unabated while the talks rumble on, according to the Congolese government and rebel officials." https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-army-rebels-dig-war-trump-says-is-over-2025-09-18/
"Congo’s largely unregulated artisanal mining sector accounts for a significant share of cobalt output, complicating traceability and compliance for global buyers."
"The ADF started off in neighboring Uganda in the mid-1990s as an Islamist militia, before moving into the border region with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The militia established ties with ISIS in 2018 and was designated by the U.S. State Department as a foreign terrorist organization in 2021."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/congo-isis-militia-machete-attack-funeral-dozens-killed/
shadow python
Another English language article by FTM on Congo:
https://www.ftm.eu/articles/eurasian-miner-ignored-bribery-concerns-in-shady-congo-deal
white tiger
shadow python
Former president sentenced for treason. CW: death penalty ||https://www.africanews.com/2025/09/30/drc-former-president-joseph-kabila-sentenced-to-death-for-treason/||
white tiger
white tiger
mental tide
Interesting article that talks about Paul Kagame's use of spyware #infosec message
mental tide
shadow python
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/m23-rebels-loot-70-million-worth-gold-congo...
Did you see they are issuing passports/visas now?
https://continent.substack.com/p/m23-rebels-are-issuing-their-own
"The United Nations also appears resigned to the new status quo. “Our humanitarian colleagues and our peacekeeping colleagues deal with the M23 as de facto authorities,” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson of the UN secretary-general, told The Continent in New York this week. He said UN workers in other parts of the world under disputed administrations do the same. "
Looks like Uganda accepts the passports while Burundi refuses them
https://aispruce.com/2025/05/08/burundi-border-authority-blocks-entry-to-citizens-with-afc-m23-passport-stamps/
https://chimpreports.com/m23-rebels-reject-kinshasa-issued-travel-documents-in-occupied-territories/
shadow python
Just FYI, the new humanitarian are maintaining quite an in depth IJ series on the M23 developments in Kivu. They also highlight some ootherwise (imo) underhighlighted perspectives such as that of artists from the region.
mental tide
Jeune Afrique is writing up a summary of today's meeting in Washington. Note that M23 is not a party to this accord (Rwanda denies association). https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1746612/politique/rdc-rwanda-felix-tshisekedi-et-paul-kagame-signent-laccord-de-paix-sous-legide-de-donald-trump/
Stanys has been doing many posts about it as well https://x.com/StanysBujakera/status/1996690986823774429?t=dd55gJzP7m6KnKADOUPUPw&s=19
X
jolly helm
Reuters special report on the M23 and their attempts at building a parallel administration:
https://www.reuters.com/investigations/m23-rebels-entrench-their-rule-east-congo-even-trump-claims-peace-2025-12-08/
The new UN Group of Experts report on the eastern DRC also seems to have been distributed among the UNSC delegations. It will likely be released soon. Jeune Afrique, RFI and AFP all wrote about it:
https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1747233/politique/des-experts-de-lonu-accusent-larmee-rwandaise-de-graves-exactions-dans-lest-de-la-rdc/
https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20251208-est-de-la-rdc-un-rapport-de-l-onu-relance-les-accusations-croisées-entre-kinshasa-et-kigali
https://www.citizen.digital/article/un-experts-accuse-rwandan-army-of-summary-executions-in-dr-congo-n374134
mental tide
M23 continues to close in on Uvira
https://x.com/i/status/1998129703925018864
X
jolly helm
Uvira seems to now be mostly under M23 control after the FARDC and Wazalendo withdrew from the city:
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/rwanda-backed-m23-rebels-enter-east-congo-town-uvira-sources-say-2025-12-10/
https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20251210-est-rdc-situation-uvira-reste-confuse-afc-m23-burundi
mental tide
Stanis has a pic of Willy Ngoma in front of the mayor's office
X
Still geolocating but the road in front matches
mental tide
Still geolocating but the road in front matches
I was incorrect on this and I'll explain why
A longer video came out. We see in the first frame of this video, trees on the right side
https://x.com/StanysBujakera/status/1998897902853169243?s=20
X
therefore it cannot be that location on Google maps, as there's no space between buildings for trees
in this video at timestamp 1:43, protestors in front of the town hall/mayor's house are shown as part of a crowd pan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSeZaSdisMg
the protestors are in front of the building that Ngoma is in front of today. on the left of the frame, this very distinctive building. on the right, the pillars of the house Ngoma is standing on.
I was able to find this building which doesn't seem to be part of the university anymore - it recently moved, but maybe it's dorms
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KX3hvXrK3awZeixx6
so I believe the mayoral residence is here
in today's video you can see the pattern of that Economat in the reflection behind Ngoma
there has been a lot of "Willy Ngoma was photoshopped" going around on Twitter today so I wanted to get this one right
mental tide
Some finished geolocations from the push to Uvira #show-your-work message
mental tide
M23 says it's leaving Uvira due to the US request:
https://x.com/Katsuva_R/status/2000714363271864496?s=20
Note however that it has conditions about "not allowing it to become a base" sooooooo
X
frank rose
Can someone explain to me like I am 5 years old why you may believe M23 is bad. Slightly ignorant on DRC just trying to understand better. I am not a Rwanda shill but I am East African. I monitor conflicts across the continent.
My questions are simple.
- Why is M23 bad?
- Who is responsible for the humanitarian crisis?
- What is Rwanda-M23 doing different that Western Powers have not done or are currently doing?
I hope this is not ragebait because it is not intended as ragebait just genuinely asking what is going on?
Have been lurking for a long time with throwaways
celest fern
Hello! You are asking for opinion, which we generally do not allow here. This server deals in verifiable open source evidence, feel free to look around to see what, and how, people are posting about other subjects/regions, too..
But if you ask me personally, I think any side that causes suffering to innocent people should be held to account. That includes, but is certainly not limited to, AFC/M23.
frank rose
Thanks
white tiger
Damn, he left the server
mental tide
Hi there! I've deleted your message under #rules 7. In the future, to call someone's attention to that post, what you can do to stay aligned with server rules is to link to the post with a warning, such as, "An investigation into M23 shows they're involved in gender based violence. The article is here #gender-based-violence-misogyny message "
white tiger
https://www.dw.com/en/in-zambia-great-lakes-defense-chiefs-talk-drc-insecurity/a-75471930
Defense ministers and military chiefs from ICGLR member states Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, the DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia were invited. The DRC is the current chair of the ICGLR.
royal coral
mental tide
mental tide
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-offers-tantalum-deposit-under-m23-con...
Willy Ngoma killed in a drone strike
forest chasm
US OFAC imposes sanctions on on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four senior officials.
The RDF is actively supporting, training, and fighting alongside the March 23 Movement (M23), a U.S.- and United Nations (UN)-sanctioned armed group responsible for human rights abuses and a mass displacement crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The RDF has supported M23 as it seized territory in eastern DRC, including provincial capitals Goma and Bukavu, along with strategic mining sites in eastern DRC. M23’s offensives would not have been possible without the active support and complicity of the RDF and key senior officials.
Source: "Treasury Sanctions Rwanda Officials, Condemns Blatant Violations of Washington Peace Accords," US Treasury, March 2, 2026 (link)
Entity Sanctioned:
- Rwanda Defence Force
Individuals Sanctioned:
- Vincent Nyakarundi
- Ruki Karusisi
- Mubarakh Muganga
- Stanislas Gashugi
Additional info: https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260302
proud jungle
Also in Africa https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/us-lifts-sanctions-top-malian-officials-ties-improve-2026-02-27/
I guess the Rwandan money was less persuasive than the Malian money
mental tide
mental tide
https://rsf.org/en/rsf-investigation-drc-two-journalists-held-hostage-and-tortured-shipping-containers-m23 with open source techniques
mental tide
X
sharp wadi
The FARDC have announced an operation with the goal to disarm the FDLR, the remnants of the Rwandan army that commited the genocide back in 1994.
mental tide
Kabila, who extracted tens of millions of funds out of the hands of the Congolese people during his presidency, tells NYT that he's "pretty much a farmer" https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/world/africa/he-led-congo-for-18-years-now-hes-a-hunted-man.html?unlocked_article_code=1.XFA.VVcK.DigZYKqlsnM2&smid=nytcore-android-share
mental tide
mental tide
sharp wadi
The DRC is going to set up a paramilitary police to watch over the mines with US and UAE funding
white tiger
historically, paramilitaries in sub-saharan africa...
thank you for sharing this
https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260420-un-welcomes-progress-on-talks-between-dr-congo-m23-armed-group Apr. 20th
Check out the statement itself. Who knows how much it'll be worth https://www.peaceau.org/en/article/joint-statement-on-progress-between-the-representatives-of-government-of-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-and-of-the-alliance-fleuve-congo-march-23-movement-afc-m23-on-the-protocol-on-humanitarian-access-and-judicial-protection-the-operationalizatio
mental tide
“The U.S. government is not currently funding any units to patrol or guard mines in the Congo,” it said in a statement.
Note the "currently"
white tiger
it's interesting how the US has taken a pro-DRC stance in the region - Rwanda has really fumbled
white tiger
