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Mail & Guardian
drc conflictlatest news & developments
Forest people: The Batwa people say they have lost everything, including their dignity as human beings. Photo: EU/ECHO/Frederic Bonamy
HUMAN RIGHTS

The first people of the forest still hunted

Despite landmark legal rulings and protections, the indigenous Batwa of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remain besieged by rebel violence, militia exploitation, and…

  • Jonathan Clayton
7 min read
Intense clashes resumed between M23 rebels and a coalition of government forces, local militias known as Wazalendo and the Burundian army.
AFRICAN SOVEREIGNTY

DRC war: The blood-soaked path to your smartphone

The invasion and occupation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the extraction of its natural resources, which amounts to industrial-scale theft, must be stopped

  • Shomari Mukandjwa
  • Raphael Bahebwa
8 min read
In the DRC, around 74% of the population lives in extreme poverty, living on less than $2.15 per day. Photo: Alexis Huguet/AFP
AFRICA

Ramaphosa welcomes outcome of summit on eastern DRC

Southern and East African leaders gave military commanders five days to give technical direction on an immediate ceasefire

  • Emsie Ferreira
3 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the SANDF deployment in his 12 February State of the Nation Address.
AFRICAN SECURITY

South Africa focusing on bringing bodies and injured soldiers home from the DRC

M23 rebels declared a ceasefire in the DRC and the truce seems to be holding

  • Aarti Bhana
2 min read
Paul Kagame. (X)
AFRICAN DIPLOMACY

Kagame says South Africa not equipped to mediate in DRC, warns of confrontation

The Rwandan president accused president Cyril Ramaphosa and officials of distorting talks between the two, calling it a mix of attacks, lies, and misrepresentation

  • Des Erasmus
3 min read