Metro

Civilian death toll rise as attacks in east DRC escalate

Published

2 years ago

July 23, 2022

Civilian death toll in attacks by rebel groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in the past few weeks have continued to rise, according to the United Nations Refugees Agency (UNHCR) in a report on Friday.

The report which was released by UNHCR spokesman, Matthew Saltmarsh, noted that “more and more civilians have lost their lives during firearm or machete attacks on their communities.”

The agency expressed concern over increasing civilian deaths as attacks by armed groups against local communities and sites for internally displaced people keep escalating especially in the volatile Ituri province.

The agency added that the suffering caused by the attacks on civilians and internally displaced people must no longer be ignored.

“This month in Ituri Province alone, simultaneous attacks by armed groups have left 11 dead and 250 homes looted and burned. The devastation comes on top of more than 800 deaths recorded by U.N. agencies in Ituri between February and June,” the UNHCR said.

“At least 715 of these victims had been sheltering in internal displacement sites or were killed as they returned home having previously fled violence.

“In June alone, 97 returning or displaced people were killed in attacks that included abductions, looting, and burning of homes,” the report added.

Saltmarsh further explained that more than 20,700 people have been driven from their homes by such raids, fueling food insecurity following decades of local clashes which have halted development in this fertile region.

“In recent weeks, fighting between the Congolese Army and the M23 rebel group in North Kivu Province has displaced more than 160,000 people. The instability has been rife in the region for many years, but it has gotten worse because of many factors.

“There is the tussle over the mineral resources. There is a lack of judicial structures. There is a lack of infrastructure and, most recently of course, we have noticed an increase in the activities of these armed groups, particularly M23. Not just them, there are an estimated 120 armed groups active in that region,” he said.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.