Musings From Abroad

US decries continued violence in DR Congo, accuses Rwanda

Published

9 months ago

February 18, 2024

The United States has denounced the escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and attributed it to the armed group M23, which it maintains enjoys the support of neighbouring Rwanda.

The US State Department issued a statement requesting that M23 immediately end hostilities and evacuate the areas it is currently occupying near Sake and Goma.

“The United States condemns Rwanda’s support for the M23 armed group,” the statement said.

Rwanda has been consistently accused of supporting the armed group, leading to diplomatic tension between the East African neighbours leading to diplomatic strain between the East African neighbours.

The US demanded that Rwanda evacuate surface-to-air missile systems and all of its armed forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) right away, citing the threat they posed to civilians, U.N. and other regional peacekeepers, aid workers, and commercial aircraft operating in the eastern DRC. Rwanda disputes giving the rebels any help.

In addition, it also urged the DRC to uphold measures aimed at fostering confidence, such as cutting off ties with the armed organisation known as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda.

Whole villages have been forced to escape the DRC as a result of the recent escalation of clashes between the M23 rebels, army forces, and self-defense organisations that support them.

Last Monday, South Africa said that it would contribute 2,900 troops to a force that the southern African regional organisation, SADC, had sent in to aid Congo in fighting rebel groups.

Human Rights Watch reported in 2022 that resurgent M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, mounted their largest attack on state forces in ten years, taking control of areas of North Kivu and exacerbating the region’s catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Related Topics:DR Congo Featured Rwanda US

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Musings From Abroad

Brazilian meatpacker JBS invests $2.5 billion in Nigeria, builds six facilities

Published

3 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Brazilian meatpacker JBS says it has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government for a $2.5 billion investment plan that will include the construction of six new plants in the African nation.

Three of the plants would deal in poultry, two in beef, and one in pork, according to a statement from JBS.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, JBS stated that it would develop a five-year investment plan in Nigeria, which would include budget estimates, feasibility studies, and an action plan for the development of the local supply chain.

The Nigerian government would then guarantee the sanitary, regulatory, and economic conditions required for the project’s viability, JBS continued.

Musings From Abroad

China’s Xi meets with Morocco’s Crown Prince

Published

3 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s official media reports that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited Morocco briefly on Thursday.

According to Morocco’s MAP, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed Xi in Casablanca. The visit demonstrated the close ties of camaraderie, collaboration, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, it said.

China’s official broadcaster, CCTV, said that Xi and Hassan had a “cordial conversation” at the airport after being received by the Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

After attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, Xi paid the visit.

In recent years, China has increased its investments in Morocco’s rail and infrastructure. Morocco is desirable for Chinese electric car battery manufacturers because of its proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and an established automotive sector.

Morocco was chosen by Chinese EV battery company Gotion High Tech in June to establish Africa’s first gigafactory, which will cost $1.3 billion in total.