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Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Kinshasa

Head of State

President Félix Tshisekedi

Head of Government

Prime Minister Judith Suminwa

A health official uses a thermometer to screen people in front of Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, on Saturday. Photo: AP

Africa

Congo Ebola outbreak: constant burials as death toll reaches 80

Congo has experience in managing Ebola outbreaks but often faces logistical challenges to get expertise and supplies to affected regions.

16 May 2026 - 8:09PM

Africa

Africa calls multi-nation health meeting amid fatal Ebola outbreak

15 May 2026 - 7:02PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz crisis tarnishing copper production, raising costs, Chinese analysts say

14 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Rare earth strategy provides ‘opportunities for Africa’ as US counters China

US racing to fund infrastructure in Africa to process and mine critical minerals as it lacks the capacity on home soil.

9 May 2026 - 5:59PMvideocam

Workers take a break at the Prospect Lithium mine and processing plant in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

Why African leaders value seamless transcontinental links over US-China rivalry

Economic ambitions are the priority, says official with project that Washington has framed as de-risking mineral supply chains from Beijing.

4 May 2026 - 5:11PMvideocam

Climate change

Tropical forest loss still 11 football fields a minute – or Denmark per year

Researchers warn that fires fuelled by climate change are a dangerous new normal and could reverse gains made in tackling deforestation.

29 Apr 2026 - 9:35PMvideocam

United States

Taliban, Congo? Afghans stuck in Qatar who helped US war face more stress

After reports the US could send 1,100 Afghans who assisted the US to the DRC, the Taliban urged them to instead head back to their homeland.

25 Apr 2026 - 11:25PMvideocam

A woman carries a child as they arrive in Qatar with other evacuees from Afghanistan in 2021, following the US withdrawal. Photo: AFP

Africa

Pope Leo denounces ‘colonisation’ of minerals on final leg of Africa tour

The pontiff warns that a global lust for profit ‘kills’ as he meets with a government accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism.

22 Apr 2026 - 2:49PM

Africa

DR Congo to receive third-country deportees from US under deal

Kinshasa to receive US-funded deportees as the Trump administration expands controversial migration agreements across Africa.

6 Apr 2026 - 11:21AM

China-Africa relations

China gains ground in DR Congo’s mining sector as Australian firm loses permits

Chinese firms emerge as preferred partners as African nations seek bigger returns on critical mineral extraction.

1 Apr 2026 - 2:00PM

Congolese Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba (left) and Chinese Minister of Natural Resources Guan Zhiou have signed a memorandum of understanding on “cooperation in the fields of geology and mineral resources”. Photo: Louis Watum Kabamba

China-EU relations

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Workers direct lorry traffic in Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

China will stockpile critical resources and boost energy supply security

Beijing boosts economic self-reliance and long-term stability as a matter of ‘national security’ while Middle East conflicts continue.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:58PM

China-Africa relations

China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism

As resource-rich nations introduce export bans and other limits, analyst says investment may not automatically follow.

16 Mar 2026 - 6:13PMvideocam

Africa

DR Congo says least 200 dead in coltan mine collapse

The collapse took place at the Rubaya mines, where rebels claim ‘bombings’ killed only five people.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:19PM

M-23 soldiers patrol near the open pit coltan mine in Rubaya, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

Why US money may not be enough to break China’s rare earths dominance

Washington aims to spend billions in Africa to build up a strategic reserve of key minerals, but analysts warn it may not be so simple.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

US representatives were out in force at the recent African Mining Indaba in Cape Town. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

Why Beijing’s US$4.5 billion Niger-Benin oil pipeline is under fire from rebels

Chinese nationals warned to avoid high-risk areas after infrastructure becomes a primary target for rebels seeking to halt military junta.

27 Feb 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

US-China relations

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

20 Feb 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

An employee of Chinese company CMOC holds a form of cobalt hydroxide produced at the Tenke Fungurume mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on June 17, 2023. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Over 1,000 Kenyans recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine war: report

Russian embassy denied Moscow’s involvement in illegally recruiting, though it said ‌foreign citizens could voluntarily join its forces.

20 Feb 2026 - 2:44PM

China-Latin America relations

China’s Chalco, Rio Tinto buy Brazil’s CBA for US$886 million to secure minerals

Acquisition of Brazilian flagship aluminium firm reinforces China’s growing footprint in the country’s strategic mineral assets sector.

28 Feb 2026 - 4:29AMvideocam

Africa

Over 200 dead in DR Congo after landslide collapses mines: rebel authorities

The nation is a major supplier of coltan - dug out by hand - which contains a key component for smartphones, computers and aircraft engines.

31 Jan 2026 - 5:44PMvideocam

An aerial view of miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 200 people are feared dead after a landslide. File photo: AFP

Africa

The brutal life of child recruits under a shadowy African rebel group

Kidnapped, drugged and forced to loot, survivors detail life inside the ADF’s hidden forest camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

26 Dec 2025 - 1:54PM

A charred wreckage of a truck following an attack by Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces rebels, in the town of Ntoyo in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in September. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

Chinese workers return to Africa as lucrative job opportunities beckon

Large-scale, China-backed projects entice contract workers to take up posts in some African nations, while political instability keeps others away.

21 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

Africa

Rwanda-backed rebels enter key DR Congo town, as Trump peace deal crumbles

M23 advance in DR Congo comes less than a week after after the signing of a peace deal in Washington.

11 Dec 2025 - 2:29PM

Africa

‘Miracle’ Africa peace deal, signed at Trump’s urging, already unravelling

A US-backed agreement to end one of Africa’s longest wars is at risk as DR Congo and Burundi condemn Rwanda and M23 rebel advances.

9 Dec 2025 - 3:40PM

M23 rebels earlier this year. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of violating its commitments to a US-brokered peace deal. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

6 Dec 2025 - 6:51AMvideocam

Africa

Trump praises African leaders, who sign his deal as fighting continues

‘Historic’ agreement aims to end conflict in eastern DR Congo and unlock access to the region’s critical mineral reserves for the US.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:44PM

United States

US Institute of Peace renamed after ‘greatest dealmaker’ Trump

‘Donald J. Trump’ emblazes Washington headquarters of the US Institute of Peace in time for a peace deal signing.

4 Dec 2025 - 1:25PM

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Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Congo Ebola outbreak: constant burials as death toll reaches 80

Congo has experience in managing Ebola outbreaks but often faces logistical challenges to get expertise and supplies to affected regions.

Africa calls multi-nation health meeting amid fatal Ebola outbreak

Hormuz crisis tarnishing copper production, raising costs, Chinese analysts say

Rare earth strategy provides ‘opportunities for Africa’ as US counters China

US racing to fund infrastructure in Africa to process and mine critical minerals as it lacks the capacity on home soil.

Why African leaders value seamless transcontinental links over US-China rivalry

Economic ambitions are the priority, says official with project that Washington has framed as de-risking mineral supply chains from Beijing.

Tropical forest loss still 11 football fields a minute – or Denmark per year

Researchers warn that fires fuelled by climate change are a dangerous new normal and could reverse gains made in tackling deforestation.

Taliban, Congo? Afghans stuck in Qatar who helped US war face more stress

After reports the US could send 1,100 Afghans who assisted the US to the DRC, the Taliban urged them to instead head back to their homeland.

Pope Leo denounces ‘colonisation’ of minerals on final leg of Africa tour

The pontiff warns that a global lust for profit ‘kills’ as he meets with a government accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism.

DR Congo to receive third-country deportees from US under deal

Kinshasa to receive US-funded deportees as the Trump administration expands controversial migration agreements across Africa.

China gains ground in DR Congo’s mining sector as Australian firm loses permits

Chinese firms emerge as preferred partners as African nations seek bigger returns on critical mineral extraction.

EU’s flagship Africa project under fire over ties to Chinese state-owned firms

Lawmakers demand to know where over US$2.3 billion in funds is going in venture meant to wean off Beijing’s critical minerals chokehold.

China will stockpile critical resources and boost energy supply security

Beijing boosts economic self-reliance and long-term stability as a matter of ‘national security’ while Middle East conflicts continue.

China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism

As resource-rich nations introduce export bans and other limits, analyst says investment may not automatically follow.

DR Congo says least 200 dead in coltan mine collapse

The collapse took place at the Rubaya mines, where rebels claim ‘bombings’ killed only five people.

Why US money may not be enough to break China’s rare earths dominance

Washington aims to spend billions in Africa to build up a strategic reserve of key minerals, but analysts warn it may not be so simple.

Why Beijing’s US$4.5 billion Niger-Benin oil pipeline is under fire from rebels

Chinese nationals warned to avoid high-risk areas after infrastructure becomes a primary target for rebels seeking to halt military junta.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

Over 1,000 Kenyans recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine war: report

Russian embassy denied Moscow’s involvement in illegally recruiting, though it said ‌foreign citizens could voluntarily join its forces.

China’s Chalco, Rio Tinto buy Brazil’s CBA for US$886 million to secure minerals

Acquisition of Brazilian flagship aluminium firm reinforces China’s growing footprint in the country’s strategic mineral assets sector.

Over 200 dead in DR Congo after landslide collapses mines: rebel authorities

The nation is a major supplier of coltan - dug out by hand - which contains a key component for smartphones, computers and aircraft engines.

The brutal life of child recruits under a shadowy African rebel group

Kidnapped, drugged and forced to loot, survivors detail life inside the ADF’s hidden forest camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Chinese workers return to Africa as lucrative job opportunities beckon

Large-scale, China-backed projects entice contract workers to take up posts in some African nations, while political instability keeps others away.

Rwanda-backed rebels enter key DR Congo town, as Trump peace deal crumbles

M23 advance in DR Congo comes less than a week after after the signing of a peace deal in Washington.

‘Miracle’ Africa peace deal, signed at Trump’s urging, already unravelling

A US-backed agreement to end one of Africa’s longest wars is at risk as DR Congo and Burundi condemn Rwanda and M23 rebel advances.

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

Trump praises African leaders, who sign his deal as fighting continues

‘Historic’ agreement aims to end conflict in eastern DR Congo and unlock access to the region’s critical mineral reserves for the US.

US Institute of Peace renamed after ‘greatest dealmaker’ Trump

‘Donald J. Trump’ emblazes Washington headquarters of the US Institute of Peace in time for a peace deal signing.

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer