The authorities of South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congoare intensifying their fight against the illegal exploitation of mining resources, often facilitated by internal complicity. Last Saturday, an operation made it possible to arrest three Chinese nationals in possession of a large quantity of gold and a considerable sum of money. According to the provincial governor, Jean-Jacques Purusigold and wads of $100 bills were carefully hidden under the seats and in the doors. These Chinese nationals were traveling in an armored vehicle, escorted by Congolese soldiers.
This arrest follows an alert concerning a suspicious vehicle traveling at high speed on national road 2. Authorities discovered that the occupants were illegally transporting gold and silver, hidden in the vehicle. The governor of South Kivu, Jean-Jacques Purusi, said he was dismayed by the scale of this discovery, estimating that the sums of money seized represented only a fraction of the illegal profits made.
In recent weeks, provincial authorities have carried out several similar operations aimed at stopping illegal mining by foreigners, mainly Chinese. However, these actions are often thwarted by external pressure, as evidenced by the recent release of 13 Chinese nationals previously arrested at a mining site in Mubimbi, in Walungu territory. Actors from Congolese civil society denounce this interference and demand fair justice for all, while insisting on the need to ensure that the country’s mineral wealth benefits local populations.
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