The leader of rebels who have seized two major cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo has said international sanctions and a proposed minerals deal the country has brokered with the United States will not stop fighting between their groups and Congolese forces in the affected areas.
Given those sanctions and the bounty the Democratic Republic of Congo's government has announced for rebel leaders, “we will fight as people who have nothing to lose to ensure the future of our nation,” Cornel Nanga, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes the M23 rebel group, told The Associated Press.
Mr Nanga also rejected comments by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi last week that his country was seeking cooperation with the US on mining projects that would bring peace and stability to both nations.
Since a major escalation of decade-long fighting with Congolese forces began in late January, M23 rebels have captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu, as well as several other towns in the Democratic Republic of Congo, causing thousands of soldiers to either flee or surrender and raising fears of a possible regional war involving neighbours whose forces also operate in the area.
Much of the Democratic Republic of Congo's $24 trillion (£18.5 trillion) mineral resources, which are vital to much of the world's technology, remain untapped, according to US Commerce Department figures last year.
The U.S. government has not publicly commented on the proposed minerals deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which local analysts say could be comparable to the Trump administration's offer to help Ukraine end its conflict with Russia.
“This is a problem that needs to be resolved by the Congolese concerned, not by foreigners with different geopolitical interests,” Mr. Nanga told the AP over the weekend.
“Trying to bribe the US with mines could damage the US reputation.”
Efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement collapsed last week after rebels walked out of Angola-brokered talks, denouncing European Union sanctions against their leaders.
Mr Nanga also rejected the results of the meeting between Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Qatar, saying that such moves to achieve peace without the group's participation were doomed to failure and that the rebels could only engage in dialogue with the Democratic Republic of Congo's government if they recognized it.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
