International concern surged on Thursday as the U.S., European Union, and global partners condemned ongoing cease-fire violations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, urging all parties to return to negotiations.
The warnings come amid intensified clashes involving the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which captured key cities including Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira in 2025 and early 2026, exacerbating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and disrupting critical economic activities like mining.
Rubaya mine collapse
The warnings followed the deadly Jan. 28 collapse at Rubaya’s Luwowo coltan mine in North Kivu. Local authorities reported at least 200 miners killed when hand-dug tunnels gave way.
The Congolese Ministry of Mines called it the latest in a series of disasters fueled by unsafe mining in rebel-held territories.
