The security situation in North Kivu Province, DRC, remains volatile and continues to evolve rapidly, with important differences from one territory to another. We continue to closely monitor the situation and regularly engage with local authorities in order to evaluate impacts on surrounding areas and remain responsive to evolving risks on 3T supply chains and local mining communities.
Since May 2024, tagging at all ITSCI monitored sites in Masisi territory is suspended following the presence of non-state armed group M23 in several parts of the territory, including the mineral trading towns of Rubaya and Ngungu. To date, the suspension remains in place.
Despite the 2024 suspension, ITSCI field teams continued to monitor activities and the security situation in DRC state-controlled areas west of Masisi territory and close to the border with Walikale territory, including Masisi and Nyabiondo towns. In December 2024, it became possible for state services in discussion with ITSCI to consider a redeployment of state services in those areas, with a view of resuming tagging where possible and therefore to reduce risks of mineral fraud.
Regrettably, on 1st January 2025, the situation deteriorated following an offensive of M23 towards Masisi town. Recent information collected by ITSCI from reliable local sources from state security forces indicate that the DRC army (FARDC) response initially led to M23 withdrawing from Masisi town on 8th January, before a new offensive on M23 took place, retaking control of the town again.
According to available information, the FARDC however regained control of Ngungu town, a mineral trading hub south of Masisi territory, as well as the city of Sake, an important access point to the city of Goma. To date, fighting between the DRC army and non-state armed group M23 for the control over Ngungu town continues.
The situation remains extremely volatile and ITSCI continues to engage with North Kivu authorities and to closely follow-up on these security developments which are documented and communicated to ITSCI members via ITSCI incident reporting mechanism.
As mentioned in our public update last September, ITSCI activities continue normally in Walikale territory. ITSCI-tagged minerals from that territory are transported by plane directly to Goma or by road via South-Kivu Province, bypassing M23-controlled areas.
In Lubero territory, state services as well as artisanal miners left 3T mine sites due to the deterioration of the security situation in that territory caused by the presence of both M23 and ADF-NALU non-state armed groups in different areas of Lubero. This led to a suspension of ITSCI tagging at ITSCI-monitored sites in that territory. We continue to monitor the situation closely and to report incidents when they occur, through the on-the-ground presence of ITSCI staff in Lubero territory.
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- Read our previous update on North Kivu published in September 2024
- Read ITSCI response to the 2023 Final report of the Group of Experts on the DRC
- Review ITSCI whistleblowing policy and contact information
- Contact us at [email protected].
- For media enquiries, contact [email protected]