Update on the situation in North and South Kivu, DRC

Feb 28, 2025

Please note that the situation is evolving daily, and our primary focus remains on supporting and ensuring the safety of our locally based field teams. We continue to receive daily communication from them as the situation evolves and important details are provided directly to ITSCI members. We are providing brief public updates on key changes but are not publishing daily updates on the rapidly evolving situation. See our previous updates here.

The situation in North and South Kivu, DRC, continues to be a source of great concern as ongoing violence between the Congolese army (FARDC) or ‘Wazalendo’ non-state armed groups on the one side, and non-state armed group M23 and their affiliated groups on the other, continues to significantly impact local communities. ITSCI continues to be deeply concerned about the escalating situation and for the safety of civilians, including our locally based-field teams and member companies, affected by the conflict.

Regarding mineral supply chains, advancements of M23 has caused ITSCI and state services to suspend all activities in some, but not all, areas of North and South Kivu Provinces.

South Kivu

In South-Kivu, non-state armed group M23 has taken control of the mineral trading towns Lumbishi, Numbi, and Nyabibwe in Kalehe territory. M23 have also take control of Idjwi territory, on Lake Kivu. This has resulted in the suspension of all ITSCI activities, including tagging by state mining services at all ITSCI-monitored sites in Kalehe and Idjwi territories.

As mentioned in our previous update, M23 also occupies the provincial capital Bukavu since 14th February. All formal mineral trade activities in Bukavu, including exports are therefore suspended as the provincial state services are not operating. Developments are being recorded within the ITSCI incident mechanism.

M23 has continued to advance towards Uvira territory, taking control over the town of Kamanyola, resulting in panic among the local population, including artisanal miners and state services, and in large internal displacements. As a consequence, ITSCI activities including tagging by state mining services has also been suspended in Uvira territory. However, there is so far no reported presence of M23 in the two mineral trading towns Lemera and Katogota or the surrounding 3T mining sites.

M23 have also taken control of Burhale town, which is located 60 km from Bukavu and at the intersection of three transport routes: Bukavu-Mwenga town, Bukavu-Walungu town and Bukavu Shabunda town. There are no ITSCI sites in the vicinity of Burhale town.

In other South Kivu territories where ITSCI is implemented (Kabare, Mwenga, Shabunda, Walungu), mining activities continue albeit at a much slower pace due to fear of escalation of the situation or due to the current lack of negociants buying minerals. The M23 presence in Goma and Bukavu has impacted banking and cash supply. A high presence of non-state armed groups ‘Wazalendo’, and in some instances also of the Congolese army (FARDC) in some areas also contribute to fear of clashes, lead to tagging by state services being temporarily stopped, and increase risks of abuses by those groups. ITSCI continues to monitor and record any risks via the ITSCI incident mechanism. ITSCI continues to work locally with stakeholders, including local authorities, in order to engage with ‘Wazalendo’ and FARDC and prevent the continuation of cases of interference in mineral trade. ITSCI is also discussing with mining operators and state services the possibility of alternative safe mineral transport routes.

North Kivu

Since our 30th January update, the situation in the territories of North Kivu remains unchanged. Since 28th January, M23 are in control of Goma, the capital city of North Kivu. This led to the suspension of all mineral trading activities, including exports in Goma. All ITSCI activities, including tagging by state mining services remain suspended in Masisi and Lubero territories. Developments are being recorded within the ITSCI incident mechanism.

In Walikale territory, ITSCI activities, including monitoring by ITSCI field teams and tagging by state mining services, continue normally. ITSCI-tagged minerals that would in normal circumstances have been transported to, and exported from, Goma are now exported through an alternative safe route via Maniema Province instead.

Incidents and actions

M23 have been forcefully entering local exporters’ facilities in both Goma and Bukavu, seizing valuable office and field equipment as well as 3T minerals stored in the facilities. All associated ITSCI tags have been cancelled.

The current situation, including suspension of ITSCI activities, creates additional risks of mineral fraud in neighbouring areas. We make good faith efforts to address those risks, implementing rigorous checks and developing additional control mechanisms.

Ongoing engagement and support for responsible sourcing from the Great Lakes Region

Artisanal mining remains the livelihoods of many local communities in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region. Despite the current situation, mining activities and tagging by state mining services continue in many areas of the DRC, including in Haut-Katanga, Haut-Lomami, Lualaba, Maniema, Tanganyika and Tshopo Province. Activities also continue in Burundi and Rwanda. Working in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRA) carries specific risks. A blanket general de-risking (or ‘cut-and-run’) approach contradicts the recommendations of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, unfairly stigmatises the ASM sector and harms those who depend on mining for their livelihoods. A collaborative approach is essential to managing these risks and promoting responsible mining practices to continue to support local communities.

Anyone in the region can provide evidence or information on risks directly or via our whistleblowing mechanism. ITSCI whistleblowing procedure and contacts are available online www.itsci.org/contact/. The confidential ITSCI whistleblowing address is [email protected].

-END-

Previous publications on this topic

Contact

Contact us at [email protected]

For media enquiries, contact [email protected]

Annex I Map of North Kivu and its territories

Annex II Map of South Kivu and its territories