On December 20, 2024, the discovery of 17 Chinese nationals involved in the illegal mining of minerals in Walungu, a region already devastated by decades of conflict and looting, sent shockwaves through South Kivu. What was initially seen as a step toward justice and the crackdown on an international mining mafia is now turning into a political and administrative tangle, reminiscent of the worst scenarios of corruption.
Under the leadership of Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi, provincial authorities proudly announced the expulsion of the suspects. However, the case has taken a highly worrying turn. Me Néné Bintu, president of the South Kivu Civil Society Coordination Bureau, has raised alarm and openly accused Congolese authorities of allowing the perpetrators to escape abroad. “Who authorized these criminals to flee? Who is above the head of state to let these bandits escape with impunity?” she demanded during a press conference on December 24.
The question now is: why this runaway escape? Why were these Chinese nationals, directly involved in an illegal mining operation that is causing severe environmental damage and harming local communities, allowed to leave the province under such unclear circumstances? According to Me Néné Bintu, this is a “mafia” operating at a level far beyond that of mere operatives. “This is no longer a question of local governance, but of high-level protection,” she added, denouncing the ineffectiveness and corruption of authorities who are allowing this large-scale criminal activity to flourish.
The heavy silence from the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) and security services has only fueled speculation. In a viral video, the DGM attempted to justify the situation by claiming the Chinese nationals were “escorted to the border in accordance with the law.” But who can still believe this official version when the escape of the suspects looks more like a well-orchestrated escape, crossing into Rwanda without any issues? Behind this story of expulsion lies a much more embarrassing truth: a real complicity, or even protection of certain financial, political, and military interests. South Kivu, one of the country’s richest provinces in natural resources, is also one of the most looted. Civil society is demanding answers. “Did the governor, apparently supported by the head of state, really act alone? Or was he pushed by invisible forces at higher levels to let these criminals escape?” wonders Me Néné Bintu.
What infuriates citizens and civil society actors even more is the irony of the situation: while some are pocketing millions in the shadows of illegal mining, South Kivu, one of the most strategically important provinces in the country, remains mired in poverty. The provincial budget barely reaches 10 million US dollars, while the infrastructure is woefully lacking, and roads, which are truly highways of misery, are virtually non-existent. How can one accept that, at the same time, individuals are siphoning off millions of dollars generated by the suffering of local communities?
“The question we ask is simple: Why doesn’t the money generated by mining benefit the local population? Why are some people building illegal fortunes, while the rest of the province sinks into oblivion?” insists Me Néné Bintu. This is the blatant injustice of a system where the wealthiest, often beyond borders, always escape punishment, while the poorest are left with nothing but futile protests and desperate prayers.
For civil society, the answer is clear: all those who facilitated this escape must be prosecuted, whether they are government officials, police officers, or political authorities. It is imperative to hold them accountable and put an end to this impunity. “It is high time for the provincial government, supported by civil society, to clean house and meet the legitimate expectations of the people,” concludes Me Néné Bintu. In the meantime, the question remains: Who is really protecting this mining mafia that is plundering South Kivu’s natural resources? Who are the true masterminds behind this international criminal network that, rather than facing justice, continues to thrive in the shadows of power? South Kivu: Land of Resources, Land of Injustice?
By KilaloPress
