US not funding Congo's $100 million mine guard, embassy says
The U.S. embassy stated it is not funding a proposed $100 million paramilitary force to guard mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite earlier announcements by Congo's mining regulator suggesting otherwise. The Congolese government plans to deploy over 20,000 personnel to secure mining sites by 2028 amid ongoing instability in its mineral-rich east. Both the U.S. and Congo clarified that no single country will provide direct funding, with mechanisms still under discussion. The move is part of broader efforts to boost investment and counter armed groups exploiting mineral resources.
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US not funding Congo's $100 million mine guard, embassy saysSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxFILE PHOTO: A man uses a basin to pour the water out of a pool as he extracts coltan ore at the SMB mine near the town of Rubaya in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, August 16, 2019. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File PhotoPublished Apr 28, 2026, 10:38 PMUpdated Apr 28, 2026, 10:50 PMListenKINSHASA, April 28 - The United States said on Tuesday it is not funding any security units tasked with policing or guarding mines in Democratic Republic of Congo after Kinshasa announced plans to launch a paramilitary force to secure mining sites.Congo’s General Inspectorate of Mines (IGM) said in a statement on Monday that the paramilitary guard would be funded by a $100 million budget and…
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