Latest News
-
Sassou, Congo Republic's Sassou, seeks a new term amid low turnout and internet outage
The Congo Republic held a presidential election on Sunday, which was expected to extend the reign of Denis Sassou Nguesso - one of Africa's most experienced leaders. A low turnout highlighted the lack of suspense about the result. Sassou is facing a "weak" field of opponents, as two of the most well-known opposition leaders are in prison or exile. Many opposition parties boycotted this election because they felt the process was untrustworthy. Analysts and civil society groups predict that the turnout will be lower than the 68% in 2021 when Sassou was elected to his five-year term with 88.4%. A witness reported that there were no or very short lines at the polling stations of Brazzaville's capital. Sassou, after casting his vote in Brazzaville told reporters that he hoped the?enthusiasm he saw on the campaign trail?would be apparent in the final turnout number. He said: "We are hopeful that the things I heard during the campaign will come to pass today." The voting was to finish at 6 pm local time (1700 GMT) and the counting would begin immediately afterwards. The provisional results will be available 48-72 hours after polls close. INTERNET OUTAGE REPORTED Sassou has been in power since 1979, with the exception of a five-year break in the 1990s. He ran against six candidates who were not well-known, and none of them was considered a serious contender. The electoral body was dominated by figures aligned to the ruling Congolese Labour Party. Remadji Hoinathy, of the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, said that "the opposition is fragmented" and does not have a "strong, emblematic figure". Sassou will still have a chance despite voter fatigue. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that the internet was down in many parts of the country on Election Day, making it hard to get an accurate picture of what was happening. In an email, Alp Toker of NetBlocks confirmed that a nationwide internet blackout was now in place in the Republic of Congo. This measure is likely to limit transparency in today's elections. Toker stated that this was "technically compatible" with a?internet shutdown imposed for the 2021 presidential election. Neither the Congolese Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso nor the Communications Minister Thierry Moungalla responded to inquiries about the outage. Voters See No Hope for Change Rights groups claim that the political space in Congo has shrunk in recent years. They cite arrests of activists, and suspensions by political parties. After a long decline, the economy - heavily dependent on crude oil - has stabilised over the past few years. According to the World Bank, 52% of Congo’s 6.1m people live in poverty. Some Congolese who voted said that the country needs a new direction. They did not specify whether they backed Sassou, or his opponent. Gigi Wandiabantou, a Brazzaville resident, said: "Our children have diplomas and they are not doing anything." "I'm counting on the people in charge to do something for us mothers." Some Congolese believe there is little hope for change. Frederic Nkou, a Brazzaville resident who is unemployed, said: "It's a?election with a known outcome." "I don’t expect things will improve." Makosso, the Prime Minister, dismissed allegations of pro-Sassou slant ahead of Sunday's vote. He argued that Congo's electoral oversight bodies will ensure a fair and transparent election. Sassou's campaign has been based on continuity. He has pledged to expand education and training and to speed up development projects. Clement Bonnerot, Ngouda Diaone and Robbie Corey Boulet in the Dakar and Congo Republic Newsroom. Editing by Andrei Khalip Joe Bavier Alexander Smith
-
Netanyahu responds to Iran's rumours about his death by posting a video
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, posted a video on Sunday of him 'getting a coffee and' chatting with an aide after rumours of his death or injury were spread by the iranian state media. In the video taken in a café on the outskirts of Jerusalem and posted to Netanyahu's Telegram, his aide questions him about the rumours. As he grabs a coffee, Netanyahu makes a joke about the word "dead" -- which in Hebrew slang is used to refer to someone or something that you are "crazy for". "I love coffee. You know what? Netanyahu tells his aide, "I'm mad about my people." The video's location was verified by comparing the file images of the cafe with the interiors shown in the video. The cafe posted multiple photos and videos of Netanyahu's Sunday visit. This allowed us to verify the date. Netanyahu's office distributed videos and limited media access since the U.S. launched its attack on Iran in February. He has also visited two towns that were hit by Iranian missiles as well as a hospital, port, military base and a?port. Netanyahu, who rarely gives interviews or news conferences to Israeli media, held a 'first press conference via video link since the beginning of the war on Thursday. This format was similar to that he used in June, during Israel's 12-day conflict with Iran. Since the beginning of the war, Israel has imposed emergency safety restrictions that have banned public gatherings. Most people are now at home or in safe rooms and shelters. Schools across the majority of the country are closed.
-
IEA: Emergency oil stockpiles coming soon to Iran's devastated markets
The International Energy Agency said that more than 400 million barrels?of oil from its emergency reserves would begin to 'flow soon. The agency announced on Sunday that stocks of goods from Asia, Oceania, and North America will be available as soon as possible, and those from Europe and South America will be ready by the end March. The statement stated that the governments have committed to making 271.7 million barrels available from government stock, 116.6 millions barrels from industry stocks and 23.6million barrels from other sources. IEA?said that the majority of pledged reserves – 195.8 millions barrels – are from member nations in?the Americas. 172.2 million of those barrels come from government stock. Asia Oceania members countries have committed to contributing 108.6 millions barrels. 66.8 of those barrels will come from government stock. Europe has pledged 107.5million barrels including 32.7million barrels from government stock. According to the IEA, 72% of planned releases will be crude oil, and 28% oil?products. The IEA was created in 1974, after the oil crises. The IEA has released six coordinated stockpiles since its creation. According to the IEA, the release was made to 'combat a spike in oil price caused by disruptions of around a fifth of the global oil and natural gas supply along the Strait of Hormuz after the war started on February 28. Iran warned on Wednesday that the world must be prepared for oil prices of $200 per barrel, as its forces continue to attack merchant ships in the strait. IEA member countries hold more than 1.2billion barrels in emergency stocks, and another 600m are held by industry under government obligations. Reporting by Layli foroudi, Editing by Joe Bavier & Andrew Heavens
-
The economy of Peru grew by 3.54% in January
Data from the nation's INEI statistical agency revealed that Peru's economy grew 3.54% on an annual basis in January. This was driven by growth across most economic sectors, including construction, commerce and mining. The Central Bank's Chief?economist estimated that the figure would be around 3.5%. The National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), in a report released on January 15, said that the mining sector grew by 3.08% compared to the previous year after?two consecutive declines. The increase in January was due to a rise in production of copper, zinc, and gold. Peru is the third largest copper producer in the world. The statistics office reported that the construction industry also showed a notable increase in January. It grew by 15.63% year-on-year, largely due to domestic cement consumption. In January, the?fishing industry fell by 9.56% on an annual basis. This was its third consecutive month of decline. The Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Andean country estimates an economic growth of 3.2% by 2026, as opposed to the projected 3.44% for '2025. Peru has had eight presidents in the past year, causing political instability. On April 12th, elections will be held and a new president will take office at the end July. (Reporting and editing by Bill Berkrot, Will Dunham and Alexander Villegas)
-
Sources say that Fujairah in the UAE resumes oil loading after an attack
Four sources confirmed that oil loading operations at the United Arab Emirates Fujairah, a major 'bunkering hub' and crude export terminal, had re-commenced despite a Saturday drone attack and fire. However, it is unclear whether the operations are back to normal. The U.S. - Iran war has already reduced Middle Eastern oil supply by more than?7m barrels a day, or 7% of the global supply. The disruptions?at Fujairah could force OPEC’s third largest crude producer to cut more?production, after already cutting production at its offshore oil fields. According to Kpler, Fujairah outside the Strait of Hormuz exported on average?more? than 1.7million barrels of crude oil and refined fuels?per day last year. This volume is equal to around 1.7% of world daily demand. The Middle East's biggest commercial storage facility for refined products is also located in Fujairah. Iran warned of new attacks against UAE ports on Saturday, after U.S. strike on Kharg Island facilities. Iranian news agencies reported that Iran had warned residents to evacuate areas near the?Jebel Al port in Dubai, Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. ADNOC (Abu Dhabi State Oil Company), which is based in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, has not responded to a request for comment. ADNOC closed its Ruwais refining plant on Tuesday. Bloomberg News reported earlier that?oil loading operations? had resumed in the emirate. Reporting by Sarah El Safty in Dubai and Youssef Sabah in Bengaluru, Seher Dareen and Shri Navaratnam in London, and Jamie Freed, Gareth Jones and Gareth Jones in London.
-
Bahrain's Alba closes 19% aluminium production as Hormuz continues to disrupt the supply chain
Aluminium Bahrain (also known as Alba) announced on Sunday that it had halted 'three aluminium melting lines,' which accounted for '19% of its total capacity, in order to maintain business continuity amid the ongoing disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz. Force majeure was declared by the company on 'March 4, as it could not ship metal to customers due to the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. Alba, which describes itself as the "world's largest?smelter of aluminium on one site," announced in a press release that it had begun a "controlled safe shutdown" for reduction lines 1, 2, and 3. The company added: "This targeted action is designed to optimize the utilisation of Alba's current raw materials inventory, and to prioritise the operational stability across?"Reduction Lines 4, 5, and 6." Middle East smelters - which account for 9% of global supply - have also been unable to import vessels containing their main raw material, Alumina. (Reporting and editing by Joe Bavier; Tom Daly)
-
Japan releases oil stocks after US orders to buy American
Japan will begin releasing oil on Monday to ease the shock of?the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran. This is a stark reminder of the oil shortage that occurred half a century earlier, which prompted Tokyo's creation reserves. Tokyo announced that it would release 80 million barrels of crude oil to Japan, which is enough to last the nation for 45 days. The war in the Gulf has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. The Japanese government has instructed refiners to use the crude oil released, which will reduce Japan's national reserves by 17 percent, to ensure domestic supplies. The amount of oil that will be released by the International Energy Agency for a global supply release of 400,000,000 barrels to combat the war's price volatility and supply shock is unknown. RESERVES STABILISE SUPPLY, BUT "MAINLY BUILD TIME" Yuriy?Humber, CEO of Tokyo-based consultancy Yuri Group, says that Japan's release demonstrates how seriously Tokyo views disruption. The reserves are mainly there to buy time, but can help stabilize supplies and prices on a short-term basis. He said that they couldn't "fully offset" a disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry states that any potential release of 12 million barrels held jointly by Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait in Japan would be additional to the 80 million barrels announced. Japan began its national oil reserves system in 1978, several decades after the Arab oil embargo. The Group of Seven nation is reliant on Middle East oil for 90% of its consumption. It now stockspiles enough to last 254 days. METI reports that the government will begin releasing oil from its reserves to cover 15 days of consumption by the private sector on Monday. METI Minister Ryosei Acazawa stated that private companies are preparing to?tap Japan's stockpiles?, but they also want supplies from Central Asia, South America, and Gulf countries, which can bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Japan buys around 4% its oil from the U.S., after ceasing to purchase it from Russia in 2022 following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Lee Zeldin, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Administrator, said: "When you consider the conflict in the Middle East.....you are reminded that all the crude oil..that went from Alaska to Japan..was never..targeted by a successful terrorist.attack." This conflict is a reminder to other nations that the United States has the resources they need. (Reporting and editing by William Mallard; Yuka Obayashi, Katya Golubkova)
-
Palestinian Health Authorities say that Israeli forces killed four Palestinians in West Bank.
Palestinian health officials said that Israeli forces killed four Palestinians on Sunday. They included a mother, a father, and two children, while they were driving in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian health officials report that a mother and father aged 35 and 37 and two of their children ages?5 or 7 were shot in the head in the village Tammun. Two of their other children also sustained injuries. The Israeli military said that it would be examining the reports. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, a Palestinian also died in an overnight attack by settlers. Rights groups and medics claim that Israeli settlers are using the restrictions on movement imposed by the U.S./Israeli war against?Iran as an excuse to attack Palestinians. Military 'roadblocks' prevent ambulances from reaching the victims quickly. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, settlers have killed at least five 'Palestinians' in the West Bank ever since the Iran War began on February 28. Reporting by Ali Sawafta and Emily Rose, Editing by Shri Navaratnam, Editing By William Mallard
UN report: Major Rwandan coltan supplier bought smuggled Congolese mineral minerals
A forthcoming UN report claims that Rwandan-based Boss Mining purchased coltan from Congo.
Mineral trade is used to finance M23 rebels in eastern Congo
Boss, Rwanda and other countries deny any involvement in the smuggling of goods from Congo
Reade Levinson and David Lewis, Sonia Rolley
According to a report reviewed by the United Nations, a Rwandan company called Boss Mining Solution purchased minerals that were smuggled out of rebel-held areas in neighboring Congo. This helped fund an insurgency there. This is the first time that the U.N. has publicly named a company accused of being complicit in the trafficking of minerals looted in Congo after M23 insurgents took over a major mining area in the country last year. Boss Mining is named in a U.N. document that documents how recent territorial gains by M23 in Congo have further destabilized an area beset by decades-long conflict. U.N. accuses the heavily armed rebels of plundering Congo’s natural resources, and of committing atrocities on civilians. They are backed by Rwanda's government. The report stated that illegal mining and smuggling minerals into Rwanda from M23-controlled zones had "reached unprecedented heights". Diplomats said that the report, which was presented to the U.N. Security Council's sanctions committee for Congo at the beginning of May, will be published shortly. M23 has not responded to our requests for comment. Corporate records show that Eddy Habimana is a Rwandan entrepreneur who runs Boss Mining. U.N. investigators had identified Habimana as a minerals trafficker a decade earlier, with ties to rebels fighting in the eastern Congo. Habimana refused to comment on allegations made in an unpublished U.N. Report. According to Rwandan corporate records, two Russian-born mining executives also own Boss Mining. Yolande Makolo said on Wednesday that the U.N. Report "misrepresents Rwanda’s longstanding concerns about security" regarding Hutu groups who have attacked ethnic Tutsis both in Rwanda and Congo. This threat "requires a defense posture in our borders." The Congolese government spokesperson did not respond immediately to our questions, but officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have accused Rwanda of fomenting conflict to plunder Congo’s mineral wealth. Mineral sales have been crucial to M23's funding. Insurgents swept through large areas of eastern DRC this year, including mines that produce gold, copper and tin, as well as the largest coltan mining operation in the world. An analysis of 2024 customs records revealed that Boss Mining was one of several Rwandan companies exporting significant volumes of coltan, despite the fact Rwanda produces very little of this metallic ore. Rubaya is the Congolese mine area, now controlled by the M23 group, which produces 15% of all the coltan in the world. The ore can be processed into tantalum, a heat resistant metal that is in demand by manufacturers of mobile phones, computer systems, and other electronics, aerospace, and medical applications. M23 insurgents took control of the two main crossings to Rwanda when they seized Bukavu, a border city located on the Congolese side, and Congo. According to a forthcoming U.N. Report, smuggled Congolese mineral are transported to Rwanda through these cities. They do so at night to "avoid detection." According to the report, 195 tons were discovered in just the last week of march. The report stated that Boss Mining purchased some of the minerals. Habimana responded to previous questions in June about Boss Mining operations by saying that his company had "never purchased coltan" from Rubaya. "All materials we purchase are in compliance with international guidelines designed to ensure mining doesn't fund armed group or contribute to abuses of human rights," he added. M23's rapid advance in eastern Congo has reignited a conflict that dates back to the Rwandan genocide of 1994 and has caused millions of people to be displaced. The rebels are determined to topple the Congolese Government. The Rwandan government has denied for years that it is involved in the trade of coltan looted by its neighbor, or that it supports M23. Rwanda's ruling Tutsi majority party shares the same concern as M23 about the alleged threat of rival Hutu groups in eastern Congo. According to a confidential U.N. document, Rwanda had 1,000 troops in Congo as of April. Rwanda and Congo signed on Friday a peace agreement mediated by the United States that will see Rwandan troops withdrawn from Congo. The agreement does not include the M23. The rebel group is a part of an independent, parallel mediation that Qatar leads to try and end hostilities. Success in these talks is crucial to any lasting peace.
MURKY SUPPLY CHAINS An analysis of customs data revealed that Boss Mining exported 150 metric tonnes of coltan in 2024, worth at least $6.6 million. This figure represented 6.5% of all Rwandan coltan exports in 2024. Boss Mining was the sixth largest exporter of ore for the year. According to a Boss Mining worker who requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak with the media, Boss Mining doesn't mine its own coltan, but instead buys it from Speck Minerals and other sellers. According to an employee of Boss Mining and a database online from the Rwanda Mining Board, the company has a mining license in Rwanda's Burera District where they mine wolframite. According to maps and the mining industry press, there are no major coltan mines in that area. According to reports from the Rwanda Mining Association, and the Rwandan mining press, Habimana also represents Speck Minerals. According to a publication from the 2024 Rwanda Mining Association, Habimana also uses this number for Boss Mining. Boss Mining's employee said that Speck operated two mines, in the Gakenke district and Muhanga district of Rwanda. These mines produce a total of 18 tons of colltan per month. In a 2018 audit conducted by a Thai smelter of the Muhanga Mine, the site owner was listed as Eddy Habimana and the mine name was listed as Speck. According to the audit, the production was 2.3 tons per month at that time. Habimana, in response to questions last month about Boss Mining in text messages, described the two mines in Muhanga & Gakenke as being part of Boss Mining operations. Was unable to verify current production at either mine. Habimana refused to answer any questions regarding Speck, or the employee's claims about production. U.N. investigators as well as non-governmental organisations and sources from the mining industry have accused M23 and their Rwandan supporters of smuggling minerals from Congo illegally for more than a decade. According to a U.N. Report published in December 2024, the scale of the trade increased after M23 took Rubaya. The rebels established a parallel government that controlled mining, trade, transportation, and taxation on minerals produced in the area. U.N. 2024 report stated that the rebels had taken Rubaya and established a parallel administration to control mining activities, trade, transport, and taxation of the minerals produced there. U.N. experts said that the resulting mixing of Congolese coltan with Rwandan production is "the most significant contamination of supply chain" to date. According to the report 2024, M23 received $800,000 per month in taxes from the coltan mines in eastern Congo. Mining experts claim that official statistics on Rwanda's production of coltan are not reliable. In May 2024, the central bank of Rwanda suspended publishing export statistics shortly after M23 had seized Rubaya. An analysis of the customs records revealed that Rwanda exported 2,300 tons ore coltan last year. Eleven geologists and mining experts who are based in the area said that Rwanda exports much more coltan than it produces. They have all visited mines and found that the Congo has a much larger mine site and more miners. Bill Millman, a mineral consultant based in the UK, said that Rwanda's coltan exports for 2024 are "totally implausible". Rwanda's government has not commented on its coltan output. In January, the DRC cut diplomatic ties with Rwanda after M23 took over the Congolese capital of Goma. Congo's army has repeatedly struggled to quell Rwanda-backed revolts. Kigali, however, has benefited for years from the corruption in the Congolese minerals trade and the lack of regulation.
RUSSIAN CONNECTION Rwandan records of company show that Boss Mining, which was established in 2013, is owned by Habimana. The managing director denied buying Congolese colltan. These records reveal that Boss Mining also has two other owners, Yuriy tolmatchev (the managing director who denied purchasing Congolese coltan) and Alexander Konovalchik. According to UK and Russian company records, and Russian mining press reports, both men are dual citizens of the UK and Russia and have worked in the mining sector for decades. Now they live and work in Britain. According to corporate records, the two men own other companies which buy the coltan from Boss Mining. They are also directors of Metarex Ltd., according to Cyprus corporate records. According to corporate records from the United Arab Emirates provided by corporate intelligence firm Diligencia, Metarex is 100% owner of Novacore FZE. Tolmatchev manages Novacore, which according to corporate records and an analysis of customs data, purchases all the coltan produced by Boss Mining. Tolmatchev declined to comment on Novacore’s purchases. He stated that Boss Mining was the smallest exporter of coltan in Rwanda but refused to give more details. He said he had no idea what local traders were doing in North Kivu, the Congo province where the Rubaya mine is located. Tomaltchev responded that the company does not buy material from Congo. Konovalchik was not able to comment on the U.N. Report. He said that all minerals purchased by Boss Mining are "from Rwandan Sources". He then referred any further questions to Habimana. He said, "I don't control day-to-day operations." Reade Levinson reported from London, David Lewis from Nairobi, and Sonia Rolley from Paris. Filipp Lebedev contributed additional reporting from London. Marla Dickerson, Silvia Aloisi and Marla Dickerson edited the article.
(source: Reuters)