David Lewis

A tinderbox conflict in Congo is ready to explode A conflict that has simmered in Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern borderlands for years is set to erupt into a wider regional war.

Was is spreading in #Congo. There is a array of players involved, including three neighbouring armies.

We'd had a crack at explaining some of this with the help of the graphics team at @reuters.com

With @readelev.bsky.social @soniarolley.bsky.social

www.reuters.com/graphics/CON...

A tinderbox conflict in Congo is ready to explode A conflict that has simmered in Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern borderlands for years is set to erupt into a wider regional war.

NEW from us, with maps: With three neighbouring armies already on the ground, a conflict that has simmered in Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern borderlands for years is evolving into a wider regional war.

@dglewis.bsky.social @soniarolley.bsky.social @pkddapacific.bsky.social

Congo's M23 rebels consolidate control over a devastated Goma Rwandan-backed M23 rebels appeared to have consolidated their control over Goma, with eastern Congo's largest city mostly quiet on Wednesday apart from sporadic gunfire in some outlying districts, residents said.

Latest from the @reuters.com team on the ground in Goma in eastern #Congo.

#Rwanda backed M23 rebels have consolidated their hold on the city, which they seized after days of fighting that has left bodies in the streets and fears of a new regional war.

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

Exclusive: European cocaine kingpin has high level protection in Sierra Leone-sources One of Europe's most wanted fugitives, convicted cocaine smuggler Jos Leijdekkers, has found refuge and high-level protection in Sierra Leone, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter as well as photos and video footage seen by Reuters.

Despite a conviction in the #Netherlands for trafficking tonnes of cocaine, "Chubby Jos" has found refuge +protection in #SierraLeone. He attended mass at the same church as the president on New Year's day...and has married his daughter, sources say.

www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Congo's M23 rebels seize eastern town of Minova Democratic Republic of Congo's M23 rebels have seized the eastern town of Minova, a main supply route for the provincial capital Goma, a rebel spokesperson and the provincial governor said on Tuesday.

Rebels in #Congo make a significant gain near critical eastern city of Goma. Minova is close. Will they try to attack more or will they use this to ratchet up the pressure on gvt in #Kinshasa?

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

Exclusive: U.S. to impose sanctions on Sudanese leader Burhan Sudanese leader and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan will be hit with sanctions by the United States on Thursday, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

EXCLUSIVE - #US government will sanction #Sudanese leader and army chief Burhan today.

Coming soon after the sanctions on Burhan's rival, sanctions meant to show that US is targeting both sides of the conflict and pushing for a transition back to civilian-led rule.

www.reuters.com/world/us-imp...

Exclusive: Barrick to suspend operations in Mali after gold seized Canadian miner Barrick Gold said it will have to suspend mining operations in Mali after the government seized gold stocks from the company's Loulo-Gounkoto complex and flew them out by helicopter over the weekend.

Things escalated between #Mali and Barrick Gold. The gvt seized large volumes of gold that had been mined but the company cannot export. Barrick says it will now have to suspend operations. Will either side back down? Feel for the 1000s of local employees caught up.

www.reuters.com/markets/comm...

Dozens of UAE flights head to airstrip UN says supplies arms to Sudan rebels Since civil war erupted in Sudan last year, dozens of cargo planes from the United Arab Emirates have landed at a small airstrip in Chad that some U.N. experts and diplomats suspect is being used to funnel arms across the border into the conflict, flight data and satellite images show.

ICYMI: A week earlier, @readelev.bsky.social and
@dglewis.bsky.social used satellite imagery and data to identify 170 flights by cargo planes based in the UAE headed towards Chad since April 2023 www.reuters.com/world/uae-fl...

US gives more Sudan aid, UN says crisis is of 'staggering scale, cruelty' U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday announced some $200 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Sudan, where a conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and triggered the world's largest displacement crisis.

At UN, Blinken tells states backing Sudan's warring parties: Enough www.reuters.com/world/africa...

Dozens of UAE flights head to airstrip UN says supplies arms to Sudan rebels Since civil war erupted in Sudan last year, dozens of cargo planes from the United Arab Emirates have landed at a small airstrip in Chad that some U.N. experts and diplomats suspect is being used to funnel arms across the border into the conflict, flight data and satellite images show.

NEW: For the last year, dglewis.bsky.social and I have been tracking planes at Amdjarass airport in eastern Chad.

Using satellite imagery and data, we identified 170 flights by cargo planes based in the UAE that headed on the route towards Chad since April 2023:

www.reuters.com/world/uae-fl...

Mali arrests, Niger site seizure rattle Western miners The arrest of mining executives in Mali, threats by Burkina Faso's junta to strip permits and the seizure of a French-run uranium site in Niger have unsettled Western miners operating in West Africa and could limit further investments.

With executives being detained in #Mali, threats by #BurkinaFaso junta to strip permits and authorities in #Niger taking over a uranium mine, it has been a tumultuous few months for #mining companies in #Africa's #Sahel. What next?

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

Mali issues arrest warrant for Barrick Gold CEO, document shows Mali has issued an arrest warrant for Mark Bristow, chief executive officer of Canada's Barrick Gold , according to a document seen by Reuters, confirmed by two sources.

A major escalation in the standoff between Barrick Gold, world's No. 2 gold miner, and #Mali ruling junta.

Mali has issued an arrest warrant for Barrick CEO Mark Bristow, accusing him of money laundering and violating financial regulations.

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

France on the back foot in Africa after Chadian snub A French plan to significantly reduce its military presence in West and central Africa risks backfiring and further diminishing the former colonial power's influence in the region at a time when Russia is gaining ground.

Buffeted by years of deepening anger and criticism, #France has been weighing up how to reduce its military footprint across #Africa. Before the plans for #Chad could even be announced, the government there abruptly ended their defence cooperation pact.

www.reuters.com/world/france...