By Chris Muhizi for Minembwe Capital News “MCN” Wednesday June 14th/2023.
According to Fernando Nkana, head of the P-DDRCS unit that fights against the funding of armed groups, the growth of armed groups in the country’s eastern region is correlated with their access to funds provided by these opposing forces.
The extensive funding of armed groups and the need to put an end to it were brought to the attention of the specialized agencies involved in the fight against mining fraud on June 13 in Bukavu (South Kivu).
As time went on, armed groups grew more numerous and conflicts intensified. And after the paradigm shift occurred, people realized that these groups’ ability to live depended on the support they received from others, and it is because of this that they engaged in criminal activity and other economic pursuits.
We realized that it was necessary to break the connection permanently, and we will finally bring back peace in the RDC, particularly in the East. Because armed groups won’t be able to survive if they lack the funds to support their armies or the money to buy weapons. If they realize they are being attacked on all levels, they will stop. The specialized services are the ones that have this duty, and we are here to support them and see how they can complete their task, he added. Among these sources of funding, he lists illegal natural resource exploitation, money laundering,… In this context, experts from services specializing in the fight against mining fraud have been made aware.#RadioOkapi reports.
