The U.S. is pushing Congo and Rwanda to sign a peace accord at the White House in about two months, accompanied by bilateral mineral deals that would bring billions of dollars of Western investment to the region, President Donald Trump’s senior advisor for Africa told Reuters on Thursday.
“When we sign the peace agreement … the minerals deal with the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) will be signed on that day, and then a similar package, but of a different size, will be signed on that day with Rwanda,” Massad Boulos said in an interview in the Qatari capital, Doha. A U.S.-backed peace accord would come amid an unprecedented advance by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in Congo, the latest cycle of violence in a decades-long conflict, in a region rich in minerals including tantalum and gold. Rwanda denies backing the group.
Read more…
Source: Reuters News
Sign up for Counter-IED Report Newsletter
Related:
- Kenya: Vice Chief of Defence Forces John Omenda calls for continental unity to tackle rising IED threat
October 7, 2025
The Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF), Lt Gen John Omenda, has called for continental solidarity to combat the growing threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Africa. Speaking at the opening of the 7th Africa Annual Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) conference, themed ‘A Continental Approach: Creating Situational Awareness of IED Threats Across Africa and Sharing ...
- Somalia: SNA, AUSSOM Conduct Mine Clearance Operations in Awdheegle
October 5, 2025
The Somali National Army (SNA), in collaboration with the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), has launched mine clearance operations in Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle region, after Al-Shabaab terrorists planted explosives along roads, near homes, and around the town. The operation aims to eliminate all explosive devices posing a threat to civilians and security forces, allowing ...
- Kenya: Three people injured in blast at hotel in Mandera
October 5, 2025
At least three people were Saturday evening injured in an explosion at a food joint in Mandera Town. Police said the blast was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device that was set off as the revellers were busy. More than a dozen people escaped unhurt, police said. The motive of the incident was not immediately established. ...
- Somalia: Suspected al-Shabaab militants attack Mogadishu’s Godka Jilacow prison
October 4, 2025
Suspected al-Shabaab militants launched an attack on Mogadishu’s heavily fortified Godka Jilacow prison on Saturday afternoon. The assault began with a suicide bombing followed by heavy gunfire. The facility, which is controlled by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), is among the most secure sites in the capital. Reports indicate that several prisoners managed to ...
- Nigeria: Thousands flee to Cameroon as Boko Haram seizes border town
October 3, 2025
More than 5,000 people have fled Nigeria’s northeast into neighbouring Cameroon after Boko Haram militants seized the border town of Kirawa in Borno state, residents and community leaders said on Friday. Insurgents in Nigeria’s Borno state, the epicentre of a 16-year conflict driven by Boko Haram and its splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), ...
- Nigeria: Teenager killed in suspected IED blast in Borno
September 29, 2025
The Police Command in Borno has confirmed the death of a 13-year-old boy following an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in Monguno Local Government Area. The explosive is suspected to have been planted by the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the area. The police spokesman in Borno, Nahun Daso, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency ...
- Libya Adopts First National Plan to Mitigate Chemical and Nuclear Risks with EU Support
September 25, 2025
Libya has adopted its first-ever national plan to reduce risks related to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials. The development was announced by the EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (EU FPI). According to the announcement, the plan was developed with support from the European Union through its CBRN Centres of Excellence initiative. The objective ...
- DR Congo: A new Ebola outbreak kills dozens as health officials warn of lack of funds
September 25, 2025
As a deadly new Ebola outbreak kills dozens in southern Congo, health authorities and organizations are sounding the alarm, warning they lack the funds and resources to mount an effective response to the crisis. The World Health Organization said Wednesday that 57 cases and 35 deaths have been reported since the outbreak was announced by Congolese ...
- Nigeria: Boko Haram factions using animal waste to disguise improvised explosive devices
September 23, 2025
Boko Haram factions are increasingly using dung to disguise improvised explosive devices Boko Haram factions are increasingly using dung to disguise improvised explosive devices (IEDs), in particular landmines, and boost their ignition. These landmines are similar to conventional antipersonnel landmines – not in their shape and composition – but in their tactical use and mode of activation. ...
- Nigeria: Troops intercept large shipment of IED materials in North East
September 19, 2025
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have intercepted a large consignment of logistics supplies intended for terrorists in Yobe State. Spokesman Lt. Col. Sani Uba described the interception as a major breakthrough in ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Inspection revealed 700 bags of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer, which can be used to make ...
- Somalia: Danab Commandos, Jubbaland forces conduct mine clearance near Kismayo
September 19, 2025
Somali National Army’s elite Danab commandos, in collaboration with Jubbaland’s Dervish forces, carried out mine clearance operations on Thursday in the outskirts of Kismayo, the capital of the Lower Juba region. Danab officers told reporters that the operation was aimed at removing mines planted by al-Shabaab militants to protect civilians and secure key roads. “This mine ...
- Mali: JNIM attack Senegal-Mali fuel convoys disrupting key trade route
September 17, 2025
In early September 2025, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked militant group, announced a blockade on fuel imports into Mali, particularly affecting key trade routes near Kayes and Nioro in the west. Since then, JNIM militants have repeatedly targeted fuel convoys in these regions as part of the blockade. Verified reports confirm that at least ...
- Nigeria: FG moves to tighten control on IEDs materials
September 16, 2025
The Nigerian Government is stepping up efforts to curb the menace of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which has remained the deadliest threat to troops and civilians in the North East. The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, disclosed this at the specialised training for first responders and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel ...
- Cote d’Ivoire: EUSDI GoG boosts Ivorian Defense Against improvised explosives
September 16, 2025
The Spanish Canary Islands Command provides specialized training on the threat of improvised explosive devices in Cote d’Ivoire as part of the EU Security and Defence Inititiative in the Gulf of Guinea (EUSDI GoG). Far from home, under the demanding African sun, soldiers of Spain’s 16th Canary Islands Brigade carried out a mission that transcended military ...
- Somalia: Defence, Security Ministers Approve National Plan to Counter IED Threats
September 15, 2025
Somalia’s Ministers of Defence and Internal Security on Monday took part in a high-level meeting to endorse the country’s new National Counter-IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) Strategy, aimed at curbing the deadly use of homemade explosives by armed groups. Also in attendance were the National Security Advisor and representatives from international partners, signaling broad-based support for the ...
- Cameroon: One killed, four injured in Batibo bar explosion
September 15, 2025
At least one person was killed and four others injured on Sunday when an improvised explosive device detonated in a bar in Cameroon’s restive Anglophone Northwest region, security sources said. The blast took place in Batibo, a locality of the region, with the bomb planted in a bar near a police station, according to officials. “A ...
- UNOCT: Supporting Eastern Africa in countering terrorist use of improvised explosive devices
September 12, 2025
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) will launch the project: “Supporting Eastern Africa in countering terrorist use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs)”, on 11 September 2025. By improving the application of legislative frameworks and building capacities of national authorities to prevent and respond to terrorist activities involving IEDs, the three-year project aims to enhance the ...
- Somalia receives UK-donated vehicles and C-IED equipment to bolster army capabilities
September 11, 2025
Somalia’s Minister of Defence, H.E. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, attended a ceremony marking the handover of modern vehicles and equipment aimed at countering improvised explosive devices (C-IED) from the United Kingdom. The assets were officially transferred to the Engineering Unit of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) ...
- Niger: Islamic State group escalates attacks on civilians
September 10, 2025
Islamic State-affiliated militants have stepped up attacks in western Niger, killing more than 127 people in five separate strikes since March and highlighting authorities’ failure to protect civilians, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. A report by the rights group provides the most detailed accounts available of attacks carried out by Islamic State in the Sahel ...
- Tunisia: Gaza aid flotilla says boat struck by drone at Sidi Bou Said port
September 9, 2025
An activist group seeking to break Israel’s siege on Gaza by sea said one of its main boats was struck by a drone at a port in Tunisia Monday night, but all six passengers and crew are safe. Tunisia’s National Guard said claims of an attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) boat at the Sidi ...
- Nigeria: UN condemns killings of 63 villagers in Borno
September 8, 2025
The United Nations (UN) has condemned the killing of 63 people, including soldiers in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists. More than 50 people were killed in Darul Jamal village only on Friday night in Bama Local Government Area of the State. In a statement released on Sunday, Mohamed Fall, the ...
- Cameroon: Separatists claim deadly roadside attack that killed 7 soldiers
September 6, 2025
A separatist group has claimed responsibility for a roadside bomb attack that detonated in southwestern Cameroon, killing seven soldiers. The attack happened Friday morning near the town of Malende, according to local media. The Fako Unity Warriors, an English-speaking separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack late on Friday. The Cameroon News Agency reported that seven ...