It was reported that a Chinese mining company operating in the Central African Republic had its operations suspended by the government of the country on allegations of cooperating with armed militias.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Mines on Saturday, Daqing SARL, a Chinese mining firm involved in gold and diamond mining has been indicted for “complicity with armed groups; illegal exploitation; illicit introduction of foreigners into mine sites; non-payment of taxes and lack of activity reports”.
Daqing SARL had its operations in Mingala town located in Southern Central African Republic where there have been clashes between government forces and an opposition armed group called Coalition des Patriotes pour le Changement.
In 2013, a predominantly Muslim rebel coalition seized power from President Francois Bozize, making Bozize step down. In return Christian militias fought them off.
The fighting was reduced by a 2019 peace agreement which saw 14 armed groups sign on but six later withdrew. The Coalition of Patriots for Change was formed after this deal’s conclusion in 2020.
However, despite its mineral riches including diamonds and gold, the country continues to be one of the poorest globally. Rebel factions have operated across this troubled nation with impunity during the last decade thereby undermining foreign owned mining exploration efforts.
Most foreign companies’ security challenges are experienced by Chinese-owned firms currently operating within CAR. Last month four individuals working at a Chinese goldmine were killed when it came under attack by members from CPC as alleged by local officials. During 2020 nine Chinese nationals died in another Central African Republic (CAR) goldmine. The same rebel alliance was held responsible for that incident too by authorities. In addition two Chinese were killed during protests against another mine being run by China in southern CAR back in 2020.
