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Report
In Congo, M23 rebels' latest fight is to revive the economy
Bangkok Post Group
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5/6/2025
The M23 insurgents who routed Congo’s army to take control of the eastern part of one of Africa’s most populous nations now face a task as mundane as it is daunting: governing. - REUTERS
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In Congo, the M23 rebels now face a mundane but daunting new task, governing.
00:07
They've defeated Congo's army to take control of the eastern part of one of Africa's most populous nations.
00:14
But the long-term success of their uprising depends, in large part, on reviving the economy in seized areas.
00:23
This fabric vendor in the M23-controlled city of Goma
00:27
complains that a crisis is mounting because virtually all banks are closed.
00:33
With supply chains disrupted, prices of some staples have jumped.
00:38
Currency shortages are another problem.
00:41
On top of all that, the insurgents are now imposing new taxes on residents to finance their revolution,
00:47
duties as high as 20 percent on small-time traders.
00:52
This is Rochelle Monimpo, another fabric vendor.
00:57
We have serious problems with the taxes.
01:01
Customers no longer come, but at the end of each month, we are still asked to pay the tax.
01:09
It is becoming very difficult for us to find the money to pay this tax.
01:13
In the town of Rubaya, M23 has moved quickly to tighten its grip on a slice of Congo's vast mineral wealth.
01:23
Mines here produce one-sixth of the world's supply of Colton, a metallic ore used in smartphones.
01:29
M23 now charges a 15 percent tax on the value of the Colton production, according to rebel officials.
01:35
That could mean up to $450,000 in monthly tax income for them, according to an estimate by one government expert.
01:44
M23 is keen to demonstrate that life in rebel-held areas is returning to normal.
01:50
The group has nominated governors and is training thousands of local administrators to take control of civil services.
01:57
One analyst tells Reuters if M23 fails to shore up the economy and restore essential services,
02:05
it could undermine the group's claims to legitimate governance.
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