The United Arab Emirates has formally expressed its solidarity with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the wake of a devastating mining disaster that has resulted in massive casualties. Through an official statement released by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the UAE conveyed profound condolences and sympathy to both the bereaved families and the Congolese government and people.
The tragic incident occurred at an artisanal coltan mine located in the town of Rubaya, within the conflict-ridden eastern region of the DRC. According to reports from the Congolese government, a catastrophic series of landslides struck the mining site, first on Wednesday afternoon and again on Thursday morning, leading to what local authorities describe as at least 200 fatalities.
This mining operation exists within a complex geopolitical context. Since 2021, the M23 armed group, allegedly with Rwandan support, has controlled significant portions of eastern DRC, including the Rubaya mine which they seized in April 2024. The mine represents a crucial node in global technology supply chains, producing approximately 15-30% of the world’s coltan—a vital mineral used extensively in electronics manufacturing including smartphones and laptops.
The tragedy highlights the perilous conditions faced by thousands of artisanal miners who work with minimal safety equipment, often relying on basic tools like shovels while wearing only rubber boots for protection. Eraston Bahati Musanga, the M23-appointed governor of North Kivu province who visited the disaster site, confirmed the staggering death toll while noting that recovery efforts continue and an exact count remains uncertain.
The UAE’s expression of sympathy aligns with its pattern of offering international condolences during global humanitarian crises, recently extending similar gestures to Kenya and Mozambique following natural disasters in those nations.