M23 Rebels in DRC Using Illegal Gold to Finance Rebellion

A report says rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are financing their campaign by smuggling out gold that ends up in the world's banks and jewelry stores. Sasha Lezhnev is a policy analyst for the U.S.-based Enough Project. He says rebel group M23 is working with armed groups that control gold mines and smugglers who sneak the gold into Uganda and Burundi before it goes to other countries. "M23 is now taking greater control of a trade worth about $500 million overall ...

© La Voix de l'Amérique - jeudi 10 octobre 2013