The Central African Republic (CAR) government has suspended a Chinese gold and diamond mining company, Daqing SARL, accusing it of cooperating with armed rebel groups.
The government decree, made public on Saturday, alleges “intelligence with armed groups, illegal exploitation, illegal introduction of foreign subjects into mining areas, non-payment of taxes and lack of activity reports.”
Daqing SARL operated in Mingala, a southern town plagued by clashes between government forces and the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), an anti-government rebel group.
The CAR has been embroiled in conflict since 2013, with a 2019 peace deal failing to fully quell the violence. The CPC itself emerged in 2020 after several groups withdrew from the peace agreement.
The suspension highlights the precarious situation for foreign mining companies in the mineral-rich but war-torn CAR.
Rebel groups have long operated with impunity, hindering exploration efforts. Many operating mines are Chinese-run and have faced repeated attacks.
Last month, four workers died at a Chinese mine in an attack blamed on the CPC.
A similar attack in 2023 resulted in the deaths of nine Chinese nationals, while a 2020 uprising by local residents against another Chinese mine led to the deaths of two Chinese citizens.
The CAR remains one of the world’s poorest countries despite its abundant resources.
The suspension of Daqing SARL underscores the complex challenges the government faces in restoring stability, attracting foreign investment, and ensuring the responsible exploitation of the country’s mineral wealth.
