In Congo, M23 rebels' latest fight is to revive the economy

Bangkok Post Group

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

Transcript

00:00In Congo, the M23 rebels now face a mundane but daunting new task, governing.

00:07They've defeated Congo's army to take control of the eastern part of one of Africa's most populous nations.

00:14But the long-term success of their uprising depends, in large part, on reviving the economy in seized areas.

00:23This fabric vendor in the M23-controlled city of Goma

00:27complains that a crisis is mounting because virtually all banks are closed.

00:33With supply chains disrupted, prices of some staples have jumped.

00:38Currency shortages are another problem.

00:41On top of all that, the insurgents are now imposing new taxes on residents to finance their revolution,

00:47duties as high as 20 percent on small-time traders.

00:52This is Rochelle Monimpo, another fabric vendor.

00:57We have serious problems with the taxes.

01:01Customers no longer come, but at the end of each month, we are still asked to pay the tax.

01:09It is becoming very difficult for us to find the money to pay this tax.

01:13In the town of Rubaya, M23 has moved quickly to tighten its grip on a slice of Congo's vast mineral wealth.

01:23Mines here produce one-sixth of the world's supply of Colton, a metallic ore used in smartphones.

01:29M23 now charges a 15 percent tax on the value of the Colton production, according to rebel officials.

01:35That could mean up to $450,000 in monthly tax income for them, according to an estimate by one government expert.

01:44M23 is keen to demonstrate that life in rebel-held areas is returning to normal.

01:50The group has nominated governors and is training thousands of local administrators to take control of civil services.

01:57One analyst tells Reuters if M23 fails to shore up the economy and restore essential services,

02:05it could undermine the group's claims to legitimate governance.

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