The Central African Republic government ordered a Chinese mining firm to cease its operations after it was accused of working with armed militias.

Chinese Mining Firm Accused of Armed Group Intelligence

In the decree made public Saturday, the country's Ministry of Mines accused Daqing SARL, a Chinese gold and diamond mining company, of "intelligence with armed groups, illegal exploitation, illegal introduction of foreign subjects into mining areas, non-payment of taxes and lack of activity reports," The Associated Press reported.

Daqing SARL operates in the southern town of Mingala, plagued by violence between the country's military forces and the Coalition of Patriots for Change, an anti-government armed organization.

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Conflict Erupted in 2013

The fight broke out in the Central African Republic after President Francois Bozize was ousted in 2013 by rebels who were mostly Muslim.

Back up came the militias, who were primarily Christian. After signing a peace accord in 2019, six of the 14 armed factions withdrew their support, and the combat continued to subside.

In 2020, the Coalition of Patriots for Change was formed following the agreement. Despite its gold and diamond resources, the nation is one of the poorest.

Foreign mining businesses have been thwarted by rebel groups operating with impunity throughout the troubled nation over the last decade. As a result of security concerns, many of those now operating in the country are Chinese-run.

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