The Democratic Republic of Congo has released 14 of the 17 Chinese men arrested last week on suspicion of operating an illegal gold mine in the country.
The men, who were detained along with Congolese and Burundian nationals, were released despite owing the government $10 million in unpaid taxes and fines.
Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, the governor of South Kivu province where the arrests occurred, expressed surprise at the release, stating that it was crucial to improve the regulation of the mining sector.
The Congolese government has been grappling with the challenges of illegal mining activities, which often involve armed groups and contribute to regional instability.
This incident highlights the complexities of regulating the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country rich in natural resources but plagued by conflict and instability.