Heineken Halts Operations in Eastern Congo Amidst Conflict
The beverage giant, **Heineken**, has withdrawn personnel and lost operational control of multiple facilities within the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. This decision reflects escalating instability in the region, impacting production and availability of the company’s products.
Brewery Shutdown
Initially, **Heineken** suspended production at breweries located in Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira. These shutdowns followed attacks on certain facilities. Additionally, rebel groups and army personnel plundered some of the stored supplies. However, the situation soon worsened, and rebel forces seized the Bukavu and Goma breweries.
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The Bukavu brewery alone formerly employed around 1,000 people. Despite these setbacks, the subsidiary, **Bralima**, continues to operate in other areas of the Congo. This entity brews **Heineken** beer alongside other well-known brands like Primus and Amstel. Approximately 14% of **Heineken**’s total revenue originates from Africa and the Middle East, making the Congolese market of 100 million people crucial.
“The situation has now escalated further, and the facilities at Bukavu and Goma are taken by rebel forces.”
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According to the United Nations, the M23 rebel group, which has taken control of both Bukavu and Goma earlier this year, receives substantial backing from Rwanda. Data suggests a 60% rise in conflict-related internal displacement across the globe in the past decade (UNHCR).
Ongoing Conflict
The M23 rebel group has been aggressively advancing in the mineral-rich eastern Congo. A group of UN experts have also presented “solid evidence” that Rwanda effectively controls M23, an assertion Rwanda denies.
The future of **Heineken**’s operations in the eastern Congo remains uncertain due to the volatile security situation and ongoing armed conflict.
