Armed rebels take control of Heineken facilities in DR Congo’s war-hit east

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"Heineken Withdraws from Eastern Congo as Armed Rebels Seize Facilities"

Armed rebels take control of Heineken facilities in DR Congo’s war-hit east analysis cover image CNN 8.0
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Original Article Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/20/africa/congo-heineken-loses-control-war-intl-hnk
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Heineken has officially lost operational control over its facilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo due to escalating conflict in the region. The Dutch brewing giant announced on Friday that it had withdrawn its staff from the affected areas, specifically Bukavu and Goma, which are now under the control of armed rebels. This decision comes after Heineken had already suspended operations in these cities earlier in March, citing safety concerns after its breweries were damaged and depots were raided amid ongoing fighting between government forces and rebel groups. The company stated that the conditions necessary for safe and responsible operations no longer exist, leading to their complete withdrawal from the region as of June 12, 2025. Heineken's Congo unit, Bralima, still maintains operations in other parts of the country that remain unaffected by the conflict, and the company will continue to monitor the situation closely as it develops.

The brewing company operates four facilities in Congo, producing popular brands including Heineken and Primus, and the Bukavu site alone employed approximately 1,000 people directly and indirectly. Heineken emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of its employees is its top priority, and it has taken steps to provide financial support to staff who have been withdrawn from the conflict zones. The company generates nearly 14% of its total revenues from operations in the Middle East and Africa, with the cities of Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira previously accounting for about one-third of its business in Congo. The ongoing violence in eastern Congo has intensified this year, particularly with the M23 rebel group's rapid advances, leading to heightened concerns about a broader conflict. The Democratic Republic of Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 with military resources, a claim that Rwanda has consistently denied. In a related development, technical teams from Congo, Rwanda, and the United States have recently initialed a draft peace agreement, which is anticipated to be signed in the coming week.

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Source URL: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/20/africa/congo-heineken-loses-control-war-intl-hnk

Heineken has lost operational control and withdrawn its staff from its facilities in conflict-affected areas of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dutch brewer said on Friday.

The beverages giant said in March that its operations in three eastern cities would remain suspended until it was safe to reopen, after some of its breweries were hit and its depots raided during fighting between the army and rebels.

But on Friday, the beer maker said the situation had deteriorated further, and that armed personnel had taken control of its facilities in Bukavu and Goma - eastern Congo’s two biggest cities, now under rebel control - and nearby areas.

“The conditions required to operate responsibly and safely are no longer present and as of 12th June 2025, we have lost operational control,” it said in a statement.

Heineken’s Congo unit, Bralima, still operates in other parts of the country not affected by the conflict, the company said, adding that it would continue assessing the evolving situation.

The group owns four breweries in Congo, producing Heineken beer as well as other popular brands like Primus. The Bukavu facilities employed around 1,000 people both directly and indirectly, it had said previously.

“Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our employees,” its Friday statement said. “We have withdrawn all remaining staff from these sites and we have continued to support them financially.”

Nearly 14% of Heineken’s total revenues come from its businesses in the Middle East and Africa, where Congo, with its population of over 100 million, is a large market.

Its operations in the cities of Goma, Bukavu and Uvira had together previously accounted for roughly a third of Heineken’s business in Congo.

Fighting in eastern Congo escalated this year as the M23 rebel group staged a rapid advance that raised fears of a wider conflict.

Congo says Rwanda is supporting M23 by sending troops and arms. Rwanda has long denied helping M23.

The two countries and the United States said on Wednesday that their technical teams initialed a draft peace agreement that is expected to be signed next week.

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Source: CNN