France condemns m23’s illicit coltan control in eastern DRC, urges stronger governance

France has unequivocally backed the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) push to place natural resource governance at the forefront of United Nations Security Council discussions. This pivotal initiative also seeks to address the shortcomings of the international regulatory framework concerning war economies. The aim is to foster a more consistent approach to managing natural resources, transforming them into instruments for peace, accelerating the global energy transition, boosting digital transformation, and bolstering the resilience of worldwide supply chains. This aligns with broader efforts for improved governance Africa.

During an Arria-formula meeting held in New York on Monday, July 13, 2026, convened by Kinshasa, Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, underscored the critical role of natural resources in international peace and security. He asserted that the struggle for control over these vital assets remains a primary driver of modern conflicts. This competition not only fuels instability but also provides a consistent revenue stream for armed groups and illicit exploitation networks, a pressing concern in African politics.

Ambassador Bonnafont highlighted that the Congolese presidency of the Security Council had rightfully prioritized the fundamental issue of natural resources and their intrinsic link to peace, a factor at the heart of numerous conflicts and crises. He noted that the Council has intensified its scrutiny of this matter, referencing a March meeting under American presidency and a prior Arria-formula session organized by Sierra Leone. The diplomat emphasized, “The competition for natural resource control undeniably acts as both a catalyst for conflict and instability, and a financial lifeline for far too many local and international actors engaged in illegal exploitation.”

Bonnafont specifically drew attention to the African continent, where, he observed, abundant natural wealth continues to be plundered, enriching armed factions or external entities. This forms a crucial aspect of independent African journalism.

He elaborated, “This pattern is particularly evident across the African continent, where its riches are systematically looted by actors who exploit them to fund their operations or orchestrate their seizure for the benefit of foreign powers. This unlawful appropriation of resources fuels conflicts, exacerbates violence, and perpetuates the suffering of civilian populations. A clear illustration is seen in Sudan, where the ongoing conflict is sustained by the plundering of gold and gum arabic, as meticulously detailed in expert group reports.”

Turning to the situation in eastern DRC, the French representative directly implicated the M23 rebel group in the illicit exploitation of mineral resources. He underscored that Congolese citizens have endured the severe consequences of this illegal activity for many years, impacting society Africa.

The Ambassador stated, “This alarming situation is also prevalent in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the M23 group asserts control over 15% to 30% of the world’s coltan production from the Rubaya site. This control directly finances its illegitimate administration, flagrantly violating the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. For far too long, Congolese communities have suffered the devastating impact of mineral resource predation, carried out by both external actors and various armed groups.”

France reiterated its urgent call for adherence to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773. Jérôme Bonnafont stressed the imperative to cease hostilities immediately, ensure the effective withdrawal of Rwandan Defense Forces from Congolese territory, terminate Rwandan support for the M23, and continue the neutralization of the FDLR.

Furthermore, he reminded the Council that this resolution mandates intensified efforts to combat the illicit exploitation of natural resources, particularly by leveraging international mechanisms for mineral transparency and traceability, crucial for governance Africa.

Bonnafont asserted, “The Council must deploy the instruments at its disposal in conflict zones exacerbated by illicit natural resource trafficking. Various expert groups provide invaluable documentation on these dynamics and their contribution to funding destabilizing activities, notably in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. Corresponding sanction regimes must be activated whenever necessary to sever the connection between the plundering of natural resources and the financing of conflict actors.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo continues to advance its agenda under its Security Council presidency. This recent meeting on natural resources followed a Council briefing on conflict-related sexual violence, convened on July 8 under the leadership of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka. This diplomatic sequence reflects the ongoing priorities set by the Congolese presidency. The briefing notably highlighted the devastating human cost of war economies and emphasized the critical need to enhance prevention, ensure the protection of survivors, combat impunity, and establish effective reparation mechanisms.

These diplomatic efforts unfold amidst a strategic partnership between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States concerning critical minerals, alongside the Washington agreement inked between Kinshasa and Kigali. This agreement outlines de-escalation measures, the gradual withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory, and the neutralization of armed groups active in eastern DRC, including the FDLR, which Kigali views as a security threat. Despite this diplomatic framework, widely lauded upon its signing, the security situation remains acutely precarious. On the ground, the Doha process, facilitated by the State of Qatar to foster dialogue between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebellion, also continues to be stalled.

The AFC/M23 rebels, whom Kinshasa, the United Nations, and numerous international partners accuse of receiving Rwandan backing, maintain their grip on the cities of Goma and Bukavu, along with several other areas in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Clashes persist across various regions, while diplomatic endeavors struggle to yield lasting outcomes. This ongoing reality once again spotlights the persistent disparity between declared diplomatic progress and the challenging situation witnessed on the ground, a critical piece of Africa news English.