• Security

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), currently holding the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for July, has made it its mission to place the governance of natural resources at the heart of international debates it considers crucial to contemporary conflicts.

In this regard, Kinshasa organized a meeting in Arria format in New York on Monday, July 13, dedicated to the links between natural resource exploitation and peace. This diplomatic initiative will culminate on July 22 with a high-level debate chaired by President Félix Tshisekedi, under the theme: “Natural Resource Governance as the Foundation for Peace, Security, and Prosperity.”

The Congolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, has launched an international reflection on what it describes as a “normative gap” in the governance of natural resources in peace and security contexts. According to Congolese authorities, existing frameworks—including mineral traceability, corporate due diligence, and conflict financing prevention mechanisms—remain fragmented and lack coherence. Kinshasa is advocating for a more integrated international framework that connects natural resource governance with conflict prevention and international security.

The DRC is pushing for a shift in the international approach: natural resources should no longer be viewed solely through an economic or commercial lens but as a strategic peace and security issue deserving full inclusion on the UN Security Council’s agenda. This stance has garnered attention from France, which, through its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, reaffirmed Paris’ support for this initiative.

“Natural resources must serve as a lever for sustainable and equitable development for the benefit of the populations and countries that host them. They must be protected from predators and from diversion for malicious purposes. Looking ahead, France supports the DRC’s goal of strengthening and aligning international initiatives aimed at the proper management of these resources. We are fully prepared to contribute to the Council’s work that will accompany the high-level debate the DRC will host next week, in the presence of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi,” stated Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The DRC continues its activities under its presidency of the Security Council. This meeting on natural resources follows the Council briefing on conflict-related sexual violence held on July 8 under the presidency of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka. This diplomatic sequence aligns with the priorities set by the Congolese presidency. The briefing highlighted the human cost of war economies and the need to strengthen prevention, survivor protection, impunity eradication, and reparations mechanisms.

These initiatives unfold against a backdrop of strategic partnerships between the DRC and the United States on critical minerals, as well as the Washington agreement signed between Kinshasa and Kigali. This accord includes de-escalation measures, the gradual withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory, and the neutralization of armed groups operating in eastern DRC, particularly the FDLR, which Kigali considers a threat to its security. Despite this widely praised diplomatic framework, the security situation remains precarious. On the ground, the Doha process, facilitated by Qatar to facilitate dialogue between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebellion, remains stalled.

The AFC/M23 rebels, accused by Kinshasa, the United Nations, and several international partners of receiving Rwandan support, continue to control cities like Goma and Bukavu, as well as several areas in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Clashes persist in various zones, while diplomatic efforts struggle to yield lasting results. This situation once again reignites the debate on the persistent disconnect between announced diplomatic progress and ground realities.