The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is leveraging its current presidency of the United Nations Security Council to spotlight a critical yet often overlooked driver of modern conflicts: the governance of natural resources. On Monday, July 13, Kinshasa hosted a high-level meeting in New York under the ‘Arria formula,’ focusing on the nexus between resource exploitation and peacebuilding—a prelude to a landmark debate scheduled for July 22, chaired by President Félix Tshisekedi, with the theme: “Natural Resource Governance: The Foundation of Peace, Security, and Prosperity.”
Kinshasa advocates for a unified global framework
The Congolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, has identified a critical gap in international norms governing natural resources in conflict and post-conflict settings. Current mechanisms—such as mineral traceability, corporate due diligence, and anti-conflict financing tools—remain fragmented and lack coherence. The DRC is pushing for a more integrated international framework that aligns natural resource governance with conflict prevention and global security efforts.
The DRC’s stance reframes natural resources not merely as economic commodities but as strategic pillars of peace and security, deserving of a permanent place on the UN Security Council’s agenda. This diplomatic initiative has gained significant traction, with France voicing strong support through its Permanent Representative to the UN.
France reaffirms commitment to DRC’s diplomatic offensive
In a statement that underscored Paris’ alignment with Kinshasa’s vision, Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont emphasized France’s willingness to contribute to the UN Security Council’s upcoming deliberations. “Natural resources must serve as engines for sustainable and equitable development for the communities and nations that host them. They must be shielded from exploitation by predatory actors and from being diverted for malicious purposes,” he declared. “France fully supports the DRC’s objective to strengthen and harmonize international initiatives aimed at the responsible management of these resources. We are prepared to actively engage in the Council’s efforts to support the high-level debate that the DRC will host next week in the presence of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.”
A broader diplomatic agenda under DRC’s UN presidency
This initiative follows a recent Security Council briefing on sexual violence in conflict, held on July 8 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka. That session highlighted the human cost of war economies and the urgent need to bolster prevention, survivor protection, accountability, and reparations. The DRC’s presidency continues to prioritize these themes, reflecting a cohesive strategy to address the root causes of instability in the region.
The DRC’s diplomatic push coincides with strategic partnerships with the United States on critical minerals and a landmark agreement with Rwanda, aimed at de-escalation, the phased withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory, and the neutralization of armed groups operating in the eastern DRC, including the FDLR—a group Kigali views as a security threat. Despite these diplomatic strides, the security situation remains precarious. Diplomatic efforts under the Doha Process, mediated by Qatar to facilitate dialogue between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebel group, have yet to yield tangible progress.
The AFC/M23 rebels, accused by Kinshasa, the UN, and international partners of receiving Rwandan support, continue to control key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, as well as several towns in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Clashes persist in various zones, underscoring the persistent disconnect between announced diplomatic breakthroughs and ground realities.