France has firmly reiterated its endorsement of the initiative spearheaded by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which seeks to place natural resource governance at the forefront of discussions within the United Nations Security Council. This crucial dialogue also extends to addressing the deficiencies in the international regulatory framework concerning war economies. The overarching goal of this initiative is to foster a more cohesive approach to natural resource management, transforming it into a catalyst for peace, accelerating the global energy transition, stimulating digital transformation, and bolstering the resilience of worldwide supply chains.
During an Arria-formula meeting, convened on Monday, July 13, 2026, in New York at Kinshasa’s behest, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the UN, Jérôme Bonnafont, underscored that natural resources now constitute a pivotal concern for international peace and security. He asserted that the fierce competition for control over these vital resources remains a primary driver of contemporary conflicts. This competition not only fuels instability but also serves as a significant funding source for armed factions and illicit exploitation networks, a critical aspect of Africa politics English discourse.
“Indeed, this is a fundamental issue that the Congolese presidency of the Security Council has brought to the core of our discussions: the intrinsic link between natural resources and peace, which lies at the heart of numerous conflict situations and crises. This is precisely why the Council has intensified its monitoring of this subject, notably during a meeting under the American presidency last March, and at an Arria-formula meeting organized by Sierra Leone a year ago. How can we deny it? The struggle for control over natural resources acts both as a factor of conflict and instability, and as a revenue stream for far too many actors, both local and international, who engage in their illegal exploitation,” he declared, highlighting a key aspect of pan-African current affairs.
Ambassador Bonnafont particularly emphasized the situation across the African continent, where, he noted, natural wealth continues to be plundered for the benefit of armed groups or external interests. This ongoing exploitation is a frequent subject in African news today.
“This observation is particularly evident on the African continent, where its riches are subjected to pillaging by such actors, who exploit them to finance their activities or organize their capture for the benefit of external powers. This illegal appropriation of resources fuels conflicts, exacerbates violence, and perpetuates the suffering of civilian populations. This is the case in Sudan, where the ongoing conflict is sustained by the pillaging of gold and gum arabic, as documented by expert group reports,” he continued.
Turning to the situation in the eastern region of the DRC, the French representative directly implicated the M23 rebel group in the illicit exploitation of mineral resources. The diplomat reminded the Council that Congolese populations have endured the consequences of this illegal exploitation for several years.
“This is also the case in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the M23 controls between 15% and 30% of the world’s coltan production through the Rubaya site, thereby funding its illegal administration, in blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese people have suffered for too long from the predation of their mineral resources, perpetrated by external actors and armed groups,” he revealed, underscoring the severity of the DRC coltan M23 conflict.
France also renewed its urgent call for adherence to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773. Jérôme Bonnafont stressed the imperative need to cease hostilities, ensure the effective withdrawal of Rwandan Defense Forces from Congolese territory, end Rwandan support for the M23, and continue the neutralization of the FDLR.
He further highlighted that this resolution advocates for intensified efforts to combat the illicit exploitation of natural resources, specifically by leveraging international mechanisms for transparency and traceability of minerals.
“France once again calls on all parties to comply with Security Council Resolution 2773, which demands the immediate cessation of hostilities, the effective withdrawal of Rwandan Defense Forces from Congolese territory, an end to Rwandan support for the M23, and the effective neutralization of the FDLR by the Democratic Republic of Congo. This resolution also calls, I reiterate, for redoubled efforts to combat the illicit exploitation of natural resources, particularly by mobilizing mechanisms for transparency and traceability of mineral exports,” the French diplomat insisted during his address.
“The Council must utilize the tools at its disposal in conflict situations exacerbated by the illicit trafficking of natural resources. Several expert groups play an invaluable role in documenting these dynamics and their contribution to financing destabilizing activities, notably in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. Associated sanctions regimes must be deployed whenever necessary to sever the link between the pillaging of natural resources and the financing of conflict actors.”
The Democratic Republic of Congo continues to advance its planned activities as part of its presidency of the Security Council. This critical meeting on natural resources follows a Council briefing dedicated to conflict-related sexual violence, held on July 8 under the presidency of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka. This diplomatic sequence aligns with the established priorities of the Congolese presidency. The briefing notably highlighted the human cost of war economies and the urgent need to strengthen prevention, protect survivors, combat impunity, and establish effective reparation mechanisms.
These initiatives unfold within a complex backdrop marked by the strategic partnership forged between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States concerning critical minerals, as well as the Washington agreement signed between Kinshasa and Kigali. This agreement outlines measures for de-escalation, the gradual withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory, and the neutralization of armed groups operating in eastern DRC, including the FDLR, which Kigali perceives as a threat to its security. Despite this diplomatic framework, widely lauded upon its signing, the security situation remains extremely precarious. On the ground, the Doha process, facilitated by the State of Qatar to foster dialogue between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebellion, also remains at an impasse. This situation deeply concerns African society news observers.
The AFC/M23 rebels, whom Kinshasa, the United Nations, and several international partners accuse of being supported by Rwanda, continue to control the key cities of Goma and Bukavu, alongside numerous other localities across the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Clashes persist in various areas, while diplomatic efforts struggle to yield enduring results. This ongoing predicament once again brings to the fore the persistent disparity between announced diplomatic breakthroughs and the stark reality observed on the ground.
Related Posts
