DRC urges UN to address natural resources fueling armed conflicts

During a United Nations Security Council session, Democratic Republic of the Congo Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner emphasized that the focus should not be on introducing new international obligations but rather on strengthening existing mechanisms for traceability, sanctions, and governance of natural resources.

She clarified that this initiative was not intended to create a global mining code or undermine the sovereignty of states over their natural resources.

France reiterated its stance by calling for the implementation of Resolution 2773 regarding eastern DRC. The country highlighted that the M23 controls between 15% and 30% of global coltan production in Rubaya and urged stronger traceability and sanction mechanisms.

Deep-seated divisions

United States officials emphasized securing supply chains for critical minerals and investments in this sector.

China advocated for respecting state sovereignty and avoiding the politicization of the debate.

Russia went further by rejecting the notion of normative gaps entirely, asserting that conflicts stem primarily from political instability and external interference rather than a lack of international regulations.

These discussions underscored the profound divergences among major powers regarding global governance of natural resources.