At the 80th Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2025, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) delivered a forceful appeal to world leaders to sever the link between mineral revenues and the financing of armed groups.
Tshisekedi stressed that ending this cycle of conflict requires global reforms ensuring that minerals are mined, traded, and consumed under transparent and responsible conditions. Without such measures, he warned, the illicit exploitation of the DRC’s strategic resources will continue to fuel violence and instability.
He outlined several concrete steps to tackle the problem, including harmonizing due diligence and traceability standards from mine to consumer, ensuring full transparency in supply chains with disclosure of beneficial owners, and establishing independent auditing mechanisms to verify compliance. Cooperation among customs, judicial, and financial authorities, alongside targeted sanctions against traffickers and their networks, were highlighted as key measures. The president also emphasized the importance of combating corruption through good governance, open contracts, and traceable payments.
On the domestic front, Tshisekedi reaffirmed his commitment to exemplary governance of the DRC’s mineral sector. He underlined that resource exploitation must support sustainable development, economic sovereignty, and the well-being of the population. According to the president, robust governance is vital to curbing the illegal exploitation of natural resources, which he identified as a core driver of ongoing conflict.
Tshisekedi also addressed the armed conflict involving Rwanda, which Kinshasa accuses of backing the AFC-M23 rebel movement. Since early 2025, the group has captured two major cities in eastern Congo, Bukavu and Goma. Congolese authorities maintain that the conflict is largely driven by economic interests, particularly the illicit trade in gold, coltan, and other strategic minerals, which they allege benefits Rwanda and certain Western partners.
The president’s address underscores the urgent need for global cooperation, transparency, and accountability in managing the DRC’s mineral wealth, aiming to break the cycle of conflict that has long plagued the region.
