During an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on January 27, 2025, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Foreign Minister, delivered a powerful address condemning what she described as a “systematic and coordinated strategy” by Rwanda to support the M23 rebel group. She urged the international community to take decisive action against Kigali’s alleged involvement in fueling instability in eastern DRC.
Escalating Conflict and Global Concern
The intensifying violence in eastern DRC, including attacks on civilians and peacekeepers, has raised international alarm due to its geopolitical and economic ramifications.
- Russia, represented by Vasily Nebenzia, called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that the illegal exploitation of natural resources is further destabilizing the region.
- China emphasized the need to protect civilian populations, regardless of M23’s stated objectives.
These statements underscore a rare unified stance by major powers in condemning both the violence in the DRC and Rwanda’s alleged support for M23, highlighting the devastating humanitarian consequences.
Strategic Economic Implications
Beyond the humanitarian toll, the conflict has serious economic repercussions. Eastern DRC is rich in critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and coltan, essential for global technology and clean energy transitions.
As the world’s largest cobalt producer, the DRC plays a vital role in supplying materials for electric vehicle batteries and green technologies. Continued instability in the region threatens access to these strategic resources, potentially disrupting global supply chains and economic stability.
DRC’s Call for International Action
In response to the crisis, the DRC proposed key measures to the UN Security Council, including:
✔ Targeted sanctions against Rwandan officials.
✔ An embargo on minerals linked to Rwanda.
✔ The removal of Rwanda as a contributor to UN peacekeeping missions.
These steps aim to disrupt the economic networks fueling armed groups and reinforce the DRC’s sovereignty over its resources.
A Crossroads for Global Action
Addressing the Security Council, Wagner warned that the world faces a crucial decision—to either stand by in passive complicity or take active measures to support peace, stability, and sustainable development in the DRC.
She stressed that history will remember how the international community responded at this defining moment. The session marked a pivotal opportunity for global powers to align their actions with their commitments to peace, human rights, and economic stability.
