Congo, the war for resources: new paramilitary force between global interests and internal conflict.
The government of Democratic Republic of the Congo announced at the beginning of the week the launch of a new paramilitary force aimed at protecting the national extractive sector, a pillar of the economy and increasingly at the center of international geopolitical dynamics. The initiative, supported by capital from United States and United Arab Emiratesfits into the strategy of Washington to consolidate access to critical raw materials, in a context marked by precarious balances in the east of the country. According to theGeneral Inspectorate of Minesthe deployment will be gradual. A first unit, made up of around 2,500-3,000 men, should come into operation by December, after six months of training carried out together with the regular armed forces. The plan envisages a significant expansion: by 2028 the contingent should exceed 20,000 units, distributed across the 22 mining provinces, with the aim of strengthening the presence of the State and reviving investor confidence. The project, worth approximately 100 million dollars, is supported by a cooperation with Washington And Abu Dhabi.
A paramilitary force to armor the Coltan
Congo confirms itself as one of the main global hubs for the supply of coltanfrom which the tantaluman indispensable material for the electronics and aerospace industries. The Congolese subsoil also hosts large reserves of rare earths and other strategic minerals, fundamental for batteries, green technologies, advanced military systems and for the entire energy transition. It is on these resources that the competition between the great powers, with the United States committed to reducing dependence on supply chains controlled by the China. However, despite the enormous mineral wealth, the country remains marked by structural instability and illegal trafficking, especially in the eastern regions, which for years have been the scene of clashes between the army and armed groups supported by the Rwanda. The toll is heavy: thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of displaced people. In this context, Washington imposed sanctions against Rwandan military and political figures accused of supporting the militants ofM23.
The shadow of the M23 on the tantalum routes
The March 23rd Movementfounded in 2012 as a split from the «Congrès national pour la défense du take», owes its name to the 2009 peace agreement which, according to the rebels, was never actually implemented. Made up largely of Tutsi fighters and led by figures such as Sultani Makengathe group was the protagonist of decisive offensives in North Kivu, arriving in 2012 to conquer the strategic city of Goma. After a phase of retreat, theM23 it has been operational again since 2021, occupying new territories and putting pressure on the Congolese army. Various reports of United Nations indicate alleged support of the Rwandaaccusation denied by Kigali but which continues to fuel regional tensions. Meanwhile, internally there is growing dissent towards the mining agreement with Washingtonwhile the Congolese authorities defend the line adopted. “The objective is to clean up the entire sector, eliminating opacities and strengthening transparency and traceability”, explained the inspector general of mines, Rafael Kabengele. The new paramilitary force will be progressively tasked with replacing the army in security activities related to mines: from the protection of extraction sites to the escort of convoys to the borders, as well as the protection of foreign investments.
The paradox of a 24 trillion dollar business
The competition is also played out on an industrial level. After the agreement signed last year between Congo and United Statesthe company Virtus Minerals took over the company Chemafactive in the extraction of copper and cobalt. Other Western operators are evaluating new investments, including in sensitive areas influenced by armed groups. There Democratic Republic of the Congo it has one of the largest mineral assets in the world, with an estimate of up to 24 trillion dollars. A value that makes the country a strategic node in the global competition for raw materials, especially in the era of energy transition and advanced technologies. Decisive resources are concentrated in its subsoil: over 60-70% of the cobalt worldwide, approximately 70% of the world’s reserves coltanas well as large quantities of copper, diamonds, gold and lithium. Yet, given this potential, the country remains among the poorest in the world. The mining sector represents over 95% of exports, but a significant portion of the proceeds escapes public accounts due to corruption, smuggling and non-transparent management of concessions. An obvious paradox arises from this: a potentially very rich nation struggling to transform its resources into widespread development. According to data fromUS Geological Surveyin 2023 Congo guaranteed approximately 40% of global production of coltan. More than 15% of tantalum worldwide comes from the mines of Steal itlocated in eastern areas under rebel control. It is precisely the dispute over these resources – between coltan, gold and rare earths – one of the main factors of the conflict. Despite a peace agreement brokered by the United States Between Kinshasa And Kigalithe hostilities did not stop. The talks between the Congolese government and the terrorists ofM23 continue, but on the ground clashes continue in various areas, confirming how fragile the path towards lasting stabilization remains.
