Members of the M23 rebel group gather to supervise Congolese potential recruits in Goma, North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, January 30, 2025. Hundreds of people have been killed and injured and more than 150,000 others displaced since the M23 resumed fighting in the eastern DRC. PHOTO/REUTERS
Democratic Republic of Congo Government is on a charm offensive to attract Western entities to tap its vast minerals with the hope that it could be the way out of incessant conflicts and choke support to militias.
This, officials argue, is to formalise extraction of ores in the troubled eastern part of the country where Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of fuelling an armed rebellion to profit from the wealth illegally.
Kigali has denied these allegations many times but this did not stop Kinshasa from lobbying the West to reprimand Rwanda over its support for M23 rebels.
Over the last 10 days, Kinshasa has won some battles; the US imposed sanctions on a Rwandan State minister James Kabarebe and M23 political spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.
The European Union suspended defence cooperation talks with Rwanda, and there is a discussion before the European Council to decide whether to cancel a minerals export deal with the country.
Britain, on its part, announced a five-point set of subtle sanctions meant to push Rwanda to sue for peace. They include: Cease high-level attendance at events hosted by the Government of Rwanda.
Limit trade promotion activity with Rwanda; Pause direct bilateral financial aid to the Government of Rwanda, excluding support to the poorest and most vulnerable; Coordinate with partners on potential new sanctions designations; Suspend future defence training assistance to Rwanda and Review export licences for the Rwanda Defence Force.
“Rwanda may have security concerns but it is unacceptable to resolve these militarily,” the UK government said on Wednesday in a statement.
“There can only be a political solution to this conflict. We encourage DRC to engage with M23 as part of an inclusive dialogue.”
Rwanda responded by accusing the EU, UK and the US of taking sides in the war. It argued sanctions won’t resolve the conflict because it will prevent genuine discussions on the root causes of the strife.
But these set of decisions led President Felix Tshisekedi to boast to an audience of members of his ruling political coalition, the Sacred Union.
“The international community has finally understood that we are attacked by Rwanda,” he told the party’s leadership on February 23 in Kinshasa.
“The enemy you see is just a tip of the iceberg. What you see is the face of it. They took some weak minds of our compatriots and placed them in front to give an illusion of something.”
It is not a free lunch though. The Congolese government may have won over some battles for the narrative in the Congo. But it is also being pushed by the very international community to improve its presence in the troubled region.
Last week for instance, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling on the M23 to halt its advances in the latest war. But it also asked that services are provided to citizens.
Resolution 2773/25 also condemned the “systematic illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources in eastern DRC” and ordered renewed efforts to restrict illegal labelling and ensure transparency and traceability of mineral exports. Yet it also ordered that Rwanda and DRC resume direct talks without preconditions.
“[The Council] Emphasises the primary responsibility of the Government of the DRC to reinforce State authority and governance in Eastern DRC and reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” the resolution said.
On Thursday, Tshisekedi said he won’t talk with M23, accusing it of being a puppet of Rwanda. On the same day, 11 people died and several dozens others were injured after explosives went off at a rally addressed by the M23. Kinshasa accused a ‘foreign army’ of being behind the explosions.
