• Security
• Monday, June 29, 2026 – 06:08

Addressing the United Nations Security Council, China’s Permanent Representative Fu Cong highlighted the persistent conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where illegal exploitation of natural resources continues to fuel instability across the Great Lakes region.

During Friday’s session, Fu Cong emphasized that “the conflict in eastern DRC persists, compounded by the resurgence of Ebola, which has further strained the country’s already fragile security and humanitarian situation.” He called on the international community to “urgently reverse this alarming trend.”

The Chinese diplomat underscored the need to tackle the economic roots of the crisis, stating that “the underlying causes of the conflict must be addressed swiftly and comprehensively.” He noted that while DRC’s abundant natural resources should drive national development, they are instead being pillaged by armed groups and trafficked, perpetuating violence and instability.

Transparency in mining as a pathway to peace

Fu Cong stressed that improving governance in the mining sector is critical to restoring peace. He declared China’s support for regional efforts to establish transparent and inclusive mining cooperation to disrupt illicit trade networks. “China backs regional initiatives aimed at enhancing traceability and accountability in mineral exports,” he stated.

Rejecting extractive diplomacy

“Non-regional powers must refrain from treating natural resources as bargaining chips in regional disputes. Instead, we must foster open cooperation free from zero-sum logic to ensure that local populations benefit from resource development,” Fu Cong asserted.

The conflict in eastern DRC, now in its third decade, is deeply intertwined with economic predation. Armed groups, including the M23-affiliated AFC, control strategic mining sites like Rubaya, facilitating illicit mineral trade to neighboring countries. Congolese authorities argue that this plunder deprives the state of vital revenue and hampers economic progress in the eastern provinces. The government has long framed the conflict as an economic war, accusing Rwanda of backing rebel factions—a claim Kigali consistently denies.

Efforts to resolve the crisis have included the Washington Agreement, brokered by the United States, which seeks to address both security and economic concerns tied to resource exploitation. However, implementation remains stalled, with Kinshasa and Kigali accusing each other of failing to honor commitments. Similarly, the Doha process, mediated by Qatar, has made little headway in direct talks between the DRC government and the M23-affiliated AFC, leaving the security landscape largely unchanged.