The Democratic Republic of Congo, home to vast reserves of critical minerals, plays a vital role in global supply chains. President Félix Tshisekedi has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening governance in the mining sector by ordering an end to all illegal military and police presence at mining sites across the country.

Speaking during the 94th Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, 10 July 2026, at the Cité de l’Union Africaine, the Head of State highlighted the sector’s strategic importance for the nation’s economic development. He emphasized the urgent need to enhance transparency, credibility, and governance in the mining industry to meet international market standards.

Addressing the persistent issue of military and police personnel illegally occupying mining sites nationwide, President Tshisekedi—acting as the nation’s guarantor—reiterated the strict prohibition of such activities. He stressed that any military or security force presence must be legally authorized and limited to officially sanctioned missions within their designated roles.

“This situation fosters negative perceptions about our natural resource governance, undermines control mechanisms, enables illicit activities, and compromises efforts toward responsible, transparent mining that aligns with international standards,” he stated, as per the government spokesperson’s meeting summary.

The President made it clear that such actions cannot be tolerated as they severely damage state authority, the country’s image, the credibility of ongoing reforms in the mining sector, and the trust of both domestic and international investors.

“Illegal militarization of mining sites leads to the deprivation of peaceful enjoyment of mining rights by legitimate holders, insecurity in operational zones, intimidation, harassment, and extortion against state services, miners, and local communities. It also disrupts supply chains, mineral traceability, and fuels fraud, smuggling, and illicit enrichment networks,” Tshisekedi noted.

In response, the Head of State instructed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces (FARDC), and the National Police Commissioner—each within their respective mandates—to take immediate action to dismantle all illegal military presences at mining sites nationwide.

“The President has directed them to take all necessary measures to definitively end illegal militarization of mining sites across the country, with immediate implementation,” the meeting summary stated.

Under these instructions, authorities must ensure the immediate withdrawal of illegally stationed military and uniformed personnel from mining sites, halt all interference by defense and security forces in mining operations, secure sites in accordance with legal frameworks, and dismantle networks involved in illegal mining and fraud that are supported or protected by uniformed individuals.

President Tshisekedi further stressed the need for exemplary penalties against all individuals found in irregular positions at mining sites.

Following up on directives from the 87th Council of Ministers meeting, the government was also tasked with reinforcing control, certification, traceability, and monitoring mechanisms within mineral supply chains. This aims to ensure compliance with national and international requirements while safeguarding the rights of legally established operators and local communities.

The issue of military and police presence at mining sites has been a long-standing concern in the DRC. For years, such situations have been criticized for fostering abuses, including intimidation, extortion, influence peddling, and illegal exploitation of mineral resources by powerful networks.

President Tshisekedi’s announcement is not the first of its kind. In 2022, the government had already ordered the withdrawal of military and police personnel from artisanal mining sites following widespread reports of severe irregularities. This decision was publicly announced by the then Deputy Minister of Interior, Security, and Customary Affairs, Jean-Paul Molipe, during a tour of the Grand Katanga region.

At the time, authorities justified the move by citing widespread disorder in artisanal mining zones. Military and police personnel—sometimes without official assignments—were occupying mining sites, while some Mine Police officers, tasked with overseeing artisanal miners, were accused of turning a blind eye to fraudulent practices or facilitating the illicit exploitation of minerals, often benefiting foreign operators, including Chinese nationals.

Clément Muamba