France pledges full support to DRC’s ambitious UN agenda on natural resource governance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), currently presiding over the United Nations Security Council for July, has placed the governance of natural resources at the heart of its international diplomacy. In a strategic move, Kinshasa organized a high-level Arria-formula meeting in New York on Monday, July 13, focusing on the critical relationship between natural resource exploitation and sustainable peace.

This diplomatic initiative will culminate in a landmark high-level debate on July 22, chaired by President Félix Tshisekedi, under the theme: “Natural Resource Governance: The Cornerstone of Peace, Security, and Prosperity.” The DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, has identified what it describes as a critical normative gap in international governance frameworks concerning resource management in conflict zones.

The current system, which includes mineral traceability, corporate due diligence, and conflict financing prevention mechanisms, is deemed fragmented and inconsistent. Kinshasa is advocating for a more integrated international framework that harmonizes natural resource governance with conflict prevention and global security objectives.

The DRC’s approach represents a paradigm shift: natural resources should no longer be viewed solely through an economic lens but recognized as strategic pillars for peace and security, deserving of dedicated attention within the UN Security Council’s agenda.

France aligns with DRC’s vision

This forward-thinking initiative has garnered significant international support, particularly from France. Speaking at the UN, Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, emphasized Paris’s commitment to strengthening and harmonizing global initiatives aimed at ensuring the responsible use of natural resources.

“Natural resources must serve as sustainable and equitable development engines for the communities and nations that possess them. They must be shielded from exploitation by predatory actors and diverted for malicious purposes. France fully endorses the DRC’s goal of enhancing the coherence and effectiveness of international initiatives aimed at the proper utilization of these resources. We are prepared to actively contribute to the Security Council’s upcoming deliberations that will accompany the high-level debate organized by the DRC next week, in the presence of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi,” declared Bonnafont.

The DRC’s diplomatic offensive continues a series of high-stakes engagements during its Security Council presidency. This follows a recent briefing on conflict-related sexual violence, held on July 8 under the leadership of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, which underscored the human cost of war economies and the urgent need for prevention, survivor protection, accountability, and reparations.

These initiatives unfold against a backdrop of strategic partnerships, including the DRC’s critical minerals agreement with the United States and the Washington Accord with Rwanda. The latter includes measures for de-escalation, the progressive withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory, and the neutralization of armed groups operating in eastern DRC, notably the FDLR—considered by Kigali as a security threat.

Despite these diplomatic breakthroughs, the security situation remains precarious. The Doha process, mediated by Qatar to facilitate dialogue between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebellion, has yet to yield tangible results. The rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda according to Kinshasa, the UN, and international partners, continue to control key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, as well as several localities in North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces. Ongoing clashes persist, highlighting the persistent disconnect between diplomatic progress and ground realities.

Clément Muamba