France has reiterated its firm backing for the initiative spearheaded by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to place the governance of natural resources at the forefront of discussions within the United Nations Security Council. This crucial initiative also seeks to address shortcomings in the international normative framework concerning war economies and to foster a more cohesive approach to natural resource management. The ultimate goal is to transform these resources into catalysts for peace, accelerate the global energy transition, stimulate digital transformation, and bolster the resilience of worldwide supply chains.

During an Arria-formula meeting held on Monday, July 13, 2026, in New York, convened at Kinshasa’s behest, Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s Permanent Representative to the UN, emphasized the profound significance of natural resources as a pivotal issue for international peace and security. He highlighted that the intense competition for control over these resources remains a primary driver of contemporary conflicts, not only fostering instability but also serving as a vital funding source for armed groups and illicit exploitation networks.

“This is indeed a fundamental issue that the Congolese presidency of the Security Council has rightly prioritized in our discussions: the intrinsic link between natural resources and peace, which lies at the heart of numerous conflict situations and crises. It is precisely why the Council has intensified its scrutiny of this matter, notably during a meeting under the American presidency last March, and a year ago during an Arria-formula meeting organized by Sierra Leone. How can we deny it? The struggle for control over natural resources acts both as a catalyst for conflict and instability, and as a revenue stream for far too many actors, both local and international, who engage in their illegal exploitation,” Ambassador Bonnafont stated.

Ambassador Bonnafont specifically drew attention to the situation across the African continent, where, he noted, vast natural wealth continues to be plundered, benefiting armed factions or external interests.

“This observation is particularly evident on the African continent, where riches are subjected to pillaging by such actors who exploit them to finance their operations or orchestrate their capture for the benefit of foreign powers. This illegal appropriation of resources fuels conflicts, exacerbates violence, and perpetuates the suffering of civilian populations. A clear example is Sudan, where the ongoing conflict is sustained by the illicit trade in gold and gum arabic, as meticulously documented by expert group reports,” he further elaborated.

Addressing the volatile situation in eastern DRC, the French representative directly implicated the M23 in the exploitation of mineral resources. He underscored that Congolese communities have endured the devastating consequences of this illicit exploitation for many years.

“This is also the case in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the M23 group maintains control over an estimated 15% to 30% of the world’s coltan production through the Rubaya site. This illicit control finances their illegal administration, directly violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese people have suffered for far too long from the predation of their mineral resources, perpetrated by external actors and armed groups,” he declared.

France also reiterated its urgent call for strict adherence to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773. Ambassador Bonnafont emphasized the imperative to cease hostilities immediately, ensure the effective withdrawal of Rwandan Defense Forces from Congolese territory, end Rwandan support for the M23, and neutralize the FDLR.

He further highlighted that this resolution mandates intensified efforts to combat the illicit exploitation of natural resources, particularly by leveraging international mechanisms for transparency and traceability of minerals.

“France once again urges all parties to comply with Security Council Resolution 2773, which demands an immediate cessation of hostilities, the effective withdrawal of Rwandan Defense Forces from Congolese territory, an end to Rwandan support for the M23, and the decisive neutralization of the FDLR by the Democratic Republic of Congo. This resolution also calls, I remind you, for redoubled efforts to combat the illicit exploitation of natural resources, notably by mobilizing transparency and traceability mechanisms for mineral exports,” the French diplomat stressed during his address.

“The Council must deploy the tools at its disposal in conflict situations aggravated by the illicit trafficking of natural resources. Several expert groups play an invaluable role in documenting these dynamics and their contribution to financing destabilizing activities, particularly in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. Associated sanctions regimes must be activated whenever necessary to sever the link between the plundering of natural resources and the financing of conflict actors.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo continues to advance its agenda during its presidency of the Security Council. This meeting on natural resources followed a Council briefing on conflict-related sexual violence, held on July 8 under the leadership of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka. This diplomatic sequence aligns seamlessly with the priorities established by the Congolese presidency. The briefing notably illuminated the human toll of war economies and the critical need to bolster prevention efforts, protect survivors, combat impunity, and establish effective reparation mechanisms.

These initiatives unfold within a complex landscape, marked by the strategic partnership forged between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States concerning critical minerals, as well as the Washington agreement signed between Kinshasa and Kigali. This agreement outlines measures for de-escalation, the gradual withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory, and the neutralization of armed groups operating in eastern DRC, including the FDLR, which Kigali perceives as a security threat. Despite this diplomatic framework, widely lauded upon its signing, the security situation remains exceptionally precarious. On the ground, the Doha process, mediated by the State of Qatar to facilitate dialogue between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebellion, continues to be deadlocked.

The AFC/M23 rebels, whom Kinshasa, the United Nations, and several international partners accuse of receiving Rwandan support, maintain control over the cities of Goma and Bukavu, alongside numerous other localities across North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Clashes persist in various regions, while diplomatic endeavors struggle to yield lasting results. This ongoing situation once again highlights the persistent disparity between announced diplomatic breakthroughs and the harsh realities observed on the ground.