Congo’s bold stance at the UN: calling for a new era in critical minerals governance
In a striking departure from its traditional diplomatic posture, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has taken an assertive stance at the United Nations, championing a radical overhaul of the global governance of critical minerals. Speaking at a high-level meeting on Tuesday, July 15, 2026, Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner delivered a powerful address that transcended economic arguments, framing the issue as a matter of international security and sustainable development.
From raw exporter to industrial powerhouse: the DRC’s strategic vision
Minister Kayikwamba did not mince words. She underscored that the DRC is no longer willing to be confined to the role of a mere supplier of unrefined minerals. Instead, Kinshasa is pushing for a paradigm shift that would position the country as a central hub for the industrial transformation of critical minerals—those essential for electric vehicle batteries, digital technologies, and renewable energy systems.
« The global energy transition cannot be deemed just if producing nations continue to export raw materials while missing out on the value they generate,» she declared. Her call was clear: international partners must invest in infrastructure, energy, research, and technology transfer to enable the DRC to process its own resources locally.
Key pillars of the DRC’s proposal:
- Local processing of critical minerals to capture added value
- Strengthened national capacities in mining technology and industrialization
- Enhanced partnerships based on fair technology sharing and equitable profit distribution
- Modernization of artisanal mining practices to align with global standards
Rwanda under scrutiny: illicit mineral trade and regional security
The minister did not shy away from addressing the elephant in the room: the exploitation of minerals in the eastern DRC, particularly in Rubaya, a region supplying nearly 15% of the world’s tantalum. Citing findings from UN expert reports, she revealed that at least 1,400 tons of coltan were smuggled into Rwanda after the M23—allegedly backed by Kigali—took control of the area. This illicit trade generates approximately $800,000 monthly for the armed group.
Kayikwamba condemned the lack of UN sanctions against Rwanda’s armed forces, framing it as evidence of systemic failures in the global framework to curb the financing of conflicts through illegal resource exploitation. « This situation exposes the limitations of current international mechanisms,» she stated.
Linking minerals, peace, and sustainable development
Leveraging the DRC’s presidency of the UN Security Council, Minister Kayikwamba advocated for a unified international framework that directly ties the governance of natural resources to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. Her proposal calls for shared accountability across the entire supply chain—producers, traders, processors, financial institutions, industrialists, and consumer countries—to ensure traceability of minerals and dismantle networks fueling fraud, smuggling, and armed group financing.
Protecting legitimate miners while cracking down on illicit trade
The DRC’s diplomatic offensive seeks to reposition the global discourse on critical minerals, shifting the focus from extraction to responsible and equitable value chains. By doing so, Kinshasa aims to elevate the debate to a broader discussion on international peace, security, and sustainable development—one where resource-rich nations no longer bear the costs of extraction without reaping the benefits.
The stakes are high. The DRC’s vision challenges the status quo, demanding a fairer distribution of the economic dividends generated by the world’s transition to clean energy. As the DRC takes center stage at the UN, the world is watching to see if this bold stance will catalyze meaningful change—or if it will remain a lone voice in the wilderness.
