Debating the role of natural resources in fueling armed conflicts, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has emphasized the need to better articulate existing mechanisms for tracking, sanctioning, and governance of mineral resources.
The minister for foreign affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, reiterated that it was not about creating new international obligations but rather refining current systems.
She noted that this discussion aimed to clarify the relationship between natural resource management and conflict resolution without undermining state sovereignty over their resources.
The French delegation reaffirmed its stance by calling for the implementation of UN resolution 2773 in eastern DRC. They pointed out that the M23 rebel group controls a significant portion of global coltan production, prompting calls to enhance tracking mechanisms and sanctions.
Deep Divisions
US representatives stressed the importance of securing critical mineral supply chains and investing in this sector.
China emphasized the need for respecting state sovereignty and rejected any attempts to politicize the debate.
Russia went further, rejecting the idea of a normative lacuna and instead attributing conflicts to political instability and external interference rather than lack of international regulations.
These exchanges highlighted deep divisions among major powers regarding global governance of natural resources.
