DRC presidency to press Security Council on natural-resource governance, citing illicit exploitation by armed groups

Ambassador Zenon Mukongai said the Democratic Republic of the Congo will use its July Security Council presidency to spotlight natural-resource governance, arguing that gaps in international law have allowed armed groups to profit illicitly from resource extraction and that the Council can help create standards to ensure resources benefit host states and populations.

"Most of the natural resources benefit the armed groups which exploit these natural resources illicitly," Mukongai said, explaining the DRC’s rationale for convening an area-formula meeting on 13 July followed by a signature high-level open debate on 22 July chaired by President Félix Tshisekedi. He said a concept note for the area-formula meeting had already been disseminated.

Mukongai characterized the effort as two-fold: the area-formula meeting will gather participating states to assess gaps and explore practical responses, while the signature event will promote responsible, transparent governance and encourage member-state participation at the highest level. He described the objective as creating the foundation for what might eventually become a Security Council resolution addressing exploitation of natural resources.

When reporters asked why two meetings were planned, Mukongai said one is intended to “inject momentum” and to examine legal and procedural gaps in greater depth; the second is intended as a broader, high-level debate to encourage political buy-in and practical steps. He cautioned that the Security Council’s instruments are distinct from an international treaty and said his goal is to examine how Council resolutions might contribute to consistent standards and enforcement where the Council has authority.

Mukongai said the DRC believes natural-resource governance should favor host states and peoples, contribute to sustainable development and reduce financing of armed groups. He did not specify draft text or an expected timetable for any final resolution, saying the meetings are a first step to lay foundations and to explore paths forward.