Context and Community Concerns
A draft minerals framework between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda proposes reforms to increase transparency, oversee mining operations, and manage exports more effectively. Yet communities in North Kivu and Ituri feel largely excluded from the process. They argue that despite the promise of stronger governance and fairer revenue sharing, the voices of local miners and residents haven’t been heard, and doubts remain about whether any benefits will reach those most affected by mining activities.
Local Stakeholder Dynamics
In eastern DRC, artisanal and small-scale miners operate under precarious conditions. Local residents cite limited access to formal licensing, minimal consultation, and ongoing disruptions from illicit taxation along transport routes. There are persistent concerns that profits are captured by intermediaries or armed groups before minerals reach formal markets, leaving many community members without a meaningful share of revenues or a say in how mining is conducted in their regions.
Risks and the Need for Inclusion
Without genuine local inclusion, the proposed reforms risk fueling further discontent and destabilization in a region already marked by conflict. Communities excluded from benefit-sharing may resist formal processes—through smuggling, road blockades, or protests—undermining both peace-building efforts and the formal mining sector. However, if communities are given a real role in oversight, licensing, and revenue distribution, and if regulatory protections and benefit-sharing are enforced, the reforms could help build trust, strengthen mining governance, and enhance stability in this mineral-rich but fragile region.