The Democratic Republic of Congo, a global leader in critical minerals, faces persistent challenges in its mining sector governance. Addressing this critical issue, President Félix Tshisekedi has issued a stern directive to government officials to immediately halt all unauthorized military and police presence on mining sites across the country.

During the 94th Council of Ministers meeting at the African Union City in Kinshasa, the Head of State emphasized the strategic importance of the mining sector for national economic development. He stressed the urgent need to enhance governance, transparency, and credibility in international markets, particularly in light of recurring reports of illegal military occupation at mining operations nationwide.

President Tshisekedi, acting in his capacity as guarantor of the nation, reiterated the strict prohibition against military or security force personnel occupying or interfering with mining sites beyond legally authorized missions. This directive applies exclusively to operations sanctioned by competent authorities within their defined mandates.

“Such situations perpetuate negative perceptions about our natural resource governance, undermine control mechanisms, facilitate illicit trade, and compromise efforts toward responsible, transparent mining that meets international standards,” the President stated, according to the official meeting minutes read by the government spokesperson.

He underscored that allowing such practices would significantly damage state authority, national image, reform credibility, and investor confidence—both domestically and internationally.

“Illegal militarization of mining sites results in the deprivation of peaceful enjoyment of mining rights by legitimate holders, creates insecurity in operational zones, enables intimidation tactics, and fosters extortion against state services, mining operators, and local communities. It also disrupts supply chains, complicates mineral traceability, and promotes fraud, smuggling, and illicit enrichment networks,” President Tshisekedi noted.

The Head of State instructed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, and the National Police Commissioner to take immediate action to permanently end all illegal militarization of mining sites nationwide. The directive demands swift implementation with no delay.

Authorities are now required to:

• Immediately withdraw military and uniformed personnel illegally present on mining sites
• Cease all interference by defense and security forces in mining activities
• Secure sites in accordance with current legal frameworks
• Dismantle fraud networks and illegal mining operations supported or protected by uniformed personnel

Additionally, President Tshisekedi emphasized the necessity of imposing exemplary sanctions on all individuals irregularly present on mining sites.

Building on instructions from the 87th Council of Ministers meeting, the government has been tasked with strengthening control, certification, traceability, and monitoring mechanisms across mineral supply chains. These measures aim to ensure compliance with national and international standards while protecting the rights of legally established operators and local communities.

The issue of military and police presence on mining sites has been a longstanding concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This practice has repeatedly drawn criticism due to associated abuses, including intimidation, extortion, influence peddling, and illegal resource exploitation benefiting corrupt networks.

President Tshisekedi’s decision is not unprecedented. In 2022, the government had already ordered the withdrawal of military and police personnel from artisanal mining sites following multiple reports of serious irregularities. At the time, the Vice-Minister of Interior, Security, and Customary Affairs, Jean-Paul Molipe, announced this measure during a tour of the Grand Katanga region.

The authorities justified the decision based on widespread disorder observed in artisanal mining zones. Military and police personnel, sometimes without official assignments, were occupying mining sites, while some Mine Police officers—tasked with overseeing artisanal operators—were accused of turning a blind eye to fraudulent practices or facilitating illegal mining operations, often benefiting foreign operators, including Chinese nationals.