DRC Prime Minister Calls for Patriotic Action Plan to Reform Mining Governance Amid Conflict
At the launch of the national dialogue on mining governance—held under the theme “in a context of conflict in the DRC and the Great Lakes”—Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa praised the initiative led by the Crisis Committee for Peace and Security, a civil society organization.
Speaking in Kinshasa on Tuesday, April 15, she urged participants to deliver “a concrete, rigorous, ambitious, and patriotic action plan.”
“Mining governance cannot remain the domain of technocrats and cabinet experts,” said Suminwa. “It must return to being a subject of public debate, a lived social issue, and a political priority.”
She also reiterated the government’s position on the crisis in eastern DRC, attributing the prolonged conflict to the global demand for the country’s rich mineral resources.
“This war did not arise from ideological disagreements,” Suminwa stated. “It stems from an insatiable appetite for our coltan, gold, copper, cobalt, and other minerals.
These resources—meant to be a blessing and a driver of development—have instead fueled human tragedy, displacement, sexual violence, corruption, and systematic looting.”
Calling on civil society to play an active role in the reform process, she emphasized the importance of collective accountability and trust.
“We need a new pact between the state and its citizens—one based on truth, transparency, accountability, and mutual trust. Without this, we cannot achieve lasting peace, inclusive growth, or true national stability,” she added.
The three-day national dialogue, running from April 15 to 17, brings together experts from various sectors of civil society. Its aim is to develop fair, effective public policies; strengthen the role of the state in protecting public interests; support local communities; and advance strong advocacy at national, regional, and international levels.
