US Adviser Urges Greater Transparency in DRC Mineral Sector
Massad Boulos Calls for Transparent and Responsible Mining of DRC’s Natural Resources
US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos, has called for greater transparency and accountability in the exploitation of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) natural resources, saying the country’s mineral wealth should deliver greater benefits to its population.
Speaking before the United Nations Security Council during discussions on the situation in the DRC, Boulos highlighted the role of illegal mineral exploitation in sustaining conflict in the country’s eastern provinces.
He said armed groups, criminal networks and external actors have for years been involved in mineral trafficking, creating illicit supply chains that generate revenue for armed groups and contribute to continued violence and weak governance.
According to Boulos, the exploitation of the DRC’s mineral resources has deprived Congolese communities of economic benefits while contributing to instability across the wider Great Lakes region.
He argued that achieving lasting peace in eastern DRC requires dismantling the networks involved in illegal mineral trafficking and strengthening controls across mineral supply chains.
Boulos called for stronger transparency mechanisms and more responsible resource governance to ensure the country’s mineral wealth benefits the Congolese population.
He also stressed the need to combat illicit mineral trading, which can provide financial support to armed groups and criminal networks.
The comments come as global demand continues to rise for minerals found in the DRC, including copper, cobalt, gold and coltan.
The country holds significant mineral resources that are increasingly important to global technology, energy and industrial supply chains.
For the DRC and its international partners, the challenge is to ensure that mineral development contributes more effectively to economic and social development while limiting opportunities for armed groups and criminal networks to profit from illegal trade.
Improving traceability, strengthening oversight and ensuring greater accountability throughout mineral supply chains could therefore play an important role in helping the DRC convert its vast mineral wealth into broader economic benefits while addressing one of the drivers of instability in the east.
