Tshisekedi Orders End to Illegal Military Presence at Mining Sites to Strengthen

Kinshasa, July 13, 2026 - President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all military personnel and members of the Congolese National Police (PNC) illegally present at mining sites across the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of efforts to improve transparency, security, and governance in the strategic mining sector. Speaking during the 94th meeting of the Council of Ministers held on July 10, 2026, at the African Union City in Kinshasa, the Head of State reaffirmed the importance of mining resources for the country’s economic development while stressing the need to restore confidence among investors and international partners. The DRC, which holds some of the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals essential for global energy transition technologies, has placed mining-sector reform at the center of its economic strategy. However, authorities continue to face challenges linked to illegal exploitation, weak oversight mechanisms, and interference by security forces in mining operations. President Tshisekedi warned that the unauthorized presence of armed personnel at mining sites damages the country’s reputation, weakens state control, and encourages illegal activities that undermine responsible resource management. According to the government, the involvement of uniformed personnel in mining areas contributes to intimidation, harassment, extortion, disruption of mineral traceability systems, and the development of smuggling networks. The President stressed that security forces may only intervene in mining areas when their presence is legally authorized or officially requested by competent authorities. He rejected any occupation or interference that could compromise the rights of legitimate mining operators and local communities. To enforce this decision, Félix Tshisekedi instructed several senior officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Interior and Security, the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Defense, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), and the Commissioner General of the Congolese National Police, to immediately implement measures aimed at eliminating illegal militarization of mining zones. The measures include the removal of unauthorized military and police personnel from mining sites, the prevention of security-force interference in mining activities, the protection of legally established operations, and the dismantling of fraud and illegal mining networks benefiting from protection by uniformed individuals. The Head of State also called for exemplary sanctions against those involved in illegal occupation of mining sites and urged the strengthening of mechanisms for mineral certification, traceability, and supply-chain monitoring. The government’s renewed action comes amid longstanding concerns over the role of security forces in mining areas. For several years, civil society organizations and authorities have reported cases of abuse, illegal taxation, intimidation, and unauthorized exploitation of mineral resources. Similar measures had already been announced in 2022, when the government ordered the withdrawal of military and police personnel from artisanal mining sites following reports of irregularities. Through this new directive, Kinshasa aims to reinforce state authority over natural resources, improve the credibility of the mining sector, and align the country’s mineral governance with international standards at a time when global demand for strategic minerals continues to grow.