The war for Congo’s wealth: How organized crime fuels the M23 crisis in eastern DRC

The war for Congo’s wealth: How organized crime fuels the M23 crisis in eastern DRC is an article by Zobel Behalal, published by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Find the article here (published on 30 Jan 2025).

In the volatile landscape of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a critical narrative of conflict unfolds that transcends traditional warfare. It reveals how organized crime is now the primary architect of regional instability. The March 23 Movement (M23) emerges not merely as a rebel group, but as a sophisticated criminal enterprise strategically exploiting the region’s economic infrastructure, transforming territorial control into a calculated economic strategy.

Since re-emerging in 2021, M23 has methodically captured strategic economic hubs like Bunagana, Rubaya, and Goma, creating a complex network of parallel criminal governance. Their operations go far beyond military conquest, focusing instead on controlling critical mineral trade routes, particularly coltan production – a key component in global electronics manufacturing. By generating revenue through illicit taxation and mineral laundering, the group has transformed conflict into a profit-driven enterprise.

The transnational dimensions of this crisis are equally alarming. Accusations of Rwandan support for M23, driven by desires to secure privileged mineral access, highlight how neighboring countries actively participate in illegal resource extraction. International networks specializing in money laundering and mineral trade create a sophisticated ecosystem that sustains and incentivizes ongoing conflict, turning economic exploitation into a geopolitical strategy.

The humanitarian toll is devastating: 700,000 people displaced since early 2025, critical ecosystems like Virunga National Park under threat, and local communities trapped in a cycle of violence driven by economic predation. This conflict represents more than a regional skirmish. It’s a blueprint demonstrating how transnational organized crime can weaponize economic systems to perpetuate instability.

The M23 crisis offers a crucial lesson: traditional peace processes are doomed to fail if they ignore the fundamental economic motivations driving conflict. True resolution requires a radical approach- dismantling criminal networks, imposing targeted sanctions, and transforming the region’s economic potential into legitimate investment and employment opportunities.