On November 13th, a tragic incident in the Lualaba province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) shook public opinion: Mr. Jeje, the Minister of Mines’ delegate, was violently attacked and beaten by security personnel at a mining site while on an official mission.
According to reports, the assault occurred as Mr. Jeje attempted to access a mining site where dubious practices were allegedly taking place. After sustaining serious injuries, he was transported to the hospital. However, this event raises a host of pressing questions about the governance of the mining sector in the DRC. Is the state truly capable of regulating its own resources? Who is really pulling the strings in this strategic and highly political sector?
The events in Lualaba are not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of a deeper problem plaguing the Congolese mining sector. Rich in natural resources, the DRC has been mired in conflicts of interest for decades, involving the state, multinational companies, artisanal miners, and, of course, corrupt political actors. The attack on Mr. Jeje serves as an alarming signal: can we truly speak of the rule of law in a sector where the law appears to be systematically bypassed?
The scene that unfolded in Lualaba illustrates the gap between the state and the ground realities. Why was an official delegation denied access to a mining site with clearly identifiable government transport? Is this simply a matter of security, or is it a coordinated resistance against any form of government control? Some are decrying what they call the “mineral mafia,” where local actors—whether national or foreign—are involved in illicit exploitation practices. A troubling question arises: is the state powerless in the face of these powerful networks, or does it prefer to turn a blind eye to maintain political and economic interests?
There is no doubt that the DRC has become a playground for both foreign and national interests, where regulations—despite being in place—seem entirely ineffective. On one hand, international mining companies benefit from lucrative contracts and near-impunity, while on the other, artisanal miners face violent repression. What justifies the fact that state agents themselves are targeted by artisanal miners? Is this not a clear sign of the absence of real state authority in these mining areas? Who is protecting the interests of Congolese citizens in all of this? Allegations of illegal trafficking and corruption in this sector are nothing new. The “mineral detectors”—those who track and expose abuses—face an opaque system where mineral traceability remains a mystery. And these minerals, often extracted illicitly, end up in global supply chains, raising increasing concerns about their origin and legality. Reports point to collusion between local authorities, multinational corporations, and armed groups, who exploit these resources without regard for human rights or environmental impact.
But what about justice? How can it claim to guarantee fairness when investigations are stifled by political and economic pressures? Is the Congolese state equipped to punish those behind these trafficking operations? Why does impunity seem to be the rule in this sector? Who does justice truly answer to?
If we examine the events through a political lens, another crucial question emerges: what role does the Congolese government really play in regulating the mining sector? The violence against Mr. Jeje shows how some actors will tolerate no interference. But how far will the authorities go to maintain order and enforce the law, if they even have the will to do so? Is it realistic to expect transparent governance in a sector so heavily influenced by political, economic, and military interests?
Local and foreign companies exert immense pressure to maintain control over these precious resources. The lingering question is: in the absence of a solid regulatory framework, who is really benefiting from the minerals extracted in the DRC? And at what cost? Are the Congolese people paying the price in terms of human lives, violated rights, and widespread insecurity? Ultimately, the attack on Mr. Jeje in Lualaba could be the spark that ignites an already highly charged mining sector. But if the DRC wants to break free from this spiral of violence and corruption, it must address the deep-rooted causes of the problem: ineffective state control, destructive political influences, and a total lack of mineral traceability. The mining sector must be reformed from the ground up, but who—whether the state or external powers—has a vested interest in maintaining this system? And in this power struggle, will the Congolese people ever have the last word?
By Franck Zongwe Lukama
