Conflict Economies and Peace Operations
Publisher: United Nations University Centre for Policy Research
Author(s): Erica Gaston, Catharina Nickel, Nicole Goldin, and Rebecca Hinkhouse
Date: 2026
Topics: Conflict Causes, Extractive Resources, Peace and Security Operations
Countries: Congo (DRC)
Competition over mineral wealth has long been intertwined with conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The resurgence of the March 23 Movement (M23), including its capture of mineral-rich territory, has renewed attention to the role of mines, trade routes and cross-border mineral flows in financing conflict.