The Myth of Mineral Blame in Eastern Congo’s Endless Wars

Jul 21, 2025 | Tessah Keza
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Recent developments in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have once again brought media attention to the country’s long-suffering eastern provinces. As coverage resurges, so too does the reflexive framing of the region as “mineral-rich”—a label that conveniently fuels the notion that Congo’s vast mineral wealth lies at the heart of its decades-long instability. But this narrative, though persistent, is both misleading and counterproductive. It has, in fact, hindered efforts to build lasting solutions.