** DRC-RWANDA: An economic war hidden behind accusations **
On February 18, 2025, the spokesperson for the Congolese government, Patrick Muyaya, delivered a hit speech during a press briefing in Kinshasa, who quickly caught the attention of the international community. By accusing Rwanda of “building its economy on the back of the Democratic Republic of Congo” via a systematic flight of its natural resources, Muyaya highlights historical and geopolitical tensions which far exceed the framework of a simple bilateral argument. What it raises is symptomatic of a deeper discomfort caused by complex regional dynamics.
### The roots of the conflict
The history of relations between the DRC and Rwanda is enamelled with tense relationships dating back several decades. The impoverishment of the DRC, rich in natural resources such as gold, coltan or cobalt, bitterly contrasts with the prosperity of Rwanda. In a world where the demand of these ores continues to increase as various technologies storm the world economy, Muyaya’s accusations are a painful and pressing economic reality.
On the one hand, Rwanda knew how to capitalize on the instability of its neighbor to establish commercial networks which allowed it to access these resources. On the other hand, the DRC struggles to ensure effective governance which would allow it to protect its wealth and ensure sustainable development. The mining wealth of the DRC should theoretically give the country a considerable economic and political power; However, corruption, the absence of reliable infrastructure and internal conflicts have often led to unequal exploitation and to sidelines real beneficiaries: the Congolese population.
### The economic and socio-political issue
Muyaya’s declarations should not be perceived only as an accusation: they also raise the question of the management of natural resources in the DRC. The country is among the richest in the world in minerals, but this potential remains unexploited at its full performance, leaving a population which aspires to basic infrastructure in search of responses. In reality, what the DRC suffers is a lack of control and regulation on its own resources, thus exacerbating its structural weaknesses.
Compared, Rwanda has made supported efforts to develop its infrastructure and export capacity, attracting foreign investments thanks to a clear vision of its development. Rwanda’s ability to stabilize its economy, despite serious accusations of looting, arouses international admiration. On the other hand, the DRC, despite its wealth, continues to sail in a sea of uncertainty, bureaucratic ineffectures and armed conflict.
### Resilience of the DRC
Muyaya’s speech could also encourage introspection within the DRC. The question arises: what if the DRC adopted a more sustainable and participative development model, by involving local communities? Resource management could not only include stricter regulations, but also initiatives to diversify the Congolese economy, reduce dependencies and restructure governance systems. Optimization of mining, combined with education and health programs, could make the situation change significantly.
Initiatives such as the “Congolese youth pact” could be considered to involve young people more in local governance and economic issues, giving them a voice in the way their resources are exploited. Education for economic rights and the management of natural resources could constitute a first step towards a radical change.
### Conclusion
The accusations brought by Patrick Muyaya underline as much an appeal to international solidarity as a invitation to rethink the way in which the DRC is positioned on the regional chessboard. Rather than staying prey to conflicts that fade its development, the DRC has the opportunity to strengthen its institutional framework and promote inclusive governance, while creating strategic alliances for the management of its precious resources.
The international community, on the other hand, must be vigilant and united, not only with regard to the DRC, but also by promoting sustainability which allows to finally transform this potential into shared richness for the Congolese. In an interconnected world, each action undertaken in a region can have repercussions far beyond its borders. As such, it is imperative to see beyond rivalries to build a common future that benefits all nations in the Great Lakes region.
The news persists, but it is now the responsibility of regional and international actors to take up the challenge of a peace focused on respect for sovereignty and the equitable sharing of resources.
** Hervé Ntumba/ Fatshimetrie **