### Les Mines de Rubaya: an energy paradox in the service of war
The strip of land that extends around Rubaya, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is perhaps one of the regions richest in natural resources in the world. However, it is also one of the epicentres of incessant armed conflict. The recent taking of mines control by the rebellious M23 movement, which made it possible to extend their exploitation network, puts a crucial question on the carpet: how to combine mining and social peace in a country where economic interest seems to rhyme with instability?
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Estimates concerning Congolese natural resources are vertiginous. The country is full of strategic minerals such as cobalt, coltan, and tantalum, whose global demand is constantly increasing, especially with the development of digital technologies and electric vehicles. However, despite this abundance, almost 70 % of the population lives below the poverty line according to the World Bank data. Paradoxically, it is this same mining wealth that ensures the financing of armed conflicts and fuels an endless cycle of violence.
The situation in Rubaya, where the M23 would draw a monthly income of 800,000 dollars from the mines, perfectly illustrates this paradox. Families in search of subsistence easily find a job in artisanal exploitation, but these same activities support a rebellion system that compromises their long -term safety.
#### A survival strategy
For many Congolese such as Bahati Serubungo, digging to find minerals represents much more than just work; It’s a matter of survival. His testimony, illustrative of a reality shared by thousands of other diggers, reveals how direct access to the ore can instantly transform the life of a person. The possibility of winning up to 200 dollars per day, with regard to ambient poverty, continuously attracts the workforce to these mines.
However, the social and legal framework governing these operations remains very precarious. What is similar to viable work is, in reality, often tainted with systemic exploitation and violence. The ferocity of armed groups such as the M23, which controls these resources, creates a situation where the profits are unequally distributed and where human lives are sacrificed in the name of a poorly acquired wealth.
#### Politics at the heart of exploitation
Félix Tshisekedi, by sending emissaries to Washington to discuss an agreement to secure the US mineral supply, underlines a complex political dynamic. The intention to strengthen this partnership while exerting pressure on Rwanda – often accused of supporting the M23 – suggests a desire to stabilize the region while trying to preserve Congolese economic interests. However, this strategy raises questions: will the exploitation of resources take precedence over the aspiration for lasting peace?
It is crucial to consider that, as long as the exploitation of mines is a financing mechanism for armed groups, peace will be difficult to establish. This infernal spiral requires a global approach that incorporates the disarmament of militias, the increase in transparency in mining, and the establishment of legal systems established to protect workers’ rights.
#### The role of the international community
The international community has a key role in playing in this context. Bringing support to initiatives that promote fair and lasting value chains is essential. Certification of minerals, investment in community projects outside mining areas and the promotion of responsible operating practices are all initiatives that can contribute to a positive change.
The example of the Fair Trade movement, which has managed to set up fair trade standards for certain agricultural products, could inspire similar solutions for minerals. By acting in this sense, it would be possible to transform mining resources, often synonymous with conflict, into catalysts of local development and pacification.
#### Conclusion
The Mines de Rubaya case embodies the paradox of abundance in all shortage. While the country’s natural wealth could and should be a source of prosperity, it is too often synonymous with suffering and violence. A radical transformation of the way in which we conceive and express these resources is essential to guarantee that the promises of wealth lead to a reality of sustainable equity and peace. The DRC cannot remain a country where wealth is synonymous with war; It must become an example of resilience and social cohesion.