Guns, gold & tolls: How Congo’s militias and guerrillas profit from the M23 war
Militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo are exploiting the ongoing M23 conflict to seize control of gold mines and impose road tolls. These groups, often calling themselves 'patriots,' are complicating regional security and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Why it matters
The expansion of militia economies threatens regional stability and complicates international efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo.
In a remote mining village in the Democratic Republic of Congo, teenagers carrying Kalashnikovs guard a gold mine while claiming to fight for their country. But behind the language of patriotism lies another reality: a growing militia economy fuelled by war, mineral wealth, road tolls and ransom.Around 100 heavily armed militiamen now call the small village of Mwala in southeastern DRC home. Many came from South Kivu after government forces retreated following an offensive by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group. They now provide "security" at an artisanal gold mine operated by a Chinese company and collect money from businesses and people moving through territory they control.The fighters call themselves "wazalendo", meaning "patriots" in Swahili, a name used for local militias supporting government forces against M23. Some say they are defending the country.
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