The complexiTy of resource governance in a conTexT of sTaTe ... - Ipis

40 International Alert
The phenomenon of rebels and army units profiting from the mineral exploitation and trade is a
widespread problem in eastern DRC. Compared to the neighbouring Kivu provinces, the security
situation is generally calm in Maniema and large parts of its mining areas are free from military
presence. Much of the province’s deposits could, therefore, be termed “clean minerals”.
Some mining areas, however, have to endure an armed presence, regular incursions by armed
groups and extortions by armed factions and civilian authorities. This chapter (more examples
can be found on the accompanying digital map) has highlighted several examples of human
rights violations by FARDC elements linked to their involvement in the province’s mining sector.
Comprehensive security sector reform (SSR) is therefore of vital importance to the restoration of
security and the development of Maniema’s mining sector.
This will not be sufficient, and needs to be combined with a comprehensive and sustainable
disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) exercise to convince existing rebel groups,
such as the Rahiya Mutomomboki and the Simbas, to demobilise. The DDR exercises should
focus on “self-demobilised” ex-combatants, such as the ex-Mayi Mayi rebels loyal to General
Kalonda Pamphilé in east Kailo territory. To date, DDR exercises in the Eastern hinterland have
not been very thorough.
The main impediment to formalising the mining sector in Maniema and generating revenues for
the province, however, is the deplorable condition of its transport infrastructure. Rehabilitation
of road and rail infrastructure would open up Maniema and its isolated mining zones, and help
Kindu play a more central role in the province’s mining sector. Rehabilitating the railway to
Katanga and the main roads to the Kivu provinces would lessen the need for expensive airfreight,
decrease mineral prices and increase the province’s share of revenues.