Behind the violence: how the M23’s control of DRC mines fuels a cycle of abuse

The resurgence of the M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2021 has not only redrawn the map of territorial control but also exposed the dark mechanics of resource-driven conflicts. Amid the lush hills of North Kivu, the strategic mining town of Rubaya—responsible for 15% of the world’s coltan supply—has become a flashpoint where armed factions and economic interests collide.

The roots of violence: why mineral wealth attracts armed groups

The M23’s seizure of Rubaya’s coltan deposits was swift, leveraging its military dominance to impose a de facto monopoly on extraction and trade. Unlike traditional rebel groups, the M23 operates with a dual strategy: controlling territory while embedding itself into the economic infrastructure. Local miners, caught in the crossfire, have paid a steep price, turning Rubaya’s mines into battlegrounds where survival depends on compliance—or silence.

United Nations experts have long documented how armed groups in eastern DRC monetize natural resources, but the M23’s tactics reveal a new level of sophistication. By integrating taxation into the supply chain, the group doesn’t just extort miners—it reshapes the entire local economy to serve its objectives.

Amnesty’s findings: a pattern of systemic brutality

A recent investigation by Amnesty International paints a grim portrait of life under M23 rule. In documented cases from Rubaya and South Kivu’s Lomera gold mine, the group is accused of extra-judicial killings, forced labor, and arbitrary detentions. The report highlights the execution of 18 artisanal miners, with testimonies describing beatings, shootings, and abductions followed by discoveries of bodies.

• Extrajudicial executions: Ten miners were bludgeoned to death, two shot, and six abducted before their bodies were found.
• Forced labor: Miners faced beatings for requesting breaks or resisting orders, creating an environment where compliance is mandatory.
• Arbitrary detention: Over 20 miners in Rubaya were held in underground cells and subjected to daily beatings, turning mines into makeshift prisons.

These abuses are not isolated incidents but part of a calculated system. Miners describe a regime where resistance—no matter how minor—invites punishment, while cooperation ensures temporary safety. The psychological toll is as severe as the physical: fear permeates every transaction, from digging coltan to selling it.

The hidden cost: how violence disrupts the global mineral trade

The ripple effects of the M23’s control extend far beyond eastern DRC. Coltan, a critical component in smartphones and electronics, now carries the stain of war. Ethical sourcing initiatives struggle to verify supply chains, leaving consumers unknowingly complicit in funding conflict. International buyers, wary of reputational risks, are increasingly avoiding DRC coltan, pushing local economies into deeper instability.

For Rubaya’s miners, the options are stark: endure exploitation or risk their lives fleeing. Many have abandoned their claims, leaving the M23 to consolidate its grip. The group’s financial gains—estimated in millions from mineral taxes—now fuel not just its military operations but a cycle of violence that shows no signs of abating.

Can the cycle be broken?

The international community’s response has been slow. Sanctions targeting M23 leaders and regional allies have had limited impact, while efforts to reform the mining sector remain stalled by corruption and weak governance. Yet, the Amnesty report marks a turning point: for the first time, the group’s economic empire is under scrutiny, not just its weapons.

Local activists argue that sustainable change requires more than military pressure. It demands pressure on global supply chains to sever ties with conflict minerals and support for communities to reclaim their agency. Until then, Rubaya’s miners will continue to toil under the shadow of the M23’s guns, their cries for justice drowned out by the weight of economic necessity.

By Yacouba Boukari — Analyst