Democratic Republic of Congo Partner In-Country Working Groups

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second-largest country in Africa and the 11th-largest in the world. With a population of around 105 million, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most populous Francophone country in the world. DRC’s natural resources include diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, cassiterite (tin ore) and coltan, as well as timber, coffee and oil. At the same time, illicit exploitation of these resources contributed to human rights abuses and violence in the country.

In May 2023, the DRC became the second African Country (after Ghana) to become part of the Voluntary Principles Initiative as an Engaged Member.

There are two Partner ICWGs in the DRC, one focused on the provinces of Haut-Katanga, Lualaba, and Kongo Central, and the other in South-Kivu. Details about the two working groups are found below.

Haut-Katanga, Lualaba, and Kongo Central Partner ICWG

The Working Group’s vision is to contribute to the improvement of the supply chain in the mining, gas, and oil sectors by implementing best practices in security and human rights.

In pursuit of its mission, the Working Group engages in a range of purposeful activities such as :

  • Facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue between government actors, companies, and civil society, through meetings, field visits, and other engagements.
  • Advocacy with judicial authorities to ensure that the Voluntary Principles are considered in procedures related to mine security incidents.
  • Training police officers on security and human rights.
  • Advice to companies on implementing good practices in the field of security and human
  • Monitoring the security and human rights situation in mining, oil, and gas sites.

South Kivu Partner ICWG

The Working Group aims to ensure responsible production and trade of minerals through a supply chain free of insecurity and human rights violations, based on constructive dialogue that offers opportunities for cooperation between stakeholders from three pillars (civil society, companies, and state actors) with a view to the sustainable development of the DRC.

In pursuit of its mission, the Working Group engages in a range of purposeful activities such as:

  • Capacity building for members of the working group on the Voluntary Principles on Security and human rights.
  • Support for training of mining and hydrocarbons police in South Kivu province.
  • Support the activities of working group members in the prevention and management of risks, insecurity, and human rights violations in the mining sector.
  • Advocate for greater adherence by the government of the DRC to the Voluntary Principles Initiative on Security and Human Rights.
  • Support the DRC in drafting its national action plan (NAP) on the Voluntary Principles.

Contacts – Haut-Katanga, Lualaba, and Kongo Central ICWG

Organization: JUSTICIA Asbl 
Name: Timothée Mbuya
Email: timmbuya11@gmail.com; justicia.asbl@gmail.com
Phone: +243 994075131

Name: Jonas Mulumba
Email: jonas_mulumba@yahoo.fr
Phone:+243 971654932

More information: www.justicia-asbl.org

Contacts – South Kivu ICWG

Organization: Observatoire Gouvernance et Paix, OGP
Name: Eric Kajemba Chirhalirwa
Email: ogprdc@gmail.com; erickajemba@gmail.com
Phone:+ 243 994541218