Gitega : behind the rhetoric, the persistent scandal of conflict minerals in Africa’s Great Lakes region

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, April 21, 2026 – Gathered in Gitega, stakeholders in the mining sector in Africa’s Great Lakes region expressed their desire to move beyond conflict minerals. But behind the official statements and repeated commitments, the reality on the ground remains troubling : illegal mining, parallel distribution networks, and the continued financing of armed groups continue to plague the sector.

A renewed commitment against illegal mining

The exploitation of mineral resources in Africa’s Great Lakes region is once again at the heart of discussions, with a clear focus on legality, transparency, and development. On Monday, April 20, 2026, Gitega hosted the 32nd meeting of the regional committee on mining issues, scheduled to last three days.

Organized by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), in collaboration with the Burundian Office of Mines and Quarries (OBM), this meeting aims to strengthen mining governance in a context still marked by illegal exploitation.

Speaking at the meeting, Martin Ndayizeye, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Mines, emphasized the need for strict adherence to existing laws. He also called for enhanced cooperation among member states to combat fraudulent networks.

Mineral certification : a still fragile solution

At the heart of the discussions is the regional mineral certification mechanism, intended to guarantee the traceability of resources extracted in Central Africa and prevent their use in financing armed conflicts.

However, on the ground, the effectiveness of this system is regularly called into question. Clandestine networks continue to thrive, taking advantage of control loopholes and local or cross-border complicity.

The workshop in Gitega should allow for the updating of these mechanisms and the harmonization of practices among member countries. The stated objective is to clean up the supply chain and restore the credibility of the regional mining sector on international markets.

The European Union demands results

A key partner in the process, the European Union reaffirmed its support for regional initiatives, while also taking a firmer stance. Its representative in Burundi stressed the need to move beyond declarations of intent to produce concrete and measurable results.

For Brussels, the region’s minerals should no longer be associated with conflict, but rather become a driver of economic growth, stability, and regional integration.

What are conflict minerals and why do they fuel regional tensions?

“Conflict minerals” refers to natural resources—notably gold, coltan, cassiterite, and tungsten—mined in unstable areas, the sale of which is used to finance armed groups or illegal networks.

In the Great Lakes region of Africa, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, these minerals are often extracted using artisanal methods in areas beyond state control. They are then smuggled through cross-border networks involving several neighboring countries, including Burundi and Rwanda.

This trade fuels regional tensions on several levels. On the one hand, it directly finances armed groups active in border areas, thus prolonging conflicts and insecurity. Furthermore, it fuels recurring accusations between states, each suspecting the other of profiting from the illegal exploitation or transit of these resources.

In the absence of effective controls and rigorous traceability, these minerals thus continue to represent a major economic stake, but also a source of lasting instability in the region.