DRC: General Eddy Kapend Reaffirms the Ban on Military Presence at Mining Sites
The Commander of the 22nd Military Region, General Eddy Kapend, has firmly reiterated that members of the armed forces are not intended to provide security for private mining operations. The statement, made in Kolwezi, reflects the government’s determination to refocus the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) on their constitutional missions while strengthening governance in the mining sector.
Immediate Withdrawal of Military Personnel
Following the launch of his book in Kolwezi, General Eddy Kapend announced that he had ordered the immediate withdrawal of all military personnel stationed at the Kisankala mining site.
The decision strictly enforces government directives prohibiting the deployment of military personnel at mining sites, except under exceptional circumstances related to national security.
According to the Commander of the 22nd Military Region, the FARDC must concentrate on defending the country’s territorial integrity, combating armed groups, and protecting civilians, rather than becoming involved in disputes linked to private economic interests.
A Call to Mining Operators
General Kapend also called on mining operators to stop relying on military personnel to resolve land disputes, secure mining concessions, or intervene in conflicts between mining operators.
According to him, such practices divert the armed forces from their primary mission and create confusion between the responsibilities of the State’s security services and those of private companies.
Commercial disputes or conflicts related to mining concessions should instead be handled by administrative authorities, the judicial system, or the competent services of the Congolese National Police, rather than by the military.
Towards Better Mining Governance
This position forms part of the Congolese government’s broader efforts to improve the governance of natural resources and enhance transparency within the mining sector.
A clear separation between national defense responsibilities and economic activities is considered essential to reassure investors, reduce the risk of abuses, and promote a more predictable business environment.
In a province such as Lualaba, where copper and cobalt mining is a key pillar of the national economy, clarifying the role of the security forces is regarded as a major issue. The objective is to ensure that investment protection is carried out in full compliance with the legal framework, without involving the FARDC in the management of private interests.
Through this decision, General Eddy Kapend reaffirms that the military must remain exclusively dedicated to defending the Republic, while stakeholders in the mining sector are encouraged to rely on legal dispute resolution mechanisms and the security services legally authorized to intervene in economic activities.
Héritier Maila
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