Topic: 2025-Combating Transnational Organized Crime
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate Name: Kari Taylor
Committee: General Assembly — UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Topic B: Combating Transnational Organized Crime
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate: Kari Taylor
School: Grand Haven High School
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is infested with terrorist and rebel groups that have become associated with other countries. Data has suggested that it is“the 11th most dangerous and 13th deadliest country in the world” according to ACLED, a nonprofit organization (Brooke-Holland). One group, the M23, reestablished in March of 2021 and has begun allegedly working with Rwanda. The rapidly expanding group has brought cause for concern. The group has intensified many challenges that have occurred because of local and international criminal networks working together. Addressing this issue will require a multifaceted approach, tackling the immediate security threats while also managing the current economic situation fueling the conflict.
Since its re-emergence, M23 has seized the economy of local communities. The group has begun has set up parallel criminal governance that has disrupted the current economic systems. The group has taken over border cities where they illegally import untaxed goods while also limiting the economic flow into the cities. One example of this includes the city of Buagana which generated an average of $2 million a month before the M23 takeover but has since decreased considerably (Behalal). The group has also overtaken Rubaya, a city with a lucrative mining business with metals used in the cell phone industry. Many of the groups controlling Rubaya were Congolese army deserters which shows the unstable government’s contribution to rebel groups.
Beyond armed conflict, the DRC remains a significant source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking. Men, women, and children have become a main source of forced labor and sexual exploitation. Specifically, children have been targeted by armed groups, like M23, to work in labor mines. This has created a major human rights violation and has begun involving other countries. Professional smugglers live along the borders of the DRC in South African and Zimbabwean nations. Although human trafficking isn’t particularly profitable it has gained in popularity and smugglers have reached Europe. The cycle of trafficking needs to be cut to diminish human rights violations and to limit the profits gangs and smugglers are receiving, effectively decreasing illegal organizations within the DRC.
The DRC has been involved in drug trades as well. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a transit country for heroin. The eastern and southern regions of Africa will transport drugs “through Kinshasa’s N’djili International Airport, the port of Matadi, and the ferry crossing between Kinshasa and Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo” before they make their way to Europe (Congo, Dem. Rep.). Shipments have also been intercepted containing cocaine headed towards America.
Transnational organized crime is multifaceted and will need to be addressed from multiple angles to diminish its relevancy. In countries similar to the DRC, re-establishing the government is a priority. With so many conflict groups running rampant within the government, no protective action can be taken. This would involve deploying security forces to reclaim territories from rebel groups and restoring administration power to aid our citizens. We also would have an interest in working with neighboring countries. Collaborating will become essential to manage transnational crime. Cooperation can take the form of intelligence sharing, joint border control, and coordinating efforts to simultaneously dismantle smuggling networks from both sides of the border, supply countries, and demand countries of illegal goods. Reestablishing local economies will reduce the appeal to join rebel groups. Creating more employment opportunities will draw people away from armed groups and undermine the incentives to join organized criminal groups. Throughout this process, offenders must be prosecuted to deter criminal activity and take down problematic associations like M23.
Bibliography
“Congo’s Goma Sees Renewed Fighting as M23 Rebels Clash with Government Forces.” NPR, 31 Jan. 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/01/31/nx-s1-5281422/congo-goma-fighting-m23-rwanda-drc. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Brooke-Holland, Louisa. “Conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.” House of Commons Library, 3 Sept. 2024, https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10089/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
“Congo, Dem. Rep.” The Organized Crime Index, 2023, https://ocindex.net/country/congo_dem_rep. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Behalal, Zobel. “The War for Congo’s Wealth: How Organized Crime Fuels the M23 Crisis in Eastern DRC.” Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, 30 Jan. 2025, https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/m23-organized-crime-rwanda-congo-drc-goma-conflict/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
“DR Congo Conflict: M23 Rebels Seize Strategic Town of Goma.” BBC News, 19 Dec. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cekly000ymlo. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
