콩고민주공화국 동부 지역 분쟁광물의 갈등 구조 분석: M23과 인접국 개입이 구조적 불안정에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This study reveals that the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is not solely a product of internal rebellion, but rather a result of the strategic involvement of neighboring states—namely Rwanda and Uganda—and the entrenched system of conflict mineral exploitation. Rwanda, through its support of the M23 rebel group, has gained control over mineral-rich territories and channels illegally mined resources into international markets. Uganda, on the other hand, has pursued economic expansion through infrastructure projects and joint mining ventures while simultaneously deploying military operations. Both countries accuse each other of backing M23, turning eastern Congo into a de facto battleground for resource domination. In the process, civilians suffer from forced displacement, labor exploitation, and widespread human rights violations. Moreover, international actors and Western corporations remain indirectly complicit through their connections to opaque supply chains. This study emphasizes that sustainable peace in eastern Congo requires more than ceasefires—it demands structural reforms that ensure transparency in resource flows and accountability from external stakeholders.