US Congressman Ronny Jackson has warned that eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is “essentially ungoverned” and at the mercy of regional exploitation, armed groups, and corruption, calling for urgent reforms to stabilise the area.
Jackson, who recently visited DR Congo, Rwanda, the Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Uganda, testified before a congressional committee on the security and economic crisis gripping the region.
He described the situation as alarming, with the Congolese government lacking control and neighbouring countries extracting minerals unchecked.
“The government in Kinshasa lacks the resources and capacity to control the region,” Jackson told lawmakers.
“In reality, it has become just another player in the scramble for resources. Everyone is exploiting the area—Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi—all taking minerals without oversight or regulation.”
The visit, which the Congolese presidency referred to as a “special envoy” mission from former President Trump, gave Jackson firsthand insight into the deep-seated tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda, particularly over the M23 rebel group.
While Rwanda has long denied backing M23, Jackson asserted that the group has now become “a dominant force in the region, operating with little to no resistance.”
The M23 captured eastern DR Congo's two biggest cities of Goma in North Kivu and Bukavu in South Kivu and had advanced as far as Walikale before withdrawing to allow ceasefire agreement to take shape.
“The Congolese military is not fighting back,” he said. “In many cases, soldiers are either fleeing or even joining M23.”
Jackson pointed to historical border changes as a major factor fueling the conflict, arguing that many people in eastern DR Congo remain stateless and disenfranchised.
“A significant number of people in eastern DR Congo are not recognised as Congolese citizens, including many members of M23,” he said.
“When parts of Uganda were incorporated into the country, those affected were granted Ugandan citizenship. The same has not happened in DR Congo.”
He stressed that for peace to be achieved, Kinshasa must integrate M23 fighters into the national army and grant citizenship to all residents of the east.
“This issue will not resolve itself—armed resistance will continue until people feel they have a stake in their country,” he warned.
Beyond the domestic crisis, Jackson also described the fractured relationship between DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame as a major obstacle to peace.
“I spoke with both leaders, and their inability to get along is a huge problem,” he said.
“At some point, personal differences must be set aside. A stable eastern DR Congo benefits all neighbouring countries, but only if they have an economic incentive to ensure security.”
Jackson called for a system in which DR Congo’s vast mineral wealth benefits not just Kinshasa but also neighbouring nations through investment and refining operations.
“If foreign investors see a safe and stable environment, they will come, creating economic growth for all,” he said. “Right now, that is impossible.”
In response to the escalating crisis, the U.S. and European governments have imposed sanctions on Rwanda, targeting individuals and entities believed to be supporting M23 rebels.
The move is aimed at pressuring Rwanda to withdraw its alleged backing for the group and ease tensions with DR Congo.
Meanwhile, Qatar has stepped in as a mediator, working to mend relations between Kigali and Kinshasa.
“The Qataris are working hard to de-escalate the situation,” Jackson noted. “But until the underlying issues of governance, corruption, and security are addressed, it will be difficult to achieve lasting peace.”
Jackson also painted a grim picture of corruption in DR Congo, describing it as a major barrier to stability and foreign investment.
“The level of corruption I witnessed was shocking,” he said. “A Swiss company with an $18 billion valuation was handed an $80 billion tax bill—an absurd figure that was later negotiated down to $1 billion, still many times higher than its annual profits. How can any business survive in such an environment?”
He added that bribes were the norm in DR Congo, favouring Chinese companies over Western businesses that refuse to engage in corrupt practices.
“Chinese firms can afford to pay these bribes. Western businesses, including American firms, cannot or will not. This creates an uneven playing field,” he said.
Jackson also criticised the country’s judicial system, calling it unreliable and susceptible to manipulation.
“The courts are deeply flawed, exchange rates are being manipulated, fines are excessive, and high-ranking officials and their families are amassing vast wealth while ordinary people suffer,” he said.
Jackson concluded his testimony by urging policymakers to take a more active role in addressing the crisis.
“Corruption must be tackled, economic reforms must be implemented, and security must be restored,” he said. “Otherwise, the cycle of violence and exploitation will continue.”
His remarks add to growing international pressure on DR Congo and its neighbours to resolve the conflict, as the region remains trapped in a cycle of instability that has left millions displaced and undermined economic progress.