About 5,000 soldiers remain in Grand Katanga mines, says Justicia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Mediacongo
The Congolese human rights organisation Justicia ASBL estimates that about 5,000 soldiers and police officers are still present at mining sites in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, in Grand Katanga. Its coordinator, Timothée Mbuya, presented the findings on 29 October 2026, saying the presence notably hinders artisanal mining despite the presidential demilitarisation order.
About 5,000 soldiers and other uniformed personnel remain deployed at mining sites in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, in south-eastern DR Congo, according to a survey published on 29 October by Justicia ASBL, a human rights organisation. Its coordinator, Timothée Mbuya, believes their presence is notably hampering artisanal mining, despite the demilitarisation order issued by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.
Justicia says members of the Republican Guard are the most numerous, followed by those from the 22nd military region and the military prosecutor’s office. The organisation also noted the presence of police officers and other security units. In Lualaba, armed men are reportedly occupying several pits in the Boss Mining concession, including at Kakanda Nord, Mupampala and Kiona 2.
In the Comide concession, 80% of an area covering 34 kilometres is reportedly occupied by soldiers, particularly at Kisankala and Kamasani, according to the organisation. Some deployments were allegedly ordered by the military justice system. Justicia also accuses uniformed men of allegedly taking part in industrial and semi-industrial mining under the supervision of politically exposed individuals.
The organisation says that defence and security forces have no authority to intervene in artisanal or industrial mining. On 27 October, the head of SAEMAPE, the Congolese service for assistance and supervision of artisanal mining, was suspended in a case involving illegal mining on concessions.
