
“An investigation by the organisation Global Witness reveals that the commodity trader Traxys bought coltan from the Democratic Republic of Congo, smuggled into Rwanda, and linked to the financing of the M23 armed group. According to information gathered by Global Witness, Traxys, a major player in the Luxembourg-based commodities sector, purchased 280 tonnes of coltan from Rwanda in 2024. An analysis of trade data and smugglers’ testimonies suggests that much of this coltan comes from conflict zones in eastern DRC, where the Rwandan-backed M23 is active. Coltan, an ore containing tantalum, is used in the manufacture of electronic products such as mobile phones and electric cars. The M23, which controls mining regions such as Rubaya in North Kivu, takes advantage of the exploitation of these resources to finance its military operations. According to UN experts, this trade has enabled the M23 group to generate an estimated $800,000 per month in revenue” (Actualite.cd – ‘DRC: Luxembourg-based Traxys accused of buying conflict coltan from Rwanda’ 15.04.2025).
The warfare and the coordinated efforts of March 23 Movement (M23) and the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) had to be backed somehow. The coordinated efforts across the borders have been known, as well as the left cantonments and the sudden reappearance of well known leaders to region too. It is such a story and shows how well funded, logistically supported and how they have managed to keep the operation at float.
War isn’t cheap. Weapons, ammunition and advanced weaponry aren’t something that is easily to come by. Neither is it sold on the free market or in a way that it anyone can access it. Therefore, there have to be backers and financial ones who can help with liquidity, funding and create a lifeline to continue with such operations.
The M23 and other proxy armies are no different than others. They are there on business and using their “cause” as a shield. They are there to pillage, loot and ensure their backers are getting points on the dollar. The cursed wealth of minerals in the Kivu Provinces are haunting it. As it makes it a target and a possible place to create insecurity and ensure the weakened FARDC can be pushed away. That’s what the M23 and their backers has succeeded in doing, as they have claimed to fight the FDLR, but has instead been enriched through financial schemes and trading coltan through the use of the Luxembourg based commodity company Traxys.
That shows there are global financial backing and foreigners involved in the conflict. As the M23/AFC clearly has a vision and a reason to partake in the conflict, as it is profitable. The UN Experts Report have already proven that and without a doubt, the Global Witness Report only shows culprits and who is behind it. As they are the ones that get the conflict minerals to the global market and usage in whatever device or finished products to be sold on massive scale. That’s what is going on here.
We know that the Kigali and the M23 backers will deny this. The same is reasonable of Traxys, as they don’t want this on their reputation, but Traxys has been known for this for years and not only the DRC, but also in Columbia. So, the business-people running Traxys don’t mind a little blood for the minerals to trade.
This is just showing again how money is made out of conflict and enlarging it, as they are making the M23 more able and capable to fight this war. The business of conflict minerals and such is so huge that it can cover expenses and enlarge an operation. That gives M23/AFC leverage and also options, as the currency gotten by ill gotten gains are just so sweet. Peace.










