Experts’ Background Report on Illegal Exploitation and Trade in Natural Resources Benefiting Organized Criminal Groups and Recommendations on MONUSCO’s Role in Fostering Stability and Peace in Eastern DR Congo

The report examines the role of transnational environmental crime as one of several key factors fuelling the protracted conflict cycle in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It makes recommendations on how the Mission des Nations Unies en République Démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO), in its forthcoming downsizing  phase, might endeavour to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to address apparent segments of the Congolese political economy that are linked to transnational environmental crime. The report was reviewed at an experts’ meeting held in Goma, DRC, from 17-18 February 2015.