DRC: Gold and Geopolitical Risk: M23 War Chest Swells in Eastern DRC

Jan 30, 2026 | Zachary Fillingham
Geopolitical Monitor
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Gold prices are up by 84% over the year as global investors flock to safe havens. The precious metal’s rapid appreciation is not just a macroeconomic datapoint; it’s also a decisive factor in global conflict. The ease with which gold can be mined, melted down, and laundered of its origin make it an ideal revenue stream for militant and terrorist groups, such that control over artisanal goldmines can make or break a civil war. The conflict between M23 rebels and the Congolese government in the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of many examples.