Analyzing M23: Terrorism, Illicit Economies, and the Security Dilemma for Policymakers

• In Event: Organized Crime, Extremist Violence, and Insurgency

Abstract

The resurgence of the March 23 Movement (M23) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has intensified violence, exacerbated human rights abuses, and heightened geopolitical tensions. This paper examines the criminal dimensions of M23’s activities, including its role in illicit mineral exploitation—particularly coltan, a critical mineral for global supply chains. By leveraging data from the Global Terrorism Trends and Analysis Center (GTTAC) and other open-source intelligence, this research analyzes the intersection of terrorism and transnational organized crime perpetrated by the M23 armed group. The findings highlight how M23’s control over coltan-rich territories not only funds terrorism but also presents national and international security challenges for policymakers across the world. This study contributes to the criminological discourse by linking resource-driven irregular war to broader security concerns, offering policy recommendations on countering illicit networks and mitigating the destabilizing effects of mineral exploitation. By framing M23’s resurgence within the context of transnational crime, terrorism, homeland and international security, this paper advances criminological understanding of the security-crime nexus in war zones.

Author

• Pearl Matibe, George Mason University