Fighting in Africa’s mineral-rich DRC killed over 3,000 in less than 2 weeks. Here’s how your phone plays a part
A little more than a week after seizing control of Goma, the major city in the region, a renegade rebel faction has claimed the takeover of another mining town in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The DRC government reports that in less than two weeks, clashes between Congolese forces and the rebel alliance Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) have killed over 3,000 people.
Following the fall of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, on January 27, the AFC, of which the M23 armed group is a major part and which asserts that it is protecting the interests of minority Rwandophone people, seized control of resource-rich Nyabibwe last week.
The DRC government reports that in less than two weeks, clashes between Congolese forces and the rebel alliance Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) have killed over 3,000 people.
Following the fall of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, on January 27, the AFC, of which the M23 armed group is a major part and which asserts that it is protecting the interests of minority Rwandophone people, seized control of resource-rich Nyabibwe last week.
Did you know? You can comment on this post! Just scroll down
Less than a year has passed since the rebels took control of Rubaya, a mining center in the east of the country that contains one of the biggest reserves of coltan, a valuable mineral used to make smartphones, in the world.
This is what you should know.
This is what you should know.
Is my phone fueling the conflict?
The DRC, a country in Central Africa with a population of over 100 million, has struggled for decades with violent militia conflict, including resource-driven and ethnic armed revolt by M23 and numerous other armed organizations.
The war-torn nation, which is about the size of Western Europe, is rich in minerals, including the greatest cobalt and coltan reserves in the world.
The war-torn nation, which is about the size of Western Europe, is rich in minerals, including the greatest cobalt and coltan reserves in the world.
both essential to the manufacturing of electronic devices. While coltan is refined into tantalum, which finds several uses in phones and other devices, cobalt is used to make batteries that run electric cars and cell phones.
However, the World Bank claims that "the majority of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have not benefited from this wealth," and the country is one of the world's five poorest countries.
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and armed groups that control large areas of the resource-rich east share a large portion of the country's mineral wealth.
both essential to the manufacturing of electronic devices. While coltan is refined into tantalum, which finds several uses in phones and other devices, cobalt is used to make batteries that run electric cars and cell phones.
However, the World Bank claims that "the majority of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have not benefited from this wealth," and the country is one of the world's five poorest countries.
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and armed groups that control large areas of the resource-rich east share a large portion of the country's mineral wealth.
both essential to the manufacturing of electronic devices. While coltan is refined into tantalum, which finds several uses in phones and other devices, cobalt is used to make batteries that run electric cars and cell phones.
However, the World Bank claims that "the majority of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have not benefited from this wealth," and the country is one of the world's five poorest countries.
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and armed groups that control large areas of the resource-rich east share a large portion of the country's mineral wealth.
Regarding the M23-led annexation of eastern provinces, expert Jean Pierre Okenda, who focuses on the governance of extractive industries, told CNN that "access to natural resources is at the heart of this conflict."
"The fact that the rebel-held areas are mining areas is not a coincidence," Okenda stated, adding that the problem has been exacerbated by the need for cobalt and coltan around the world.
"War requires financial resources. The war is financed by access to mining areas," he continued.
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and armed groups that control large areas of the resource-rich east share a large portion of the country's mineral wealth.
Regarding the M23-led annexation of eastern provinces, expert Jean Pierre Okenda, who focuses on the governance of extractive industries, told CNN that "access to natural resources is at the heart of this conflict."
"The fact that the rebel-held areas are mining areas is not a coincidence," Okenda stated, adding that the problem has been exacerbated by the need for cobalt and coltan around the world.
"War requires financial resources. The war is financed by access to mining areas," he continued.
Why do the rebels want the minerals?
AFC-M23 rebel coalition spokesman Victor Tesongo told CNN that the organization controlled the coltan-rich Rubaya and Nyabibwe mines, but he did not specify how much money it has made from them or what it has used the money for.
However, a senior UN official has a suggestion.
In a September briefing to the Security Council, UN Secretary General's Special Representative to the DRC Bintou Keita stated that the coltan trade from Rubaya's mines is expected to provide more than 15% of the world's tantalum production and brings in an estimated $300,000 per month for M23.
M23 refuted these allegations, maintaining that its mission in Rubaya was "purely humanitarian."
However, a senior UN official has a suggestion.
In a September briefing to the Security Council, UN Secretary General's Special Representative to the DRC Bintou Keita stated that the coltan trade from Rubaya's mines is expected to provide more than 15% of the world's tantalum production and brings in an estimated $300,000 per month for M23.
M23 refuted these allegations, maintaining that its mission in Rubaya was "purely humanitarian."
The Congolese government and a large portion of the international community have charged neighboring Rwanda with supporting M23 and facilitating the looting of DRC minerals.
UN experts estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, who outnumber the rebel group's forces in the country, are monitoring and assisting M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. "At least 150 tons of coltan were fraudulently exported to Rwanda and mixed with Rwandan production," according to a December study by the UN Group of Experts on the DRC.
Last week, DRC Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya told CNN that "after its forces took control of key mining zones in DRC, Rwanda's mineral exports surged."
Rwanda is now one of the world's leading suppliers of coltan, surpassing the DRC in recent years.
Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, told CNN last week that his nation's mines provide coltan, but he was unsure if Rwandan forces were present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Where do DRC’s plundered minerals go?
Kagame acknowledged in a controversial public speech last year that Rwanda served as a transit hub for minerals stolen from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but he maintained that his nation was not stealing from its neighbor.
Some individuals arrive from the Congo; they bring minerals whether they smuggle them or follow the proper procedures. The majority of it passes through Rwanda but does not remain here. It travels to Russia, Dubai, Brussels, and Tel Aviv. Without mentioning the specific minerals being smuggled or offering any supporting evidence, Kagame declared, "It goes everywhere."
A spokeswoman for his government has been contacted by CNN for comment.
The extent of the looting is yet unknown for the DRC's other precious minerals, such as cobalt and coltan.
DRC filed a lawsuit against Apple companies in Belgium and France in December, alleging that the business was procuring conflict minerals. Apple refuted the charge.
Tech behemoths like Apple and Microsoft release reports each year stating that they require their suppliers to source minerals responsibly.
Some individuals arrive from the Congo; they bring minerals whether they smuggle them or follow the proper procedures. The majority of it passes through Rwanda but does not remain here. It travels to Russia, Dubai, Brussels, and Tel Aviv. Without mentioning the specific minerals being smuggled or offering any supporting evidence, Kagame declared, "It goes everywhere."
A spokeswoman for his government has been contacted by CNN for comment.
The extent of the looting is yet unknown for the DRC's other precious minerals, such as cobalt and coltan.
DRC filed a lawsuit against Apple companies in Belgium and France in December, alleging that the business was procuring conflict minerals. Apple refuted the charge.
Tech behemoths like Apple and Microsoft release reports each year stating that they require their suppliers to source minerals responsibly.
Apple stated in a 2023 filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission that it was "committed to meeting and exceeding internationally accepted due diligence standards for primary minerals and recycled materials in our supply chain," even though it still sourced 3TG (tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold) and other minerals like cobalt and lithium from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other nations. "There was no reasonable basis for concluding that any of the smelters or refiners of 3TG determined to be in our supply chain as of December 31, 2023 directly or indirectly financed or benefited armed groups in the DRC or an adjoining country," the statement continued.
Is there a solution to the conflict?
According to analyst Okenda, DRC's mineral wealth has manifested as a "curse," explaining:
He informed CNN, “These resources are responsible for wars and rebellions, put local populations at risk, and lead to significant ecological issues.”
M23 announced a humanitarian ceasefire last week, but it collapsed almost immediately after the declaration as rebels quickly advanced into Nyabibwe.
As regional and global leaders contemplate solutions for resolving the crisis, Okenda asserts that for the DRC government to achieve lasting peace, it must undergo a reinvention.
“DRC has a governance model that, if it does not change, will result in the Congolese population gaining absolutely nothing, regardless of whether there is war,” he said.
“I still believe that if the Kinshasa government enhances its governance, invests in the military, guarantees equitable resource distribution among citizens, and organizes higher-quality elections, peace can return
He informed CNN, “These resources are responsible for wars and rebellions, put local populations at risk, and lead to significant ecological issues.”
M23 announced a humanitarian ceasefire last week, but it collapsed almost immediately after the declaration as rebels quickly advanced into Nyabibwe.
As regional and global leaders contemplate solutions for resolving the crisis, Okenda asserts that for the DRC government to achieve lasting peace, it must undergo a reinvention.
“DRC has a governance model that, if it does not change, will result in the Congolese population gaining absolutely nothing, regardless of whether there is war,” he said.
“I still believe that if the Kinshasa government enhances its governance, invests in the military, guarantees equitable resource distribution among citizens, and organizes higher-quality elections, peace can return
Article Posted 50 Minutes ago. You can post your own articles and it will be published for free.
No Registration is required! But we review before publishing! Click here to get started
