The Role of Conflict Minerals in the Peace Process in the DRC
Publisher: Peacebuilding
Author(s): Bandi Mbubi
Date: 2014
Topics: Extractive Resources, Peace Agreements
Countries: Congo (DRC)
For several years a coalition of NGOs, including Congo Calling, has been working to raise awareness of the role of conflict minerals in fuelling the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Illegal mining in the eastern DRC has funded the war there and has denied local people the peace, stability and prosperity that could result from the ethical management of the Congo’s natural resources.
Media coverage of this topic, including discussions of whether it is appropriate to introduce legislation forcing companies to source conflict-free minerals from the Congo, has led to increased public awareness of the issues involved. Increased awareness amongst consumers (e.g. of jewellery and electronics) has in turn led to increased political will in a number of countries to intervene in the Congo to promote peace and has led business actors to review their activities.
To address the ongoing conflict in the DRC, members of the international community, including the USA, the UK, South Africa, Tanzania and the UN, have together taken political, economic, diplomatic and military action. The DRC national army, with UN support, is currently undertaking a military campaign against rebel groups in the area. It is clear that the army is determined to impose order by force and not to tolerate illegal armed activities but at this stage it is too early to gauge the long-term consequences of these actions.