Congo rebels are generating $300,000 monthly from seized mines, UN hears

ZIMSPHERE 

In the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), M23 rebels are capitalising on the mineral-rich Rubaya coltan mining region, generating approximately $300,000 monthly, as reported to the United Nations Security Council on Monday.

Labourers work at a mine near the town of Rubaya in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, August 13, 2019. [Image: Reuters/Baz Ratner]

The Tutsi-led M23 movement, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has maintained firm control over the area since April, following intense battles. This region is crucial for its abundance of minerals that are essential in manufacturing smartphones and computers.

Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. mission in Congo, informed the Security Council that the Rubaya region contributes over 15% to the global tantalum supply. 

The DRC is the world’s leading producer of tantalum, a mineral deemed critical by the United States and the European Union.

“This generates an estimated $300,000 in revenue per month to the armed group,” Keita stated. “This is deeply concerning and needs to be stopped.”

Keita further highlighted the dire implications: “The criminal laundering of the DRC's natural resources smuggled out of the country is strengthening armed groups, sustaining the exploitation of civilian populations, some of them reduced to de-facto slavery, and undermining peace-making efforts.”

Congo’s eastern region, rich in mineral resources, is a hotspot for conflicts over land and resources among various armed factions. The situation has worsened with the resurgence of the M23 rebellion in March 2022.

A deeply ethical, moral, and political problem has arisen from the issue of minerals used by global manufacturers of smartphones, computers who are accused of benefitting in huge profits from the blood of the Congolese in conflict-torn areas. 

Thousands have been killed, with millions displaced because of the incessant fighting in the Congo, yet global manufacturing behemoths turn a blind eye to this as they put their sole focus on profits at whatever cost: the cost of innocent human lives caught in grand machinations not of their own making.

As such, manufacturers are now under scrutiny to ensure that metals used in products like laptops and electric vehicle batteries are not sourced from conflict zones. 

Keita emphasized that as mining profits surge, armed groups become increasingly militarized, strengthening their power both militarily and financially.

“Unless international sanctions are imposed on those benefiting from this criminal trade, peace will remain elusive, and civilians will continue to suffer,” Keita warned.

(with news agencies)