Congo’s Conflict Minerals: A Humanitarian Crisis in the Heart of Africa
Deep within the lush green hills of North Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, lies the artisanal mining site of Rubaya. The sound of generators and the sight of white dust-filled landscapes are a testament to the thousands of workers who toil here, extracting strategic minerals like coltan, cassiterite, and manganese by hand. These minerals are essential for the production of modern technologies, including phones, batteries, and other devices. However, the region’s rich resources have also been a curse, fueling decades of conflict and humanitarian disaster.
The conflict in Eastern Congo has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with over 7 million people displaced, including 100,000 who have fled their homes this year alone. The region is home to more than 100 armed groups, many of which are vying for control of the mining territories near the border with Rwanda. The Rubaya mine and surrounding areas are currently under the control of the M23 armed group, which has been accused by the Congolese government of seeking to control the minerals and smuggle them to Rwanda.
Despite the turmoil, life for the miners has changed little. Jean Baptiste Bigirimana, a miner for seven years, earns a meager $40 per month, which he says is insufficient to provide for his children’s basic needs. "I get 40 dollars a month, but that’s not enough. Children need clothes, education, and food. When I divide up the money to see how I will take care of the children, I realize it’s not enough," he laments. Bigirimana, like many others, is unaware of where the minerals he extracts end up, highlighting the lack of transparency and accountability in the mining industry.
Some miners, however, report improved working conditions under the M23 rebels. Alexis Twagira, a 13-year veteran of the mines, notes that the rebels are less harassing than the previous militia, the Wazalendo, which was allied with the Congolese army. "I’ve been working in this mine for 13 years, and I’ve worked here under the Wazalendo. When they were here, they would harass us, sometimes taking our minerals and asking for money," he recalls.
In an effort to bring peace to the region, the Congolese government and Rwanda signed a pledge in April, overseen by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to work towards a peaceful resolution that would ease U.S. access to minerals in Eastern Congo. The deal, sought by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, aims to offer the U.S. better access to Congo’s resources in exchange for help in calming hostilities. The involvement of the United States, and the promise of major investment, is hoped to bring an end to the fighting and militia violence that has plagued the region since the mid-1990s.
Bahati Moïse, a trader who resells coltan from Rubaya’s mines, sums up the sentiment of many in the region. "The whole country, the whole world knows that phones are made from the coltan that comes here, but look at the life we live," he says, highlighting the stark contrast between the value of the minerals and the poverty of the miners. "We can’t continue like this." As the international community seeks to address the crisis in Eastern Congo, it is imperative that the welfare of the miners and the local population is prioritized, ensuring that the riches of the region benefit those who need it most.
