Congo campaign

Despite being extremely rich in natural resources, Democratic Republic of the Congo is among the ten poorest countries in the world. Its abundant resources of cobalt, tin and coltan are in fact the reason why the conflict which started in 1998 has been prolonged. The war, which began as a civil war, has been called Africa’s World War, for it significantly affects the security in all Central Africa.

Several groups of rebel forces, as well as the Congolese army benefit more from continuing the conflict than bringing peace: in the continuing disorder, they can control mines and trade routes. And the victims of this war for resources are not army or rebel fighters, but civilians living in the conflict zone. In Congo, human rights are being violated every day; people are killed, tortured, raped and forced into the mines as well as arbitrarily arrested – even children are abducted to be soldiers.

Officially, the civil war in DR Congo ended already in 2003, but the unrest in the country continues. About 38,000 people died every month, and in 2008 the situation escalated further. The fighting between Congo’s army and rebel forces has driven the mining areas in eastern Congo into chaos. Aid organizations working in the area have also been targeted.

Most minerals mined in Democratic Republic of the Congo are used as raw materials for the electronics industry. Electronics companies ensure the demand for minerals from the conflict area and use them in their products despite their role in prolonging the conflict in Congo.

Even though the chain of production and its failings are known, nothing has yet been done to repair the situation. We believe, however, that the large electronics companies such as Nokia can use their leverage and political influence to promote genuine peace in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Companies have to take social responsibility also there where their valuable raw materials come from. Peace in Congo is possible!

This is why Changemaker insists the following:

1. That electronics companies trace the origins of their raw materials all the way to the mines, in cooperation with other manufacturers, because trade with certain mines maintains the conflict in Democratic Republic of the Congo. That companies work actively and use their influence for peace.
2. That electronics companies adopt the multi stakeholder initiative (MSI) ethics code, and an independent, audited monitoring system throughout the chain of subcontractors, and cooperate with the international free trade union, initiating negotiations for an international framework agreement.
3. That the companies make public their whole chain of subcontractors.