For decades now Congo has been entrapped in a never-ending cycle of violence, leaving over 6 million people internally displaced. For many years now The Democratic Republic of Congo has been a victim of violence between armed groups, human rights violations and gender-based violence. More recently the biggest cause for concern has been a quest for cobalt, which has led to violence and exploitation, ultimately causing ‘the silent genocide’ of Congo.
The nation has been left in a severe humanitarian crisis after having to manage internal fighting between rebel groups and government forces, systemic corruption and several health crises like COVID-19, Ebola and Cholera. Not to mention the overall poor management of the country at the hands of its government.
As the second largest country in Africa, Congo is home to tons of natural resources like oil, diamonds, gold and most importantly cobalt. So in theory, its economy should be thriving and Congo should be a powerhouse, but as a result of a corrupt government and the greed of other nations, that is not the case. It is estimated that 60 million people are facing poverty and food insecurity in Congo alone, higher than any African nation.
At the heart of the violence is the militant group M23 whose actions have resulted in the loss of an estimated 15 million lives. They aim to have sole control over Congo’s natural resources, all $23 trillion of them. Not to mention that M23 is funded by Rwanda and has the support of several Western powers, including the UK, US and France.
Congolese lives are being lost not only at the hands of those perpetuating the violence but also due to the poor working conditions they are being forced into. The extraction of cobalt goes hand in hand with corruption, violence and exploitation and is accompanied by a lack of accountability, resulting in the emergence of an underground economy.
Armed and violent militia groups have seized power of most mining sites, and forced residents of nearby communities to mine, including young children. Even pregnant women who can’t necessarily mine the mineral are forced to sit by a river and rinse it off. Cobalt itself is a dangerous mineral, so anyone exposed to touching it or breathing it in puts themself at risk of poisoning. On top of that, the overall working conditions are very high risk, with the chances of landslides happening or rocks just collapsing on you. These are simply inhumane working conditions.
The dust produced from the mining has also proven harmful to farm life. When it is blown by the wind and lands on crops, it first makes the land infertile and then second if anything does manage to grow it becomes toxic to those consuming it.
In 2021, 74% of the world’s cobalt came from Congo. Many people are probably left asking, what do we actually need Cobalt for? It is a crucial mineral that is a necessary component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Cobalt keeps batteries from catching on fire as it keeps cells stable. Products that require rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are things we use every day, hence why most of the world seems to be ignoring Congo’s harrowing situation. These products include vaping devices, many personal electronics such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops, E-Bikes, electric toothbrushes, tools, hoverboards, scooters, and solar power backup storage.
To help better the situation in Congo, there must be a collaborative effort between the Congolese government, major tech companies, international government and organisations. Together they must push for tighter regulations, and more ethical approaches to mining, as well as, ensure that the local communities that are at the forefront of the mining benefit from it as well.
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