Renewed violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) underscores the urgent need for companies and governments to clean up Congo’s minerals trade, said Global Witness in a new report published today.
The report, Coming Clean – How supply chain controls can stop Congo’s minerals trade fuelling conflict, is based on field research carried out in DR Congo’s Kivus provinces, which have been blighted by a minerals-fuelled conflict for over a decade.
The research shows how some companies have begun putting in place checks on their supply chains – known as due diligence – while others are refusing to do so. Earlier this month the Congolese government suspended two mineral export houses suspected of failing to undertake proper due diligence.
“The UN Security Council and the OECD have laid down clear standards of supply chain due diligence for businesses using minerals from Congo. The onus is now on companies to comply,” said Sophia Pickles, Campaigner at Global Witness. “By carrying out thorough checks on their supply chains, businesses can deny funds to abusive armed groups and help bring stability to one of the world’s poorest and most volatile regions.”
Download the report here