The Blood of The Congo Powers Our Lives

Written by Jermaine Magethe

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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is rich in natural resources, yet its people especially children, continue to suffer. The conflicts in the DRC are among the deadliest and most complex humanitarian crises in the world. Children face violence, exploitation, and displacement. To understand how this crisis reached its current state, we must look at its history, the global demand for cobalt and other resources, and the systemic failures that allow this suffering to continue.

1. A History of Exploitation

The roots of the DRC’s conflict go back to the late 19th century when King Leopold II of Belgium claimed the Congo Free State as his personal colony. Under his brutal rule, millions of Congolese people were killed or maimed while resources, particularly rubber, were exploited. After international outrage, Belgium took control in 1908, but exploitation continued, shifting to minerals like copper, gold, and diamonds.

When the DRC gained independence in 1960, it was politically unstable. The assassination of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba in 1961, with foreign involvement, led to further chaos. Mobutu Sese Seko ruled from 1965 to 1997, during which corruption and economic mismanagement left the country impoverished and vulnerable to conflict.

The First Congo War (1996–1997) and the Second Congo War (1998–2003) devastated the country. The second war, often called the “African World War,” involved multiple African nations and armed groups, resulting in over five million deaths and millions displaced. This set the stage for the ongoing violence in eastern DRC today.

2. The Global Demand for Cobalt and Other Resources

The DRC holds about 70% of the world’s cobalt, a key material for lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technology. As demand for these technologies grows, so does pressure to extract cobalt quickly and cheaply. Weak governance and corruption in the mining sector have led to serious human rights abuses.

Many cobalt mines in the DRC are artisanal, meaning they are small-scale and often run by local miners. Armed groups or middlemen control many of these mines, forcing people to work in dangerous conditions for little pay. Children are often among the laborers, working long hours and facing health risks from toxic exposure.

However, cobalt is not the only valuable resource fueling the conflict. Other minerals include:

• Coltan: Used in mobile phones and laptops, this mineral is controlled by armed groups in eastern DRC, who use profits to fund their activities.
• Gold: Smuggled out of the country through illicit networks, gold profits finance violence and corruption.
• Diamonds: Mined under exploitative conditions, diamonds are another source of income for armed groups.

Many multinational companies continue to source these minerals despite the human rights abuses associated with their extraction.

3. The Impact on Children

Children in the DRC suffer deeply from the ongoing conflict. UNICEF estimates that around 40,000 children work in cobalt mines, facing toxic dust, tunnel collapses, and long-term health issues. Many are victims of violence, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.

Armed groups forcibly recruit child soldiers, using them as fighters, porters, spies, or sex slaves. Schools are destroyed or occupied, denying children education and a chance at a better future. Many displaced children are separated from their families, leaving them vulnerable to further exploitation.

A 2016 Amnesty International report revealed the harsh realities of child labor in DRC’s mines. A 14-year-old boy named Paul described his experience: “I would spend 24 hours in the tunnels. I arrived in the morning and left the next morning. My foster mother wanted me to go to school, but my foster father forced me to work in the mine.” Another child worker reported severe health issues, saying, “Since working here, I have had problems with my skin, body pains, and pain in my eyes.”

Children often work for less than $2 per day, risking exposure to hazardous substances like uranium and mercury. Many have witnessed their fellow workers die in mining accidents.

4. What Fuels the Conflict?

The conflict in the DRC is not just internal—it is driven by international and local factors:

• Foreign Governments: During the Cold War, countries like the United States and Belgium influenced Congolese politics, contributing to instability. Today, neighboring Rwanda and Uganda have been accused of supporting rebel groups in eastern DRC.
• Multinational Corporations: Many companies that buy minerals from the DRC fail to ensure their supply chains are free from exploitation and abuse.
• Corrupt Officials: Some government and military leaders profit from the illegal mining trade, making them complicit in the violence.

Other key factors include:

• Weak Governance: The DRC’s government has been unable or unwilling to regulate the mining sector, allowing corruption and illegal activities to flourish.
• Global Demand: The high demand for cobalt, gold, and other minerals encourages illegal mining and exploitation.
• Presence of Armed Groups: Over 100 armed groups operate in the DRC, many controlling mines and profiting from the conflict.
• Poverty and Inequality: With few economic opportunities, many families feel they have no choice but to send their children to work in dangerous conditions.

5. What Can Be Done?

Ending the crisis in the DRC requires action on multiple levels:

• Corporate Responsibility: Companies must ensure their supply chains are free from child labor and human rights abuses. Initiatives like the Responsible Cobalt Initiative aim to improve transparency, but enforcement is weak.
• International Action: Governments must hold businesses accountable for unethical sourcing and impose sanctions on those profiting from exploitation.
• Stronger Governance: The DRC needs support to build institutions that can combat corruption and regulate the mining industry effectively.
• Grassroots Efforts: Local organizations and activists play a crucial role in protecting children and promoting sustainable development. Supporting their work is essential.

Voices from the Ground

Activists and researchers continue to expose the suffering caused by this crisis. Siddharth Kara, author of Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives, wrote, “The blood of the Congo powers our lives. The misery of the Congolese people is the price we pay for our modern conveniences.”

A Congolese miner, speaking to The Guardian, said, “We are dying here, but no one cares. The world needs our minerals, but they don’t care about us.”

The human cost of our global economy. The demand for resources like cobalt fuels violence, exploitation, and suffering especially for children.