How natural resources cause conflict in DRC

How natural resources cause conflict in DRC

INTRODUCTION

I have never visited DRC, neither do I have the plans of visiting. I was an interest in the research was because of my friend who moved to eastern Africa. I was concerned about her safety.

.My study was to try understanding why situations in the nation are so wrong and how. The internal condition in DRC has experienced chaos for many years. Consistently there have been conflicts and wars, power struggle, rape, and mass killing. Whatsoever, to the other parts of the universe is not visible. The nation has never gotten peace for five decades. Indeed, the country is infamous for being the capital of rape and endless wars, whatsoever, the country is famous because of its natural resources. It is believed that natural resources are the root causes of the problems of DRC..

A gynecologist by the name Dr.Dennis Mukwage works in Bukavu, Panzi Hospital, DRC. He has attended to over 30,000 women raped by the armed groups. In 2016, 3rd October, he delivered a lesson in Japan of “Sexual Violence and Protection of Women’s Rights under Armed Conflict.” He documented the brutal sexual violence and suffering of Congolese women. The direct cause of violence is natural resources that are exported and mined from DRC that are usually used in the production of laptops and cell phones.

His lectures argue that DRC is like a “jewelry shop which lacks windows and doors.” Armed troops kill citizens and rape women so that they can take control of the vast wealth of minerals. The rate of fatality increases each year, and Congolese children are driven to poverty; however, the best part of the world never hear their screams or see the scenes from the shop, since, in DRC, the lives of people are more undervalued and underestimated as compared to the developed nations.

Whether natural resources are the main reason why the fatality rate in DRC is increasing or not, the chaos present in the nation should never be ignored. The universe cried after hundreds of lives were lost during the earthquake time. The world panicked after New York citizens were killed by terrorists. Medical kit and masks were sent by people to China after an unknown virus killed so many people. It is strange instead why people keep quiet after a lot of raped and murdered in DRC. Definitely, chaos requires a lot of international attention.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s situation is unstable, particularly in the Eastern region of the nation. Currently, the country is attempting to survive a humanitarian disaster and the consequences of a very destructive war. The war ended officially in 2003, but the rebels in the Eastern region of the country are still attacking the area up to date, and the situation is tense.   Hence, the DRC’s position is precarious. DRC is a big nation; it’s the largest nation in Africa. It has a lot of natural resources; several minerals, like, tin, gold, tantalum, and tungsten, among others. With the abundance of resources, the nation has the potential to thrive economically. More so, the natural resources in the DRC consist of minerals that are required in the manufacture of different electronic appliances, such as tablets, smartphones, laptops, among other gadgets. Some of these minerals are referred to as conflict minerals, which are the ores that are extracted in the war zones. Global companies like Intel, Google, and Apple, have started that they fear g the appearance of conflict minerals in their commodities. This brings conflicts in DRC’s electronic manufactures and also global productions. Hence, the natural resources of DRC are the focus of atypical interest by the companies of the globe, and the private sector’s role must be considered.

Importantly, the reasons as to where there are fights in the nation are local, such as land conflict, corruption, social antagonisms, and local politics. However, the natural resources of DRC have assisted in conflict maintenance in the country, because of the income obtained from them. Different groups of rebels have funded their projects by looting the natural resources of the country. Therefore, the natural resources of the country have a role in conflict sustainability.

It is clear that universal companies get profits from selling the electronic appliances they sell, and they require the minerals of DRC since the electronic gadgets demand increases in the whole world. It is significant to conduct research concerning the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its impact on the natural resources use in the country. Additionally, awareness concerning the conflict mineral is required since the subject misconceived and understudied. Conflict minerals are extracted from conflict areas and do not fund the right individuals, like the different rebel groups, and the corrupt members in the government of Congo and the army.

The conflict in DRC is not broadly reported in social media; therefore, more research is required concerning the situations in the nation. Eichstaedt stated that the battle is among the deadliest catastrophe since the Second World War (Eichstadaet 2012). However, the circumstance in the Democratic Republic of Congo is significant because the nation is trying to get away from the causes of the disastrous war.

The condition of affairs in the Democratic of Congo is not stable, and conflict consequences were severe economic, social, and political problems in the country. .Furthermore, the vast natural resources of the country have played a part in the ongoing conflict. In this dissertation, the battle is considered through the natural resources of the country. With the substantial wealth of the natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo could become successful economically, if only legitimate trade is established. The economic liberalism theory is used in analyzing how the challenge can be explained from a financial perspective. Therefore, the study problem of this dissertation is about the case of the conflict minerals in the DRC’s conflict. Thus, the research questions are:

1. How is the DRC’s conflict affecting the utilization of the country’s natural resources?
2. What is the function of multinational corporations in fighting over mineral conflicts minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

The objective of this research is to determine the conflict’s impact in the Democratic Republic of Congo is to the way the nation deals with the wealth of natural resources. Additionally, the aim is to establish the role of global enterprises, which includes universal electronics companies, infighting over conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thus, the objective of my dissertation is to come up with new information concerning the impact of the conflict in the natural resources of DRC.

The dissertation’s first chapter outlines a theory, selected from the region of the global political economy, employed in the thesis. The section explains the reason why the economic liberalism theory was chosen to be applied in the dissertation. Additionally, the chapter expounds on the methodology used in the thesis. Chapter two is an overview of the DRC’s conflict. The conflict’s historical background is briefly mentioned. Additionally, the chapter deals with various factors that contribute to the DRC’s situation, like the rebel groups, the DRC’s government, and the UN peacekeeping in DRC and concentrating on matters resulting from the natural resources of the country.

Chapter 3 focuses on issues that are concerned with the immense support of DRC. There is also an analysis of conflict minerals. More so, it also analyses the connection between natural resources and the conflict. The conclusion summarizes the most significant aspects of the research. In our judgment, the impact of conflict in DRC on the use of the natural resource of the country is established, as is the transitional companies’ responsibility to fight over the conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

LITERATURE REVIEW: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The Democratic Republic of Congo has various conflicts that result from natural resources. Besides, conflicts, diseases, poverty, rape and violence, power struggle, and high fatal rates struggle over the natural resources. Natural resources are an issue when it comes to conflict causes; however, there are other causes of the conflict. Examples include a relationship between natural resources and the conflict, poverty and corruption, power struggle and conflict, and support. They are controversial and are globally known.

Some sources argue that both the fight with the neighboring nations and internal strife is caused by natural resources. The political, economic perspective is directed towards the wars and conflicts in the DRC. Winning the DRC’s natural resources power is the aim of the battle. The conflicts increase when the government starts funding their pockets. This illustrates that the government is unable to contribute and develop natural resources to other people leaving room for anti-governments to control the natural resources. Other African nations that have had conflicts over their natural resources include Sierra Leone. Even countries outside Africa have conflicts caused by natural resources. Conflicts in countries that are rich in natural resources like minerals are inevitable.

It is clear that the DRC’s natural resources have caused disputes and struggle of power and resulted in political corruption. It is also argued that nations with vast natural resources are in a higher risk of facing conflict. It is also argued that natural resources are the causes of poverty in DRC. Significant transformations at the political level had a great effect on the exchange rate and the exportation amount.

In order to provide a theoretical background in the DRC conflict, the universal political economy of economic liberalism theory is used in this dissertation. The international political economy raises awareness on issues of poverty and wealth, and are very important in world politics. These matters are observed in the circumstance of DRC, a nation that has a lot of natural resources, but where a number of the population are immersed in high poverty.

In this dissertation, the DRC’s conflict is reviewed through various actors who have played a sector in the battle. Hence, like the liberalism theory, put into consideration both the state and the other actors, this dissertation emphasizes the significance of the impact of various actors and rules to the DRC’s conflict. Without the knowledge of the state’s role in the international system, liberalism put into consideration the responsibilities of international institutions, on-state actors, non-governmental organizations, and intergovernmental organizations. Additionally, the transnational corporations’ role is considered in liberalism theory.

More so, according to liberalism, free trade forms general benefits to each and every participant, regardless of economic nature or the size, and therefore leads to a peaceful world.  Whatsoever, neo-liberalism assures that free trade does not create cooperation automatically, but it necessitates efforts, like negotiation and planning.

The liberals of economics accentuate the importance of having an open economy, which has no political interferences to aid in the production of huge amounts of investment, which is required in the promotion of sustainable economic development and growth. Additionally, the economic liberalism theory asserts that close relations in the market with developed nations positively affect the developing world’s economies. The Democratic Republic of Congo is part of the developing world. More so, foreign business is observed as a method of additional growth of new sectors and market expansion. As the universe has greatly globalized, it is essential to know that DRC, a nation full of wealth from natural resources, can become prosperous. Economic liberals argue that globalization is capable of bringing wealth to companies and individuals. None the less, DRC is still underdeveloped in some areas. Hence it lacks modernization skills as a developing nation.

Entrance to the universal market is one method of promoting economic growth. Additionally, foreign direct investment in the developing world by several companies of nations brings in a lot that is needed in production expertise and modern technology. However, conflict in a nation is likely to distract regional trade and discourage foreign investors, who consider the nation as being insecure, even after the end of the war. Therefore, the Democratic Republic of Congo could benefit from the foreign entrepreneurs, but the current instability of the nation hinders this prospect.

Economic liberalism theory is criticized. For instance, Hahnel suggests that trade is capable of exacerbating global inequality through distribution of more wealth to the rich nations. Hahnel however notes that the cheapest way of minimizing global inequality is via trade by simply setting trade terms to distribute several efficiency gain to the developing countries.Moreover, Democratic Republic of Congo can never close itself, since it requires expertise and equipment, and foreign knowledge, which it lacks at the meantime.

According to Person and Besley, development entails a substantial increment in competence and size of a state. More so, the capacity of state means that ability of a country to conduct some policies, and an effective in the effectiveness has an impact to the capacity. As a developing nation, DRC is still underdeveloped in several ways, and lack capital and skills for its own advancement. Therefore, the success of DRC relies on attracting foreign governments and investors to the nation. Additionally, unavailability of state capacity is considered to be impeding development.

More so, Democratic Republic of Congo is considered as a weak nation. A state economy that is weak is faulty, as there is absent of coherent in the national economy, which could sustain a basic welfare level for the individuals and to offer ways of managing a competent state. The DRC state seems very weak in protecting the borders and guarding the population of DRC within the borders. Additionally, the challenge is accelerated by unwillingness of practicing sovereignty (Turner, 2013).None the less, according to liberalism, weak nations can be termed as pre-modern conditions that are yet to reach modernity (Jackson, and Sørensen, 2013).

According to Sorensen and Jackson, violent conflict nowadays mostly happens inside the states, especially the weak states. Moreover, violence is connected with underdevelopment and development problems (Besley, and Persson, 2010) claim that it is a great empirical fact which civil war is likely to occur in developing nations. This is a situation observed in DRC, where violent conflict continues happening and underdevelopment is a great problem. Whatsoever, it is stated that for the purpose of avoiding civil wars, even if some deeds are necessary in measures of common global, the developing countries development  should put a lot of efforts in implementing institutions and economic policies which can decrease poverty and boost growth, and enhance transparency and governance. More so, real DRC resolutions can never be enforced from the outside. .Therefore, the DRC’s government cannot completely rely on foreign aid, but it need to try by itself, in wider capacity, in promoting transparency and developing its governance. Successful development is the best protection of civil war.

The economic liberalism theory has got weaknesses: global economy worsen the DRC’s economy, since the natural resources exploitation of the country wealth is a challenge, and the government of DRC is not getting adequate help for it to be progressive. The state Democratic Republic of Congo is very weak in stability achievement in the nation itself, and should be supported in the aspect. Thus, an economy which is open can help Democratic Republic of Congo to grow economically and bring the required foreign expertise, equipment, and knowledge to the country. Additionally, trading with developed nations would impact the economy of the country positively .Hence, the economic liberalism theory has strengths in its application to the DRC’s situation, with some acknowledgements of present barriers to the economic development of the country.

Due Diligence, minerals and supply chains

To allow discussions on engagement guidelines and corporate social responsibility in conflict zones, the OECD came up with a due diligence’s method for business use. It encourages companies to come up with measures of controlling and tracing the supply chains of the minerals they get, make the measures public and give them to external audit. Whatsoever, element of the measures of due diligence which was non –bidding limited effectiveness, as it happened in the guidelines. The OECD watch ion 2010, claimed that the measures are not strong to restore trade in minerals since there was no political will and they were not legally bound.

The congress took the due diligence principle from realms of woolly and incorporated it into Exchange Commission and American Securities to elaborate rules which obligates companies to reveal where the minerals originates . The rules offer control procedure with 3 stages over the companies found in the Wall Street. In stage one, companies should determine if they use gold, cassiterite, coltan and wolframite. If they do, they should investigate and mobilize sensible means of allocating the minerals’ origin. When companies publish the steps which have enabled them to claim that the minerals were not from DRC or the neighboring nations in the annual report, their items will be termed are “DRC conflict free”. Companies that are not able to indicate the origin of their minerals or those which have realized they are from DRC or the neighboring nations should establish the exact origin of their minerals for ensuring that they are not from rebel controlled mines. The report is prevents should indicate that the minerals were obtained from government controlled mines.

Several key developments have already taken place on international forums like the OECD to define the responsibilities and roles of companies that are active in mineral supply chains. The European Commission opened a consultation process that will communicate the issue to a European initiative in the programme “Multinational Corporations in Conflict-Affected Areas is working with several European NGOs to offer coordinated input.

METHODOLOGY

The method used in in this dissertation is documentary analysis. I will collect data from existing studies from other researchers. This is because it technical to interview real people in economic/political field in the country and the victims of the conflict. Especially, researching and interviewing the latter group is both practically and ethically difficult, this research much relies from existing studies .Carrying out my own education has strengths, they include, reliability and validity. Most studies concerning the current situations in DRC are usually sponsored by world organizations, the government and universities.

The dissertation assumes that the DRC’s conflict has particular influence on the natural resources use in DRC. Most significantly, this dissertation focuses on the matters which are concerned with the conflict and the natural resources of the country. As we had said before, the objective of the thesis is the conflict in DRC, particularly in Eastern region. More so, this is a qualitative study that is based on secondary and primary sources. The last report of the UN Group of experts on DRC, from 2015 January, provides the dissertation with important updated information concerning the plundering of natural resources of the country. Additionally, the UN Environment Programme’s Post –Conflict for policy makers, gives the dissertation important facts concerning wealth from the natural remedies for DRC. More so, the World Bank report also added important details pertaining the mineral wealth of DRC .Other news from non-governmental organizations and World Bank are also used. Whatsoever, some primary sources concerning DRC and its natural resources are written in French, and this can limit use of primary sources in this dissertation.

In addition of the reports above, secondary sources about the conflict in DRC are used in the thesis too. For example “Congo”, by Turner offers a significant overview of complicated occasions which have occurred in DRC. More so, the book adds essential information concerning fight over the natural resources in the DRC. Additionally “Consuming the Congo”, war and conflict minerals in the deadliest place of the world by Eichstaedt provides essential information concerning the DRC conflict and its relationship with the natural resources. Other types of secondary sources are also applied.(Eichstaedt,011).  For instance, articles from The Washington Post, Time, The economist, Foreign policy, Foreign Affairs, and BC News among others, give information on conflict in DRC.

The Conflict in the DRC

DRC has a very violent and complicated history .It was colonized by Belgium and it got independence in 1960.A lot of chaos were left behind by the Belgians and it was uncontrollable. The DRC’s history is one of exploitation and civil war. During its colonial time, Belgium king, Leopold 2, plundered wild rubber and ivory from Democratic Republic of Congo. Due to colonialism, DRC became a malformed country. The bloodletting that has been troubling the state is because governments and individuals advance their personal political and economic aims. Hence, exploitation of natural resources of DRC is not new, since it has been progressing immediately after colonization in the 1870s.

Currently, DRC is in the process of recovering from a war where millions of people lost their lives between 1998 and 2003(Democratic Republic of Congo, 2015).It is estimated by some analysts that   from 1998, the war and its consequences resulted to 5.4v million deaths in DRC. It is stated that DRC was a state of the worst humanitarian crises since World WAR 2.

The DRC’s current situation is still not stable .The nation has collapsed, healthcare relies on charity and aid, roads do not link anymore to the major cities .Therefore, the country’s infrastructure is inferior and close to non-existence. Thus, could benefit from direct foreign investment, that could introduce production skills and technology into the country, as stated by economic liberalism theory (Jackson, Sorensen 2013, 188).Some reasons why DRC degraded include corruption in all economic and political system levels, hostilities over power and land, provocative actions from the regional leaders among others. The original causes of conflict entails local and national clashes over influence and energy, and concerns of identity and citizenship .For instance access to fishing grounds and arable land which resulted to fights locally. Thus, reasons for conflicts are complex and local. There are over 100 various metals and minerals in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo Overview. (2015).The country therefore is very rich in natural resources, and has a potential of thriving economically.

In real sense, too little economic profits from those natural resources help the people of Congo. Most, profits benefit the international companies, rebel groups, and the DRC’s government (Filipovic, 2014).

Today in DRC, there are several rebel groups that are functioning. The Rebel groups are among the reasons why the circumstance still remains volatile in the nation, particularly in East of DRC. Additionally, the Rwanda genocide of 1994 is another reason that has affected the volatile situation in DRC. The Hutus who had caused the genocide were driven to DRC, hence formation of a rebel group. Although the conflict roots are local, profits from different minerals have catalyzed the fighting. Different groups of the military are always fighting over mines that are used in extracting the crystals, and natural resources control.

The neighbouring nations of Democratic Republic of Congo also contributed to the conflict in the country. Throughout the period of war the rebel groups of Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi benefited from exploitation of natural resources in DRC. Today, the DRC’s minerals smuggling is via its neighbouring nations, Rwanda and Uganda, is still a problem.

Since independence in 1960, systemic corruption is still continuing. Alongside conflict and volatility, the country’s results has been dramatically decreased government income and national output and increased external debt.

Fighting is a still a problem in eastern region of DRC, and hence the condition in the nation is volatile. Conflict in DRC has several factors that causes it; corrupt government, natural resources exploitation, rebel groups, and other nations in the area wanting to benefit from the natural resources of DRC. Though the causes of the conflict are local, the vast natural resources of the country prolong the fighting.

Conflict minerals

A lot of debates concerning conflict minerals in DRC have erupted. The conflict minerals are the ones that are mined in the conflict zones. They include tungsten, tin, tantalum and gold. The crystals are required in manufacturing of electronic appliances, such as tablets, mobile phones and laptops.(Filipovic 2014).Whatsoever, conflict minerals are necessary in other items too. Indeed, the crystals are required in light bulbs, fly fishing hooks, aerospace equipment, jewelly among others (Trindle 2015).Foreign companies which purchase minerals froim DRC are DRC’s source of capital. Global corporations, which use the crystals from DRC are related to the conflict in DRC.

There are various critics that have concentrated so much on the conflict minerals. For instance, according to Tuner, the conflict minerals are never the most important or precious minerals in DRC (Tuner 2013).More so, Eichstaedt states that advocates do not mention the real amount of the conflict minerals that come from DRC, impressing that all the electronic items contain conflict materials(Eichstaedt 2011).Tuner adds that the problems from the minerals in DRC are within the nation and targets the corrupt and the weak government in the country.(Tuner 2013).Various advocacy groups ,however ,for instance the Enough project, asserts that conflict minerals are the significant causes off conflict  in DRC (Autesserre 2012 ).The theory does not consider the conflicts’ local origins in DRC and thus misleading .He states that excess attention in the conflict minerals is mostly because narrative of conflict minerals resonates with the audiences of the non-Congolese .More so, the story of conflict minerals is a sector of a bigger description concerning economic conflict dimensions and the resource curse. The specification enables journalists and advocacy groups to elaborate the DRC’s conflict in more understandable ways. Additionally, Eichstaedt claims that proceeds that are might gotten from mining can worsened only the conflict that are long lasting in DRC (Eichstaedt, 2011). Thus, ending up the extraction of conflict minerals in the nation will not bring the conflict to an end. Therefore, conflict minerals cannot cause the battle direct in DRC, even if they can sustain it. Indeed, solely concentrating on one conflict cause and one solution to the reason, advocates the narrative of conflict minerals aggravated the issues unintentionally that are intended to be solved.

Conflict minerals are targeted by the armed troops and also a method of financing the activities.(Tuner 2013).The sites of mining where the minerals are gotten from ,are sources of wealth and political power for those who control them.(Filipovic 2014).Therefore, the crystals have exaggerated conflict in DRC.As we can see from the UN Group of Experts, the Congolese army elements and some rebel groups are still being engaged in  in trade of the conflict minerals. Conflict materials can be in supply chains in DRC and the neighboring nations. Hence, some rebel groups are still benefiting from the natural resources in DRC. Whatsoever, the rebel groups are involved in illegal mineral trade and the Congolese army is associated also with it.

Efforts of creating tracking systems for conflict minerals, from DRC mines, that would make sure that none of the conflict minerals have been used to manufacture electronic appliances. The International Tin Research Institute supply chain initiative for tin is the major scheme of tracing for coltan, wolframite ,and cassiterite, which later become changed to tungsten, tin and tantalum(Final.2015).The minerals, however pass through various smelters prior ending up in electronic appliances(Luckerson 2014).Hence, it is hard for tracing exactly where the minerals originate . The United Nations group of Experts claims that there are various improvements on due diligence and traceability efforts about the metals which come from DRC, but smuggling is still a problem (Final 2015).Therefore, so far, implementation of system of due diligence and traceability has not been able to prevent minerals smuggling from DRC.

Minerals’ importation from DRC is a challenge, and this makes mineral tracking very hard. The UN group of Experts notes that minerals coming from Rubaya, region in North Kivu in DRC, are been smuggled to the country Rwanda(Final 2015).The fact is that smuggling has reduced after the introduction of the system of supply chain initiative.(Final 2015).

UN Group of Experts in 2014 says that no traceability efforts or due diligence concerning the gold in DRC. Lack of these efforts enables gold gotten from conflict regions and non-validated mines to engage in international markets. For instance, the group says that gold is still be smuggled from DRC to the neighboring nation Uganda. Despite the findings of the group, the Ugandan government told the experts group that the official gold exports of the country from January 1 to October 2014, were under fifteen kg, and all of it was from Uganda (Final 2015).

The gold is not only being smuggled to Rwanda from DRC, but also to United Arab Emirates via the neighboring nations of DRC. In UAE, there is no traceability efforts and due diligence about the gold that comes from non-validated mines and conflict zones (Final 2015).In Deira District in Dubai’s gold souk, the UN group saw that the jewelers were willing to purchase gold from DRC without questioning where it came from and not asking for evidence for whether the export taxes are paid. It is very probable therefore, that the gold from the conflict regions, DRC included, ends up in international supply chains. This has a negative impact on how the natural resources are utilized in DRC, since gold is still being smuggled and DRC does not benefit at all.

The government of DRC need to implement some main changes ,for it to bring to an end illicit mining .The necessary changes might include, for example, bearing to end of illegal involvement of the military in mineral trade, and therefore sanctioning and investigating military personnel, engaged in minerals trade. Additionally, it is crucial that the DRC’s government to oversee the mining sector effectively by keeping the statistics of precise trade (Tuner 2013).It can include, tracking the type and quantity of minerals mined from every site, conveyed by airfreight or other transport companies related to the sites, and bought by customers, trading exporters and houses. (Tuner 2013).Practicing these activities will require a lot of commitment and effort by the government of DRC. Hence, this could be beyond the abilities of the state, as underdevelopment and corruption remains challenges in DRC. Nonetheless, documenting the mining sector of a country could offer important information from all the sites that artisanal mining happens (Tuner 2013).Therefore, transparency in the state of DRC is crucial if development is desired in the country.

According to Eichstaedt, mining and minerals will continue being significant in DRC, and even maybe to the universe. Therefore, planning and implementation of a lawful, just and feasible way of sharing profits and production is the initial step towards the achievement of stability in that country (Eichstaedt 2012).More so, natural resources exploitation is concerned with various problems, such as national security, human rights, good governance, economic stability, state authority and development. (Eichstadet 2011).

The function of multinational companies for conflict minerals

The distribution effects of exportation of conflict minerals in the DRC have created a lot of wealth disparities among the people, causing corruption, conflict and starvation. Multinational companies have contributed to conflicts in the DRC. They have failed to establish polices against using conflict materials, they only inspire bloodshed in DRC’s groups since they want to control the regions that are rich in minerals for their survival. Interests of companies together with their shareholders, and political institutions, limits alleviation of these matters since there a lot of financial risks engaged in protection of the DRC’s citizens, and they outweigh the detrimental effects concerns faced by the industries in the society.

Current economic activity engaging DRC might alleviate conflict. Gecamine, a mining company owned by state in DRC, now controls the CMSK cobalt and copper project, which was shared previously with Brussels Company. This gives this multinational company an opportunity of investing in other companies, especially, construction, energy and food, which were imported already to DRC. The objective was enable conversion of Gecamine to an independent mining operator via replenishment of copper which was already depleted with the hope of increasing exports. Reduction of imports and increment of exports should boost the social wellness according to the conjectures of Oatley on the global trade (Oatley, 2010). This can only be achieved if the resources and income are distributed more evenly across the area and weeding of corruption.

The government of Namibia currently made of an investment, a multi –dollar one, in setting up a multinational company in DRC. The government was hoping to alleviate poverty in the DRC, and across Africa continent, through trade expansion. The leaders of Namibia hopes to maximize intra-regional trade so that they can double the recent profits and minimize spending by half since African nations are importing products currently, exported originally from the sister countries, from Europe three time more than the original cost. The Trade and Industry Deputy Minister believed that every country has a thing that is required in another country in Africa, yet people fail to utilize this promising potential (Tjatindi, 2012).

DRC desperately need support and structure. Various multinational companies should be established in the DRC. This will increase the Congolese employment opportunities, and the citizens will stop relying too much on conflict minerals mining for survival, and hopefully perhaps bring the conflict to an end.

The multinational companies are employing a lot of Congolese with an aim of alleviating poverty and increasing opportunity for DRC’s citizens.

Not all multinational companies  particularly electronic companies purchase the conflict minerals, companies like SanDisk, Hp and Intel have taken steps and made efforts of achieving a supply chain that is conflict-free, but it does not happen in many companies. Lacking regulations which prohibit illegal buying of conflict minerals, the coltan prices rise. When the prices continues rising

As conflict crises progresses, big companies are being pressured  to compensate for the stock market losses by being involved in illegal businesses and benefiting from the conflicts that have claimed a lot of lives outside their home nations including the DRC.,

DRC has been in conflicts since 1996 and about 5.4 innocent lives have been lost. In 2008, the DRC’s conflict took another dimension which had never been there since 2003.Despite reports, killings of civilians, rape, and widespread looting in conflict region, the international community have not taken actions against the actors in the conflicts.

The role of international electronic manufactures

As seen earlier, we know that international electronic companies use the minerals in their items, mined from DRC. Metals like tungsten, tin, and tantalum are used commonly in electronics and are mined in DRC in massive amounts. They are used also in other items but the minerals useful in making electronic appliances have been concentrated on more. Companies like Intel, Google, and Apple, have revealed that they use might use conflict minerals to manufacture their products (Luckerson 2014).

Technology companies reports that they lack sufficient information for conclude if the minerals present in their items are conflict free (Luckerson 2014).According to reports from Google, almost 36% of their smelters in DRC are not handling conflict minerals., but the company is unable to make secure verdicts concerning the rest of the providers.80% of Apple company smelters don’t use conflict minerals, and they too are not sure about other suppliers. Intel is uncertain concerning other suppliers. Therefore, international companies are unsure whether their item are manufactured with conflict minerals or not.

Because of the uncertainty, there are probabilities that the conflict minerals from DRC are used to produce the products of the electronic companies. Mineral demand in international markets has prolonged conflict in DRC Additionally, there are rebel groups that are still engaged in mineral trade. Thus, the global companies’ role is significant in the business of minerals.

Reports from electronic companies illustrates that even if those businesses have promoted gadgets production, which could lack conflict materials, they have found it a challenge to practice such initiatives (Luckerson 2014).Indeed, minerals extracted from DRC are transported to different smelters in Southeast Asia, India and Russia, and the metals are sent to other makers of components in other regions (Eichstaedt 2011). Hence, it is hard to track supply chain. It is hard to prevent conflict mineral use, since those minerals pass through different manufacturers, smelters and distributors prior becoming finished products.

Nevertheless, due diligence and transparency are essential, if conflict minerals have to be entirely removed from international supply chains. Increasing owing care and transparency is a difficult task. More so, forcing companies to adhere to the rules of conflict fee minerals can make business to stop purchasing metals from DRC. This will bring negative impacts to the economy and economic development of DRC.

After the act of Dodd-Frank was passed, companies are taking measures of reassuring the people they are pressing on matters of conflict minerals. For example, Intel as it goes on favoring mineral sourcing in DRC and other nations, it is the objective of the company to use  gold, tungsten, tin, and tantalum in their items which does not profit or finance the armed groups in DRC or the other countries.

The Conflict and Natural Resources

As seen earlier, DRC have a lot of natural resources. Over half of forest resources in Africa are situated in Democratic Republic of Congo, and more than half of the water resources in Africa flow through the nation. Additionally, there are 80 Million hectares arable land in DRC. Moreover, the country has a large biodiversity reservoir which is number 5 in the global level and in Africa it’s unique. Therefore, the natural resources of DRC are essential for Africa and to the whole universe.

As seen earlier, over 100 various minerals are found in Democratic Republic of Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo Overview. 2015).If DRC can manage the minerals they possess, it would benefit from the foreign trade.

Extraction of natural resources in a country can cause social development and economic growth. None the less, if the removal is handled badly, it can cause exploitation and conflict. DRC has a potential of experiencing economic growth, but natural resources exploitation and corruption are hindering the development. Since the natural resources of DRC is mishandled in the nation, exploitation and conflict continues.

Almost half of the cobalt produced and cobalt reserves in the world in DRC in 2012 covered 55% of universal production. More so, 64% of cobalt reserves in the world are situated in Democratic Republic of Congo. Tantalum metal is mined from coltan and generally used to manufacture capacitors that are required in electronic appliances, such as computers, tablets, game consoles, and cell phones.

Additionally, 20% of industrial diamonds in the world and 12% of tantalum are from DRC in 2012.DRC has biggest popular diamond resources in the universe in terms of carats .DRC participated in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which its aim was to finish the conflict in diamond trade, and to make sure that no conflict financed by trade in diamonds. The scheme did not accomplish the goal.

Additionally, DRC possesses oil too. Although the oil exploitation in DRC was not a target of the armed groups, the tensions concerning oil still exist between DRC and the two neighbouring nations, Uganda and Angola.

Universal use of coltan increased greatly in 200, where it was 38% from the previous year, due to electronics industry production. Minerals like tungsten, tin and tantalum are useful in manufacturing of laptops, tablets and smart phones, which are widely popular nowadays. The minerals are at last ingredients in the electronic appliances globally. This makes universal manufacturers of electronics who use these minerals from DRC in their commodities, part of the conflict.

Even if the natural resources of the country had a role in upholding conflict in DRC, they are however not the major contributor of the conflict. The UN Group of Experts on DRC experts confirmed that the rebel groups went ahead to making profits from the natural resources of DRC. For instance, the experts stated that exploitation of wildlife products like ivory and ivory trade, is a severe problem, which includes the rebel groups, Congolese army factors and local poachers. Additionally, some armed troops continue being engaged in minerals trade and thus conflict minerals might be a sequence in DRC and the neighbouring countries. Thus the struggle over natural resources assist in accelerating conflict in DRC and its avital sector of war crisis. Exploitation of natural resources of DRC is not limited to minerals plundering; it also includes other types of natural resources like the above wildlife products.

Local causes of conflicts include local social and political resentments, poverty, land struggle, corruption, among others. Countries which have got a lot of natural resources, never become more volatile or poor automatically because of the reality of having abundance resources. Indeed, the problem comes from the weak state of the country, which suppresses services and manufacturing development. The DRC state is weak and never succeeded in generation of growth on the sector of manufacturing or offering essential welfare for the citizens.

The conflict in DRC is a complicated one, but the resource curse theory suggests a resolution to DRC’s conflict: to abolish exploitation of the natural resources of the country. The country believes that natural resources are the main contributors of the conflict. Thus, the major conflict causes acknowledgement is neglected. Hence, the resource curse theory is not successful in comprehension of the fundamental causes of DRC’s conflict.

What so ever, the plundering of the natural resources of DRC has most certainly accelerated the conflict in DRC. Therefore natural resources sustain the conflict in that country.

Despite DRC having a lot of natural resources, its rate of poverty is too high .Additionally, its second last on the Human Development Index. (Democratic 2015). More so, it is estimated by UNEP that only about 26% Congolese can access safe water, and 9% only can access electricity. In addition to that, the country has almost 70% undernourishment rate and also has the greatest food insecurity level globally. This is a clear indication of how underdeveloped DRC is. Several of the Congolese do not benefit from their natural resources.

The economic liberalism theory claims that there is need for free market economy, which stimulates development and growth. Whatsoever, this development is  unachievable unless the DRC’s stability is accomplished .We can see that exploiting the natural resources of DRC by different actors hinders  the potentiality of the country  to succeed economically, and thus it hampers the utilization of natural resources of the country. Therefore, to enable DRC to grow economic growth, exploitation of natural resources should end. Whatsoever, this is challenging, since lack of due diligence and improper transparency, which still are being implemented.

Rebel groups and natural resources

As seen earlier, we have armed troops which cause chaos in eastern region of DRC currently. Some rebel groups continue being associated with illegitimate trade of minerals, and so conflict minerals may appear in supply chains in DRC and the neighboring nations. Exploitation of minerals in DRC is a method used by the armed troops to fund themselves. Mining is not the major aim of rebel groups, and if when the rebel group is not engaged in mining, it is one among several options of financing their activities. It is also argued that when natural resources for exploitation are not accessible, something else will instead be discovered. Therefore, mining is never the major goal of rebels in DRC. In fact, it means that for them to finance their activities by profits gotten from minerals. Hence, we can say that the causes of conflict is not natural resources.

Indeed, we have other methods that are used by rebels to fund their deeds, which excludes minerals. Other economic exploitation sources on top of conflict minerals.

CONCLUSSION

The aim of the dissertation was to look at the conflict in DRC through the natural resources in the country. The major concern is how this conflict in DRC is impacting the use of natural resources in DRC. Additionally, the analysis was to establish the function of international companies in fighting over conflict minerals in DRC. The economic liberalism theory was applied so that we can view the matter in an economic perspective.

The study in short has analyzed the current situation of DRC to see the conflict’s main causes. The causes are complex, but is significant to consider the major aspects which contribute to unstable condition in the nation. Various elements are related to the conflict in DRC: rebel groups, corrupt government and natural resources pillaging .The country’s situation is volatile. There is an evidence that exploiting the natural resources in the country is among the reasons why DRC is unstable.

The dissertation concludes that DRC’s conflict complicates the natural resources employment of the country, and hinders the economic development and prospects of the country. Thus, for DRC to experience growth and prosper, stability should be achieved in DRC.

More so, the economic liberalism theory shows how free trade could benefit the nation, if only there is establishment of legitimate trade. Smuggling and exploitation of the minerals of in the country is caused by the ever-lasting conflict, and hampers the natural resources use in DRC.

In the meantime, as DRC is underdeveloped in several aspects, the nation lacks proficiency and skills for managing itself. The state is very weak in providence of welfare and security for its citizens. Therefore, it cannot be independent, because it requires foreign equipment and expertise. More so, it requires aid to achieve effective results of balance, peace, and stability.

Additionally, the analysis concludes that the multinational companies have a critical role in the business of the minerals, since they push the suppliers to adhere standards that are free from conflicts. In case the multinational companies cease purchasing minerals from DRC, the economy of the country and millions of the people, who rely on artisanal mining, could suffer.

Moreover, concerning the conflict minerals transparency, electronic companies’ states that their goods may contain the conflict minerals. Insufficient transparency about the minerals has exaggerated conflict in DRC. Global corporations, therefore have a significant responsibility as mineral buyers from DRC.

Nevertheless, conflict causes in DRC are regional and conflict minerals is one among the many challenges that require solution. Thus sustainable stability in DRC cannot be brought by only focusing on how to end trade of conflict minerals.

Most people in DRC are very poor, and it is clear that the citizens of DRC are not benefiting from the riches of the country. Therefore, it is important that DRVC’s citizens could start gaining benefits from their country’s riches.

It is the good time the profits from natural resources of DRC be brought in the country and they get to use them. Additionally, openness should be increased on how the abundance mineral resources are being handled so as to make sure that those resources are going to benefit all the people who live in that country. With the many resources, DRC is capable of prospering economically.

The dissertation concludes that exploiting the natural resources of a country alleviates the conflict in DRC and is not the major cause of conflict. More so, the conflict have got negative impact to the natural resources use of the country, and is the main obstacle to economic development of a country. More so, international companies gain from the wealth of the mineral resources of DRC, and thus can put more pressure to their suppliers so that they adhere to the standards that are free from conflict.

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