‘Peace in Congo is all we can ask for’: DRC minister urges international action to end conflict

Speaking to Global South World during her attendance at the Crans Montana Forum in Geneva, Mwavita highlighted the devastating impact of foreign troop presence, particularly Rwandan forces, and the plundering of Congo’s mineral resources. She described the situation as a “terrible genocide” and urged the global community to act decisively. 

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that the Rwandan army and the M23 rebel group have been launching attacks on camps close to Goma in eastern DRC throughout 2024. The Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and allied militias have heightened the risk for displaced people in camps by stationing artillery nearby, according to the organisation, both factions have been involved in killing and raping camp residents, disrupting aid delivery, and committing various abuses.

“There are around 7 million internally displaced persons who lack access to water, electricity, and shelter. This is deplorable,” Mwavita stated, emphasising the scale of the crisis.

She also stressed the need for international support to ensure peace and punish companies involved in the illegal trade of “blood minerals.” She questioned why economic considerations often take precedence over human rights, asking, “Why is human consideration put aside in favour of economic consideration?”  

In April, the DRC  accused tech giant Apple of using unethically sourced minerals from the country in the manufacturing of the company's products. They expressed concerns that Apple's supply chain may be tainted by "blood minerals" obtained through unethical mining practices in the DRC.

President Felix Tshisekedi, appointed London-based law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP to represent the DRC in litigation concerning individuals and companies involved in the extraction, supply, and commercialisation of natural resources and minerals pillaged from the country.

The DRC possesses abundant reserves of tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold, commonly known as 3T or 3TG, all of which are essential for manufacturing smartphones and various electronic devices. The legal team representing the DRC submitted an official notice to Apple, which included inquiries regarding the "3T minerals utilised in Apple products."

Children are among the most affected by the DRC conflict, with many recruited into armed groups and then reportedly forced into child labour in the artisanal mining sector. To combat this, the Minister noted that the government has implemented a policy of free education, aimed at providing vulnerable children with opportunities and reducing their risk of exploitation. “Child soldiers are often street children who cannot afford to go to school,” Mwavita explained.  

In June, the testimony of a former child soldier revealed that as a result of the conflict, children in the DRC are sometimes abducted and forced to join armed groups. In the case of this 16-year-old whose identity was kept hidden, he was forced into an armed group while on his way to school.

Efforts to improve basic infrastructure and human rights were also highlighted. While the nation holds 13% of the world's potential in hydropower, mostly from the Congo River. About 80% of DRC’s population lacks access to electricity.

According to the Human Rights Minister, the government is constructing roads and hydroelectric dams to address this problem. “The right to electricity is also a fundamental right,” Mwavita stated, linking infrastructure development to human rights and national progress.  

Amidst the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis, the DRC has made strides in female representation in government. Following the resignation of Sama Lukonde as Prime Minister earlier this year, President Félix Tshisekedi appointed Judith Suminwa as his successor—the first female to occupy the position.

Mwavita pointed out that women now hold 31% of positions in the government, praising the leadership of President Tshisekedi, who has been recognised as a “champion of positive masculinity.” 

The Minister also called for transitional justice to address the violence suffered by Congolese communities and compensate victims of war. She advocated for the establishment of a criminal court for the DRC to combat impunity and deliver justice. “The promotion of human rights is one of the foundations of peace and humanity,” Mwavita said, affirming the DRC government’s commitment to these principles.  

Mwavita concluded with a plea to the international community, urging countries and organisations to take more than symbolic actions. “We are asking the international community to do even more, not to limit itself to denunciation but to sanction and take a stand,” she stated. For the Congolese people, she emphasised, the priority remains clear: “Peace in Congo is all we can ask for.”

Watch the full interview here: