The M23 rebel group in eastern Congo has seized control of the Rubaya mining area, generating an estimated $300,000 monthly from its rich mineral deposits. This revelation comes from Bintou Keita, head of the United Nations mission in Congo, who addressed the Security Council on the matter. The area, known for its tantalum reserves, supplies over 15% of the world’s demand for this rare metal, crucial in the production of smartphones and computers.
The situation has drawn international attention, with Congo’s government questioning tech giants like Apple about potential “blood minerals” in their supply chains. The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, involving more than 120 armed groups vying for power, land, and valuable resources. The violence has displaced approximately 6 million people in the region.
The M23, primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, has a history of significant offensives, including the 2012 capture of Goma. Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 and committing war crimes, a claim Rwanda denies despite admitting to having troops in the area for security reasons. United Nations experts estimate that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan forces are deployed alongside M23 in eastern Congo.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with a regional court in East Africa recently opening proceedings in a case filed by Congo against Rwanda. As the conflict persists, calls for international sanctions against those profiting from the illegal mineral trade grow stronger, with hopes that such actions could pave the way for peace in the region.