This is the first time that tech-industry companies have jointly faced legal action over the source of cobalt which they use to power smartphones, laptops and electric cars. Extraction of cobalt in DRC is a case of gross human rights violations, child labour, corruption, environmental degradation and violation of labour rights. Unfortunately young children as young as 6 years are made to dig for cobalt with primitive tools in dark underground tunnels. More than 60% of the worlds cobalt comes originates from DRC and we expect respect for human rights by all western and eastern multinational companies exploiting mineral resources in DRC.
This is a real test for America in regard to upholding human rights as they appointed themselves the world prefect who monitors every other country under the sun. Apple, google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla are five of the richest companies in the world producing some of the world's fanciest gadgets which benefit America's economy, American people & America's government through taxes. By virtue of being a country that sanctions other countries for human rights abuses, the judgement of this case will show the true position of America in regard to their sincerity to protect human rights globally. Anyone who own gadgets from these 5 companies is an indirect supporter of child labour and gross human rights violations of Congolese children. I applaud International Rights Advocates for taking the stand to ensure justice for these vulnerable children. It remains to be seen whether America is a champion of justice in the world or an ally of modern day slavery. I hope for justice and the end of child labour and slavery in DRC and Africa as a whole.
The case filed in the US Court appears to be symbolic as it only claims only compensation for children working in Congolese mines. However, mining by these Chinese and Western companies causes considerable health problems and environmental damage and economic deprivation. Forced labour is the order of the day to ensure unjust enrichment. The Congolese are made to work in substandard mining conditions which do not even meet the ISO regulations. There is negligent supervision and intentional infliction of emotional distress. What is truly depressing is the silence of African leaders in the face of modern day slavery in DRC and the continued exploitation of mineral resources in this mineral rich SADC country.
These issues can only be addressed by punishing these five companies to ensure infrastructural development in DRC inline with sustainable development goals. Asking them to play their part in social responsibility is an oxymoron as their interest is just in capitalism and maintaining their wealth Glencore, other western & chinese companies that are mining cobalt in DRC should build schools that will educate the children that they have been abusing in form of child labour which includes digging for cobalt rocks with primitive tools in dark underground tunnels exposing them to life changing injuries, broken backs and in most cases death from tunnels that collapse. They should build hospitals and compensate all the injuries the congolese children incurred. The ISO standards are just not for western countries or eastern countries they are standards that should be complied to by every company in the mining industry. There is need to ensure that the cobalt mines comply with world standards in terms of safety and protection of the workers. Anyone who is a victim of labour related injuries should be assisted with all health requirements by the mining companies & the direct beneficiaries of the cobalt which are the 5 tech companies. Economic deprivation is what has caused child labour in DRC, if these children are empowered and ILO ensures that all mining operations in DRC are not abusing children it will be a step in the right direction to ending child labour.
Africa should speak in one voice in regards to stopping the looting and plundering of Africas resource with no benefit at all for the native Africans. What these companies are doing to children in DRC they would never do to their own children. African children are not lesser human beings. No Chinese or western country will destroy their own resources and Africa can surely stop environmental degradation if we unite and stop the looting by these companies.
The political elite in the DRC has not raised concrete objections against exploitation by Western countries which is a clear sign that they are accomplices in crimes against their own people.
Such a stance remains questionable with regards to the government of DRC. Exploitation elements are very clear but why does it remain a low tone subject? African politics has been characterised by egocentric attitudes and behaviour. The capturing of a few individuals can cause the entire nation to suffer. DRC needs to be clear on such aspects in order to protect issues of national interests. Authorities in DRC should be bold in making sure that DRC is not subjected to exploitation.
The DRC is currently an economic disaster, supposing the case is won what will be the way forward for the children? Is there a plan to handle their economic plight?
American companies are part of the problem yet the case is sent to an American court. Wishing success is just a pipe dream. Can an American court rule against an American economic life line. Or maybe it's just a ploy by Americans to redefine their presence in and economic relations with the DRC.
The DRC has been plagued by devastating wars for many years, which shows that there is a relationship between the wars and the plundering of the country's mineral resources by Western multinational companies.
DRC has been in continuous civil wars and civil unrest due to the the interference by the worlds super powers whose interests are to plunder, exploit the DRC natural resources. DRC is one of the richest countries in copper, diamonds, uranium,tin, tantalum, gold, Colton, Cobalt but the natives are living a miserable life due to political upheavals caused by the Western countries so that they get an opportune time to loot the natural resources under the guise of Peace keeping and reconstruction. Eg Iraq, Libya.
Natural resource wars are a character of human history not only in the DRC. as with the rest of the world. The West sponsor instability in areas they intend to exploit local resources at no cost. The citizens of those unfortunate who perish or suffer are regarded as collateral damage. It's sad that Congolese perish for their natural resources which they have never enjoyed.
It is tritte to note that these super powers create and sponsor opposition puppet parties so as to create political conflict which eventually degenerates into upheavals or civil wars. They don't do this where there no economic benefit. In other words they apply cost benefit analysis before they engage in interference of internal affairs of sovereign countries They are doing it as well in Zimbabwe. They did in it Rwanda which culminated into the famous Rwandan genocide.
With 18,000 troops, the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo is the largest in the world, and it has been in Congo for 20 years without restoring peace. The contentious question would be, "Why has the UN failed to restore peace in the DRC despite such a massive presence?"
The Objective of the presence of the UN peace keeping mission in the DRC is not to bring about peace in the DRC but to bring peace in the areas where resources are being extracted. They are there to guarantee maximum yield of the exploitation. Besides the said UN forces are paid by the loot from the DRC.
Soldiers may only use force in self defense or when helping to evacuate foreigners thereby fully incapacitating the soldiers in a real peacekeeping mission. This solely means that they're deployed to simply guarantee safety of foreigners and themselves not to do away with war.
This year marks the 59th anniversary of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba by the CIA. He was eliminated so that the wests agenda of renewed plundering of post-Independence Congo would be successful.
Lumumba was removed for refusing to play ball. Mobutu was a better partner in Western terms. He was greedy and corruptible. He was easy to manipulate and control. Once the corruption virus had been deployed in the DRC politics it was easy to sustain.
Patrice Emery Lumumba's assassination can be likened to the overthrow Salvador Allende of Chile by the very same CIA. In the case of Chile Allende believed that Chile's resources were supposed to benefit Chile's citizens opposing the CIA & corporate world's perception dat American companies must be given contracts to go exploit the country's resources just like Lumumba believed in the same about the Congolese. In Chile Allende was replaced by General Pinochet a puppet friend of the Corporate World & CIA to enable looting.
It is time that Africa unites and protect its minerals from the imperialists. Africa has been digressing in terms of development over the past three decades which is a real cause of concern for the next generation. What will it take for us to realize that we are one people who should protect our sovereignty as African people? The artificial borders that the colonialists put in Africa do not define who we are and we have no business getting into bed with the west and east who do not care about our children and future generations to come. Africa does not need aid from any country outside Africa. Wake up Africa and take charge of your destiny.
Linda Tsungirirai Masarira
LEAD President
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