The Congo Crisis

How Forced Labour and Modern Slavery Fuel Western Profits

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a country rich in natural resources like cobalt, gold, and diamonds. These minerals are essential for everyday items such as smartphones, laptops, and electric cars. Unfortunately, instead of bringing prosperity to the people of Congo, this wealth has led to long-lasting conflict, poverty, and exploitation.

In Congo, many armed groups fight over control of these valuable resources. There are over 100 groups, including militias and rebel groups, that battle each other for power. This constant fighting has led to a great deal of violence and suffering among the local population. Rather than using the wealth from its resources to help its people, the DRC’s riches have become a major reason for ongoing bloodshed and hardship.

A major problem in the DRC is the use of forced labour in the mines. Workers, including children, are often forced to work in dangerous conditions for very little pay. This forced labour is a form of modern slavery because people have no real choice but to work under harsh conditions just to survive. While the workers face long hours, unsafe environments, and meagre wages, the benefits of their hard work rarely reach their own communities.

Big companies in the Western world depend on these minerals to make their products. Companies such as Apple, Tesla, and Samsung make huge profits from the electronics and vehicles that use Congo’s raw materials. However, the wealth produced from this labour does not help the local people. Instead, the profits line the pockets of international corporations while the workers continue to suffer in unsafe mines. This imbalance shows that the wealth extracted from Congo is used to fuel further conflict and poverty rather than improving lives.

For many years, the Congo crisis did not get much attention in the mainstream media. News outlets often focused on events in Europe or the Middle East instead. Recently, however, independent journalists and social media have started to share the real story of Congo. Videos and personal stories from local people are now revealing the harsh reality of forced labor and ongoing violence, bringing much-needed attention to the crisis.

As students, it is important to understand how our everyday lives are connected to what happens in Congo. Every time we use a smartphone or drive an electric car; we are indirectly linked to the struggles of the Congolese people. Our choices as consumers can

drive demand for more ethical practices, and we can use our voices to push for better treatment of workers in the DRC.

In the end, the Congo crisis reminds us that natural wealth should benefit the people who live in a country, not be used to fuel conflict and exploit workers. We must ask ourselves if we are willing to ignore the suffering behind the products we use every day. It is time to bring more attention to this hidden crisis and work towards a future where human rights are respected, and every worker is treated with dignity.

Let’s use our voices to call for change and help build a world where wealth does not come at the cost of human lives.