Environment, Development and Sustainable Peace: Finding Paths to Environmental Peacemaking.

COLTAN EXPLOITATION IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF

CONGO.

By John Katunga Murhula.

AFRICA AND DRC.

What is Coltan?

Coltan is an abbreviation for colombite-tantalite, a mineral from which the precious metals Tantalum (Ta) and Colombium (Cb), also known as Niobium (Nb), are extracted.

QUALITIES OF COLTAN

COLTANoffers approximately the same corrosion resistance to most acids and caustics as glass.can be fabricated by bending, roll forming, and welding with relative ease by personnel experienced with the metal.ductility and density have made it popular with the military for armour penetration.density and nuclear stability make it a valuable material for containers of radioactive elements

WHAT USE FOR COLTAN?

The electronics industry consumes the majority of tantalum produced (approximately 60%) for capacitors.

Tantalum can be used to fabricate valves for corrosive liquids and to manufacture heaters for acids and heat shields for rocket motors.

It is also used as a component of ion implanters in the manufacture of semiconductors.

USE FOR COLTAN1

it is used for radiation shielding.

in the fabrication of corrosion resistant process equipment including reaction vessels, columns, bayonet heaters, shell and tube heat exchangers, U-tubes, thermowells, spargers, rupture diaphragms, and orifices.”

The main attraction of tantalum recently has been in the construction of capacitors in mobile phones.

CONSEQUENCES OF ILLEGAL EXPLOITATION OF

COLTAN

Greatly contributed to the death of 3.5 millions of Congolese for the last 4 years!Generalized and permanent insecurity.Continued violent conflicts and tensions between states in the region (Burundi, D.R. Congo, Rwanda and Uganda)

CONSEQUENCES2

Exacerbation of existing community/ ethnic conflicts and creation of new ones.

Land expropriations

Forced displacement of populations

Forced labor

Intimidations

Proliferation of armed groups and arms trafficking

CONSEQUENCES3

Neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda looting Congolese resources

Undue enrichment of political and armed groups leaders

Increased poverty of the majority of people.

CONSEQUENCES4

Ecocide: massive destruction of former grazing land

hills and valleys have been turned into giant craters

rivers and streams were diverted

Endangered species decimatedMountain Elephants

Gorillas (silver back)

Chimpanzees

Hippopotamus

Parrots

Etc.

RESPONSES

UN

INTERNATIONAL NGOS

GOVERNMENTS

LOCAL NGOS AND RESEARCHES

RELIGIOUS GROUPS

COMMUNITIES

RESULTS

SOME MULTINATIONALS HAVE CEISED TO OPENLY OPERATE

SOME GOVERNMENTS HAVE PLEDGED TO INVESTIGATE THEIR COMPANIES

PRICES HAVE GONE DOWN

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EXPLOITATION CONTINUES UNABATED

THE CASSITERITE HAS NOW BECOME STRATEGIC.

RECOMMENDATIONSTO DONOR AGENCIES, INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND

GOVERNMENTS.

PRIORITY 1

SUPPORT THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A STRONG, CENTRAL AND DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

PRIORITY 11

In control over all the national territory.

In control of the natural resources.

Reestablish a criminal justice capacity

Unifying of all armed forces

Demobilisation of former combatants

Disarmament and reinsertion of armed groups.

PRIORITY 12

Establish at national a special commission on the use of revenue collected from coltan and other minerals

The composition of such commission should include the Communities’ representatives. (area members of the parliament, traditional leaders and representatives of women, youth and other marginalised groups.)

PRIORITY 13

Establish a special inter-parliamentary commission to revisit all the contracts signed by previous governments and renegotiate the terms of reference where of unfairness is evidenced.

The composition of such commission should benefit from the assistance of consultants from the world bank or other specialised international institutions.

PRIORITY 2

SUPPORT A NEGOTIATED REGIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION PRIMARILY TARGETING THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES: BURUNDI, RWANDA, UGANDA, KENYA, TANZANIA, ZAMBIA AND SUDAN.The ongoing preparation of the great lakes region conference on peace and security could one of the places to start developing this framework.

PRIORITY 21

The objectives of such framework will include signing protocols on:

Common security (security for all)Economic integration including common resources management.Environmental protection.People’s integration.

A monitoring system (e.g. peer review mechanism) should be put into place assisted by au, un and eu representatives.

PRIORITY 3

COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLE DIALOGUE, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION

PRIORITY 31

At regional, national and local levels

Establishment of joint systematic mechanisms to improve community relationships

Device appropriate restorative justice and reconciliation processes.

E.g. Make the minerals exploitation a joint community effort through Cooperatives.

PRERIQUISITES

DONOR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT FOR MASSIVE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

LEADERS ARE LEGITIMATE AND (DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED) IN THE REGION.

THE PREVAILING PHENOMENON OF ARMS MADE LEADERSHIP IN THE REGION IS DISCOURAGED.

STOP THE FLOW OF ARMS INTO THE REGION AND THE CONTROL OF THE GLOBAL MERCENARISM.

CONTROL OF THE CRIMINALISATION OF MINERALS EXPLOITATION BY PREDATORY MULTINATIONALS AND OTHERS. (E.G. Internationally agreed upon minimum standards and regulations.)

RELEVANT CIVIL SOCIETY MEMBERS PARTICIPATION SHOUD BE GUARANTEED AT ALL LEVELS OF NEGOTIATIONS AND DECISION-MAKING.

LESSONS1

1. International intervention is more effective when a determined and committed country/organization takes the lead in the collective effort.

1. The French-led EU “Artemis” operation in Bunia stopped another possible genocide in June 2003 in eastern DRC.

2. The South African leadership in Burundi and the DRC has brought significant progress in the peace process.

3. The leadership of Nigeria is the sierra Leone, Liberia and Sao tome et Principe contributed to the return of normalcy in these countries.

The regulation/control of criminal and predatory exploitation of strategic minerals will only succeed if collective efforts are coordinated/led by a determined and committed country or organization.

LESSONS2

2. RECONSTRUCTING THE STATE APPARATUS IS KEY TO STABILITY IN THE REGION.

3. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ECOSYSTEM IN ONE COUNTRY WILL AFFECT THE REST OF COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

Ecology has no political boundaries—global ubuntuism.

3. NO LASTING SOLUTION UNLESS IT IS REGIONALLY NEGOTIATED.

No single country will enjoy lasting peace in isolation of others in the region.

DEAR ALL

THE PEOPLE OF GREAT LAKES REGION OF AFRICA THANK YOU!