Is your Cell Phone a Murder Is your Cell Phone a Murder Weapon?Weapon?

The Case of Western Consumers vs. The Case of Western Consumers vs. the People of the Congothe People of the Congo

Research Presentation byResearch Presentation byMariam AbuhaideriMariam AbuhaideriUniversity of West GeorgiaUniversity of West Georgia

Abundance of Natural resources == Abundance of Natural resources == Prosperity and Peace Prosperity and Peace

The African Continent is blessed with abundant natural resources such as

Diamonds

Coltan

Petroleum and

Copper

Gold

Yet it is the West that experiences economic stability and growth while weak states in Africa are economically and politically deprived. (1)

5 W’s and 1 H5 W’s and 1 H

WhichWhich regions in particular are worst affected? regions in particular are worst affected?WhyWhy does this problem exist? does this problem exist?When When did the conflict start?did the conflict start?WhatWhat is the importance of these resources? is the importance of these resources?HowHow are weak states affected? are weak states affected?WhoWho is responsible for this global imbalance? is responsible for this global imbalance?

WHICH?WHICH?

Exploitation of Exploitation of Weak states like the DRCWeak states like the DRC

The region is blessed The region is blessed with abundant natural with abundant natural resources.resources.

Despite this, the people Despite this, the people of the Congo have been of the Congo have been driven deeper into driven deeper into poverty and poverty and vulnerability because of vulnerability because of regional wars, internal regional wars, internal conflict, environmental conflict, environmental degradation and degradation and disease (2) .disease (2) .

WHY?WHY?

Many people are familiar with Many people are familiar with “Blood Diamonds” but few know of “Blood Diamonds” but few know of

“Conflict Cell Phones”“Conflict Cell Phones”

International competition for scarce International competition for scarce resources in general, and for resources in general, and for coltancoltan in in particular, is a key factor in the lack of particular, is a key factor in the lack of stability and continuation of the war in the stability and continuation of the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC has 80 percent of world’s known DRC has 80 percent of world’s known coltan reserves. coltan reserves.

Although ethnic tensions existed prior to Although ethnic tensions existed prior to the war, escalation of the civil conflict is a the war, escalation of the civil conflict is a by-product of this trade. (3)by-product of this trade. (3)

When Did This Emerge?When Did This Emerge?

Conflict Origins and FutureConflict Origins and FutureThe current conflict in The DRC has roots in colonial history.The current conflict in The DRC has roots in colonial history.The history of the DRC is marked by exploitation, corruption and conflict.The history of the DRC is marked by exploitation, corruption and conflict.The UN organized a peacekeeping mission to control the civil strife in the The UN organized a peacekeeping mission to control the civil strife in the region since its independence from Belgium in 1960.region since its independence from Belgium in 1960.After a United Nations withdrawal, the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko ruled After a United Nations withdrawal, the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko ruled until he was overthrown in 1997 by President Laurent Kabila. He was until he was overthrown in 1997 by President Laurent Kabila. He was assassinated in 2001 and his son Joseph now rules as opposition militia assassinated in 2001 and his son Joseph now rules as opposition militia continue to threaten the state, making this a 46 year conflict. continue to threaten the state, making this a 46 year conflict. Historical rivalry between rebel groups from Rwanda and Uganda further Historical rivalry between rebel groups from Rwanda and Uganda further fueled the internal unrest in the Congo.(4) fueled the internal unrest in the Congo.(4) Currently the violence among opposed ethnic groups, political factions Currently the violence among opposed ethnic groups, political factions and regional states is fueled by imported modern weapons and financed and regional states is fueled by imported modern weapons and financed by the exploitation of the DRC’s natural resources. (5)by the exploitation of the DRC’s natural resources. (5)

What is driving this?What is driving this?

ColtanColtan

Columbite Columbite Columbite Tantalite

One of the many lucrative natural resources that is illegally mined and exported to industrialized regions for profit.

Once refined, this high heat-resistant mineral, is used as a key component in cell phones, PDA’s and laptop computers.

Mining and selling Coltan is not illegal.

Most worldwide supplies of tantalum come from legitimate mining operations in Australia, Canada, and Brazil

How are parts of the world linked?

The Link between the enduring war The Link between the enduring war in the Congo and Western in the Congo and Western

ConsumersConsumersTechnological boom in the west led to an increase in the demand for cell Technological boom in the west led to an increase in the demand for cell phones, computers and other gadgets.phones, computers and other gadgets.The DRC provided low cost coltan for the global market. (6) The DRC provided low cost coltan for the global market. (6) Affluent consumers and technology companies exploited the weak Affluent consumers and technology companies exploited the weak region.region.Militia in Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi clawed out much of the profit Militia in Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi clawed out much of the profit from the wealth generated from coltan to intensify the conflict by from the wealth generated from coltan to intensify the conflict by purchasing arms on the international market to further their movement’s purchasing arms on the international market to further their movement’s engagement with regional conflict. engagement with regional conflict. Profits do not benefit local people or development plans.Profits do not benefit local people or development plans.This has also had a devastating effect on the environment. (7)This has also had a devastating effect on the environment. (7)

Who are the people involved?Who are the people involved?

ResponsibilityResponsibility

Western Consumers?Western Consumers?High- tech Manufacturers?High- tech Manufacturers?Rebel groups of Rwanda, Rebel groups of Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi?Uganda, Burundi?Government of DRC?Government of DRC?Consumers in Developing Consumers in Developing Countries?Countries?

Is your Cell Phone a Murder Is your Cell Phone a Murder Weapon?Weapon?

Coltan is only one of the many resources which have fueled conflicts in the world. With growing demands for scarce resources from

emerging industrialized nations, there is no saying what turn the world will take.

Be Informed about your purchases

Research companies

It is your responsibility to make certain that you are clean of all blood and charges

Picture ReferencesPicture ReferencesSlide 1 Slide 1

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Personal Picture by Mariam AbuhaideriPersonal Picture by Mariam Abuhaideri

Research ReferencesResearch References

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4. “Congo: History of a Troubled Land.”4. “Congo: History of a Troubled Land.” CNN.com CNN.com. 17 Jan. 2001. 12 Feb. 2008 . 17 Jan. 2001. 12 Feb. 2008 <http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/africa/01/17/congo.timeline/index.html>.<http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/africa/01/17/congo.timeline/index.html>.

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7.7. United Nations. Security Council. United Nations. Security Council. SC/7057 Following Day-Long Debate, SC/7057 Following Day-Long Debate, Presidentail Statement Notes Terrible Toll Conflict is Taking PlacePresidentail Statement Notes Terrible Toll Conflict is Taking Place. 2001. . 2001.