Missionaries warn of new Congo war, say minerals at root of Congo’s ‘silent genocide’

November 10, 2009

Speaking at a conference held at the Italian Senate, three missionaries serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo say that the “silent genocide” that has claimed the lives of 5.4 million people there has not been caused by ethnic conflicts but by a fight to control valuable mineral resources. “It all boils down to uranium, coltan, nickel; these are the real causes of the conflict.” To prevent violent armed groups from profiting from these minerals, some Italian lawmakers are considering introducing a measure that would determine the origin of minerals used by European companies.

Last year, the Congolese bishops used the term “silent genocide” to draw international attention to the magnitude of the loss of life taking place there.

 

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Further information:

• Determining the origin of Congolese minerals to prevent financing war in eastern DRC discussed at conference with three missionaries (Fides)
• ‘Untold rebel terror’ in Democratic Republic of the Congo as silent genocide continues (CWN, 10/16/2009)