Obama administration urged to take action on Congo’s “conflict minerals”

The Obama administration has been urged to take strong action to curb the trade in "conflict minerals" in estern Congo by Hollywood actress Ashley Judd, Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) and activist John Prendergast.

New regulations in the Wall Street Reform Act, required the Obama administration to develop a strategy by Jan. 17 to deal with the problems caused by the trade in eastern Congo's minerals which fund armed groups that commit human rights abuses. Washington insiders say that the strategy does not contain the critical ingredients for success: senior U.S. leadership in developing a minerals certification process, building on the lessons of similar efforts to end the trade in blood diamonds, sweatshop labor in the apparel sector, and illegally harvested timber. Another strategy needed is U.S. pressure to reform Congo’s security sector.

Ashley Judd said, "In my two visits to eastern Congo, I've seen the ravaging impact on communities — particularly in the form of shocking gender violence against women and girls — that the pursuit of mineral wealth creates. An international system certifying minerals as conflict-free would help break the link between rape and violence, and the mineral trade that powers our cell phones and laptops. Americans as both consumers and citizens of the wider world have a crucial opportunity to feel fantastic about U.S. playing a leading role in its creation."

Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) said, “The law passed in Congress on conflict minerals was an important first step, but I think the State Department should play a vital lead diplomatic role in convening companies and key governments together to hammer out an international certification process. Governments in the region have shown willingness to partner on the issue, but certification will need much more leadership from a senior U.S. level, if it is to succeed.”

“In response to the bloody wars in West Africa fueled by conflict diamonds, consumers demanded a change forcing governments and companies to find a solution. Heavy diplomatic and commercial pressure resulted in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and helped make peace in that part of the world,” said John Prendergast, Co-Founder of the Enough Project. “We want to replicate that strategy in Congo, filtering conflict minerals out of our cell phones and laptops. The only way to do that is to create a mineral certification process. And the only way we’ll get that is if the U.S. leads in its creation.”

Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, the Enough Project focuses on crises in Sudan, eastern Congo, and areas of Africa affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Enough’s strategy papers and briefings provide field analysis and targeted policy recommendations based on a “3P” crisis response strategy: promoting durable peace, providing civilian protection, and punishing perpetrators of atrocities. Enough works with concerned citizens, advocates, and policy makers to prevent, mitigate, and resolve these crises.