How Conflict Minerals Trade Threatens Communities in Eastern Congo
After more than a decade of conflict in Congo, fueled by the illegal trade in conflict minerals, new U.S. regulations governing the trade are supposed to take effect in April. But industry trade groups claim this is too fast, so they are pushing for a delay in fully implementing the regulations. They raise the specter of a de facto trade embargo in the region if companies can't comply, which would cause communities in eastern Congo to suffer. But if the past 10 years are any indication, it is clear that the extractive companies, electronics industry, and regional governments are not ...