In this Open Letter, 31 experts, former ambassadors, and Congolese civil society leaders provide an update on the efforts to end the conflict minerals trade funding armed groups in eastern Congo, take note of remaining challenges, and suggest strategies for achieving solutions toward lasting peace.
It is time for another broader push for reform on conflict minerals and natural resource governance in order to complement the Dodd-Frank legislation and deepen related minerals reforms. Dodd-Frank has been the primary driver of corporate and regional policy change on conflict minerals, creating a market incentive for reform of the exploitative patterns of mining in Congo. However, by itself it is incomplete, and it must be built upon with deeper reforms to speed up the development of a responsible minerals trade that improves the livelihoods of eastern Congo’s population. The reform agenda should include more robust regional and corporate reforms, as well as alternative livelihood programs and full implementation of the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework in close consultation with Congolese and regional stakeholders. The September 9 Open Letter on conflict minerals is a thoughtful piece that offers many helpful recommendations that should be fully considered. However, the letter also lacks important context and supportive evidence for several of its core assertions…
Signed,
Abbey Bahala Jean Bosco
Former General Rapporteur of Goma Peace Process (Kinshasa, DRC)
Dominique Bikaba
Executive Director, Strong Roots Congo (Bukavu, DRC)
Amb. Bill Garvelink
Former US Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (USA)
Bahati Jaques
Policy Analyst and Human Rights Defender, Africa Faith and Justice Network (USA)
Paul Freedman
Independent Filmmaker (USA)
Bennett Freeman
Senior Vice President, Sustainability Research and Policy, Calvert Investments, Inc. (USA)
Michael Jeser
Executive Director, Jewish World Watch (USA)
Patricia Jurewicz
Director, Responsible Sourcing Network (USA)
Jeredy Malonga
Vice-Chairman, Research Center on Environment, Democracy and Human Rights (CREDDHO) (Goma, DRC)
Justine Masika
Chairwoman, Women's Synergy for Sexual Violence Victims (SFVS) (Goma, DRC)
Noé Kabano
Vice-Chairman, SOS Africa (Goma, DRC)
Caleb Kabanda
Independent Journalist (Goma, DRC)
Lawyer Omar Kavota
National Vice-Chairman of the Research Center for Peace et Human Rights (CEPADHO) (Beni, DRC)
Fidel Bafilemba, Holly Dranginis, Sasha Lezhnev, John Prendergast
Enough Project (Goma, DRC and USA)
Christian Kilundu
Independent Journalist (Goma, DRC)
Wynnette LaBrosse
President and Director, Open Square Charitable Gift Fund (USA)
Dan McCabe
Filmmaker (USA)
Mireille Muhigwa
Executive Director, Strong Women DRC (Bukavu, DRC)
Janvier Murairi
Coordinator, Development Group of Peasant Initiatives (ASSODIP) (Goma, DRC)
Chrispin Mvano (Coordinator, Africa Justice Peace & Development (AJPD) (Goma, DRC)
Jean-Robert Mweze (Research Geologist, Centre de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (CRGM DRC) (Bukavu, DRC)
Neema Namadamu
Founder, Maman Shujaa of Congo (Bukavu, DRC)
Georges Nzabanita
Founder, Peacebuilding Initiative for a Sustainable Development in Eastern Congo (PISDEC) (Rutshuru, DRC)
Mike Ramsdell
Independent Filmmaker (USA)
Horeb Shindano
Freelance Reporter (Goma, DRC)
Charlotte Simon
Coordinator, Mothers of Congo (UK)
Karen Stauss
Director of Programs, Free the Slaves (USA)
Toby Whitney
Former Congressional Legislative Director (USA