Congo’s government is questioning Apple about the use of “blood minerals” from conflict zones in the country that might be smuggled into its supply chains. The government has demanded answers within three weeks and has raised concerns about human rights violations related to minerals extracted from mines in the troubled east of Congo. Over 100 armed rebel groups operate in the region, and some have been accused of massacring civilians.
The lawyers representing Congo have written to Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, and its French subsidiary, expressing their concerns. They have challenged Apple to demonstrate how it monitors its supply chains in a region where grave violations of human rights are occurring. The lawyers believe that Apple’s products, such as iPhones and Mac computers, rely on supply chains tainted by the blood of the Congolese people due to the opaque nature of the sourcing.
Eastern Congo is a mineral-rich region but is also facing a humanitarian disaster due to fighting between armed groups for control of mines and valuable minerals. Millions of people have been displaced, and the violence has escalated in recent months. Apple, with a market value of $2.6 trillion, has denied using minerals from conflict areas and insists that it sources minerals ethically and responsibly. The lawyers for the Congo government argue that Apple’s claims are not based on verifiable evidence.
The Congo government suspects that tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold sourced by Apple from suppliers are smuggled out of the country to Rwanda and then enter the global supply chain. These minerals are essential components of electronics. Apple has stated that its due diligence efforts show no evidence of financing armed groups in the region. The government is seeking clarification on the sources of supply for major technology companies like Apple to verify if they are acquiring minerals produced under illegal conditions.
The Congo government spokesperson has emphasized the toll that illegal mining has taken on the Congolese people over the past three decades. They are seeking clarity on Apple’s mineral sourcing practices to prevent the acquisition of minerals produced in illegal conditions. The government accuses Rwanda of financing armed rebel groups in eastern Congo to extract minerals illegally, although Rwanda denies these allegations. Tensions between the countries are escalating, with groups like M23 regularly carrying out attacks on civilians.
The Congo government’s lawyers have quoted a report by Global Witness suggesting that Apple has not implemented significant measures to avoid using smuggled minerals. They are now seeking redress against “end-users of blood minerals” globally, including Apple. The lawyers have requested Apple to respond to questions about its supply chain controls within three weeks and have prepared a report on the laundering of Congo’s minerals by Rwanda and private entities. Legal measures against Apple are being considered by the Congo government based on Apple’s responses.
