DRC: Legal action against Apple to protect its resources
Apple is accused of using minerals from illegal mines. These minerals, obtained illicitly and violating human rights, are extracted from DRC mines before being transported and laundered mainly through Rwanda.
The Congolese government has initiated legal action against the American multinational. Apple’s use of these minerals in its products such as iPhones and Mac computers is accused of perpetuating conflicts and human rights violations in the DRC. The accusation focuses on the importation of strategic minerals, such as tin and tantalum, from Rwanda.
Information suggests that these minerals are initially illegally extracted in the DRC, then transit through Rwanda where they are incorporated into global supply chains, making Apple complicit in illegal exploitation, according to Congolese lawyers.
The legal action taken by the Congolese state against the American multinational Apple is a courageous and essential step to address harmful practices fueling conflicts and human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
By supporting this initiative, the DRC sends a strong message, asserting its determination to protect its natural resources and ensure respect for human rights within its territory.
Indeed, the consequences of illegal mining in eastern DRC are devastating, both on a humanitarian and environmental level. Local populations are often the first victims of these activities, facing violence from armed groups and abusive exploitation of their lands.
By taking firm action against Apple, the DRC demonstrates its commitment to ending these harmful practices and promoting responsible and ethical mining.
