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Learning Center  Conflict Diamonds in Africa Conflict Diamonds in the DR Congo
Conflict Diamonds | Conflict Diamonds in the DR Congo | Formerly known as the Belgian Congo, and then Zaire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) is located in Central Africa. It is actually the largest country in all of Africa. Much like its neighbors, it has had more than its share of civil war, violence, and strife. As with the rest of Africa, the DR Congo is home to vast natural resources in the form of cobalt, copper, petroleum, and of course, diamonds. If you ask the average citizen of the DR Congo, they probably wouldn’t be able to make up their minds whether the diamonds are a blessing or a curse.
Ever since its independence from Belgium in 1960, the people of the DR Congo have never really experienced true freedom. This is largely due to the civil wars that have continued to tear the country apart. Right in the center of all this action are the diamonds. As with the neighboring African countries, the diamonds have been linked with the continuous wars and violence throughout the DR Congo.
Though there exists a legal diamond industry within the DR Congo, rebel forces still control many of the diamond rich areas. The diamonds mined by the rebels are then smuggled out of the country and sold to the international market as rough diamonds. Here, Western companies play a large role as they are the main buyers of the uncut diamonds. Even within the legal diamond trade in the DR Congo, the West plays a key role as there are no facilities within the country to cut and finish their rough diamonds. Thus it makes it easier for the conflict diamonds to find their way to the international market despite the sanctions that the international community has imposed.
Why are the rebel groups so intent on gaining control of the diamond rich areas? As with most things in life, money is the reason. The diamonds themselves are worthless to these rebels. What they are really after is the cash that the blood diamonds can give them. With cash, they can purchase all the weapons and ammunition they need. They can continue with their war activities with the funds received from blood diamond sales.
Realizing the suffering that these practices bring, the government has cooperated with the international community in an attempt to stop the trade of illegal diamonds. However, reality can be different in different places. Amnesty International claims that though in the capital there is confidence as to the measures against blood diamonds, there is a harsh contrast in areas such as Mbuji-Mayi and other diamond mining areas. Even children are not spared from violence in such areas. All this is happening in the name of the blood diamonds.
It is a sad fact that despite the attempts of different sectors to put a stop to this trade, violations still occur. Concerned groups call for stricter sanctions and the acknowledgement of the individual governments involved regarding abuses and the illegal trade. Perhaps it is time for more than lip service when it comes to blood diamonds. It is time to wash the blood off these resources.
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