CONGO NEEDS OUR PRAYERS - AND ACTION

Focus Congo activist Pappy Orion has made a heartfelt appeal for people to pray for DRC, and to help however possible. His message was posted on Thursday, as M23 rebels seized control of Sake town near the provincial capital Goma in mineral-rich North Kivu, sealing off the last viable escape route from the 2-million strong city.

As Pappy points out, Congo is suffering due to a new tech boom, driven by electric mobility and smart devices, which rely on Congolese minerals such as coltan and cobalt. The DRC is believed to hold an astonishing $24 trillion in untapped mineral resources, attracting the interest of powerful outside forces, eager to exploit these assets.

DRC’s 30-year resource war involves over 120 militias and armed groups, some of which are reportedly backed by foreign governments. For example, a UN report recently said there was convincing evidence that neighbouring Rwanda is arming and supporting the M23.

Approximately 6-million Congolese lives have been lost, with more than 7 million displaced internally, and countless women and girls suffering from sexual violence.

Judging by the latest developments on the battlefield, more dark days are ahead.

Video credit: @pappyorion (Instagram)

Sources:

https://trtafrika.com/news/dollar24-trillion-deposits

https://hcss.nl/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/HCSS_21_05_13_Coltan_Congo_Conflict_web.pdf

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53017188

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/belgian-king-establishes-congo-free-state/

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/05/tech/big-tech-child-labor-congo-lawsuit/index.html