More than 15 million people have so far perished in the race for strategic minerals taking place in the Eastern Congo. This silent, untold and unacknowledged genocide is being commemorated each year on 3rd August under the name GENOCOS, which stands for GENOCIDE for minerals COST ~ Joseph Kalala Mulamba
At the peak of global discussions on strategic raw materials, into which Serbia has also been drawn, the Democratic Republic of the Congo utilised a poster at the entrance to its embassy building in Belgrade to illustrate its stance on the issue. Interested passersby could read the message stating that, in this African country, “children are killed so you can have new mobile phones”.
Speaking in this CorD Magazine interview, the DRC ambassador discusses the conflicts being fought over strategic materials in the eastern parts of his country, as well as the struggle of African countries to take back full control over their own natural resources.
Your Excellency, how would you assess the level of bilateral relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Serbia; and where do you see key areas for potential progress?
— Relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Serbia have been excellent to date. Our two countries maintain historical and fraternal relations, characterised by bilateral cooperation, mutual trust and understanding, consultation and reciprocal support in international forums. That is to say that we have close collaboration in various areas, notably in the political and diplomatic, defence and security, and culture and education domains.
At the political and diplomatic levels, regular high-level visits have been organised by our respective authorities. The two countries have signed cooperation agreements in various areas. A number of Congolese students are completing their higher education courses at universities in Serbia, thanks to scholarships provided by the Serbian government.
Nevertheless, key areas for potential progress – particularly in trade and commerce – have yet to be fully realised. The goods exchange level is very low, despite the willingness of the two countries’ leaders to improve trends. However, considering that some of the existing cooperation agreements were signed during the time of the former Yugoslavia, there is a genuine need for these accords to be updated and reassessed in order to ensure their effective implementation.
Speaking in Serbia, you have reiterated your country’s firm stance on nonrecognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. At a time when there are frequent calls from important global players for Kosovo’s statehood to be recognised, what form the basis for the DRC’s position?
— Respect for the Republic of Serbia’s territorial integrity stems from respect for the United Nations Charter and various UN resolutions aimed at maintaining peace and international security.
As part of its peacekeeping mission, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1244 that recognises Kosovo as an autonomous province of the Republic of Serbia. However, to everyone’s surprise, Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from the Republic of Serbia, ignoring all relevant international legal instruments.
Thus, as a member of the United Nations and being respectful of international law, the DRC could only disapprove of this unilateral decision taken by Kosovo and support the Republic of Serbia in its sovereignty and integrity.
What’s more, as I said earlier, the DRC and the Republic of Serbia enjoy historical relations of brotherhood. Brothers never betray each other, but rather support each other and share opinions.
However, the DRC is following the developments of talks between the two parties on a daily basis, as they seek a solution to their dispute, and is encouraging key actors in the international community to help them achieve this without too much damage.
A consulate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo opened in Novi Sad this summer. What will be the priorities of your colleagues there?
— The Consulate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo officially opened on 5th July 2024, under the esteemed leadership of Honorary Consul Mrs Radmila Bašević, whose exceptional dedication and expertise undoubtedly guarantee success in her mission.
The consulate’s priorities are providing essential assistance to Congolese citizens in need and enhancing economic ties through trade and investment opportunities. Promoting cultural exchanges is also crucial, given that Novi Sad is viewed as a cultural hub of Serbia, facilitating deeper mutual understanding. This consulate will additionally strive to strengthen bilateral relations in the fields of education, science and technology, while also supporting humanitarian initiatives for local communities.
The Consulate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo officially opened on 5th July 2024, under the esteemed leadership of Honorary Consul Mrs Radmila Bašević
The Embassy is fully committed to supporting Mrs Bašević and her team in Novi Sad in terms of cultivating stronger bonds between our two nations.
You speak very fondly of Jagodina. You have proposed cooperation between this city and the city of Mbuji-Mayi in the DRC, which has a population of 100,000. You mentioned that it is rich in minerals and diamonds, but faces issues with electricity and water. Do you have any specific ideas for this cooperation?
— To begin with, I’d like to make a correction in that the proposed partnership is intended to link the territorial entity of Jagodina, in the Republic of Serbia to the Territory of Miabi in the Province of Kasai-Oriental, of which Mbujimayi is the capital.
This twinning project aims to help the Miabi region, which is rich in potentials, acquire some basic infrastructure – electricity, running water and roads – that’s indispensable to ensuring the survival of a local population estimated at over 200,000.
Miabi’s potential lies in its minerals (diamonds), fertile land, tropical climate and waterways, alongside its active young population. Globally, the region is mineral and agro-pastoral. So, while enhancing cooperation and addressing critical challenges, this partnership will also focus on sustaining mining exploitation and improving agricultural productivity through advanced techniques.
Jagodina, which is known for its agricultural expertise, can help modernise these systems. Moreover, vocational training and educational support are planned to strengthen Miabi’s education system.
Supported by the dynamism and initiative of influential former Jagodina mayor Dragan Marković Palma, this project is designed to create mutual benefits, improve living conditions in Miabi, and strengthen bilateral relations.
This summer saw the appearance of a protest sign in front of the entrance to the building that houses your Belgrade embassy that caught the attention of passersby. The poster, entitled “Genocost”, claimed that a “silent genocide” is taking place in your country, driven by the pursuit of the aforementioned strategic materials. The message claimed that 12 million people in your country have perished in this race for minerals. Given that this topic is very current in Serbia, could you explain what this is all about?
— Indeed, a massive massacre is being perpetrated in the eastern part of the DRC by neighbouring countries Rwanda and Uganda. To date, more than 15 million people have perished in this race for strategic minerals in the Eastern Congo. This silenced, untold and unacknowledged genocide is being commemorated each year on 3rd August and dubbed GENOCOST to mean GENOCIDE for minerals COST.
Supported by Rwandan Armed Forces (Rwanda regular army) and heavily equipped with sophisticated weapons, the M23 militias opposed to the Congolese government engage in the illicit extraction and export of Congolese minerals through the Rwandan government.
They are responsible for severe human rights violations against local populations, including killings, massacres and rapes. An alarming UN report estimates that nearly seven million people have been internally displaced. This is, unfortunately, all occurring while the international community remains silent.
Supported by Rwandan Armed Forces and heavily equipped with sophisticated weapons, the M23 militias opposed to the Congolese government engage in the illicit extraction and export of Congolese minerals through the Rwandan government
Worse still, some leading members of that same international community are signing contracts with these aggressor countries, which are plundering the DRC’s strategic mineral resources to supply the looted minerals, even though they are aware that Rwanda has no deposits of these mineral on its territory.
Supported by Rwanda and heavily equipped with sophisticated weapons, the M23 militias opposed to the DRC government engage in the illicit extraction and export of Congolese minerals through the Rwandan government.
Hence, the posters you saw at the entrance to our embassy building are meant to attract the attention of passersby to the fact that something strange is happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This action aimed to amplify our voice and determination in demanding that the international community break their silence. Congolese lives are not expendable.
Furthermore, we intended to appeal to the Serbian community to stand in solidarity with the Congolese people, denouncing this monstrous crime that has been going on for three decades and calling for an end to any involvement in this war that has caused immense loss of life in the Eastern Congo.
Judging by developments in several African countries, it appears that the attitude towards strategic materials is changing, with an increasing sentiment that ownership of the exploitation of natural resources should be returned to the states where they are located. How do you view this process?
— More than 60 years after independence, Africa’s development is slow in coming. The time has now come for the African people to wake up and take the development of their continent into their own hands. Africa can only develop rapidly by regaining ownership of its resources that have been expropriated by the former colonising countries.
Indeed, presented as expeditions for “philanthropic” purposes, the primary motives of colonisation had been the search for raw materials. Following exploitation, the natural raw materials were then taken away without being shared, leaving nothing to compensate either the environment or the local populations, who paid with their lives in many instances.
After granting “political” independence to Africa, the colonial powers put in place an economic system that continued to maintain their economic control over the continent. They have appropriated the exploitation of the natural resources, the marketing of raw materials, setting their own purchase prices without the participation of the countries of origin. Worse still, the countries of origin do not have the right to decide and sign new contracts with other potential buyers. They have acted just as the sole owners of the Africa natural resources.
This colonial approach is designed to keep Africa as a supplier of raw materials that never develops. Africa claims, first and foremost, recognition of ownership over its natural resources and all related rights. And then structures will be gradually put in place to process them where they are located.
Africa’s development depends on returning the ownership of natural resource exploitation to the states where they are located. This approach is fair and sustainable.
September marked the summit of African and Chinese countries, in which your country’s participation was significant. Given that we live in a time in which clear geopolitical alignments are required, how would you describe Africa’s general stance – and your country’s particular – in relation to China, Russia, or the West?
— The Democratic Republic of the Congo is increasingly involved in international summits, including those involving African nations and China. Over recent years, the DRC’s participation has highlighted its role in the global market, particularly in discussions surrounding economic development, infrastructure and cooperation.
At these summits, countries like China often focus on strengthening economic ties with African nations through investments, trade and development projects.
With its natural wealth and resources, the DRC holds a strategic position in Central Africa and is a key player in these discussions. The DRC’s economic strategies and geopolitical positioning reflect a pragmatic approach aimed at balancing relationships with various global powers. China is considered a major economic partner, providing investment in infrastructure and support for development initiatives.
Western countries continue to play an important role as preferred partners in various fields. Russia, a friendly nation to the DRC, maintains strong ties with the country across diverse areas.
Beyond the general principles of the United Nations Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the DRC’s foreign policy encompasses key options that form the basis of its international stance, notably its openness to the world without exclusivity.
The arrival in power of His Excellency Félix Antoine Tshisekedi marked a strategic redefinition of the DRC’s foreign policy, allowing it to engage in partnerships based on mutual respect and in accordance with its own interests.
| RELATIONS We have close collaboration in various areas, notably in the political and diplomatic, defence and security, and culture and education domains | KOSOVO As a member of the United Nations and being respectful of international law, the DRC supports the Republic of Serbia in its sovereignty and integrity | AFRICA Africa claims, first and foremost, recognition of ownership over its natural resources and all related rights |
|---|