Statement on the Subcommittee Hearing: "Metals, Minerals, and Mining: How the CCP Fuels Conflict and Exploitation in Africa"

The DRC Diaspora Desk acknowledges today’s important hearing on Metals, Minerals, and Mining: How the CCP Fuels Conflict and Exploitation in Africa. We thank Chairman Chis Smith and Senior Ranking Member Sarah Jacobs for their leadership. 

We appreciate the attention, questions, and sincere concern expressed by members of Congress regarding the complex challenges facing Africa—particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo—due to conflict-driven mineral extraction.

The more than 6 million lives lost and the thousands of women subjected to sexual violence deserve justice. The 250,000 internally displaced people and 100,000 refugees deserve the chance to return home in safety and dignity.

Congolese people deserve peace, the opportunity to thrive, to benefit from the country’s wealth: its dynamic and resilient population, and its vast mineral resources.  

As members of the Congolese and Congolese-American community, we look forward to engaging directly with the representatives who participated in today’s session. Our goal is to contribute solutions rooted in lived experience and  desire for justice, peace, and long-term stability and prosperity in the DRC.

DRC Diaspora Desk/Action for Congo
For inquiries, please contact Nils Kinuani at nilskinuani@gmail.com or Jacques Bahati at bahati@afjn.org

About:

The DRC Diaspora Desk is a coalition of Congolese organizations, leaders, advocates and allies committed to collective action to benefit the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a hub for coordinated advocacy, we work to ensure that Congolese voices are heard.