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The U.S and Congo Connection

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the 4th poorest country in the world, but how does the American government play into this exploitation?

The U.S. and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s connection spans 40 years, starting with the killing of Patrice Lumumba, former President of the newly Independent Congo, at the hands of the Belgian colonial reign. 

Through this relationship, America has created an ongoing situation in which, on the one hand, it is telling the people of the DRC 🇨🇩 that it is there to help stabilize and bring about democracy in the region. On the other hand, it continues pushing for green energy, including Cobalt, a critical mineral. 

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Cobalt is an essential mineral for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. By 2035, America will need ten times as much to keep up with current production. 

The DRC is among the five poorest countries in the world due to the ongoing imperial exploration and violence happening in the region for the natural resources of the land. 

Currently at least 40,000 children are working in the mines in the Katanga District alone. 

Sources

  1. Zinnedproject.org “Jan. 17, 1961: Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba was Executed 

  2. Cd.usembassy.gov “US. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”

  3. Energy.gov “What are Critical Materials and Critical Minerals”

  4. Unocha.org “Democratic Republic of Congo”

  5. DCreport.org “ Cobalt, Congo, China and Child Labor”

  6. Worldbank.org “The World Bank in DRC”

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