The Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) is rich in natural resources, yet seven million Congolese are internally displaced and 4.5 per thousand people are living in modern slavery (Amnesty International, 2024). The DRC is among the most vulnerable (with a vulnarity score of 84/100) countries to modern slavery throughout the Central Africa region and globally. Modern slavery refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave due to: threats, violence, coercion, deception, and/or abuse of power (Walk Free, 2023). In the Congo, forced labor is one of the largest forms of modern slavery; beginning in the colonial era under Belgium rule, continuing after gaining independence in 1960 and significant altercations occurring in the 1990s. Today, foreign corporations rake in immense profits off of the Congo’s wealth, while many of those living in the DRC suffer under deadly working conditions in mines, forced displacement, and conflict.
In the 1960s ethnic tensions in Rwanda began affecting the DRC, as more than 300,000 people of the Tutsi minority group were forced to flee Rwanda. Tensions continued to escalate throughout the decades, as in April 1994 the Rwandan genocide, also known as the 100 days of slaughter, was carried out by government-led Hutu militias. Over 800,000 to a million Tutsis (and anyone assisting Tutsis) were killed and millions of Rwandans fled to the DRC for refuge. Following the genocide, the DRC was invaded by combined forces: a new Tutsi-led government, Uganda and Burundi armies and Congolese armed groups; with the goal of overthrowing then president Mobutu Seko (United Nations). These factors along with rising conflict between local Congolese tribes and Rwandan migrants led to the first and second Congo wars (1996-1997 and 1998-2002). The Congolese government began arming and counter-arming rebel militias; resulting in between 120-140 rebel groups operating in the DRC. These rebel groups continue to operate in the country—mostly in resource rich areas, east and northeast areas of the DRC—further contributing to modern slavery and forced labor (Aljazeera, 2014).
The most prominent rebel group in the DRC is the March 23 Movement (M23). This Tutsi-led rebel group emerged in 2012 as a mutiny of former soldiers of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), named after a peace agreement between the CNDP and the DRC government. The Congo and UN reports have accused Rwanda of using armed groups to loot gold and coltan. It has been suggested that M23 generates at least $800,000 per month from levying taxes and controlling production in coltan mines, particularly Rubaya (a series of coltan mining sites near the town of Rubaya in Masisi Territory, North Kivu, eastern region of the DRC) (Universidad de Navarra, 2025). M23 has continued to attack Congolese troops and capture strategic towns of abundance in natural resources such as: Walikale, Goma, and Bukavu in the eastern region of the DRC.
M23 and other rebel groups are entangled with complex network of perpetrators: including local militias, neighboring nations, multinational technology firms and emerging global powers (Universidad de Navarra, 2025).
The DRC has 60% of the world’s coltan reserves. Short for columbite-tantalite, coltan is used to produce tantalum, which is essential for phones, laptops, and other technology. The DRC also produces 70% the world's cobalt. While coltan is mostly used by electronics manufacturers, defense contractors and the medical industry, cobalt is sourced by tech companies, car manufacturers, and battery suppliers; such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Dell and Tesla. In addition, a few countries currently mine in the DRC, partnering with state mining companies (Aljazeera, 2014). China among its companies also controls 15 to 17 cobalt mines, amounting to 60% of DRC cobalt’s production. Other notable countries include: the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland and Canada.
- In July 2023 the United Arab Emirates signed a $1.9 billion deal with a state mining company to develop four mines for tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold in eastern Kivu and Maniema provinces (Aljazeera, 2014).
- The Switzerland based mining company, Glencore is one of the world's largest natural resource companies and owns two copper and cobalt mines in the DRC. Congolese families have reported that their children were working illegally in mines operated by Glencore and that numerous children had been killed in tunnel collapses (Geneva International Centre for Justice).
- Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian owned mining company that played a role in the eviction of 45 Congolese households to make way for a copper mining complex. The living conditions of the families included substandard housing, inadequate consultation and forced migration; all of which violated both international human rights standards and Congolese law (Amnesty International, 2023).
All companies, countries, rebel groups and mining groups participating in the extraction of the DRC’s natural resources for their own interest bear responsibility. Those exposed to toxic substances and lack of fresh air in mines will have prolonged health complications. Forced displacements rob families of housing, community, and the ability to provide basic life essentials (such as food, water, healthcare, sanitation, education etc). With these lack of resources, children and women are often most at risk. Children who are unable to attend school are more susceptible to being forced into child labor or being recruited by an armed group. Victims of human trafficking are forced to work in the mines, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, etc. Nearly a quarter of the entire population, 25 million people, are in a state of severe food insecurity (World Relief, 2024). This state of starvation with lack of healthcare and appropriate resources, not only causes psychological trauma, but will affect the next generation through epigenetic changes.
With this knowledge of what is occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the global community has a responsibility to stand in solidarity with the Congolese people and demand accountability from corporate and all other perpetrators. Here are actions you can take to help those in the DRC:
- Help educate your community about what is happening in the DRC
- Donate to trusted organizations that deliver essential services to those impacted by forced labor in the DRC
- Reduce consumption of electronics, opting for reusing, repairing, and buying second hand as much as possible
- Advocate for and push for stronger international laws that require companies to conduct due diligence
- Lobby for international accountability with policy makers
- For example, talk to your elected officials about supporting immigrant rights. This can include calling the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and asking for your representative or senators.
- Support local organizations in DRC who are actively working to protect rights of workers
- Pact collaborates with artisanal and small scale mining communities to enhance livelihoods and reduce child labour. Their initiatives aim to formalize and improve mining practices while keeping people safe from human right abuses.
- Fair Cobalt Alliance unites stakeholders across the cobalt supply chain to mobilize and strengthen investments and professionalize the artisanal cobalt mining sector. Their goals are to improvise working conditions, protect child rights and promote income diversification within mining communities.
- AIDPROFEN is a Congolese non-profit organization that promotes and defends women's and children’s rights in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Coalition Basandja – a coalition of indigenous peoples and local communities across the Congo Basin, including those in mining sites and conflict areas. The Basandja coalition works to build collective power among communities and advocate for ground-up social and climate justice.