RICH in resources like cobalt and coltan and yet the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC; Congo) remains poverty stricken and gripped in conflict that has killed as many as 6M people, making it the bloodiest conflict since World War II.
“People who are killing the Congolese mainly come from other countries, but they can recruit locally because these people are very poor, it is easy to fund,” said Jean-Marie Mupunda, president of Voice for Silent People (VSP).
VSP is a non-profit that educates about injustices that deny human rights and dignity. They provide a voice for the oppressed and disadvantaged. Presently they are focused on injustices in the Congo, where more the 70 percent of the world’s cobalt is mined to make batteries for everyday items like vehicles and smart phones.
Mr Mupunda says that as demand for technology rapidly develops, the conflict is worsening.
He was sent videos recently from his cousin, a nun in DRC, that show bodies of children and families who have had their throats cut with machetes while they slept.
There are around 150 Congolese families in Greater Shepparton equating to around 750 people.
For people who have had to leave the DRC, these are the images that they receive from home, the news that while the rest of the world ignores, that they and Jean-Marie cannot.
VSP advocate, Cecilia Kelly says that thousands have had to flee due to fighting in east Congo in the last fortnight.
“They are refugees in their own country,” she says.
VSP have a petition online asking the United Nations to support an international tribunal to investigate crimes against humanity committed since the beginning of the war to obtain justice for victims and fair punishment.
“I understand most of us are enjoying using smart phones and smart devices, but there are powerful people that are hidden away doing dirty business,” says Mr Mupenda.
“I believe most people could say that it is much better to not have a smart phone than having one that comes from the cost of the blood of human people. We need everyone to sign the petition because everyone is benefiting from resources from the Congo.”
Australia is rich in resources and many Australians use smartphones but will not face the atrocities people in DRC are living with or see this conflict reach our shores. Please consider signing and asking for justice for the Congolese people who have endured decades of bloodshed.
https://www.change.org/JusticeForDRCongo2022
If you’re interested in joining VSP, please phone Cecilia Kelly on 0488 585 112.
