Network War. An Introduction to Congo’s Privatised War Economy
June 16, 2002This report provides a preliminary analysis into the conflict economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Gradually, the scope of the war in DRC (1998-today) has shifted from political to economic motivations. Today, six states and many other rebel movements are fighting each other to gain control over Congo’s precious resources: diamonds, gold, coltan and others. Millions of Congolese have d
Supporting the War Economy in the DRC: European Companies and the Coltan Trade
January 16, 2002Since the outbreak of the second Congolese war in August 1998, the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo have been caught up in a fight over their country’s vast natural resources. Six neighbouring states and several rebel groups compete to extract maximum commercial and material benefits at an exorbitant human cost for millions of Congolese. The private sector plays a vital role in the conti
Have African-based Diamond Monopolies Been Effective?
June 16, 2001Allegations of links between certain monopoly members and illicit activity will be assessed, with several cases highlighted to provide a more complete picture of the dynamics within the monopolies. Above all, this article seeks objectivity in attempting to separate fact from fiction, and in citing the possible sources, and reasons behind, numerous rumours in circulation – and how these rumours may
Mineral Exports by RCD-Goma in 2000
June 6, 2001The following is a summary of gold, colombo-tantalite (coltan) and diamond exports in 2000 from territory controlled by the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie-(RCD-Goma) rebels in Eastern Congo. These figures were obtained from the RCD Department des Terres, Mines et Énergie in Goma, March 2001, with copies of the documents in the possession of IPIS. The data supplied below is an abridged
Sierra Leone en de diamanthuurlingen (114)
June 25, 1998De vergeten oorlog in Sierra Leone werd niet beslecht door de rebellen, het leger of de door Nigeria beheerste regionale vredesmacht. Het private huurlingenbedrijf Executive Outcomes klaarde de klus en bracht president Kabbah opnieuw aan de macht. Het Britse ministerie van buitenlandse zaken speelde een niet onaanzienlijke rol in deze staatsgreep-op-bestelling en ook de Verenigde Staten en de Vere
