DR Congo: A Crisis We Must Not Ignore

Did your phone just vibrate a moment ago? That vibration connects you to a story far bigger than you can imagine - a story of suffering, survival, and resilience in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This is not just another African conflict. It is the untold story of the cost of our modern lives, written in the blood and tears of millions. Every time you charge your phone or start your electric car, you are holding a piece of Congo in your hands. The cobalt and coltan that power our devices are often mined by children as young as seven, working in extremely unhealthy conditions.

This is more than just about minerals; it is about real people whose lives have been upended by a never-ending conflict. It is about Mafuta, who may live down the street from you. Ask her about Congo, and she will tell you about the night she and children fled their burning village. Same with Mboya, who teaches math at your local high school - he spent two decades in a refugee camp before finding refuge in the United States.

The crisis in Congo is not new, it originates from the brutality of colonialism to today's mineral wars – a story of plunder disguised as progress. The people of world's richest lands, have been forced to scatter across the globe, carrying their trauma in back packs along with whatever fragments of their culture they could save.

Here is what makes this different from other conflicts: You and I are unwitting participants. Every device we buy, every battery we charge, connects us to this crisis. The minerals that power our digital revolution are stained with Congolese blood, extracted under the cover of chaos by those who profit from this perpetual conflict.

Being part of the problem, means we can be part of the solution.

When tech companies boast about their latest innovations, ask about their mineral supply chains. Support organizations that help Congolese refugees rebuild their lives in your community. Share their stories - not as victims, but as examples of the resilience of the human spirit.

More importantly, refuse to look away. The next time your phone rings, remember the hands that mined its components. Remember that in our interconnected world, their struggle is our struggle. Their future is our future.

Ariel view of a mine.

My heart breaks for the people of Congo, but they do not need our pity. They need our partnership in demanding change. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is refuse to be silent in the face of injustice.