1. Environment, Development and Sustainable Peace: Finding Paths to Environmental Peacemaking. COLTAN EXPLOITATION IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. By John Katunga Murhula.

2. AFRICA AND DRC.

6. What is Coltan? Coltan is an abbreviation for colombite-tantalite, a mineral from which the precious metals Tantalum (Ta) and Colombium (Cb), also known as Niobium (Nb), are extracted.

7. QUALITIES OF COLTAN COLTAN offers approximately the same corrosion resistance to most acids and caustics as glass. can be fabricated by bending, roll forming, and welding with relative ease by personnel experienced with the metal. ductility and density have made it popular with the military for armour penetration. density and nuclear stability make it a valuable material for containers of radioactive elements

8. WHAT USE FOR COLTAN? The electronics industry consumes the majority of tantalum produced (approximately 60%) for capacitors. Tantalum can be used to fabricate valves for corrosive liquids and to manufacture heaters for acids and heat shields for rocket motors. It is also used as a component of ion implanters in the manufacture of semiconductors.

9. USE FOR COLTAN 1 it is used for radiation shielding. in the fabrication of corrosion resistant process equipment including reaction vessels, columns, bayonet heaters, shell and tube heat exchangers, U- tubes, thermowells, spargers, rupture diaphragms, and orifices.” The main attraction of tantalum recently has been in the construction of capacitors in mobile phones.

10. CONSEQUENCES OF ILLEGAL EXPLOITATION OF COLTAN Greatly contributed to the death of 3.5 millions of Congolese for the last 4 years! Generalized and permanent insecurity. Continued violent conflicts and tensions between states in the region (Burundi, D.R. Congo, Rwanda and Uganda)

11. CONSEQUENCES 2 Exacerbation of existing community/ ethnic conflicts and creation of new ones. Land expropriations Forced displacement of populations Forced labor Intimidations Proliferation of armed groups and arms trafficking

12. CONSEQUENCES 3 Neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda looting Congolese resources Undue enrichment of political and armed groups leaders Increased poverty of the majority of people.

14. CONSEQUENCES 4 Ecocide: massive destruction of former grazing land hills and valleys have been turned into giant craters rivers and streams were diverted Endangered species decimated Mountain Elephants Gorillas (silver back) Chimpanzees Hippopotamus Parrots Etc.

17. RESPONSES UN INTERNATIONAL NGOS GOVERNMENTS LOCAL NGOS AND RESEARCHES RELIGIOUS GROUPS COMMUNITIES

18. RESULTS SOME MULTINATIONALS HAVE CEISED TO OPENLY OPERATE SOME GOVERNMENTS HAVE PLEDGED TO INVESTIGATE THEIR COMPANIES PRICES HAVE GONE DOWN ------------------------------------------------------------ EXPLOITATION CONTINUES UNABATED THE CASSITERITE HAS NOW BECOME STRATEGIC.

19. RECOMMENDATIONS TO DONOR AGENCIES, INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS. PRIORITY 1 SUPPORT THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A STRONG, CENTRAL AND DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

20. PRIORITY 1 1 In control over all the national territory. In control of the natural resources. Reestablish a criminal justice capacity Unifying of all armed forces Demobilisation of former combatants Disarmament and reinsertion of armed groups.

21. PRIORITY 1 2 Establish at national a special commission on the use of revenue collected from coltan and other minerals The composition of such commission should include the Communities’ representatives. (area members of the parliament, traditional leaders and representatives of women, youth and other marginalised groups.)

22. PRIORITY 1 3 Establish a special inter-parliamentary commission to revisit all the contracts signed by previous governments and renegotiate the terms of reference where of unfairness is evidenced. The composition of such commission should benefit from the assistance of consultants from the world bank or other specialised international institutions.

23. PRIORITY 2 SUPPORT A NEGOTIATED REGIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION PRIMARILY TARGETING THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES: BURUNDI, RWANDA, UGANDA, KENYA, TANZANIA, ZAMBIA AND SUDAN. The ongoing preparation of the great lakes region conference on peace and security could one of the places to start developing this framework.

24. PRIORITY 2 1 The objectives of such framework will include signing protocols on: Common security (security for all) Economic integration including common resources management. Environmental protection. People’s integration. A monitoring system (e.g. peer review mechanism) should be put into place assisted by au, un and eu representatives.

25. PRIORITY 3 COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLE DIALOGUE, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION

26. PRIORITY 3 1 At regional, national and local levels Establishment of joint systematic mechanisms to improve community relationships Device appropriate restorative justice and reconciliation processes. E.g. Make the minerals exploitation a joint community effort through Cooperatives.

27. PRERIQUISITES DONOR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT FOR MASSIVE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT. LEADERS ARE LEGITIMATE AND (DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED) IN THE REGION. THE PREVAILING PHENOMENON OF ARMS MADE LEADERSHIP IN THE REGION IS DISCOURAGED. STOP THE FLOW OF ARMS INTO THE REGION AND THE CONTROL OF THE GLOBAL MERCENARISM. CONTROL OF THE CRIMINALISATION OF MINERALS EXPLOITATION BY PREDATORY MULTINATIONALS AND OTHERS. (E.G. Internationally agreed upon minimum standards and regulations.) RELEVANT CIVIL SOCIETY MEMBERS PARTICIPATION SHOUD BE GUARANTEED AT ALL LEVELS OF NEGOTIATIONS AND DECISION-MAKING.

28. LESSONS 1 1.International intervention is more effective when a determined and committed country/organization takes the lead in the collective effort. 1. The French-led EU “Artemis” operation in Bunia stopped another possible genocide in June 2003 in eastern DRC. 2. The South African leadership in Burundi and the DRC has brought significant progress in the peace process. 3. The leadership of Nigeria is the sierra Leone, Liberia and Sao tome et Principe contributed to the return of normalcy in these countries. The regulation/control of criminal and predatory exploitation of strategic minerals will only succeed if collective efforts are coordinated/led by a determined and committed country or organization.

29. LESSONS 2 2. RECONSTRUCTING THE STATE APPARATUS IS KEY TO STABILITY IN THE REGION. 3. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ECOSYSTEM IN ONE COUNTRY WILL AFFECT THE REST OF COUNTRIES IN THE REGION. Ecology has no political boundaries—global ubuntuism. 3. NO LASTING SOLUTION UNLESS IT IS REGIONALLY NEGOTIATED. No single country will enjoy lasting peace in isolation of others in the region.

31. DEAR ALL THE PEOPLE OF GREAT LAKES REGION OF AFRICA THANK YOU!