This article about mining agreements in the former Katanga province talks about the fact that 90% of the mineral wealth in the region goes to China, the extortionate debt repayment terms, and the allegations of child labor, but the latter is sourced better here.
He said that 90% of the region’s minerals went to China.
The wealth could still be split differently. Since Congo owns 30% of the mining company I would assume that share.
The child labor articles mentions trafficking by militias. That would be the rebels then which would be less the government and China and more the West.
and eastern conflicts driven by groups like the M23 rebels, who smuggle coltan and gold,
That’s Rwanda which is aligned with the West.
China may exploit Congo but my impression is that we try to get a regime change or such to get the resources ourselves. If we manage to change Congo, which percentage would we offer?
Oh, 100%. I’m not in favor of the US/Canada taking over either- they’re not going to manage anything better, nor will they be less exploitative. That’s what I meant by a grossly pro-US perspective, because it’s obvious that the first source wouldn’t care at all if it weren’t for the profit potential. It’s just also bad when China exploits them.
I don’t know whether there is a solution that doesn’t involve some exploitation, but that’s why I distrust governments- they’re generally exploitative. My instinct would be that a local coalition of nations à la the EU would allow countries like the DRC to stand up to superpowers, but that would require their neighbors to prefer to ally with them over other nations, which is not the case.
This article about mining agreements in the former Katanga province talks about the fact that 90% of the mineral wealth in the region goes to China, the extortionate debt repayment terms, and the allegations of child labor, but the latter is sourced better here.
The situation doesn’t look that bad for China.
The quote doesn’t talk about wealth:
The wealth could still be split differently. Since Congo owns 30% of the mining company I would assume that share.
The child labor articles mentions trafficking by militias. That would be the rebels then which would be less the government and China and more the West.
No, it’s not super clear from those sources, you’re right. I was commenting with someone earlier in the thread who didn’t want mainstream media, but if that works for you, this one’s written from a grossly pro-US perspective and this one’s more neutral.
That’s Rwanda which is aligned with the West.
China may exploit Congo but my impression is that we try to get a regime change or such to get the resources ourselves. If we manage to change Congo, which percentage would we offer?
Oh, 100%. I’m not in favor of the US/Canada taking over either- they’re not going to manage anything better, nor will they be less exploitative. That’s what I meant by a grossly pro-US perspective, because it’s obvious that the first source wouldn’t care at all if it weren’t for the profit potential. It’s just also bad when China exploits them.
I don’t know whether there is a solution that doesn’t involve some exploitation, but that’s why I distrust governments- they’re generally exploitative. My instinct would be that a local coalition of nations à la the EU would allow countries like the DRC to stand up to superpowers, but that would require their neighbors to prefer to ally with them over other nations, which is not the case.