Due diligence as a conflict prevention tool in Democratic Republic of the Congo

This paper explores mandatory due diligence schemes in supply chains as conflict prevention tools in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Drawing on reports and fieldwork, it argues that their impact on violence in the region has been ambiguous. One reason for these mechanisms’ shortcomings is that they address the role minerals play in this conflict from the perspective of "conflict resources" and "resource conflicts". Giving consideration to the "resource curse" would help address how the militarisation of competition between elites and weak state institutions make minerals factors of conflict. In practice, this would mean recognising that international measures against transnational money laundering and illicit capital flows are vital to tackling the link between minerals and conflict.

Key words: armed conflicts, sanctions on raw materials, conflict minerals, due diligence, Democratic Republic of the Congo

DOI: doi.org/10.24241/rcai.2020.125.2.61/en

How to cite this article:  Aula, Ilari. “Due diligence as a conflict prevention tool in Democratic Republic of the Congo”. Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals, issue 125 (September 2020), pp. 61-85. DOI: doi.org/10.24241/rcai.2020.125.2.61/en