IPIS report: “Culprits or scapegoats?”

In its latest report IPIS investigates Belgian traders in the mineral business of eastern DRC in the light of accusations formulated in a report of the UN Panel of Experts of December 2008. The UN Panel asserted that, through certain suppliers (comptoirs), traders knowingly purchased minerals from mines controlled by non-state armed groups such as the FDLR.

IPIS’ report intents to provide the reader with a profile of each of the Belgian traders involved in the mineral business of eastern DRC. The report aims to feed the ongoing debate on the accountability of commercial stakeholders in eastern DRC and on possible solutions to break the link between the mineral trade and the financing of armed actors.

The research findings show that two Belgian traders, Traxys and Trademet, were by far the most important foreign buyers of cassiterite and coltan in Goma and Bukavu in 2007/2008. IPIS suggests that, given their economic prominence and long-standing presence in the region, they would not only have a privileged knowledge of the local commodity chain, but also considerable leverage to influence it in a positive manner. Whereas the traders concerned reacted defensively to accusations laid out in the December 2008 report of the UN Panel of Experts, looking forward there are indications that the traders under scrutiny are willing to contribute in a more pro-active manner to a sustainable solution to the issue of conflict related minerals. This creates a window of opportunity for all stakeholders to become involved in a concerted effort to enhance transparency and accountability in the mineral sector of the eastern DRC. Therefore, IPIS argues that 13 years after the start of the first Congo war, such naming and shaming exercises still seem to be necessary to prompt a more transparent and constructive engagement on behalf of commercial stakeholders in the region.

Read the report "Culprits or scapegoats? Revisiting the role of Belgian miniral traders in eastern DRC" here >