Conflict Diamonds and Human Rights in Africa
8th Grade · Social Studies · 45 min
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Learning Objective
I can explain how conflict diamonds contribute to human rights abuses in Africa.
- 1
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) possesses vast reserves of minerals like cobalt, copper, and diamonds, yet it remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
- 2
The DRC's history of exploitation includes brutal colonial rule under King Leopold II of Belgium, followed by Cold War conflicts and the kleptocracy of Mobutu Sese Seko, leading to widespread corruption and instability.
- 3
The ongoing conflict in the DRC is fueled by the trade in "conflict minerals" such as gold, coltan, tin, and tungsten, with foreign companies and neighboring countries exploiting the country's resources while contributing to human rights abuses and environmental degradation.
