SHUT THE MINES AND CONGO CAN FEED AFRICA

When we talk about the Congo’s resources, we tend first to think of its mineral wealth - worth an estimated $24 trillion. But as the ongoing conflict (aided and abetted by outside actors) in the east of the country shows, this wealth has brought more war than welfare for the Congolese people, who, in addition to suffering the ravages of a minerals war, work for a pittance in dangerous conditions in mines controlled by exploitative multinationals who are reaping all the profits. Yet Congo’s riches extend far beyond its mines. As Maurice Carney from Friends of the Congo argues, even if we shut all of DRC’s mines, the country is still extremely rich - for example, it has enough agricultural capacity, he claims, to feed the entire continent twice over. Congo has everything it needs to flourish and, as the heart of Africa, to help our continent unite and prosper. But Congo’s wealth is not allowed to serve its people. Unfortunately, a system of imperialist plunder, enabled by corrupt elites and the legacy of colonialism, are ensuring it - and with it Africa - continues to bleed.

Credit: @praywithourfeet

Sources

https://discoveryalert.com.au/news-article/natural-resources-democratic-republic-congo-2025/

https://wrsc.org/story/how-drcs-inga-project-could-solve-much-africas-power-problems

https://data.worldbank.org/country/congo-dem-rep

https://worldhistoryedu.com/atrocities-committed-in-the-congo-free-state-under-king-leopold-ii/

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/world/africa/m23-goma-congo-rwanda.html