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Key Documents | Diamonds | Oil and Natural Gas | Water | Timber | Minerals
Mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Nationwide Survey (January 7, 2006)
This landmark report from the Lancet medical journal dubs the 10-year war that has plagued the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) “the world’s deadliest humanitarian crisis.” With 38 000 people dying every month - the mortality equivalent of the Southeast Asian tsunami – the report accuses the rich donor countries of “miserably failing the people of Congo.” While most deaths are due to preventable and easily treatable diseases, mortality rates are highest in DRC’s eastern provinces, where the fighting and lawlessness cut off or reduce access to health services.
Michael Klare argues that resource competition will define the nature of global conflict in the future, as vital natural resources such as oil, water, minerals, and timber become increasingly scarce. (Foreign Affairs)
The full text of the World Bank report which explores the economic basis for conflict.A Global Threat Multiplier (March 20, 2008)
According to openDemocracy, climate change will cause conflict over natural resources in the poorest nations of the world. The article warns that as glaciers melt, changes in river flows and irrigation will exacerbate tensions over food and water resources. The author argues that climate change constitutes a “threat to international peace and security.” However, rather than a military response, global warming requires richer nations to reduce their carbon emissions and at the same time increase development aid to those countries most affected by global warming.Climate Change May Spark Conflict with Russia, EU Told (March 10, 2008)
This Guardian article summarizes a European Union policy paper that highlights the link between global warming and the rising competition for natural resources. Impending climate change may create conflicts between Europe and Russia as untapped resources become available. The Arctic is a pertinent example: as polar icecaps melt, Europe and Russia will attempt to control new waterways and mineral resources, “changing geostrategic dynamics in the region.”Dealing With Africa’s Resource Curse (September 2, 2007)
Africa’s vast natural and mineral resources present immense opportunities for African countries to obtain much needed funds for development. However, the mineral and oil resources have mainly brought conflicts and led foreign powers such as the US and China to increasingly seek trade agreements and military presence on the continent. The competition for Africa’s resources has also caused increased corruption and internal dissent as profit benefits mainly the countries’ elites. The conflicts in Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo present disturbing examples of the possible effects of the international economic expansion into Africa.(Monitor)UN Spotlights Link Between Natural Resources and Conflict (June 25, 2007)
Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht of Belgium, President of the UN Security Council for the month of June 2007, chaired a debate on the role of natural resources in conflict. Security Council ambassadors linked natural resources to conflict in Angola, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan. Ambassadors also professed the importance of targeted sanctions and programs such as the Kimberly Process for diamonds. (Agence France Presse)China’s Rise: Hope or Doom for Africa? (June 16, 2007)
Chinese companies illegally exploit African timber, ore, ivory and fish resources, claims the New Vision- Kampala. A University of Brussels report describes how economic interests lead Chinese companies operating in Africa to elude export taxes, violate production limits and disregard human rights and environmental standards. Chinese policy in Africa exemplifies how oil and arms profits drive UN Security Council politics on Darfur.Hot Chocolate: How Cocoa Fuelled the Conflict in Côte d’Ivoire (June 2007)
This Global Witness report details how cocoa perpetuates war in the Ivory Coast. Both Laurent Gbagbo’s government and the rebel Forces Nouvelles (FN) use cocoa proceeds to purchase weapons. Additionally, the two parties’ desire to retain the lucrative status quo of the Ivorian cocoa industry serves as a block to negotiations. The report argues that the chocolate industry, including US companies such as Archer Daniels Midland and Cargill, must guarantee conflict-free cocoa by publishing to whom and in what amount cocoa payments are made, and by auditing cocoa supply chains.Scramble for Africa (May 2, 2007)
The Guardian assesses the exploitation of resources in Africa today that continues despite the end of colonialism. In the race for geo-political control and access to natural resources, the US has set up bases in African countries to establish its presence there, France and Britain have made large financial investments in some African countries, and China has sold arms to certain African governments while canceling debt and offering condition-free loans.Wealth in Africa’s Conflict Zones (November 15, 2006)
While African countries such as Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) possess large potential for economic development thanks to their abundant natural resources, they have long been plagued by conflict. The exploitation of natural resources has taken place despite war and violence, exacerbating internal conflict. This BBC article points out that regardless of the UN involvement in these countries, through peacekeeping operations and transitional process, the lack of political commitment from African governments prevents a consistent use of natural resources to improve countries’ development.The Coming Resource Wars (March 11, 2006)
The increase likelihood of violent conflict over land, water and energy – dubbed “resource conflicts” – has prompted the US and UK to put the matter at the top of their political agenda. Policymakers view environmental and resource effects - rather than political orientation and ideology - as the most potent source of armed conflict in the decades to come. However, scientists and state officials disagree on the means to avoid these forms of conflict: the former advocate meaningful environmental steps to reduce the risk of cataclysmic climate change, while the latter prefer to rely on military force to provide some degree of advantage in the global struggle over resources. (TomPaine)Behind the Numbers: Untold Suffering in the Congo (March 1, 2006)
The war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed more lives than any armed conflict since World War II. Yet rich countries seem unwilling to commit to solving the conflict “because of powerful economic and geopolitical interests.” Mining multinationals are willing to do whatever it takes to profit from Congo’s diamond, gold, uranium, petroleum, and coltan resources – including smuggling gold through local rebel militias and committing gross human rights abuses. This ZNet article offers detailed information about the multinational’s plunder of DRC’s natural resources including the names of eminent individuals involved.Cocoa's Bitter Tale (December 4, 2005)
In thousands of villages in western Ivory Coast, indigenous tribes and newer settler groups clash violently over cocoa land. Although government troops and UN peacekeepers monitor Ivory Coast's cocoa belt, a UN human rights expert said the violence “raised the risk of widespread conflict.” (Newsday)Resources Smuggling Fuels Ivory Coast Rebels-UN (October 13, 2005)
According to UN experts, revenue from illegal cocoa, cotton and diamonds helps fund military activities of rebel groups in Ivory Coast. Millions of dollars of rough diamonds are mined and exported in spite of a government ban on the trade, fueling conflicts and unrest in neighboring Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Reuters)Revealed: The New Scramble for Africa (June 1, 2005)
A Guardian investigation reveals that the world’s most powerful nations – the US, UK, China and France – are keeping impoverished African countries in debt and vulnerable to natural resources exploitation. Giant western corporations are readily providing these countries with “huge oil-backed loans,” and “are competing for profit” by providing kick-backs to corrupt officials in exchange for lucrative deals. The British government will push more African countries to sign up to a transparency code at the July 2005 G8 summit in Scotland, but “campaigners say that…improvements in Western behavior so far appear slight.”We Can Now Cure Dutch Disease (August 18, 2004)
Joseph Stiglitz comments on how to mitigate the "resource curse," whereby abundant natural wealth creates rich countries with poor people, and fuels wars and conflict. Stiglitz recommends such countries promote "democratic, consensual and transparent processes," take steps to combat currency appreciation, and use "stabilization funds" to reduce economic volatility linked to resource prices. He also calls on Western governments to implement "common-sense reforms," such as stopping massive arms sales to developing countries. (Guardian)DRC Plunder: UK Accused of Failing to Act on Firms Named in UN Report (January 5, 2004)
A number of British MPs and NGOs complain about London's reluctance to pursue the four UK companies named in a UN panel of experts’ report on the illegal exploitation of natural resources. Despite Security Council statements urging states to act on the panel's findings, London says it is not able to do anything, as the UN report was "too general in content and relates only to some of the named companies." (East African)Lifting the Natural Resource Curse (December 2003)
Insufficient supervision and regulation of the world's natural resources creates an impediment to development. This article suggests a range of measures, such as the Publish What You Pay Campaign, which calls on natural resources companies to disclose information about their transactions, making sure that revenues don't fuel conflicts. (Foreign Service Journal)World Bank Should Revamp Loans to Mining Schemes (April 2, 2003)
A report by the World Bank's internal review body, the Operations Evaluation Department (OED), says Bank lending for mining, oil, and gas projects has overwhelmingly resulted in "bad development outcomes." The report urges the Bank to include independent audits of environmental impacts and community participation for extraction industry projects. (Inter Press Service)The Hydrogen Hypocrites (February 6, 2003)
The US and its energy allies are pressing for coal and oil to become increasingly dominant energy sources over the next 20 years. The US initiative on hydrogen is merely an attempt to distract the media from Bush's woeful environmental record. (TomPaine)Conflict over Natural Resources in South-East Asia and the Pacific (1990)
Book published (full text available) by the United Nations University’s Programme on Peace and Global Transformation about the interlinkages between natural resources, security, vulnerability and violence.
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