Congo files criminal complaints against Apple in Europe over conflict minerals

From Investing.com: 2024-12-17 03:11:31

The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple in France and Belgium for using conflict minerals in its supply chain, sourced from mines run by armed groups involved in violence. Apple denies sourcing primary minerals directly and funds efforts to improve traceability. Congo accuses Apple of being complicit in crimes.

Congo’s complaints allege that Apple France and Apple Retail France engaged in deceptive practices to cover up war crimes and launder tainted minerals. Belgium, with a colonial history in Congo, is urged to help end the pillaging. France and Belgium will decide whether to investigate further and bring criminal charges against Apple.

Congo’s mining heartlands have been devastated by violence since the 1990s, with armed groups profiting from mineral exports. Rwanda denies benefiting from the trade. Congo’s legal complaint in France includes concerns expressed by the U.S. State Department about the illicit trade in minerals from Congo funding conflict. Congo’s complaints focus on the ITSCI certification scheme and the RMI’s criticism of it.

Apple’s 2023 filing on conflict minerals mentioned ITSCI multiple times but did not address the RMI’s suspension of the scheme. The U.S. State Department stated flaws in traceability schemes have not led to needed changes. The complaints against Apple are the first criminal complaints by Congo against a major tech company and are considered a “first salvo” by the state.



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