THE RESOURCE CURSE
ART + INFORMATION | Yesterday and Today in Africa
THE ISSUES
While many central African nations hold tremendous deposits of critical minerals, as well as gold and diamonds, most African people do not benefit from those resources.
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Human Rights
Child Labor
Environmental Degradation & Deforestation
Mine Seizures by Rebel Groups & Militias
Economic Arguments
Recommended Reading | Way, Sarah. “Integrating artisanal mining into the formal economy would benefit African miners and economies alike”. Atlantic Council, 12 July 2024, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/africasource/integrating-artisanal-mining-into-the-formal-economy-would-benefit-african-miners-and-economies-alike/, Accessed 7 October 2024.
At right | Children working a gold mine in D.R.Congo
Photo CREDIT | Steven Wassenaar
AN ORIGIN STORY
THE COLONIZATION of AFRICA AFTER the BERLIN CONFERENCE of 1884-1885
Beginning November 15, 1884, the leaders of the United States and fourteen European countries met to decide how they would divide up the continent and resources of Africa. "Notably missing were any representatives from Africa." (Berlin Conference)
Belgium's King Leopold II claimed the Congo as his own. His obsession was rubber. Villages were assigned production quotas. The punishment for under performance was severe. Men, women and children had their hands, arms and feet cut off. This is how the Congolese people were introduced to western "civilization".
Animated Map CREDIT | Shana McKay Burns/Spotted Horse Studios, LLC
TOPICS
ARTS & CULTURE
USE IT, KNOW IT
50
ARTISANAL MINERS DIED AT MWENGA in SHABUNDA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of CONGO, IN SEPTEMBER, 2020, as a RESULT of COLTAN MINING-RELATED ACTIVITIES. (Ojewale)
4000
CIVILIANS WERE KILLED BY ARMED GROUPS IN DRC IN 2023.
8 MILLION
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED DUE TO WAR OVER RESOURCES IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.
(Lusenge)
23 MILLION
PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY AND AT RISK OF FAMINE IN THE DRC. (Lusenge)
9 MILLION +
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE DRC IN THE PAST TWENTY YEARS ALONE.
Poster Design CREDIT | Baxspirit-stock.adobe.com