Tech giant Apple has strongly denied allegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that it uses conflict minerals in its products. The company asserts that earlier this year, it instructed its suppliers to cease sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from both the DRC and Rwanda, regions embroiled in long-standing conflict.
Apple’s statement comes in response to criminal cases filed by the Congolese government in France and Belgium. The lawsuits accuse Apple of complicity in war crimes, laundering, forgery, and deception, alleging that the company profits from “blood minerals” laundered through international supply chains.
The mineral-rich eastern DRC has been plagued by violence since the 1990s, with rebel groups, some reportedly supported by Rwanda, clashing with Congolese forces. United Nations experts and human rights organizations have documented atrocities in the region, including civilian massacres and systemic sexual violence. Many of the artisanal mines in the area are allegedly controlled by armed groups, who use the proceeds to fund their operations.
The Congolese government claims that Apple’s use of minerals from these mines indirectly makes the company complicit in these crimes.
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While Apple has denied the allegations, its statement provides few specifics about its supply chain decisions. The company claims to have taken action earlier in the year to prevent suppliers from sourcing minerals from the conflict-prone region but did not elaborate on how compliance is being enforced or verified.
Lawyers representing the DRC have cautiously welcomed Apple’s announcement, calling it a step in the right direction. However, they emphasized the need for on-the-ground verification to ensure the company has genuinely severed ties with conflict-linked suppliers.
“We will continue to pursue the legal cases against Apple in Europe,” a spokesperson for the legal team stated. “It’s not enough to issue statements. The actions must be verifiable and address the systemic issues that fuel violence in the region.”
The case highlights the ongoing challenges multinational corporations face in ensuring ethical sourcing practices in regions affected by conflict. It also underscores the growing legal and public pressure on companies to address supply chain transparency and human rights violations.
As the lawsuits proceed, the focus will be on whether Apple can substantiate its claims and whether other companies will face similar scrutiny over their sourcing practices.
