Orlando Bloom: DRC's Children - Recruited To Fight, Killed, and Raped - Need Violence To Stop Now

[estelle]

The UN decided to pull peacekeeping troops out of The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Phase 1 of the departure of the UN-DRC peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, was completed on June 25, 2024. This plan was executed even though the conditions in the country are dire. Phase 2 had now been paused but the departure is expected to be completed at

Comments

[peddlestools]

check out judeinlondon

if you're in the UK (or really anywhere in the world--I'm based in the US and learned a lot), I recommend checking out her twitter because she signal boosts a lot of relevant events and info like this:

We are building new political horizons this Saturday for our community. Check out our program covering a range of topics and issues from abolition to reproductive justice. View the full program and get your free & low-cost tickets at https://t.co/2EqhIaTOVh
- #BlackLivesMatterUK (@ukblm) July 10, 2024

. @m_elnaiem will help broaden the conversation on solidarity and international struggles with our session "Until All Of Us are Free." Lina Dohia will speak to the current crisis in Sudan, Sly Mido on the situation in Congo, and Akram Salhab on Palestine.
- #BlackLivesMatterUK (@ukblm) July 10, 2024

[cricket]

Thanks for sharing this.

[inkstainedlips]

Jemima's story is heartbreaking. I continue to be baffled at how cruel humans can be, the world just makes me sad.

[purrple_267]

Of course, UN withdrew, what even is the point of them. They also just had a meeting about Russian missile destroying Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, chaired by Moscow’s ambassador? And I randomly watched the Shooting dogs film about the Rwandan genocide recently, where the U.N. peacekeepers just stand by and watch genocide happen, so I have fresh feelings regarding them.

Also, I swear my Samsung's battery went to shit not gradually, but the second they started announcing new releases. New phones coming out and I suddenly need to charge twice daily. Didn't the EU ban such practice already?

[marwari_mettle]

One of the best and most heartbreaking books I read relating the horrors in the DRC was Cobalt Red. I can't recommend it enough.

The stories that the parents and children told and the history of the Congo itself. I'd spit and shit on Leopold's grave if I ever came across it. Also the fact that Chinese businessmen and western businessmen are trying to rig the elections in their favor so they can further exploit them. UGH!!!

"We are all implicated"

[estelle]

Thank you for this book recommendation.

The summary sounds harrowing. Especially, this part:
"Cobalt is an essential component to every lithium-ion rechargeable battery made today, the batteries that power our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles. Roughly 75 percent of the world’s supply of cobalt is mined in the Congo, often by peasants and children in sub-human conditions. Billions of people in the world cannot conduct their daily lives without participating in a human rights and environmental catastrophe in the Congo. In this stark and crucial book, Kara argues that we must all care about what is happening in the Congo―because we are all implicated."

I think it hits because it is so true. I use tech every day and every day I am implicated.
Does the book give any recommendations on how a better future could look or could be achieved. I am going to get it either way but I hope it is not just going to make me feel even worse about the situation, wring my hands above my head and go on like before.

Re: "We are all implicated"

[marwari_mettle]

I'm going to be honest, there's no real happy ending to the book in terms of avenues to definitively help. He does go into detail about how this is an issue that you cannot throw money and donations at. The change needs to happen on a political level with policies and regulations. Tech companies would have to cut ties with companies that are committing heinous crimes. I think there was a lawsuit against google last year regarding cobalt used. There was a slight glimmer of hope at the end regarding the DRC elections coming up and the politics (but that hinges on no outside interference).

The main purpose of the book is to make more people aware of these horrors and that we all help boost profits for these businesses by constantly pushing for new tech. Take your time reading it. I was crying my way through it but the stories stick with you. I am constantly on the lookout now for orgs that are trying to help.

this is why I always try to buy secondhand electronics!!

[xbriyeon]

I mean, that's great, but isn't he also a Zionist?????? Israel has their hand in fucking up Africa as well.

Re: this is why I always try to buy secondhand electronics!!

[xdecadentx]

He has been very 'I just want peace for everyone' which is what Zionists trying not to look like Zionists said after it became clear that Palestinians were being massacred but they didn't want to speak out against "Israel".

Re: this is why I always try to buy secondhand electronics!!

[xbriyeon]

ahh, so a spineless dumbass "both sides"-er like neil gaiman. gross.

it sucks bc the situation is Congo (and Sudan!) is very dire and in need of global attention - but it is unfortunate when it is by a white liberal hypocrite who is okay with OTHER genocides..... make it make sense

Re: this is why I always try to buy secondhand electronics!!

[estelle]

Why are you in this post making it all about Zionism? And your claim is not even true, it is mostly Chinese companies exploiting Congo.
(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/20/world/china-congo-cobalt.html)
I am not sure how much influence western nations can exert on Chinese companies but if someone does, please share!