United Nations Certification on Minerals
The Conflict Minerals Trade Act of 2009, introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Jim McDermott (D-Washington), would help develop the means to ensure that the multimillion dollar trade in minerals from eastern Congo stops financing the world’s deadliest conflict since World War II. It will also help raise awareness about the issue to both the public and policy makers.
The trade in the 3 T’s - tin ore (cassiterite), tantalite (coltan), tungsten (a source derived from wolframite), as well as gold—that are used, among other things, in electronic devices such as cell phones and laptops—are a major source of funding for armed groups in eastern Congo who commit atrocities against civilians. If passed, this bill would create a system of audits and import declarations that would distinguish those goods imported into the United States that contain conflict minerals. The resulting transparency would be an important step forward in helping break the links between the mineral trade and human rights violations.
This bill demands greater transparency and accountability from those companies whose products contain these mineral ores or their derivatives. In parallel, was declared The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1952, adopted unanimously on November 29, 2010, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including resolutions 1807 (2008), 1857(2008) and 1896 (2009), the Council renewed an arms embargo and related targeted sanctions for a further period until November 30, 2011.
The Council condemned the illegal flow of weapons into and within the Democratic Republic of the Congo in violation of resolutions 1533 (2004), 1807, 1857 and 1896 and intended to closely monitor their implementation. It recognised that the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the country was fuelling conflicts in the Great Lakes region. Furthermore, human rights violations, killings, the use of child soldiers and sexual violence remained a major concern.
The resolution also asked countries in the region to ensure that no support reached the armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country itself was asked to take action against criminal networks and to address prevailing impunity. Finally, all countries were instructed to cooperate with the investigations of the expert group and to regularly publish statistics regarding the import and export of Congolese resources.
MONUSCO fight against conflict minerals using a Certification on Minerals originating from regions near the DRC borders. The United Nations Compliance Certificate helps to identify mineral consignments that have successfully been checked for origin.
FORMER SPECIAL ENVOYS OF THE GREAT LAKES
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Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region (1 September 2014 to 31 March 2019) In this capacity, he led and coordinated the United Nations efforts in support of the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region (“Framework Agreement”), signed in February 2013 in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia. Working in co-operation with the other Guarantors of the Framework Agreement, namely the AU, ICGLR and SADC, Said Djinnit supported and promoted regional efforts to curb the activities of the illegal armed groups and initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of conflicts in eastern DRC and the region, including addressing the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources, fighting impunity, promoting the role of women and strengthening the contribution of the private sector in peace efforts. Further to the decision of the leaders of the region in 2017, he facilitated, together with the AU Special Representative and in cooperation with the other Guarantors, the launch and work of the Follow-up Mechanism on the repatriation of disarmed combatants in eastern DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. He also supported dialogue processes in the region, including in Burundi and the DRC to create conditions for peaceful, democratic and credible elections. He promoted aligned regional and international approaches in support of peaceful solutions in these two countries. In Burundi, he initiated and facilitated the Inter-Burundi dialogue from April to June 2015. Ambassador Djinnit initiated and supported the reform of the governing mechanisms of the Framework Agreement, following which the annual Summits bringing together the leaders of the region were hosted by one of the signatory countries, resulting in greater regional ownership and commitment to implement the Framework Agreement. Read more at: http://bit.ly/2DFZLFz |
 Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region (18 March 2013 to 31 August 2014) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on 18 March 2013 the appointment of Mary Robinson of Ireland as his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Mrs. Robinson plays a key role in supporting the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes Region of Africa, by the signatories. Mrs. Robinson brings with her more than four decades of political and diplomatic experience, including as President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997 and as a member of the Irish Senate from 1969 to 1989. She also has considerable international experience, most notably as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002. From 2002 to 2010, Mrs. Robinson led the organization Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, the core activities of which included strengthening women’s leadership and encouraging corporate responsibility. Internationally renowned for championing human rights, she is a member of the Elders and serves on the Board and Prize Committee of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. Mrs. Robinson continues to serve as President of the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice, a centre for thought leadership, education and advocacy on the struggle to secure global justice for those many victims of climate change who are usually forgotten — the poor, the disempowered and the marginalized across the world. |
Mr. Said Djinnit