The lack of security in eastern DRC is contributing to the thriving smuggling and illegal mining practices, according to Dr. Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Coordinator for Central Africa at the Institute for Security Studies in Dakar, Senegal.
"You also have external stakeholders that are now coming from these countries to take advantage of that, engaging directly in illicit mining. They don't comply with certification mechanisms," the expert explains.
The aftermath of such practices lead to negative effects observable in children, health problems, contaminated water and a degraded environment.
One of the solutions, Dr. Ojewale believes, is for companies from the global north to cooperate with "relevant organs of government, the civil society, the media and environmental activists".
To hear what else the expert had to say, check out the entire episode of the AfroVerdict podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.
► You can also listen to our podcast on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Afripods.
► Check out all the episodes of AfroVerdict.