Congo Lawyers Unveil Fresh Evidence Concerning Apple’s Mineral Supply Chain

International jurists representing the Democratic Republic of Congo have obtained fresh evidence from informants, which has raised apprehensions that Apple might be acquiring minerals from conflict zones in eastern Congo.

The jurists have called on Apple to respond to inquiries regarding its supply chain in the nation and are considering legal recourse. Congo has been severely impacted by violence since the 1990s, especially in the unsettled eastern region where various armed factions, some supported by Rwanda, are engaged in conflicts over national identity, ethnicity, and wealth.

Attorneys representing Apple have apprised the company’s CEO Tim Cook of several issues concerning its supply chain and have requested a response within three weeks. The law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP has been looking into claims that minerals extracted in Congo by multiple companies and armed organizations are being illicitly transported through Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi.

Apple has previously stated that it does not directly purchase, acquire, or procure primary minerals, and has been examining its suppliers for numerous years while publicly sharing its conclusions.