Illustrations
"The works of Congolese artists Sam Ilus (from Kinshasa) and Thierry Kambale (from Goma) are expressive depictions of the armed conflicts and human rights abuses that people in Congo have endured for decades, even centuries. Much of this suffering has been linked to corruption and the often violent exploitation of mineral wealth, a treasure of natural riches that has significantly advanced the Western world’s lifestyles. These illustrations by artists working in different corners of Congo offer visual stories about the struggle for justice and human rights, including the 21st century human exploitation in the mineral-rich areas of eastern Congo.”
—Fidel Bafilemba
—Fidel Bafilemba
Thierry Kambale, "World War II, the Atomic Bomb and Congolese Uranium"
The Shinkolobwe mine in Katanga with miners mining uranium ore. Uranium ore is then loaded onto trains to take northwestern Congo to the Matadi port, to be shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.
Thierry Kambale, "Cell Phones, Laptops, Video Games and Congo’s Conflict Minerals"
Invasion of the DRC in the 1990s by neighboring countries, fueled in part by the conflict minerals trade. Tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold mined in bloodshed, exported to multinational companies to feed the world’s demands for electronic gadgets.
Thierry Kambale: "The Future: Electric Cars and Congolese Cobalt"
Powering the Auto Industry’s Fate Miners mining cobalt under exploitative conditions. Certain corrupt officials and army officers profit from cobalt that is sold to electronics and automotive companies in the US, Europe, and around the world to make electric cars.
Thierry Kambale: "Congo's Activists"
Catholic bishops work with pro-democracy movements for the respect of the constitution, freedom, and the organization of fair and transparent elections. Demonstrators braving gun fire by the Congolese government’s Republican Guard, which is notorious for using firearms to crush peaceful protests.