African Bishops: 'Stop plundering mineral and natural resources in Africa'

By Lisa Zengarini

Speakers at a seminar convened by the Symposium of the Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) have urged the international community to stop plundering mineral and natural resources in Africa, highlighting the critical nexus between the indiscriminate exploitation of its riches and conflicts on the continent. 

The seminar in Accra, Ghana

Meeting in Accra, Ghana, from 8-10 March to discuss the theme "Conflicts in Africa in the Context of the Exploitation of Natural and Mining Resources," they called for an end to the ruthless depletion of natural resources by multinational corporations and foreign powers. 

Participants in the seminar said resource exploitation is causing immense suffering to Africans, including conflicts and forced displacements of populations.

The seminar was organized in collaboration with the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and several Catholic organizations, including the U.S. Catholic Relief Service, and the German-based Misereor Foundation.

Hands off Africa!

Participants comprised bishops, priests, and lay Catholics hailing from Africa and beyond who engaged in discussions covering a spectrum of pertinent topics, including the exploitation of mining and other natural resources in Africa, theological reflections, legal frameworks and regulations, the Church's commitment in this domain, advocacy initiatives, as well as strategies for future endeavours aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with these situations, particularly conflicts and their ramifications stemming from the exploitation of natural resources.

Speakers unanimously echoed Pope Francis’ prophetic words in his opening speech to Congolese authorities in Kinshasa during his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023.

In his impassioned plea, the Pope implored, "Hands off Africa! Stop choking Africa; it is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered. May Africa be the protagonist of its own destiny!”

In his keynote speech, the President of SECAM, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Kinshasa, reiterated the need to ensure that Africa’s riches contribute to its development, benefit the majority of its people, alleviate poverty, and foster peace.

He underscored the paradoxical scenario wherein significant foreign investments in oil, gas, mining, and natural resources fail to adequately benefit the local populations.

Promoting integral ecology and advocating for the African people

The Congolese cardinal recently denounced the “shameless predation” of the mineral resources in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by neighbouring Rwanda, alleging the complicity of the European Union.

Cardinal Ambongo further stressed the importance for the Church in Africa to adopt a pastoral approach to integral ecology and ecological conversion informed by the Catholic Social Doctrine, particularly in relation to extractive industries.

After identifying the key challenges associated with mining and natural resource exploitation and the Church's existing responses, the participants presented actionable proposals aimed at fostering a better future for the people of Africa.

These include advocacy for the establishment of a continental Day of prayer and solidarity in Africa to spotlight specific issues in individual countries and amplify the voices of the marginalized.

Addressing root causes of conflicts in Africa

Additionally, the seminar called for enhanced education on integral ecology as well as increased involvement of legal and media professionals in monitoring natural resource exploitation and advocacy efforts.

For its part, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, a key partner and participant in the seminar, urged the Church in Africa to bolster its commitment to addressing issues that perpetuate immense suffering, such as conflicts and forced displacements of populations.