The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has filed lawsuits in Paris and Brussels against Apple’s European subsidiaries, accusing the company of sourcing "blood minerals" illegally mined in its conflict-ridden regions.

The DRC accused Apple of using minerals illicitly obtained from areas in eastern Congo, some allegedly purchased from neighboring Rwanda, which both Apple and the Rwandan government deny.

The DRC, one of Africa's most resource-rich yet conflict-plagued nations, is a key source of minerals and metals essential for high-tech products. Violence has gripped the country's eastern regions since the 1990s, with tensions escalating in recent years due to renewed offensives by the Rwandan-backed M23 insurgent group in North Kivu province. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of using M23 as a proxy to gain control of mineral-rich territories, a charge Rwanda strongly denies.

Apple, in response, claimed there is “no reasonable basis for concluding” that its products include minerals illegally exported from conflict zones. The company alleges to rigorously verify the origin of all its materials.

Dive deeper

However, lawyers representing the DRC argue that Apple’s French and Belgian subsidiaries engaged in "deceptive commercial practices" to mislead consumers about the ethical sourcing of their materials.

William Bourdon, a Paris-based lawyer, described the lawsuits as "a first step towards making one of the biggest players in tech accountable for its policy of endless enrichment at the cost of the most serious of crimes staining African supply chains."

Brussels lawyer Christophe Marchand highlighted the significance of the cases, saying, “These complaints filed against Apple are a matter of great public interest at a time when European countries, consumers, and non-governmental organizations are increasing their scrutiny of international supply chains.”

Robert Amsterdam, the DRC’s Washington-based lawyer, called the lawsuits a “first salvo” in a broader legal campaign. He said as quoted by AFP, “Colour Apple red, and not green. It is a trillion-dollar company that must be assumed to know the consequences of its actions. Enough with denials of accountability.”

The legal team further stressed that the illegal procurement of minerals from eastern Congo has caused "unfathomable harm and suffering" to civilians. They accused Apple of indirectly fueling the conflict by financing militias and terrorist groups, thereby exacerbating violence, forced child labor, and environmental destruction. These reports are supported by investigations from the United Nations, the US State Department, and international NGOs.