The war in the DR Congo began when Rwanda and Uganda launched an attack to oust then-President Laurent Kabila from power in 1998. When Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe intervened on behalf of the Kabila government, the Great Lakes region quickly became embroiled in a six-nation war and one of Africa’s deadliest conflicts. It is now estimated that between three and four million people have since died from fighting, disease or starvation.

Key Documents

RAID's report, "Unanswered Questions: Companies, conflict and the DR Congo" Full Report or Executive Summary

Third Report of UN Panel of Experts, October 2002

Final Report of UN Panel of Experts, October 2003

A three-year investigation by a Panel of Experts, convened by the United Nations Security Council in 2000, found that sophisticated networks of high-level political, military and business persons in cahoots with various rebel groups were intentionally fuelling the conflict in order to retain their control over the country’s natural resources. In a series of controversial reports, the Panel exposed the vicious cycle of resource-driven conflict that has taken hold of the DR Congo.

In its October 2002 report, the Panel also accused dozens of western companies of violating a set of government-backed international standards for responsible corporate behavior known as the "Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises". The Panel felt it was necessary to bring to light the companies’ role in perpetuating the conflict.

RAID's April 2004 report, "Unanswered Questions: Companies, conflict and the Democratic Republic of Congo", examined the UN Panel’s allegations against 40 companies and included additional evidence attesting to the companies' involvement in human rights violations, corruption and/or illegal resource exploitation.

Most OECD governments refused to investigate the Panel’s allegations and in the face of their inaction, NGOs started to file complaints. Working with our NGO partners, about a dozen complaints alleging violations of the OECD "Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises" were submitted to the American, Belgian, British, and Dutch governments.

Overview of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

The OECD Guidelines are the only corporate responsibility instrument that has been adopted by the 30 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and several non-OECD countries.  They describe principles and standards of what OECD governments believe reflects responsible corporate behavior. 

Governments have clear implementation obligations, which includes establishing a "National Contact Point" (NCP) to promote adherence by companies and handle allegations of corporate conduct alleged to be inconsistent with the Guidelines.

When complaints were accepted by NCPs, the outcomes have been inadequate, particularly in view of the gravity of the allegations. Overall, no one is any the wiser as to whether the companies’ conduct was compliant with the OECD Guidelines or how the companies' activities should be amended.

The UN Panel’s work and the subsequent NGO complaints have, however, prompted the OECD Investment Committee to develop a "Risk Management Tool" for companies investing in weak governance zones. Click here to find out more