While more than 60% of the world's cobalt (used to power smartphones, laptops and e-cars) comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country remains one of the world's poorest, with over 73% of Congolese people living on less than $2.15 a day. A three-decade mineral war has fuelled the destruction of the DRC, with little accountability - despite mounting evidence that Western-backed neighbour Rwanda is the prime gateway for the ‘blood minerals’ trade. In the latest escalation of the proxy war, the M23 rebel group's offensive to seize the eastern regional capital of Goma k*lled nearly 3,000 people (UN) and displaced at least 500,000 in January alone. The rebels’ operations are widely reported as being largely controlled by the Rwanda Defence Forces, which also fund, arm and provide military personnel for M23. Join us for Episode 18 of our Pa ...