USAID was beneficial to the world and to the U.S.

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Did your smart phone cost you a lot of money? It is possible it is costing somebody their life in Congo.

Hundreds of thousands of Congolese people risk their lives mining minerals to power your phone. And the demand will only intensify with the growing market for electric cars.

Sylvain Obedi, Executive Director of Enable the Disabled Action in Congo, was recently in Iowa. He was part of a delegation of African professionals on a multi-city tour of the U.S. to explore human rights. “The situation in Congo is disastrous, with an ongoing conflict primarily fueled by the M23 rebel group supported by the Rwandan government. This has led to massive displacement, loss of human lives, with clashes in the city of Goma.” Obedi says his country is currently experiencing “a humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people.”

At the same time this past month, USAID was “put to rest” in Congo and other developing countries. The organization was described as criminal by the same man who benefits from the minerals in Congo under dangerous conditions.

Whether or not you agree that the U.S. has a responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance to countries as compensation for harmful activities such as tampering in governments and exploiting resources, the assistance has also served the U.S. as a form of soft power. It tempers Russian and Chinese aspirations, especially in Africa where Chinese influence has grown significantly over the past two decades. USAID has created more favorable markets for America.

And many people do not see USAID as criminal. According to Obedi, their “assistance has been crucial for providing humanitarian aid, supporting initiatives for the rights of persons with disabilities, and facilitating access to services for marginalized populations, although there is always room for increased support and collaboration.”

USAID provides more than humanitarian assistance, they work in crisis stabilization, governance and counterterrorism. The oversight we once had over corrupt practices and ensuring that responsible investors are in control have been abandoned. We have essentially handed over the purse strings to China or others who may or may not do the work of USAID in improving economic stability and ameliorating trade with the US.

Our codependent relationships with our smartphones is one reason why USAID oversight was essential. “American consumerism, particularly in mobile phones and electric vehicles, drives the demand for minerals like coltan and cobalt, which often come from conflict regions, primarily in the eastern part of my country,” Obedi explained to me. “This demand can exacerbate exploitation and violence against local communities.”

And Iowa’s connection with Congo and USAID goes beyond the electronics many of us are attached. The dismantling of USAID will cut off research funding received by our state universities and affect our farmers. It is hard to say how much of the $450 million in USAID food distributions was grown in Iowa, but suffice it to say it will add insult to injury with the other $10 million broken promise to Iowa farmers for their conservation initiatives.

Obedi wants “Americans to understand that Congo is a resource-rich nation but is ravaged by conflict and systemic inequality. Repeated armed conflicts and the ongoing war have devastating effects on its population, especially on the most vulnerable. The disabled population, which represents 15% of the Congolese population, faces immense challenges, including lack of accessibility, social stigma, and barriers to accessing healthcare and education. Our rights and needs must be prioritized in all humanitarian efforts.” He says that “Americans can advocate for ethical sourcing of materials, support organizations working for peace and human rights in Congo, like mine, and push for policies that hold accountable those who perpetuate violence and the illegal exploitation of our resources.”

The circumstances behind the issues in Congo are complex and go beyond the minerals themselves. While some violent groups have sought control over the mineral trade, there is a long history of corruption, destructive colonialist practices and political mismanagement that have led to the horrifying violence and desperate conditions in Eastern Congo.

Admirably, these conditions have not led to apathy and despair for all. Obedi is a model of resilience. Despite many obstacles he has faced in his life, including the loss of his leg at the age of three due to poliomyelitis, he perseveres. He has a peaceful yet powerful aura about him. He believes strongly on resilience and self-reliance, not just for himself, but for his people. “It is important to highlight the resilience of the Congolese people and the grassroots efforts being undertaken to advocate for peace and rights, despite the challenges. My dream for Congo is to have a peaceful and inclusive society where all individuals, regardless of their disabilities, can thrive. I envision a country where human rights are respected, and everyone has access to education and healthcare.”

Some say we have hungry people in America and others in need, and many have fallen prey to the dangers of the America First fallacy. It was the failed strategy leading up to World War I. Even if we ignore the racism and xenophobia behind America First (which we shouldn’t ignore), aid to foreign countries does not preclude helping others here in the states. Our government just has had different priorities. So far this year these priorities have included stripping civil rights and trying to erase entire groups of people, snatching data out of the hands of doctors and scientists, and using expensive military planes to deport immigrants, among others. No wonder they haven’t had time to take action to make our eggs cheaper.

The reality is that we live in a global economy, and stable markets in other countries are good for American business. What we eat, what we drive, the electronics we use, and the clothes we put on our body come from around the globe. We depend on the world; the world should be able to depend on us.

Chris Espersen is a Gazette editorial fellow. chris.espersen@thegazette.com

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