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The Dark Side of Natural Resources - Key Documents - UN Security Council - Global Policy Forum Key Documents
This page provides key UN and NGO documents on natural resources and conflict. NGOs have helped bring resource conflict to the attention of the Security Council, which has taken measures to embargo the flow of natural resources from conflict zones. The Council has also commissioned expert panels that have investigated natural resource abuses and issued remarkably frank and revealing reports. NGOs have issued many reports of their own that have exposed some of the people profiting from resource conflicts, from sanctions-busting corporations and traders to government officials complicit in illegal resource exploitation.
UN Documents | NGO Documents
Diamonds | Oil and Natural Gas | Water | Timber | Minerals
Other Articles, Analysis and General Debate
UN Documents
Interim Report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (November 27, 2006)
The Group of Experts reports to the Sanctions Committee that there is “a clear geographical correlation” between the activities of armed groups and natural resources exploitation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The report also highlights a wide range of security threats such as lack of transparency in conducting business activities, and extortion attempts made by State actors, from low level military personnel to senior government officials. It recommends amongst other things that the Congolese government: submit monthly reports about the natural resources field to the Sanctions Committee, develop a formalized natural resource control system, and monitor arms transfers, trafficking and smuggling.
The Panel of Experts assesses the role of natural resources, such as cotton, diamonds, and cocoa in fuelling the conflict in Ivory Coast and the effectiveness of the arms embargo. The panel is especially concerned that the illicit trade of diamonds provides an important income to the rebel group New Forces. The report calls on the UN peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast and the Kimberley Process Secretariat to evaluate the volume of illicit diamond exports. The group also recommends that the Security Council ask the rebel group to provide an inventory of the weapons in its possession and the Ivorian government to submit a breakdown of its defense expenditures.
In a resolution on conflict prevention, the Security Council has acknowledged for the first time the link between natural resources and armed conflict, vowing to take action against illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, particularly in Africa.Resolution 1653 (January 27, 2006)
The Security Council adopted Resolution 1653 in a ministerial-level debate on regional dimensions of peace and security in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The resolution calls on the Governments of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to disarm and demobilize militias and armed groups, especially northern Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army. The resolution also acknowledges the link between the illegal exploitation of natural resources, the illicit trade of those resources and the proliferation and trafficking of arms as key factors fuelling and exacerbating the conflicts in the Great Lakes. Resolution 1653 thus urges the countries of the region to promote lawful and transparent use of natural resources among themselves and in the region.
Natural Resources and Violent Conflict: Options and Actions (2003)
Countries whose economies depend heavily on natural resources face a greater risk of conflict. Rebel groups fund their activities and wage war with illicit exploitation and trade, while corrupt elites drain off the revenues of natural resources. The World Bank recommends that governments of low-income resource-rich countries improve governance transparency and accountability.Addendum to the report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (November 13, 2001)
This report describes how a number of neighboring countries are perpetuating the war in the DRC by illegally exploiting its natural resources. It calls for a moratorium on third-country exports of Congolese minerals, and suggests the possibility of future sanctions.Report of the Panel of Experts pursuant to Security Council resolution 1343 (2001), paragraph 19, concerning Liberia (October 26, 2001)
This "name and shame" report reveals ongoing arms trafficking and sanctions violations in Liberia, and recommends additional sanctions on its "flag of convenience" shipping register and certain types of logging.Supplementary Report of the Monitoring Mechanism on Sanctions against UNITA (October 12, 2001)
This report discusses the limits of the current diamond sanctions against UNITA. It recommends that the UN establish a permanent mechanism to ensure ongoing monitoring of targeted sanctions regimes and illicit trafficking in high-value commodities in armed conflicts.Report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (April 12, 2001)
The report investigates the illegal exploitation of diamonds, cobalt, coltan, gold and other lucrative resources in the DRC. It recommends to the Security Council a temporary embargo on natural resources imported and exported from Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.Report of the UN Expert Panel on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the DRC (January 16, 2001)
The panel expresses its frustration that few of those involved in the Congolese conflict are willing to cooperate with the panel's investigation.
Final Report of the Monitoring Mechanism on Angola Sanctions (December 21, 2000)
An extremely detailed UN report on the violation of sanctions against Unita.UN Expert Panel Report on Sierra Leone (December 20, 2000)
After a delay caused by infighting among the permanent members of the Security Council, the official Sierra Leone report is here.Security Council Decides to Impose Prohibition on Imports of Rough Diamonds from Sierra Leone (July 5, 2000)
The press release (UN SC/6886) and UN Security Council Resolution 1306, which officially bans trading of diamonds from Sierra Leone.The "Fowler Report" S/2000/203 (March 10, 2000)
Final Report of the UN Panel of Experts on Violations of Security Council Sanctions Against Unita.
NGO Documents
In order to press the UN Security Council to address the problem of conflict resources, Global Witness provides a definition of when the exploitation of natural resources becomes illegitimate and “contribute[s] to, benefit[s] from or result[s] in the commission of serious violations of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law or violations amounting to crimes under international law.”Resource-Conflict Links In Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (October 2008)
Sierra Leone and the DRC suffer from a “resource curse,” meaning that the presence of natural resources damages their economy and fuels armed conflict. This SIPRI report stresses that eliminating resource wars requires more than blocking rebels’ access to natural resources by sanctions, interventions and certification schemes. The governments of Sierra Leone and the DRC must strengthen and clarify the rights of local communities in relation to foreign companies that exploit natural resources.Diamonds, Rubber and Forests in the New Liberia (July 2007)
To reform Liberia’s natural resource sector, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf created institutions like the Public Procurement and Contracts Commission and the Foreign Concession Review Committee, which evaluate contracts with companies such as Mittal Steel and Firestone Rubber. But to ensure that resources fuel development and not conflict, Liberia should analyze the past role of resources in its economy. Further, governmental agencies should form a cohesive position on management of Liberia’s gold, diamonds, timber and other resource assets. (Partnership Africa Canada and the Association of Environmental Lawyers of Liberia)The Sinews of War: Eliminating the Trade in Conflict Resources (November 2006)
This Global Witness report focuses on Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Angola and Cambodia as case studies, investigating the role of natural resources in the countries’ conflicts and the UN’s responses. The report recommends in particular that the UN Security Council adopt a resolution defining “conflict” resources under which action including sanctions could be taken by the international community. Further, it highlights the importance of the Security Council using its power to refer individuals trafficking in conflict resources to the International Criminal Court for prosecution.Cautiously Optimistic: the Case for Maintaining Sanctions in Liberia (2006)
Global Witness warns the Security Council against lifting sanctions on Liberian diamonds and timber. Liberian President Ellen Johnston Sirleaf asked the UN to lift the sanctions, providing a much needed boost to Liberia’s damaged economy. However, the new government has still not gained full control over these resources from former militiamen. In the past the revenue from the diamond and timber industries funded rebel groups and fueled the conflict in the county. The report recognizes the efforts by Monrovia to better regulate the trade in diamonds and timber, and stresses that its recommendations are designed to support these reforms.Diamond Industry Annual Review - Sierra Leone 2006 (February 2006)
Diamonds fuelled Sierra Leone’s rebel war between 1991 and 2002, and many hoped after the war that diamonds might help the country’s recovery. Despite the new Kimberley Process diamond certification system, the diamond industry in Sierra Leone remains extraordinarily difficult to manage and control. Rebels continue to smuggle illicit gems across Sierra Leone’s porous borders into Liberia. This report by Partnership Africa Canada shows that virtually all of Sierra Leone’s 120,000 diamond miners earn less than a dollar a day, putting them in the category of absolute poverty. Working conditions are unhealthy and unsafe. As a result, the country remains unstable and violence threatens anew.
Global Witness Open Letter on the Peacebuilding Commission (November 4, 2005)
Global Witness believes that the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) should have the mandate to look into the role of natural resources in conflict. The PBC will likely work in many areas where natural resources have driven and perpetuated conflicts. Therefore, the PBC should take action against illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources in order to build sustainable peace and reconciliation.Global Witness Open Letter to the UN Security Council, Regarding Conflict Resources and Peacekeeping in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (March 18, 2005)
Global Witness criticizes the UN Security Council for insufficiently addressing the nexus between the illegal exploitation of natural resources and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Liberia. In particular, this letter argues that the Council should expand UN peacekeepers’ mandate in the DRC to allow for monitoring and protection of natural resources and should deploy more troops to resource-rich areas of Liberia. Global Witness recommends that the Council “mainstream into the mandate of all peacekeeping missions a monitoring and reporting component related to natural resource exploitation.”NGO Letter on Natural Resources and Conflict to the UN Secretary General’s High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change (October 11, 2004)
This open letter by Global Witness, World Vision and Global Policy Forum calls on the Panel to consider how natural resource exploitation fuels conflict worldwide. The letter urges the UN to create a working definition of "conflict resources" and to establish a Secretariat office or permanent inter-agency task force on natural resources issues.NGO Proposals on Natural Resources and Conflict (November 2003)
This paper recommends that the Security Council adopt a clear definition of "conflict resources" and use international law to curb the exploitation of natural resources in conflict. The paper further recommends industry-wide initiatives, including increased transparency and accountability, as well as initiatives within the UN system, such as the establishment of a Council working group or committee.Same Old Story: A Background Study on Natural Resources in the DRC (July 2004)
Global Witness traces the history of natural resource exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the ways in which such exploitation promoted and intensified armed conflict. The report recommends that the Security Council grant the UN Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC) the authority to “monitor and report on natural resource exploitation” in the country.Fuelling Poverty - Oil, War and Corruption (May, 2003)
Iraq, Angola, Kazakhstan and other states have vast oil reserves, but oil profits rarely improve the lives of impoverished and battle-weary citizens. This Christian Aid report argues that oil represents a curse, not a blessing, for the world's poorest people.Global Witness, ITF Cite Liberia's "Infringements" of UN Sanctions(October 1, 2001)
Global Witness and the International Transport Workers Federation denounce that Liberia not only violates UN sanctions, but also has adopted various other means of circumventing the sanctions, especially in the timber industry. (Perspective)Zimbabwe's Resource Colonialism Threatens Peace Process (August 26, 2001)
As a Global Witness report reveals, the Zimbabwe government has brokered a secret deal for the exploitation of the DRC's timber resources. Zimbabwe appears to have no intention of withdrawing its troops from the DRC in the foreseeable future, thus threatening the Lusaka Peace Process.Angola's Wealth: Stories of War and Neglect (September 2001)
The executive summary of this policy paper by Oxfam illustrates the dynamics of a vicious cycle of oil production, underdevelopment, and conflict. The paper calls for greater transparency on the part of the Angolan government and increased international involvement, in order to ensure that oil revenues are used for development instead of Angola's "economy of war and neglect."The Regulatory Void (May 17, 2001)
Christian Aid implicates various European and Asian oil companies in human rights violations in Sudan. The report calls for the establishment of a Global Regulation Authority (GRA) to ensure the accountability of TNCs, but does not clarify which international body would oversee its operation.Review of the Sierra Leone Diamond Certification System and Proposals (April 25, 2001)
This report of Global Witness reviews the diamond certification system in Sierra Leone and gives recommendations to strengthen controls against conflict diamonds.
The Scorched Earth (March 2001)
A detailed report by Christian Aid, describing the role of foreign oil companies in escalating and sustaining the civil war in Sudan.The Role of the Liberia’s Logging Industry on National and Regional Insecurity (January 2001)
This Global Witness report briefs and urges the Security Council to expand the embargo to include Liberian timber. There is also a link to the updated report from May 2001.Raiding the Treasure House: Oil and Mineral Extraction in the Colonization of Tibet (October 13, 2000)
This report by Project Underground describes China's ongoing attempts to colonize its western provinces. The new wave of resource extraction will aid the Chinese government's population transfer policy, heighten the marginalization of Tibetans in their own country, increase militarization in an already volatile area, and promote environmental degradation.NGO Letter Calling for Security Council Action on the Diamond Trade and the Civil War in Sierra Leone (June 2, 2000)
A letter from Care International presents the position of several humanitarian NGOs and Global Policy Forum calling on the Security Council to strengthen the ban on trafficking arms and diamonds as a step towards ending the civil war in Sierra Leone. (Care International)Possibilities for the Identification, Certification, and Control of Diamonds (May 15, 2000)
This working report by Global Witness addresses the issue of the diamond conflict by providing an outline for certification of the diamond trade.Sudan: The Human Price of Oil (May 2000)
Link to Amnesty International's report detailing the background of the Sudanese conflict and illustrating the human rights violations that accompany the extraction of oil in the Sudan.Open Letter to the Security Council Concerning Sanctions against UNITA (April 14, 2000)
In response to the final report of the Angola sanctions expert panel, a group of NGOs calls on the Security Council to implement strong measures to reinforce sanctions on diamonds, arms, etc. in Angola.Oil For Nothing (January 25, 2000)
An in depth report by Essential Action and Global Exchange on how multinational corporations involvement in the Niger Delta is leading to environmental destruction, death and impunity.The Heart of the Matter; Sierra Leone, Diamonds and Human Security (January 2000)
This report by the Partnership Africa Canada demonstrates the centrality of diamonds in the Sierra Leone war. It also includes important recommendations to governments, the UN, and the diamond industry.A Rough Trade: The Role of Companies and Governments in the Angolan Conflict (December 1998)
Here is the original report of Global Witness which called public attention to conflict diamonds, especially in Angola.Risky Business: The Grasberg Gold Mine (1998)
The summary of this report by Project Underground reveals Freeport McMoRan's complicity in the Suharto regime's repression of indigenous peoples.
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