UN employee suspected of smuggling Congo minerals

UN employee suspected of smuggling Congo minerals

The government of the republic of Congo said that the security forces have seized a jeep belonging to the United Nations peacekeeping operation and also arrested a UN employee suspected of trying to smuggle some tones of minerals out of the country.

Congolese Information Minister, Lambert Mende says the incident took place on Sunday evening at the border crossing in the eastern city of Goma.

"Border police and other security services have seized a load consisting of 24 packages of cassiterite (tin ore) each weighing 50kg, on board a MONUSCO jeep," Mende explained.

"The government wishes to see MONUSCO take its responsibilities to avoid any repeat of these lapses," he added.

UN involvement

A police investigation was said to be under way while two people, including a Congolese UN staff member, have been arrested.

UN released a statement saying it was aware of the allegations and was co-operating with the authorities to investigate the incident.

Conflict minerals 

The United States legislation, which was aimed at stamping out the so called "conflict minerals" from the region as the Congo and mining companies, are under pressure to ensure the mineral trade does not continue to fuel conflict across the vast nation. 
Congo, which has vast deposits of copper, tin and gold, is due to hold elections in November, with President Joseph Kabila, aiming to be re-elected, despite criticism that he has failed to bring stability to the volatile east of the country.

REUTERS /SUSAN