Collaborative efforts are essential to tackle illicit trade in minerals

Governments in region must seek collaborative efforts to tackle illegal smuggling of minerals, and the ongoing meeting of member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) presents opportunity for partner states to dissect the rampant problem and come up with solutions.

For example, mineral rich Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to estimates loses about $22 million USD annually due to illegal smuggling of minerals across it’s porous border.

Many other mineral rich countries like South Sudan should think deeply about how much they are losing in tax revenue due to the smuggling of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold.

 The trade in minerals is among the main reasons why mineral rich countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are among the most fragile countries in the world.

The government of South Sudan needs to retrospect and come up with clear policies and action to prevent wanton smuggling of it’s minerals across the border.

The meeting of the ICGLR members states, presents an opportunity for South Sudan and it’s neighbors to find joint solutions to the smuggling of minerals, which by the way involves powerful networks and cartels that are inter connected up to the rich western world.