Congo (formerly Zaire) also holds 60% of the world’s coltan, a tantalum-niobium mineral highly sought after for the manufacture of cell phones. The rapidly rising demand for coltan, and the sudden, enormous availability of liquidity, are thus compounded by the ongoing, murky conflict, caused by the fall of the Rwandan government and the mass influx of Hutus into Congo seeking safety, reawakening ancient hatreds and resentments that will eventually involve nine nations and two hundred tribal groups.
