1145: Rwanda 2025 | Out of the Loop

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Apr 27, 2025

Nathan Paul Southern and Lindsey Kennedy, investigative journalists specializing in cyber slavery and international crime, shed light on the troubling links between Rwanda's recent geopolitical maneuvers and corporate interests. They discuss the resurgence of the M23 militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its impact on mineral resources crucial for modern technology. The duo highlights how the UK's refugee resettlement program may indirectly fund conflict, raising ethical questions about 'conflict-free' minerals and the exploitation underlying global commerce.

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ANECDOTE

Living Beside Scam Centers

Nathan and Lindsey live next to scam call centers with hundreds trapped in each building.
They witness constant arrival of frightened workers who rarely leave, showing cyber slavery's scale.

INSIGHT

Forced Labor in Scam Centers

Many workers are trafficked into scam centers, coerced by violence and passport confiscation.
Even those who come willingly often lose freedom, making it forced labor by definition.

ANECDOTE

Horrific Abuse in Scam Centers

A Filipino scam worker was tricked into joining a crypto scam and trapped.
When he tried to leave, guards gang-raped him for a year until he was released.

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On this Out of the Loop, Nathan Paul Southern and Lindsey Kennedy explain the consumer decisions and corporate interests fueling conflict in Rwanda.

Welcome to what we're calling our "Out of the Loop" episodes, where we dig a little deeper into fascinating current events that may only register as a blip on the media's news cycle and have conversations with the people who find themselves immersed in them. Investigative journalists Nathan Paul Southern and Lindsey Kennedy are here to help us understand why we're hearing a lot about Rwanda in recent news.

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1145

On This Episode of Out of the Loop, We Discuss:

The M23 militia has recently resurged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), taking over parts of North Kivu province and effectively controlling access to valuable mineral resources like cobalt, gold, and coltan — minerals critical for modern technology including electric vehicles and AI chips.
There appears to be a connection between the UK's Rwanda refugee resettlement program (which sent hundreds of millions of pounds to Rwanda) and the reemergence of the M23, which had previously disappeared when international aid was threatened to be cut off. The timing suggests the UK money may have indirectly funded the militia.
Rwanda is allegedly stealing minerals from the DRC, bringing them across the border, and claiming they were mined in Rwanda — creating the appearance of "conflict-free" minerals that major tech companies like Apple and Tesla can claim to use, even though they ultimately come from conflict zones.
The conflict has become increasingly complicated with the involvement of private military contractors from various countries, Russian interests, and American billionaires like Elon Musk and Eric Prince potentially making deals to control mineral resources in the region.
Understanding these complex global connections can empower us to make more ethical consumer choices. By researching which companies prioritize truly ethical sourcing and supporting organizations that monitor conflict minerals, we can use our purchasing power to encourage corporate responsibility and transparency in global supply chains for technologies we rely on daily.
And much more!
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