The conflict is fuelled by the country's vast mineral wealth, with all sides suspected of deliberately prolonging the violence to plunder natural resources such as gold, diamonds, copper, coltan, and other high-value minerals to meet the growing demand of the Western world.
Konflikti toidavad veelgi maavarad ja osapoolte püüdlused neid endale kahmata. Kuld, teemandid, vask on need, millede nõudlus on eriti suur läänemaailmas.