Children in Congo are digging rare earth minerals and ore for weapons, mobile phones and electric cars held at gunpoint by child soldiers. Millions of people have been killed in Congo because they live in resource-rich areas. ‘Rape is a weapon of war’ says Congolese Dr Denis Mukwege, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Erik Luyts, a commodities trader based in Geneva, travels to Congo because the Chinese are becoming too competitive. His wife Pauline at Doctors Without Borders warns him against it. Erik decides to do something about the terrible abuses, but can’t prevent that his hidden past is catching up with him. Praise for Van Campen: ‘May I call you the Dutch John le Carré’Alphonse Muambi, Congolese Journalist.‘I must say, this is an exciting book.’ Pim van Galen, Journalist at Dutch Public Television (NOS). ‘We may be able to stop the bleeding, but not the bullets.’Cecile Dehopre, Doctors without Borders, Amsterdam.‘Van Campen makes people aware and confronts them with child labour, working conditions and conflict minerals in Congo’s current mining industry.’Bas van Abel, founder of Fairphone.‘This book is a revelation, after you read it, you will never mindlessly make use of a mobile phone!’Charles den Tex, thriller writer.
