The report questions their explanation, saying economic profit was their main motivation. Rebels backed by Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi have been fighting Congolese government forces, helped by Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia. Ba-N'Daw accused every country of being involved in the exploitation at different levels. The only losers are the Congolese people. The report describes international criminal cartels and complex networks for channeling extracted resources, leading to the looting of coltan, diamonds, copper, cobalt and gold and depriving civilians from benefiting from these resources.
Coltan is a mixture of columbite and tantalite, both in demand for various high-tech uses.
Among many questions, the report asks how a nation such as Uganda can export diamonds even though it does not have its own diamond production. The report recommends sanctions against countries and individuals involved, preventive measures and reparations to the victims. The panel will present its conclusions to the Security Council on Friday and will ask for more time to investigate the involvement of private corporations, some of them from developed countries. The panel will also ask the 15 members of the Security Council to provide them with personal protection, fearing their lives might be in danger. Since the beginning of the war, many peace deals have been brokered and later violated.