(anonymous)
If the West does not get off its butt and counter the moves by these Chinese to be in Africa, and Africa itself does nothing to stop the Chinese, we are all in trouble.

Tashi Dondup - Boise, ID
Insightful and thought provoking. It's fascinating (and scary) to learn about the driving forces behind conflict.

(anonymous)
There is no mention of Western governments and corporations who are clandestinely behind this conflict and continue to profit from it. If I didn't already study this conflict then I'd be reading this article thinking only China was guilty. The West is guilty as much as China is. Plus UN soldiers are also accused of trading arms with rebels.

Dallas, Texas
I have been well aware of the smuggling of arms into various Africa nations, but I had been under the general assumption that this was done mostly by "gunrunners", as they are called. The fact that corporations from China, and perhaps even the government of China itself are fueling these conflicts disturb me greatly. History has shown how little care the powers of the world have had for the African nations and their people, and only for the spoils that the continent could offer to better their commerce. Ivory, rubber, gold, diamonds, oil, and many other natural resources have been the plight of developed nations within Africa for hundreds of years. When a developed country such as China, one of the largest economic forces in the world, uses the turmoil in Africa to their own advantage, it undoes much of what has been tried to correct the problem. China, by selfishly using Africa's problems to its own benefit, is in a metaphorical sense reopening a wound that is just beginning to heal. Until every developed nation stands united to stop this bloodshed, it will not stop, and people will continue to die needlessly.

Scott - Allen, Texas
I never hear of stories like this one in America. My reaction is not so much toward what is going on in the Congo, which is terrible, but the fact that no one in America ever receives information like this through mainstream media. All of the secrecy of the illegal activities of governments is ridiculous, because one's country can prosper through regular legal activity. To fuel warfare simply to earn what amounts to a few pennies for a government is just horrendous. China must be confronted at the United Nations about their violation of the UN Arms Embargo, but I'm sure "for some reason" nothing will change.

Brandon Pekarek - Allen, TX
First of all, this story greatly surprised me. I had no idea that a country like China would facilitate illegal small arms trade just to strengthen their economic ties with Africa. Later on I realized that this was perfectly plausible, if a country with a need for raw materials can satisfy another countries' need for small arms then why not continue stimulating the guerrilla factions with this trade? China needs these resources and it sees that the Congo is perhaps the easiest to manipulate due to the frequent outbursts of fighting and the relative disunity of the country, but in the long run will China really benefit from destroying another country?

(anonymous)
The sale of small arms can be seen as one of the most destabilizing forces in the modern political minefield that is Africa. If the first world is now effectively handing out weapons to poorer Third World counties, civilization is seemingly failing in its duty to the rest of humanity. The impoverished of the world are kept at an even greater disadvantage by the violence these weapons bring into their communities. Unless the bottom line becomes less important than the plight of our fellow man, there is no solution for third world crises in sight.

Allen, Texas
That is very interesting that people in Africa are dependent (or so it would seem) on trade from China. I mean, I know that Americans get much of our completed goods from China but it's interesting and upsetting at the same time to see Africans dealing in arms from countries like China. It is also upsetting that countries like China would take advantage of the need and want for weapons in Africa to boost their own trade. Who knows, trade like that may not be illegal in China and so the government tries to find ways to get weapons to other countries that would give them money; power to the highest bidder, or power to the man with the bigger weapon. It just seems saddening that Africa may be having other peoples tear it apart for its resources and disrupt once again, the unity that may be beginning to be restored.

(anonymous)
I had no idea that there was so much violence in the Congo still going on. In America, we hear about so little of it except that which directly affects us and our people. Our news media makes a huge deal of a couple thousand American deaths over a period of a few years, which, while still tragic, pales in comparison to the average of over 400,000 a year in the Congo over the past nine or ten years. As far as China being the main supplier now, it makes sense to me that they can produce the guns for cheaper than anyone else because they are capable of this with so many of their other products, as well. When I think about it, it does make sense that relations with some of the groups in the country, formed by supplying weapons, could then be taken advantage of to offer more opportunities for trade to the Chinese. Also, it is logical that offering weapons shows trust, since you are handing people the means to seriously wound or kill you and trusting that they will have the courtesy not to (or at least not have the motivation to do so). However, I am appalled that the practice would continue when it is so obviously an extremely significant problem that could be simply remedied, especially when the UN (of which China is a leading member) has already placed an arms embargo on the country.

Austin Piper - Allen, Texas
I found this story very intriguing, but also a little disheartening. It is understandable that a country (China) would want to increase its trade with a country rich in natural resources (the Congo), but to do so by illegal small arms trade? And not only are these guns being illegally traded in the Congo, but they are fueling civil warfare and hindering the unity of the Congo. Once again, it is understandable that a country would want to benefit from trade with another country, but to get their foot in the door by illegally selling AK-47's that end up being used by these guerilla factions, China must ask themselves if the means they are going about increasing trade with the Congo are ethical. Or do they care? Also, is China increasing trade with the Congo to benefit their own economy and that of the Congo, or are they seeking to exploit the Congo and its natural resources? Africa is still suffering the effects of being divided up at a [19th century] convention full of European delegates (not one African present) based on natural resources instead of tribes. Let's hope that Africa will not be exploited once again for natural resources.

Stephen Law - Fort Worth, Texas
To me, it seems that China with their gigantic population, and unquenchable need for resources, will continue to move from country to country. One by one methodically sucking, draining, robbing, and depleting the resources desperatly needed by these poor African countries who can't even sustain or create a stable economic enviroment for themselves, let alone a huge country like China. The sad thing is that when the resources dry up in one country, they'll move on to the next, leaving the previous country far worse off than they found it. What's more is that there won't be any more resources left over to base a new economy on. The Chinese government doesn't care that these AK-47's that they market to local rebel militias, warlords, and other guerrilla factions are using them in a destructive manner. In other words, China is fueling these fires, instead of trying to exstinguish them. Thank you for shedding some light on how easily these weapons of war are aquired, where they are manufactured, who's using them, and who's mostly responsible for it.

Joon Kim - Lubbock, TX
The rifle that Benjamin bought in Congo shows the year of production in Korean, not in Chinese. I was wondering if North Korea was involved in smuggling the AK's. If that's the case, the story will be more complicated.

(anonymous)
Powerful story and so informative about the increasing role of China and their influence in the world. Tragic that arms trade triggers so much despair and death in a country needing so much.

Buffalo, NY
No news network or TV investigative show dares to examine the armament merchants who play a large part in driving and extending wars.Start with the US death manufacturers in unmarked factories turning out guns knowing full well they will end up in the hands of urban youth. Every gun picked by police should be reported on-line along with the name of the manufacturer, and the city it was made in. I want to know what American-made guns end up in foreign wars. Armaments is the most secret commerce with almost no investigation. I'm hoping Bill Moyer will do a segment. He's about the bravest journalist we have.

Tom Westerman - West Hartford, CT
Very interesting and not a little scary. The ease with which a person can buy a gun should prove that the world leaders and governments must look at the micro-level and not just the macro.

Jack Rice - Minneapolis, MN
As a correspondent who has traveled to many conflict zones around the world, I have seen how difficult it can be to get this close to underground smuggling operations. Ben's piece shows, sadly, just how simple it is to do just that in a place like the DRC. Great work!

(anonymous)
Incisive, fresh, utterly unnerving work. Thank you for this gutsy, important piece. The passage of one fraught object, between countries, between hands.

Ruben O'Malley - Brooklyn, NY
I've seen where some AK's end up in Africa, they are an essential part of the tragedy in Darfur, in marriage negotiations (as a deadly currency), and have turned children into adults in the seconds it takes to stare down the barrel of one or poke one in a person's face. Their lethal perfection has reshaped conflict and been the essence of liberation movements and self determination all over the world. They teach us that the tools of violence will devolve to those who wield them and are a microcosm of power corrupting. All that soapboxing is really a way of saying that small arms are probably the most deadly threat to states, people and human civilization. Since people somewhere profit from turning men and women into killers, I think it's high time that those profiteers be held accountable, and the piece's specificity is key to that process. I applaud Ben and Caitlin's work here and I hope that it is a small step towards limiting arms sales (by anyone) and reducing conflict while calling to task those who benefit from murder and it's tools.

(anonymous)
I was part of a very small contingent of advisors to Nuba Mountains in Central-southern Sudan in support of the cease fire agreement between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the government of Sudan (GOS). The war had reached its 19th year. Weapons of all kinds were apparent, including the ever so popular AK-47. Many very young SPLA soldiers carried the weapon. Many times, the weapon was longer/taller than the teenage soldier. When taking a break, all the AK's would be placed up against the tree. I termed it the "AK-47" tree. Yes, weapons are easier to come by in Africa than food. But, it seems the continent is in continuous turmoil based in part because of the proliferation of weapons and the lawless "I don't care about the people" attitude.
I like the AK -- not a precise weapon, but lots of firepower. I used one in Afghanistan less than a year later as backup.

Nathan Salsburg - Louisville, Kentucky
Refreshingly concise, free of pedantry, tightly edited, and wholly disconcerting. Is there not space on the six o'clock news, between the slinging of incontinence medication and "human interest" absurdity, for this kind of thoughtful and very necessary reportage?

John Cowl - North Pemhroke, MA
A thoughtful and frightening but not surprising piece. Whether it has been the repeatedly misguided and misdirected efforts of the USA to intrude into foreign affairs or China's seeking to expand its influence using similar techniques that continues to cripple the world is a discussion better left to polemicists. The truth is that only when we (human beings) make it a priority to help lift all people suffering from squalor and hopelessness will things change. When people are healthy, well-educated, and are able to see a horizon of hope for themselves and their families, there will no longer be fertile petri dishes for producing tyrants and their followers across the world. Good job Ben.

new york, ny
Wow. Enlightening piece. This piqued my interest in the subject.

San Francisco, CA
This is a courageous look into a topic I feel few people know much about. I'm interested in learning more about the Chinese angle and the factories that are supplying these weapons. Reminiscent of Darwin's Nighmare but with a more raw and exposed feel.

New York, NY
I really loved it!

marta Edmisten - Brooklyn, NY
Wow! Really mind blowing. Wonderful reporting.

David Taylor - Murphysboro, IL
http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/congo.htm
Finding 1 - Due to the continuing legacies of its Cold War policies toward Africa, the U.S. bears some responsibility for the cycles of violence and economic problems plaguing the continent. Throughout the Cold War (1950-1989), the U.S. delivered over $1.5 billion worth of weaponry to Africa. Many of the top U.S. arms clients - Liberia, Somalia, the Sudan, and Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DRC) - have turned out to be the top basket cases of the 1990s in terms of violence, instability, and economic collapse.
Finding 2 - The ongoing civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) is a prime example of the devastating legacy of U.S. arms sales policy on Africa. The U.S. prolonged the rule of Zairian dictator Mobutu Sese Soko by providing more than $300 million in weapons and $100 million in military training. Mobutu used his U.S.-supplied arsenal to repress his own people and plunder his nation's economy for three decades, until his brutal regime was overthrown by Laurent Kabila's forces in 1997. When Kabila took power, the Clinton administration quickly offered military support by developing a plan for new training operations with the armed forces.
Finding 3 - Although the Clinton administration has been quick to criticize the governments involved in the Congo War, decades of U.S. weapons transfers and continued military training to both sides of the conflict have helped fuel the fighting. The U.S. has helped build the arsenals of eight of the nine governments directly involved in the war that has ravaged the DRC since Kabila's coup. U.S. military transfers in the form of direct government-to-government weapons deliveries, commercial sales, and International Military Education and Training (IMET) to the states directly involved have totaled more than $125 million since the end of the Cold War.

Jim Brown - Norwich, VT
This is an excellent, succinct work, that answers a question I've wondered about for years. Who manufactures and supplies these weapons that form the basis for most of the deadliest terror and fighting in 3rd world countries?