** The storm above Mbuji-Mayi: salary crisis and tensions within Sacim **
On March 3, 2023, the streets of Mbuji-Mayi vibrated to the rhythm of a silent anger that became a rallying voice. The workers of the Anhui Congo company of Kasai-Oriental mining investment (SACIM) organized a march to make their demands heard in the face of an unbearable salary crisis. With 13 months of salary arrears, the situation of employees, who put their lives in danger within mines daily, has become critical, reflecting a wider problem affecting not only the mining sector, but also the local and national economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
### A multiple facets crisis
SACIM, although productive with an average extraction of 300,000 carats of diamonds per year and a workforce of around 700 employees, is stuck in a political and economic storm. The controversial decisions of the Center for Expertise, Evaluation and Certification (CEEC) led to the restriction of the sale of diamonds to a single imposed buyer and a dizzying fall in selling prices, going from $ 12 to 8 Carat. Such a strategy, which certain analysts could consider as an attempt to standardize the market, comes up against the reality of local actors, who see their economic viability undermined.
Moreover, the question of the price does not only weigh on the profits of companies, it also impacts the livelihoods of families which depend on the mining. The question raises an immense economic and social tension, where thousands of workers are likely to end up on the pavement of indigence if no solution is quickly found.
### The impact of state decisions in the field
What makes the situation even more worrying is the proximity between state decisions and the realities experienced by workers. The decisions taken by the authorities seem to be disconnected from the urgent needs of the employees. The memorandum deposited in the province’s governorate is the cry of despair requiring emergency intervention. But how can the system meet the expectations of these workers while respecting policies that aim to clean up the diamond market?
A comparative analysis with other diamond -producing countries, such as Botswana or South Africa, shows that natural resources management must necessarily involve strategic planning that balances commercial interests with those of workers and local communities. While these countries have been able to take advantage of their resources to develop their economy while preserving the interests of workers, the DRC still seems to be trapped in a decisions cycle that distorts economic play and undermine the purchasing power of workers.
### The challenges of mobilization
Over the years, strike movements have often been the vector of significant social changes. Sacim demonstrations are not only echoing a legitimate need for remuneration; They underline an increasing dissatisfaction with management deemed opaque. The workers, at the heart of the wealth produced by the mining, aspire to their voice to be heard and that concrete commitments be made for an improvement in their working conditions.
The media, like Fatshimetrics, have a crucial role in playing in the awareness of public opinion and the highlighting of these injustices. By exposing the realities that these workers experience, by relaying their calls for help and by holding responsible authorities, investigative journalism can move the lines.
### Future prospects
The exit of the crisis seems to require the development of a constructive dialogue between SACIM, workers and regional authorities. A model of collaboration that could be inspired by unions and workers’ organizations in other sectors. If Sacim does not envisage a radical transformation of its economic line, the question of its sustainability will inevitably arise.
It is time for the DRC to realize that the real riches of its soil do not reside only in diamonds, but also in the men and women who extract them. Strengthening workers’ rights, ensuring worthy working conditions and betting on sustainable development should be at the heart of any economic strategy. The events taking place in Mbuji-Mayi may well be the catalyst for a new chapter for the mining sector, where the voices of the workers are finally heard and taken into account.
### Conclusion
While the Sacim workers are continuing their struggle for decent wage conditions, the challenges widen beyond the simple arrears of payment. This movement could well become a symbol of a desire for social transformation within a vital sector for the DRC. If the past can serve as lessons, the future will depend on the responses that will be given to the legitimate claims of these workers. The time is for reflection, dialogue and action, because beyond the diamond, there are lives that are at stake.