The lack of a coherent and committed international approach to tackling the role of natural resources in conflict is costing lives in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and heightening the risk of further unrest in other fragile states such as Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea, according to a new report from Global Witness...The report is critical of the UN for failing adequately to consider the natural resource angle in its peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts...The report also highlights the importance of companies undertaking rigorous due diligence to ensure their purchases are neither directly nor indirectly supporting armed groups or funding conflict. National governments that fail to monitor the behaviour of their companies or hold them to account for unethical behaviour come in for strong criticism.