Rwanda says DR Congo claims against Apple 'baseless'

Kigali: Rwandan authorities on Friday accused the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of making baseless allegations against Apple...

Kigali: Rwandan authorities on Friday accused the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of making "baseless allegations" against Apple after Kinshasa accused the technology giant of using minerals smuggled from the country's volatile east in its products.

The DRC's lawyers on Thursday accused Apple of purchasing minerals smuggled from the east into neighbouring Rwanda, where they are laundered and "integrated into the global supply chain".

The Paris-based lawyers sent Apple a formal notice seen by AFP, effectively warning the company that it could face legal action if the alleged practice continues.

On Friday, the Rwandan government's spokeswoman Yolande Makolo dismissed the claims as "a rehashing of baseless allegations and conjecture, attempting to leverage media interest in one of the world's biggest companies".

"This is just the latest stunt by the government of the DRC who are constantly seeking to deflect attention onto Rwanda with false accusations," she told AFP.