Dodd-Frank repeal quizzed

INCREASED violence and corruption in central Africa could be the result of the recent decision by the US Securities and Exchange Commission not to enforce a rule requiring US companies to report their use of conflict minerals, warn Congolese civic groups, rights groups and US senators. “The conflict minerals rule has played a critical role in reducing violence in mining areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said US Senator Chris Coons. The conflict minerals reporting rule, part of the Dodd-Frank financial regulations law, has largely been successful in ensuring that minerals worth trillions of dollars don’t benefit armed rebel groups blamed for human rights abuses. – AP