Janine GriffithsRicardo has spent his life running. From the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the streets of South Africa, and now in the UK, his journey has been one of survival, sacrifice, and a relentless fight for justice.
Now seeking asylum in Britain, Ricardo is also pursuing a master’s degree in entrepreneurship at Bradford University. But behind his academic aspirations lies a harrowing past—one that forced him to flee for his life.
For years, Ricardo was an activist, coordinating the Congolese Freedom Fighters (KFF) in South Africa. His work took him deep into the conflict zones of eastern Congo, where he investigated the violent exploitation of the country’s rich mineral resources. “We knew the problem before,” he says. “There were so many groups, like M23, being used by Rwanda to take minerals.”
His activism put him in the crosshairs of powerful forces. He recalls how authorities in South Africa, working with foreign agents, used elaborate schemes to target dissidents. “They create events, bring in musicians, and then use gangsters to track activists. They know your name, they follow you, and they kill you.”
To stay alive, Ricardo was forced to assume a false identity. Using an Angolan passport, he traveled covertly to the Congo via Rwanda, gathering evidence on the exploitation of minerals and the suffering of civilians. But the risks grew too great. “A lot of people in our group were killed. If you expose the truth, you become a target.”
When he could no longer stay in South Africa, Ricardo fled to the UK in 2018. But the asylum process proved to be another battle. Officials questioned his identity, struggling to understand why he had to disguise himself. “I told them, I am Congolese, but I used an Angolan passport to survive. If they knew my real identity, I would be dead.” The bureaucratic delays and constant uncertainty took a toll. “I had to fight to prove who I am. They don’t understand what it’s like to live in hiding, always afraid.”
Now in the UK, Ricardo watches with frustration as the British government insists Rwanda is a ‘safe’ country for asylum seekers. “Now the truth is out,” he says. “Rwanda is not safe. They need people to help them fight for eastern Congo, for the minerals.”
Despite his struggles, Ricardo remains hopeful. He believes his skills in activism, research, and entrepreneurship could contribute to the UK. His master’s degree focuses on using business to create social change, and he hopes to launch initiatives that support refugees and raise awareness about global exploitation. “I have knowledge, experience, and ideas that can make a difference,” he says. “If given the chance, I want to contribute to society and help others.”
He is frustrated by policies that prevent asylum seekers from working, arguing that the UK is missing out on the potential contributions of talented people. “People coming in have skills. They are doctors, tool operators, engineers. We have all the skills in the UK, but the problem is, we are blocked. If they lifted the ban, asylum seekers could work and contribute to the government through taxes. Right now, the system is just wasting money keeping people in hotels.”
Despite everything, Ricardo remains hopeful. He continues to raise awareness of the DRC’s struggles, emphasising that the country’s vast mineral wealth—key to the world’s electronics, jewelry, and industry—comes at a devastating human cost.
“No Congo, no gold. No Congo, no laptops. No Congo, no diamonds,” he says. “People are dying because of these resources. Women are being raped. If governments negotiated properly instead of exploiting, things could change. We pray that one day, Congo will be safe.”
Now settled in Bradford, Ricardo knows he is one of the lucky ones. He has found a place to rebuild his life and hopes to use his voice to advocate for others still stuck in the system. “Not everyone gets the chance I have. But if more people were given opportunities, they would give back to this country. All we need is a chance.”
