George Clooney Has Launched a Project to Expose Those Who Profit From Conflicts in Africa

We couldn’t love George Clooney more these days.

The two-time Oscar-winning actor is now on a mission to expose those who fund and profit from wars in Africa.

Yesterday, Clooney launched a project with US human rights activist John Prendergast to investigate the flow of cash in and out of conflict zones and to track down and help bring justice to those fighting and profiting from the deadliest conflicts.

The project – called The Sentry – also aims to give policymakers the tools to take effective action. The goal is to expose how conflict is financed and profits are laundered by relying on data collection, field research, and analysis technology. A website will allow people to anonymously submit leaks and tips.

According to Clooney and Prendergast, the aim is to “deny war profiteers the proceeds from their crimes.” Its focus is on areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan, and South Sudan.

“Real leverage for peace and human rights will come when the people who benefit from war will pay a price for the damage they cause,” Clooney said in a statement.

This isn’t the first time that Clooney and Prendergast have worked together; they joined forces on 2010’s Satellite Sentinel Project. The initiative used satellites to map evidence of human rights abuses.

The Sentry has the backing of some of Clooney’s famous friends from Not On Our Watch, an organization he co-founded with Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle.

The initiative launches just days before President Barack Obama visits Africa.

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