The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo 

The conflict in the Kivu region of the DRC is a complex and protracted crisis. Its roots lie in historical, political, economic and social factors. The Kivu region, which includes the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, has been a hotbed of violence and instability for decades.  During the colonial period, borders were drawn. Colonial goods grouped different ethnic groups together, leading to tensions over land, resources and political power. After gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, the DRC (then Zaire) experienced political turmoil, including the rise and fall of the dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko (1965–1997). The genocide in neighboring Rwanda spilled over into the Democratic Republic of Congo when Hutu extremists fled to the Kivu region, bringing violence and destabilizing the area. Millions of people have been displaced, both within the country and as refugees in neighboring countries. Civilians suffer the most, facing widespread violence, including sexual violence, massacres and forced recruitment by armed groups. The conflict has disrupted health systems, leading to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and Ebola. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is not noticed in Europe. MONUSCO has been in operation since 1999, but is criticized for its inability to end the conflict. In reality, it supports the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The African Union and regional organizations have tried to broker peace, but progress has been limited. Soldiers from Malawi, Burundi, Tanzania, South Africa, are currently deployed. The international community has imposed sanctions on individuals and groups involved in the conflict, but enforcement remains weak. Crowds of Congolese police who defected to the rebel group M23 sang and clapped in the occupied city of Bukavu on Saturday, preparing to retrain under the leadership of the Rwandan-backed rebels who want to show they are willing to stay and rule. The M23 rebels advanced a week ago into the second-largest city in eastern DRC, which has been rocked by looting and unrest as Congolese forces withdrew without a fight. Numerous armed groups are active in the Kivu region, including: M23. A Tutsi-led rebel group allegedly backed by Rwanda and accused of destabilizing the region. For those interested in more details, I recommend this book; M23.