Eastern Congo

^{Source: Grassroots Reconciliation Group / Sasha Lezhnev}

The renewed rebel offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has dramatically worsened the ongoing and catastrophic crisis there.  Now, attacks by rebel forces threaten to once again draw Congo’s neighbors into the fray, effectively undoing a six-year regional and international effort to stabilize Congo and the Great Lakes region. 

Despite successful 2006 elections, and the presence of the world’s largest UN peacekeeping operation, violent conflict never actually ceased in Congo. Fifteen hundred people continue to die each day, mostly from the crippling effects of widespread displacement in the country’s eastern provinces. Worse still, armed groups routinely commit acts of rape and sexual violence against Congolese women and girls. Rebel movements, foreign fighters, and local militias – including some of those responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda – fight to control Congo’s vast natural resources and prey upon civilians. 

Achieving peace in Congo and the broader region requires a comprehensive strategy, robust diplomatic engagement, and a strong and capable peacekeeping force. It also requires the world’s sustained attention. Intermittent and inconsistent crisis management must be replaced by a broader effort to deal with the root causes of the conflict.

Roots of the Crisis

The crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC, has many layers. Since the late 19th century, Congo’s vast natural resources have continually attracted violent intervention from abroad and stoked internal conflicts. Congo’s government has never effectively represented or protected its people, and all too often has served as a source of unchecked power and personal enrichment for select individuals. The ongoing crisis in eastern Congo is rooted both in this history of predation and corruption, and the continuing aftermath of the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda. Today, Congo continues to struggle with an explosive combination of conflicts at the local, regional and national levels.

  •  Colonialism and Independence
  •  Dictatorship
  •  Regional Warfare
  •  Continued Conflict and Elections
  •  Humanitarian Crisis
  •  Recent Events

Key Terms

Get to know the people and groups relevant to the conflicts in eastern Congo with our list of key terms.