Eastern Congo

The renewed rebel offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has dramatically worsened a crisis already of catastrophic proportions, and now threatens 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.