The Conflict

In July 2006, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held its first free elections in four decades. This marked an end to a five year conflict, dubbed Africa's First World War, involving five African countries, which claimed the lives of over three million people. Since the elections, however, rebel violence has resurfaced and the government is faced with high internal tension and widespread corruption.

After gaining independence from Belgium's ninety-year rule in 1960 Joseph Mobutu took office in 1965 and changed the name of the country to Zaire. He ruled largely unchallenged for 25 years and made a lot of money personally during his rule, meanwhile the majority of the country lived in poverty. At the same time rebel groups fought over DRC’s natural resources (gold, diamonds etc).

In 1997, Rwanda invaded Zaire to control the militias that had spilled over the borders. With support from Rwandan and Ugandan forces, a new president, called Kabila was installed and Zaire was renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But gaining control over resource-rich areas also attracted the forces which helped Kabila into power. In 1998, two militaries, the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC), backed by Uganda, and the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD), backed by Rwanda, rose against Kabila. Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola also sent troops in to support Kabila, but rebel groups were able to take control over most of eastern DRC.

The conflict that came from this is thought to be one of Africa's worst emergencies and has created a crisis for the people of DRC. A massive area of the country was under rebel control, government money massively reduced and some two million people were internally displaced. Many people in DRC do not have access to healthcare, education and can no longer earn money as many of their old jobs no longer exist. People live with the regular threat of murder, torture, rape, extortion and forced labour.

Thousands of children, some as young as eight years old, fought in armed groups during the conflict.(see child soldiers.) The commander of a RCD rebel group is accused of forcing children into active combat and is currently facing trial at the International Criminal Court.

In 2002, a peace agreement was signed. A year later, formal peace was announced and a government was formed; the first democratic elections were held in 2006. The new government, however, has failed to make DRC stable. Peace isn’t secure and large parts of the country are still controlled by rebels. Violence and the threat of civil war is still part of life in DRC, especially in Eastern Congo.