The War in the Democratic Republic of Congo is getting worse and no one cares

While everyone is talking about the situation in Gaza, there is a reoccurring conflict happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has been ignored for a while. For decades, this relentless conflict has ravaged the region, claiming over 6 million lives and displacing a staggering 6 million more in eastern DRC.

The deafening silence surrounding this humanitarian catastrophe is a stark reminder of the world's selective outrage and its tragic indifference to African?suffering. The staggering toll of lives lost serves as a haunting testament to the conflict's devastating impact. Foreign powers have wreaked havoc on this fragile nation, leaving in their wake a trail of death, destruction, and despair.

The embarrassing exclusion of the Congo conflict from the global media spotlight demonstrates the international community's selective concern for human suffering. By prioritizing certain crises over others, prominent media corporations promote a disturbing narrative: that black lives are not relevant. This double standard ignores the worth and dignity of African lives and reinforces the gap in global attention and response to crises.

Since 1996, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been ravaged by a protracted and devastating conflict, which has earned it the haunting designation of a silent war. Most of the world doesn't know about this conflict or underestimate how much human suffering it has caused.

The Congo is a land of controversies due to its abundant natural resources. Blessed with an embarrassment of riches including copper, cobalt, gold, diamonds, tin, tantalum, tungsten, oil, and 200 million acres of fertile land, Congo should, in theory, be the wealthiest nation on earth. Yet, the harsh reality is that these resources have been a curse rather than a blessing, fuelling exploitation, corruption, and violence that have condemned the Congolese people to a life of unrelenting hardship. History has shown that the country's natural wealth has only served to enrich foreign powers and corrupt elites, while the people of Congo remain perpetually impoverished?and?despair.

How the Conflict in the DRC began

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, European powers, led by Belgium's King Leopold II, ruthlessly exploited the Congo's vast resources, coveting its ivory and rubber with an insatiable hunger. Leopold's fixation on the Congo was all-consuming, akin to a primal thirst for water – essential for survival, yet utterly devoid of compassion or regard for human life. His gaze was fixed solely on the land's riches, not its people, who were reduced to mere obstacles in his relentless pursuit of wealth?and?power.

King Leopold II's obsession with the Congo was sparked by his desire to exploit its vast natural resources, which he believed would bolster Belgium's wealth and power. The Congo became his personal fiefdom, a lucrative venture where profit was paramount and human life mere collateral damage. Leopold's singular objective was to extract as much wealth as possible from the Congo, regardless of the brutal means employed. The consequences for the Congolese people were catastrophic: those who failed to meet their rubber quotas were subjected to gruesome punishments, including amputations, mass killings, and the slaughter of entire families in public spectacles?of?terror.

This obsession was what led to one of the most horrifying massacres in human history, claiming the lives of approximately 20 million Africans. The exploitation of the Congo did not cease with Leopold's reign; instead, Western nations continued to plunder its riches to fuel their advancement. A stark example of this exploitation is the United States' reliance on Congolese uranium to develop the first atomic bombs. Alarmingly, a staggering 80% of the uranium used in the devastating Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs was sourced from the Shinkolobwe mine in the Congo.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) mining industry, particularly in Katanga Province, experienced a significant surge in profitability in 1960. This newfound wealth sparked several secession attempts, which, in turn, contributed to the country's broader conflict. The DRC's struggles were further complicated after gaining independence, with the assassination of Patrice Lumumba and subsequent power struggles under President Joseph Mobutu Sese Seko's regime intensifying internal discord.

Joseph Mobutu's rule over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was a complex and tumultuous period in the country's history. After seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1965, Mobutu ruled with an iron fist for over three decades, marked by authoritarianism, corruption, and the systematic plundering of the nation's vast resources. Mobutu's regime was characterized by rampant corruption and nepotism, with the dictator accumulating an estimated $4 billion to $15 billion in personal wealth. This extravagance was in stark contrast to the widespread poverty and economic crisis that plagued the country.

The consequences of Mobutu's rule were far-reaching and devastating. Ethnic tensions simmered, and armed groups formed in various parts of the country, setting the stage for future conflicts. The exploitation of the DRC's natural resources, including copper, cobalt, and diamonds, continued unabated, with foreign powers and corporations benefiting at the expense of the Congolese people.

The 1994 Rwanda genocide had a profound and lasting impact on the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the aftermath of the genocide, over two million Rwandan Hutu refugees fled across the border into the DRC, settling primarily in refugee camps in the North and South Kivu regions of eastern Congo.

While many of these refugees were innocent civilians fleeing violence, some were extremist Hutu individuals responsible for the genocide. These extremists exploited the refugee camps as a base to regroup, reorganize, and launch attacks against Rwanda. They also began to form militias within the Congo, sowing seeds of instability and violence that would plague the region for years to come.

The presence of these extremist Hutu militias in the DRC contributed to the destabilization of the region, perpetuating a cycle of violence and ethnic tensions. The Congolese government, already weakened by decades of authoritarian rule and corruption, struggled to maintain control over its eastern territories. This power vacuum created an environment conducive to the emergence of numerous armed groups, further intensifying?the?conflict.

How foreign-backed armed groups made the DRC unstable

The March 23rd Movement (M23) has indeed been a significant source of instability in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Composed primarily of ethnic Tutsis, the group's resurgence in 2022 with a major offensive has heightened tensions and chaos in the region.

M23's apparent goal is to capture strategic towns, which is particularly concerning given the possibility of renewed attacks on Goma, a city with nearly two million people. Despite efforts by regional organizations like the East African Community and Southern African Development Community to facilitate peace and enforce ceasefires, M23's recent actions have rekindled fears of further instability.

In fact, recently, M23 launched a military campaign against Goma, capturing the city's airport and large swaths of the city itself 1. The fighting has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences, including civilian casualties, displacement, and a worsening?food?shortage.

The M23 rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo has indeed been fuelled by support from the Rwandan government, despite Rwanda's denials. UN experts have uncovered evidence of Rwanda's involvement, which goes beyond logistical support to include providing arms and even deploying military troops to fight alongside the M23 rebels.

This complex situation has escalated tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, making it challenging to establish lasting peace and security in the region. The M23's recent capture of Goma, a strategic city in eastern DRC, has raised concerns about the potential for further conflict. Rwanda's motivations for supporting the M23 are multifaceted. One reason is the presence of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a rebel group founded by perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Rwanda claims that its military installations in eastern DRC are necessary to defend against the FDLR. However, critics argue that Rwanda's support for the M23 is also driven by a desire to control the DRC's rich mineral resources. The M23's advances have allowed Rwanda to gain access to lucrative mines in eastern DRC.

In February 2024, a significant incident occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when the Rwandan Army, supporting M23 rebels, fired a surface-to-air missile at a UN observation drone 1. This event was documented in a UN report, which highlighted the Rwandan military's objectives in the DRC. These goals include strengthening the M23 rebel group by providing troops and materials, securing control over lucrative mining sites, and exerting political influence in the DRC.

The surface-to-air missile incident is particularly concerning, as it demonstrates the advanced weaponry being employed by the Rwandan Army in the conflict. The missile system, identified as a Yitian anti-aircraft system mounted on a WZ-551 6×6 armoured vehicle chassis, is a sophisticated piece of equipment capable of firing eight Tianlong 6 short-range surface-to-air missiles. The UN report also notes that the M23 rebels and the Rwandan Army possess various anti-aircraft weapons, including MANPAD mobile air defence systems, which pose a significant threat to aircraft operated by the DRC government and the UN in?the?region.

The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a complex web of rival armed groups, foreign interventions, and historical grievances. At the heart of this conflict are two main groups: the M23, dominated by ethnic Tutsis, and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an anti-Rwandan government rebel group composed of ethnic Hutus. The FDLR, formed in 2000, is a key player in the region's instability. Its roots date back to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, in which hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. Many of the perpetrators fled to the DRC, where they formed the FDLR, with the goal of overthrowing the Rwandan government.

The DRC has been accused of backing the FDLR, while Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23. This proxy war has intensified the conflict, with each side accusing the other of aggression. The M23, in particular, has been successful in capturing key cities, including Goma, which gives them control over valuable mineral resources 2

While the M23 and FDLR are widely recognized as the primary protagonists in the DRC conflict, there are also over 100 foreign-backed militias that are causing instability in the Congo, with their stakes in determining who will assume control.?These militias are sponsored by various countries, including Rwanda, which has been accused of backing the M23 rebels. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Burundian troops in eastern Congo, who are supporting the Congolese army in battles against the M23. The involvement of these foreign-backed militias has escalated the conflict, leading to widespread instability and humanitarian crises.

At the same time, foreign powers, some of whom are the instigators of this conflict, are trying to take advantage of Congo's vast gold, oil, and Coltan reserves.? As we all know, the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) vast natural resources, including gold, oil, and Coltan, have indeed become a major factor in the ongoing conflict. The country's strategic importance to the global economy, particularly in the production of electronics and electric vehicles, has made it a focal point for foreign powers seeking to exploit its resources.

Furthermore, corruption is widespread in the DRC, and the frequency and severity of massacres and sexual violence, especially against young girls and women, is alarming and unacceptable. Humanitarian organizations are facing significant challenges in bringing attention to the plight of the affected populations, estimated to be around 100 million people. The scale of the crisis is enormous, with millions displaced, injured, or killed.

Since October last year, with the Rwandan-backed M23 controlling major roads leading to Goma, the regional capital, and the hilltops overlooking Sake, a town in the eastern province of North Kivu. This has put them in direct conflict with the Congo's Army, which has been criticized for its lack of discipline. The conflict has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with over 400,000 displaced individuals seeking refuge in Goma, and a dramatic increase in cholera cases due to a lack of safe drinking water, adequate hygiene, and sanitation.

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo sought the assistance of two new allies to strengthen their position in the conflict. The first Allies are the Wazalendo, who are a coalition of former rival militias gathered by the government to confront the M23, despite their reputation for internal conflict and brutality.?The second Allied forces are a group of 1,000 Romanian mercenaries, many of whom were previously associated with the French Foreign Legion, deployed around goma and sake.?There are reports that most of these Romanian mercenaries were former soldiers hired by a Romanian businessman, Horatiu Potra, who runs a PMC (Private Military Company) company called Asociatia RALF.?They were reportedly hired to train Congolese soldiers and provide special security in key, strategic areas. Moreover, these Romanian mercenaries were assigned the responsibility of safeguarding the city against potential M23 raids.?

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been on the brink of a full-scale conflict since January, fuelled by escalating violence from the M23 rebel group and growing evidence of Rwanda's involvement. The spark that ignited this diplomatic dispute was Rwanda's attack on a Congolese fighter jet at Goma airport.

The present situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The recent escalation of violence has led to a massive displacement of people, with over half a million fleeing their homes in just three months. Many have sought refuge in makeshift camps around Goma, where conditions are precarious. Food insecurity is another major concern, with an estimated 23.4 million people experiencing crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity. The situation is particularly dire in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, where 5.4 million people are struggling to access basic necessities.

The World Food Program (WFP) is doing its best to provide assistance, but it's clear that the needs far outweigh the resources. The WFP can only provide for 2.5 million of the estimated 6.3 million people who go to bed hungry each night in eastern Congo. Even the DRC soldiers are not immune to the consequences of the conflict. They, too, are struggling to cope with the dire circumstances, which can have a significant impact on their ability to maintain order and protect civilians.

At the deteriorating public hospital in Sake, wounded soldiers were awaiting treatment on filthy mattresses. However, their main concern remains?food. Even medical professionals have confirmed the hospital's incapability to provide meals for a duration of several days or more.?In a region where the law is dominated by firearms, women are particularly vulnerable to the actions of unrestrained militias who compel rape by force.?Many people from the camps around Goma trek to Virunga National Park to find firewood, only to find armed militia.?

This conflict has divided the Western powers.?While the United States is openly criticizing Rwanda's intervention in Congo and has recently cut some military support to Rwanda, Britain, whose government is seeking to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, is playing the silent treatment.?It remains unclear why the Western media are not providing the Congo crisis with the same media coverage as Ukraine and Gaza.?This makes it challenging for the international community to come up with viable solutions.?

The Big Picture

The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) rich deposits of precious metals, including gold, diamonds, and coltan, have become a curse, rendering the conflict and attracting various parties determined to prolong it. It is well-documented that certain Western nations and multinational corporations benefit directly and indirectly from the conflict by extracting resources from the DRC, thereby supporting armed groups in securing access. The involvement of neighbouring countries, such as Rwanda and Uganda, further complicates the situation, making it challenging to find a resolution. The complex web of interests and alliances has contributed to the conflict's persistence, perpetuating violence, displacement, and human rights abuses.

The protracted nature of the conflict, spanning over two decades, has contributed to compassion fatigue within the international community. Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon where repeated exposure to humanitarian crises, without tangible solutions or progress, leads to a decline in empathy and a sense of hopelessness. This can result in decreased funding, reduced political will, and inadequate support for those affected by the conflict.

The number of responses to repeated pleas for help and intervention decreases over time. Moreover, key stakeholders lack the political will to allocate substantial resources or take decisive actions to address the conflict. Political considerations, domestic priorities, and conflicting interests are preventing diplomatic engagement and stopping progress toward peace. In the face of these challenges, many people are turning to faith and spiritual guidance, hoping for divine intervention to bring peace and stability to the DRC. The humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict have taken a devastating toll on the Congolese people, and a peaceful resolution is urgently?needed.

Sources

A guide to the decades-long conflict in DR Congo - Al Jazeera

Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo - Council of Foreign Relations

History of the conflict - Eastern Congo Initiative

Photo Credit:?? Lynsey Addario/Corbis (DARA)