The Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the second largest country in Africa, has been the epicenter of one of the world's most devastating and enduring conflicts. Fuelled by imperialist interests from the West, since 1966, the conflict that plagued the DRC has gone on to claim the lives of over 6 million people. Leaving behind a trail of grief and suffering that continues to take the lives of the Congolese people. This can no longer be viewed as just statistics; these numbers represent millions of families torn apart, children orphaned, and communities shattered. 

In eastern regions of the DRC, where the earth is rich with raw minerals like that of cobalt, gold, diamonds, and tin, the struggle for the absolute control of these minerals has turned daily life into a nightmare for civilians. These minerals, in particular cobalt which have become vital to the production of lithium, rechargeable batteries that power our phones, laptops, have ironically fuelled relentless violence. Cobalt has become a critical element in this technology and the DRC produces 70% of the world's supply but the cost of this wealth is paid in blood by those who call this land home.

In places like North Kivu and Ituri, families live in constant fear, caught between the brutal battles of the Congolese national army and various rebel and militia groups, including the Rwandan-backed March 23 (M23). For the people here, the presence of these armed groups has meant more than just instability; it has brought unimaginable horror. Mass killings, sexual assaults and other war crimes. 

Across the DRC, nearly 8 million people have been displaced, the highest number in Africa. Families who once had homes, livelihoods, and sense of safety now find themselves on the move, seeking refuge wherever they can. Marie, a displaced mother in North Kivu says ‘’We heard the gunfire coming closer, and we had no choice but to run. I grabbed my children, and we fled into the forest, where we hid for weeks. My husband was killed during the attack, and now we live in a camp, but there is no peace here either.’’ This is the reality of displacement for many Congolese and even when they flee, the journey is perilous and the destination offers little solace. Displacement camps are overcrowded and under-resources, filled with people who have escaped the horrors of conflict only to face new challenges; hunger, disease, and the constant threat of violence. Hunger seems to be the peoples most dire concern and many report extreme suffering due to hunger, noting that they have received no assistance since March. Many say that when they try to search for food, they find the fields occupied by M23. Desperation is growing, with some losing hope and resigning themselves to the belief they may die of hunger. 

Not only that but in places like Beni, massacres have become all too common. Reporting from right on the ground is Pappy Orion. Pappy has been keeping the world up to date of the dire circumstances Congolese civilians have been facing. He reports that the atrocities don’t seem to have an ending with people being killed by armed forces everyday. He reports a massacre in Beni where 80 people were killed. These fathers, mothers, children - people with dreams and aspirations, cut down in their prime. 

The violence isn’t confined to the battlefield. In and around displacement camps, women suffer from relentless sexual and physical abuse. CARE DRC reports that, on average 20 cases of sexual violence are reported every day, with 90% of the victims being women and girls. A 15-year-old from North Kivu says ‘’I was taken by the militia and forced to go work for them. They hurt me, and now I can’t go back to my village because I am too ashamed. I don’t know what will happen to me’’.

OUR WORK ON THE ISSUE OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

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