What’s behind the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Oct 31, 2023
auto_awesome
Uncovering the origins and motivations of the 30-year conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the challenging conditions faced by displaced people in the Kivu region, and the role of resource exploitation in fueling the conflict and humanitarian crisis.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently experiencing one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with over 250 armed groups fueling the conflict and displacing nearly seven million people.
The conflict in the DRC is driven by the control of natural resources, particularly in the eastern region, with rebel groups using mining activities to finance themselves and neighboring countries benefiting from illegal smuggling of these resources.
Deep dives
The Complex Situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has experienced decades of political crises and is currently facing one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. Over 250 armed groups are fighting in the DRC, displacing nearly seven million people. The conflict is fueled by a mix of local and foreign fighters who control territories, levy taxes, and engage in mining activities. The resulting violence and retaliations from armed groups have led to a high number of casualties among civilians. Displaced people, who primarily come from rural areas, face appalling conditions, including starvation, rough sleeping, and lack of medical care. Humanitarian assistance is mainly provided by UN agencies, though funding is insufficient, and setting up camps is challenging due to difficult terrain and weather conditions.
Rwanda's Role and the Legacy of the Rwandan Genocide
The conflict in the DRC has roots in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which caused mass displacement as over two million people fled to neighboring countries, including the DRC. Rwanda supported militias in the DRC, exacerbating the conflict. Today, there are over 250 armed groups operating in the country, consisting of local fighters and foreign rebel groups. The ongoing conflict between the armed groups and the regular army has resulted in countless civilian deaths. Displaced people often seek refuge in nearby villages, but deteriorating conditions force them to move further, leading to widespread suffering and challenging living conditions.
Natural Resources and the Conflict in the DRC
The conflict in the DRC is fueled by the control of natural resources, particularly in the eastern region. Rebel groups rely on mining activities, such as coltan and gold, to finance themselves and prolong their presence. The instability in the region also enables illegal smuggling of these resources, benefiting neighboring countries. The DRC government seeks assistance from the United Nations to restore peace and ensure proper mining practices that benefit the Congolese population. However, exploitation of natural resources continues to fuel the conflict, preventing the local population from benefiting from their own resources.
The United Nations says that the Democratic Republic of Congo is facing one of the world’s biggest displacement and humanitarian crises. Around 6.9 million people have fled their homes to escape violence caused by more than 250 rebel groups operating across the country.
Emery Makumeno, a reporter in Kinshasa, explains the origins of the 30-year conflict and motivations of several rebel groups. And Byobe Malenga, a journalist with BBC Swahili, describes the difficult conditions he saw recently when visiting camps for displaced people in the Kivu region.
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: William Lee Adams
Producers: Benita Barden
Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode