What are the main factors driving the conflict?
- Poor governance
- Poor management of post-colonial nation/state building
- Conflict over land and other natural resources
Colonial legacy
- Drawn borders led to diverse ethnic tensions
- Divide and rule tactic worsened tensions
Natural resources
- Rich in coltan, gold, diamonds, cobalt
- Mineral exploitation drives conflicts
Weak governance
- Mobutu regime marked by corruption
- State failure to provide services
- Lack of economic opportunities drives instability
Foreign intervention
- Neighbouring countries back armed groups
- 1994 genocide in Rwanda impacts DRC
- First & Second Congo Wars involve African nations
No effective route to justice
- Impunity for human rights abuses
- Victims denied justice to break cycle of violence
What is the historical context behind the conflict?
- Slavery & colonization date back to 16th century
- Divide and conquer tactics worsened rifts
- 1994 genocide in Rwanda led to DRC conflicts
How is the conflict impacting Congolese people?
- Mass killings and injuries
- Mass rapes and sexual violence
- Torture, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions
- Mass displacement, lack of access to food and shelter
- Poverty, lack of access to healthcare and education
What needs to happen to end the fighting in the DRC?
- Truth, justice, and reparations for victims
- Humanitarian assistance
- Empower civil society in DRC
Source: www.amnesty.org