A Brief History of the Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been in continuous turmoil since the beginning of the First Congo War in 1996, and a regime change in 1997. Many of the DRC's neighbors are also struggling with civil wars and milita groups - Uganda, Rwanda, and Sudan are all in a state of war: Uganda since 1987, Rwanda since 1986, and Sudan since 1983. These governments have backed rebel groups within their neighbors borders, leading to higher body counts. Many of the groups fled to teh DrC and are continuing their wars in new areas. Recntly the Conglese, Rwandan, Sudanese, and Ugandan governments have allied to combat the rebel groups operating in the DRC, including the Lord's Resistance Army. At present, the contingencies from Rwanda and Uganda are set to withdraw from the DRC by the end of the month.

Contributing Problems:

• Rwanda - Former Belgian colony. The Belgians divided the population into two groups -- the Hutu and the Tutsi. The Tutsi were the upper class, and given administrative posts within the colonial government. When Belgium left, power was given to the Hutu, who very quickly extracted revenge. In 1986, Paul Kigame founded a Tutsi militia, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and took up arms against the Hutu government. In 1994, as the civil war between the RPF and Rwandan government was ending, the Rwandan president was assassinated and Hutu militias (the Interhamwe) began a 100-day campaign of genocide (I have written briefly on the background of the genocide here). The RPF reached the Rwandan capital of Kigali, overthrowing the government, and sending the Interhamwe and many Hutu nationalists into exile. The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Uganda (FDLR), a mainly Hutu militia and rebel group, many members of which were responsible for the 1994 genocide, now resides in the DRC.
• Uganda - Former British colony. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), founded in 1987 by leader Joseph Kony, is responsible for a campaign of terror in northern Uganda's Acholi territory. The LRA is notorious for the abduction and conscription of children. The conflict is considered to be one of the greatest on-going humanitarian catastrophes in the world today and is among the longest-lasting conflicts on the African continent. The LRA is currently carrying out operations and abductions in the DRC.
  
• Sudan - Former British colony. The current government, based in Khartoum, is composed of and favors the Arab-African population, and distributes access to and income from natural resources accordingly. In 1983, the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) took up arms in southern Sudan. The conflict ended with a peace treaty in 2005. Ongoing conflict in the western Darfur region (starting in 2003) has lead to accusations of genocide against both sides, most notably against the government-backed Janjiwid militia. Rebels from all sides of have taken up residence in the DRC.
• Democratic Republic of Congo - Former Belgian colony; formerly Zaire (1971-1997). Following the Rwandan genocide in 1994, many Interhamwe militamen fled to Zaire; to this day, extreme Hutu nationlist continue the slaughter of Congolese Tutsis. In 1997, the 26-year-old Zairian government was driven out of power by rebel groups. In 1998, the so-called Second Congo War (also called the African World War) began, with the DRC, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Chad, Mai-Mai militia, and various Hutu militias fighting against Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo, the Congolese Rally for Democracy, and various Tutsi militias. Though the war officially ended in 2003, hostilities continue and grow more severe with the involvement of the Hutu FDLR (see: Rwanda). In 2005, many LRA members began moving camps and operations from souther Sudan and northern Uganda into the DRC. The death toll for the ten year period has reached nearly six million.

The problems of the Great Lakes region of Africa are many, rooted in the post-colonial condition, and beyond a simple answer. None of the conflicts exist in a vaccuum; they are inter-related, and a single peace treaty will not bring an end to the slaughter. No single charity or government organization will bring an end to famine and disease.

But if they work together, change hoped for can become change ennacted.

We have a long way to go, and the going will be tough.

Instead of letting this deter our struggle, let it strengthen our resolve. We have been given much, so let us give much. We have the time, resources, and ability to see this through. We have already done so much, and can do so much more. With organizations such as Invisible Children, International Justice Mission, and Amnesty International, students everywhere are rising up, shouting out, and making ourselves heard. We say, "Never again," and we mean it. The involvment and devotion of individuals everywhere working as a community to serve our neighbors on another continent will be what brings about peace.

Shalom,
Drew