About the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is an area that is rich in history and resources. The Kingdom of Kongo that arose in the 13th century became a major center of international trade. The region's abundant resources gave rise to its more recent troubled history of exploitation rooted in natural resource extraction and severe human rights violations. Known as Zaire from 1971 until 1997, the DRC has suffered two international wars since 1996.
> First War (1996-1997)
> Second War (1998-2003)
> First War (1996-1997)
> Second War (1998-2003)
Current Conflict
The DRC is rich in natural resources. The eastern DRC’s abundant minerals include tin, tungsten, copper, gold, and as much as 80% of the world’s reserves of coltan (essential for electronics products such as cell phones and laptops).
The eastern DRC has been at war for over 15 years with over 20 militia groups and armies destroying the region, largely for control over access to the country's mineral wealth.
Billions in profit from the illicit trade in these "conflict minerals" fuels the protracted conflict which has plagued the eastern region since 1996. Despite the natural wealth of the country, the Congolese people lack basic necessities such as clean water, food, and basic healthcare and must protect themselves against brutal attacks and the constant threat of gender-based violence.
The conflict in the DRC is the world’s deadliest war since World War II. Over 6 million people have died as a result of the fighting, collapse of infrastructure, food insecurity, forced displacement, and a destroyed health-care system. Over 4 million people have been displaced from their homes, and hundreds of thousands of women, children and men have been raped as a result of the war. Mass rape and mutilation are used as a weapon of war on a scale never before seen. The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been called “the most dangerous place in the world to be a woman”.
For a detailed timeline of Congo's history, click here.
The eastern DRC has been at war for over 15 years with over 20 militia groups and armies destroying the region, largely for control over access to the country's mineral wealth.
Billions in profit from the illicit trade in these "conflict minerals" fuels the protracted conflict which has plagued the eastern region since 1996. Despite the natural wealth of the country, the Congolese people lack basic necessities such as clean water, food, and basic healthcare and must protect themselves against brutal attacks and the constant threat of gender-based violence.
The conflict in the DRC is the world’s deadliest war since World War II. Over 6 million people have died as a result of the fighting, collapse of infrastructure, food insecurity, forced displacement, and a destroyed health-care system. Over 4 million people have been displaced from their homes, and hundreds of thousands of women, children and men have been raped as a result of the war. Mass rape and mutilation are used as a weapon of war on a scale never before seen. The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been called “the most dangerous place in the world to be a woman”.
For a detailed timeline of Congo's history, click here.
