Understanding the Situation in Congo
Rebels have ravaged western Congo over the last year. David offers a helpful explanation of the situation below: Understanding the Current SituationIn approaching this conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it is important to understand this violence not in terms of an ethnic or tribal conflict, but an ongoing war linked to international dynamics. The conflict draws upon unresolved issues that stem from the Rwandan conflict and genocide in 1994. General Laurent Nkunda, leader of the Congolese rebel movement, insists he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attacks by Rwandan Hutu rebels, who fled to the DRC after the 1994 genocide. Most diplomats understand his concern for protecting Tutsis as little more than a pretext for his real objective of attaining more power. Perhaps more tellingly, for years, fighting in this region has been fueled by the DRC's vast mineral wealth, which includes gold, diamonds, and coltan (which is critical for micro-circuitry in cell phones, computers, and other electronics). Access to and control over these resources and the trade patterns linking them to Western and African markets yields power and wealth, and the revenues from plundering the resources fuel further conflict. We must recognize the paradox of globalization: we in the West look on the DRC violence as a world removed, but daily we ourselves rely on materials derived from the conflict as we use our cellular phones, laptops, computer games... There are three key militia forces at play in this conflict: the FARDC (Congolese Government troops reporting to President Joseph Kabila), rebel Congolese forces (the CNDP under General Nkunda), and Rwandan forces. The current conflict in North Kivu also stems from the wider 1998-2003 war in the DRC in which the government of Mobutu Sese Seko was overthrown, and which drew Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Rwanda into the DRC's politics and violence. This war officially ended with the formation of a transitional government and subsequent elections. General Nkunda's forces started fighting again in August 2008. Nkunda's forces are called the CNDP (the National Congress for the Defense of the People). It is widely alleged that Rwanda is actively supporting Nkunda's forces, as Rwandan troops have invaded the DRC twice in recent years saying they want to wipe out Hutu rebels. Rwanda accuses the Congolese government army of working with these Hutu rebels, both on the battlefield and in exploiting the region's mines. Some diplomats believe Rwanda is using Nkunda's forces to put pressure on the DRC Government to live up to promises to disarm Hutu militias, though Rwanda denies this claim. Because of the vast distance between the DRC's capital Kinshasa in the far west, and North Kivu in the northeast, and the lack of infrastructure, government control of the region is weak. The epicenter at present for this conflict is North Kivu Province, and particularly the city of Goma. As the capital of North Kivu province and a base of the UN's peacekeeping mission in the DRC, Goma is strategic in this conflict. Both Government FARDC troops and rebel CNDP forces surround the city. The rebels have taken control of much of the area surrounding Goma, but are allowing food to enter the city. Rebels are forcing civilians to flee from surrounding villages to Goma and are looting refugee camps that have already been established. The neighboring towns Rutshuru and Kiwanja are desolate. All sides of the conflict are responsible for looting, rape, and conscripting child soldiers. Stores in Goma have recently reopened following a massive shut down of commerce to prevent theft. With an estimated 50,000 people seeking shelter in Goma camps, and at least 250,000 displaced since the renewal of fighting, many people are trying to flee to South Kivu Province. African leaders and diplomats meeting in Nairobi this past week have called for an immediate ceasefire and for the UN peacekeepers to be given greater powers. Rebel CNDP forces are putting in place an alternate government in the towns they control, and check all vehicles for military troops. The UN continues to patrol Goma. The UN has 17,000 peace keepers in the DRC, which is its largest mission worldwide. However, because they are a peacekeeping force, they cannot intervene in the conflict. The South African Development Community has pledged its involvement and is sending military experts to assist the military troops. As is the case with conflicts of this scale, the largest toll is taken on civilians, who often are not themselves involved in perpetrating the violence. Rape is the most widespread atrocity. Rape, murder, lack of food and water, forcible recruitment and destruction of towns and homes are the physical evidences of the widespread disillusionment and suffering felt throughout the fabric of the society. Those taking refuge in Goma largely lack shelter and are sleeping in the open. With the scale of the camps for displaced people, medical workers are anticipating outbreaks of cholera. At this point, many aid workers have been evacuated to Rwanda, and return to Goma to work during the day. Schools are closed and many are worrying foremost about the traumatic affect on children. Both sides of the conflict are guilty of conscripting children as soldiers and forcing them to fight. HEAL Africa, a medical organization working in Goma and closely affiliated with Congo Initiative, is overcrowded with the inflow of patients. HEAL Africa is comprised of Christian Congolese health and development professionals working on behalf of the Congolese people and supported by friends from the rest of the world. This local focus and leadership is a key strength of the organization. HEAL Africa's hospital is seeing a sustained influx of victims of the conflict, and have prioritized the treatment of women's injuries. They are also seeing up to 50 military wounded come into the hospital in one day. The hospital is unable to service the growing need for medical care. While there are still medicines available locally, the cost of providing care is expensive. Dr. Jo Lusi of HEAL Africa estimates that about $20,000 is required to prepare to get ready for a cholera outbreak alone. Thank you for your continued interest in Congo Initiative and the DRC. We urge you to join us in prayer for peace and reconciliation in a nation that is experiencing true crisis. Look for future updates to come on the current crisis as well as what is happening through CI at the Bilingual Christian University in Beni (UCBC). |
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