How has this state of affairs come to pass?

The DRC has suffered political and social tumult since gaining independence from Belgium in 1960.

Post-independence turmoil saw the accession to power of Colonel Mobutu Sese Seko, who held onto the reins for 32 years until deposed by the rebellion led by Laurent Kabila in 1997.

The Kabila regime relied very closely on military support from mainly Rwandans, but also eastern Congolese, from the Tutsi minority. Such supporters have often appeared more interested in eliminating tribal enemies in eastern border areas than in establishing democracy.

Rwanda twice invaded the DRC during the 1990s and has accused the Congolese government of backing Rwandan Hutu rebels.

The insurrection in 1998 by rebels linked to Rwanda and Uganda, who had been chased into the DRC by their own countries’ military forces, triggered a full-scale war that drew in six other African nations. The conflict has been described as Africa’s first continental war.

The UN accused the warring sides of prolonging the fighting while they looted the DRC’s natural resources. The Congo is rich in mineral deposits: only Australia, Russia and Botswana produce more diamonds than it does and it contains an estimated 80% of the world’s coltan reserves. It’s also rich in coal, tin and silver.

Greed has undoubtedly been a prime motivation for the destruction wrought in the DRC, not least in the present outbreak.

On 16 January 2001, President Laurent Kabila was assassinated – allegedly by one of his own bodyguards. Kabila was succeeded by his son Joseph.

In January 2008, a ceasefire agreement was reached between 22 armed rebel groups and the current Congolese government, led by Joseph Kabila. The fruit of that agreement was the Amani (meaning ‘Peace’) programme, the Congolese Government’s peace programme for eastern Congo.

Significantly, however, Laurent Nkunda and his rebel Congres National pour la Defense du Peuple (CNDP) group did not take part in the talks or sign the agreement.

Published: 16:44 :: 30 October 2008 :: 1051 views :: 0 Comments :: Disaster relief, NEWS, All News and Views, DR Congo