The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recently highlighted the escalating issue of internal displacement within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with reported figures reaching a concerning 6.9 million. The conflict-ridden eastern province of North Kivu has notably experienced significant displacement, with almost one million inhabitants forced to relocate due to continuous conflict with the rebel group known as Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23).
Underlying Factors of Displacement in Congo
The DRC has been embroiled in conflict since the 1990s, initiating with civil wars in 1996 and 1998. The after-effects of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, perpetrated by ethnic Hutu extremists against the minority Tutsi and moderate Hutus, further aggravated the situation. This region of the DRC, which shares a border with Rwanda, has since endured ongoing insurgencies from more than 120 rebel groups. Such unrest has amplified tensions and led to widespread violence over territorial disputes and resource competition. The Tutsi-led M23 rebel campaign, having resurfaced in November 2021, has notably enhanced the gravity of these security challenges, marking significant progress since January 2023.
Notable Stakeholders in the Conflict
Prominent rebel groups participating in the conflict include, but are not limited to, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO), and M23. The ADF, an insurgent group rooted in Uganda since 1999, pledged its loyalty to the Islamic State in 2019. CODECO, on the other hand, claims its initiative is to protect the rights of the ethnic Lendu against the Hemas and the Congolese army.
Causes of Displacement: Ethnic Intolerance and Insurgency
Post the Rwandan genocide, approximately two million Hutu refugees migrated to North and South Kivu, leading to the formulation of ethnic militias and escalating tensions.
Political Uncertainty and Governance Challenges
The current President of DRC is facing electoral challenges amid ongoing insecurity, threatening the integrity of a “free, democratic, and transparent” vote.
Regional Tensions and Humanitarian Crisis
Armed groups backed by Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi are acting as proxies, thereby exacerbating regional instability and conflict dynamics. The Kivu Security Tractor has reported 1,400 fatalities and over 600 attacks in 2023. Over 1.1 million people across North Kivu, Ituri, and South Kivu require food support, emphasizing the inadequate international response, particularly regarding funding.
Overview of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The DRC is the eleventh largest nation globally and ranks second in Africa. Dominated by dense tropical rainforest, it spans over 37 kilometers of coastline. Kinshasa, located on the Congo River, is the country’s capital. French serves as the official language, but Kituba, Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba are also commonly spoken. Its currency is the Congolese franc (CDF). Abundantly endowed with natural resources, the DRC boasts reserves of timber, oil and gas, gold, diamonds, as well as cobalt and copper – minerals crucial for energy transition. Unique species such as bonobos and eastern lowland gorillas are native to the region.
Past UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions Related to the DRC
The content here includes previous year question (PYQ) samples from the UPSC Civil Services Examination related to the DRC, their answers, and explanations to help readers gain a greater understanding of the topic. For instance, one question from 2023 asks about the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a metal crucial for electric vehicle batteries manufacturing; with the answer being the DRC. Another question pertains to the countries constituting the Congo Basin, with Cameroon being a part of it.