Democratic Republic of the Congo
Fact Sheet
SPRING 2017
KEY FACTS
Source: UN
81.5 million
estimated population
5.5 million
killed since the 1990s
7.5 million
require humanitarian
assistance
2.2 million
internally displaced
$24 trillion
FDLR soldier in DRC.
Photo by Mike Ramsdell.
KEY ISSUES
estimated mineral wealth
• Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the deadliest
since World War II.
176th out of 188
• Since the first and second Congo Wars in the 1990s, over 5.4
million people have died due to war-related causes.
on Human Development Index
• Minerals and other natural resources, such as tin, tantalum, and
tungsten (the “3 Ts”) and gold which are found in electronics,
jewelry, and other products, fuel conflict in eastern Congo.
• Armed groups and the Congolese army use rape and other forms
of sexual violence as a weapon of war, instilling widespread fear
among civilians and fracturing communities.
• The constitutional crisis prompted by President Joseph Kabila
staying in power beyond his legal mandate has led to widespread
uncertainty and insecurity throughout the country.
• Child soldiers are recruited by various militias. The lines between
victim and perpetrator are often blurred as young boys are
conscripted and forced to commit terrible atrocities.
BACKGROUND
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered the world’s deadliest conflict since World War II, with over 5.4
million people dead and more than three million displaced since violence broke out in the mid-1990s. Civilians have
suffered the most, victim to both direct violence and secondary effects of the conflict, such as disease and hunger.
Eastern DRC has been subjected to protracted violence led
by various armed groups of different size and strength, as
well as the Congolese army known as the FARDC. Some
armed groups have stated clear objectives while others’
reason for existence is less understood. But all groups
have one thing in common: the mass atrocities they commit
against the Congolese people.
Serious security sector reform and an expansion of
disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR)
programs for former rebels are desperately needed. The
cooperation between the UN’s MONUSCO peacekeeping
force and the FARDC is a welcomed step forward, but until
abuses by the FARDC are addressed, and there is effective
leadership to end the violence, insecurity will continue.
Armed groups use rape and other forms of sexual violence
as a weapon of war, instilling widespread fear among
civilians and fracturing communities. Corrupt officials and
militia groups are able to profit from Congo’s vast mineral
wealth (estimated to be about $24 trillion) while the country remains one of the most underdeveloped in the world.
U.S. conflict minerals legislation, Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
has contributed to cutting off profits armed groups earn from conflict minerals. Despite leadership from companies
like Intel, Motorola, Tiffany, and Apple who are working to source conflict-free minerals from Congo, the legislation
continues to be opposed by some lawmakers and corporations. Most recently, in February 2017, a leaked Presidential
Memorandum showed President Trump’s intention to suspend Section 1502.
CURRENT STATUS & ELECTION CRISIS
The Presidential election crisis is the primary issue affecting Congo right now. All other issues—corruption, armed
groups, conflict minerals, security sector reform, development, etc.—will be impacted by whether or not President
Kabila stays in power. Kabila has been in office since 2001, and was constitutionally mandated to step down at the
end of 2016. However, elections set for late 2016 were not held. Widespread protests against Kabila’s attempt to cling
to power were met with violent crackdowns by the police, unlawful detentions, and even death.
A deal led by the Catholic Church was reached at the end of 2016 for Kabila to remain in power until elections could
be held in 2017. Unfortunately, it appears that elections will not take place this year. The details of the agreement
have not been fully sorted out, and the government is now saying there is not enough money to hold elections. Civil
society activists and Congo researchers argue that Kabila is trying to delay elections until his presidential mandate is
extended through a de facto decision, even if he cannot pass a law to legally extend his term.
Additional international pressure must be put on Kabila to step down. Financial support to allow elections to take
place in 2017 is crucial, as are security guarantees for Kabila to assuage any concerns of attacks or arrest against
him or his family if and when he steps down.