Topic
THE ARMED CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Instructions
Write a paper exploring the conflict and violence in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Answer Preview
The root causes of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is traced back in the wake of the 1994 Rwanda genocide where eight thousand Tusti and moderate Hutus were killed, millions of Rwandese refugees flooded into the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the United Nation High Commissioner, it is estimated that 7% of the refugees were perpetrators of the genocide often referred to as Interhamwe or the Federation for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). It was stated that the refugee’s camps in eastern Congo served as de facto bases for exile Interhamwe. The rebels terrorized and robbed the local civilians with impunity until October 1996, where eastern Congolese Banyamulenge led an uprising to force the Rwandese out of Congo which spark the first Congo war (Zapata, 2011).
In response, Rwanda and Uganda armies lead by Laurent Desire Kabila invaded Congo. This combined effort was known as the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo- Zaire or AFDL whereby, they controlled Congo and even overthrew Mobutu’s government. According to International Humanitarian Law this act can be stated to be occupation act. The eastern Congo was considered occupied as it was placed under authority and hostile army. Thereafter, the country was renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kabila took over as the president in September 1997.
Word Count: 3100