Congo's Silent Genocide:
The Conflict that Never Ceased to Exist
By: Divija Agarwal
Edited by: Ananya Sachidanandan
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) isn’t unfamiliar with conflict - its ‘silent genocide’ has been going on decades. However, this political violence and territorial clashing hasn’t been thoroughly addressed by the media, or by external aid forces; not nearly to the extent that is required to liberate the victims of the genocide.
While these conflicts are inherently political and complex, making the DRC’s history difficult to summarise, a few key events might help us grasp an understanding of it. In 1994, the ‘Rwandan Genocide’ had occurred - killing 800,000 of the Tutsi’s and Hutu’s, two opposing ethnic groups, who sparked this conflict.
A new Tutsi government was established in Rwanda after this, and more than 2 million Hutus sought refuge in Congo as a result. This was followed by the 1996 ‘First Congo War’, in which Rwanda and Uganda invaded the eastern parts of the DRC, forming a coalition, and defeated the DRC’s (formerly, Zaire’s) dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko. Then, the ‘Second Congo War’ involved some of the same issues as the first, but involved 9 countries actively in conflict - overall reaching for a seize of power.
This was followed by the 1996 ‘First Congo War’, in which Rwanda and Uganda invaded the eastern parts of the DRC, forming a coalition, and defeated the DRC’s (formerly, Zaire’s) dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko. Then, the ‘Second Congo War’ involved some of the same issues as the first, but involved 9 countries actively in conflict - overall reaching for a seize of power.
In 2012, a new rebel group, M23 became active in Eastern Congo, and remains so today, threatening to leave millions struggling for food and medical help. Currently, there is ongoing fighting between the DRC’s military, Rwanda-backed M23 elements, and other armed groups, prompting an excess of displacement, with people lacking access to basic services. Recent estimates predict that more than 26 million people will require assistance in the DRC, many of whom are currently in cramped and unequipped camps, seeking food, water and healthcare, a case of severe displacement.
Additionally, women and children who have fled the DRC have reported experiences of horrifying sexual violence, including genital mutilation by armed men using knives and guns. Psychologists working with Save the Children’s local partners in North Kivu (Congo) have documented mass sexual violence, for even children as young as 9 years old, treating those who have developed unwanted preganancies, health deteriorations and damaged psychological states. In the DRC, like in many conflicts, sexual violence can be used as a gruesome way to control and terrorise women and children - without the perpetrators being held to account.
Has much, or even barely enough been done to combat this conflict, and reverse the genocidal intentions of the armed groups? Some nations, using various streams, have provided foreign aid - as done with many other international issues and situations. In 2023, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is an independent agency of the US government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid, made an announcement of plans to donate nearly $48 million USD, in addition to aid existing urgent humanitarian assistance. This funding is projected to reach around 2 million people.
Furthermore, the UN has a body, MONUSCO, dedicated to providing aid to parts of Congo that no longer has troops, however, MONUSCO will have all its troops leave the nation by the end of 2024 as recently re-elected Congolese government called for the UN mission to depart, saying it had “failed to protect civilians from armed groups”. “I would like to specify that the disengagement of MONUSCO is not the disengagement of the United Nations. The United Nations will be present before, during and after the existence of the peacekeeping mission,” UN special representative Bintou Keita said at a media briefing.
Furthermore, non-governmental bodies such as charities also hold a strong role in providing humanitarian relief to the displaced. Determining which charities are reputable and are actually aiming to make a difference can be tricky sometimes - but, using tools such as evaluation websites can help; the following list being of trustworthy fundraisers with high ratings.
Save the Children is a non-government operated organisation that has worked in the DRC since 1994, with an aim to meet humanitarian needs of the displaced - they call for increased investments to better ensure survivors’ access to health and care services. They have also provided information and aid for and about sexual assault vicitms of the DRC.
Furthermore, the ‘Doctors Without Borders’ (Médecins Sans Frontières) is a non-governmental organisation known for its conflict zone projects, working in the DRC since the 60s. It is leading the medical charge by providing both physical and psychological care, as well as necessities, being rapid in responding to the DRC’s 2022 Cholera outbreak, and vaccinated around 2 million children against measles.
As individuals, trying to approach and tackle large world issues like the genocide in the DRC can be overwhelming, but helping is still essential. First and foremost, research and conversation is important, more than you'd believe! Conversation on this issue has been limited for decades - according to Andrew Stroehlein in his article with “Crisis Group '', from 1998 - 2005, there had been as estimated 1000 people dying daily as a result of hunger and disease caused by war. He questioned why he wasn't seeing regular and effective media and news reporting on it, despite it being an issue of utmost urgency.
Speaking with the people around you about these atrocities, sharing reliable, fact-checked information online and on social media can make all the difference. The information reaching more sources draws appropriate attention, fuelling more much-needed empathy within communities, and gives more people the opportunity to donate and approach not-for-profits to try and alleviate the suffering of those affected in the DRC.