Violence disrupts communities in eastern DRC

Liz Andress, Mwendo Congo Board Chair

“The hard truth is that war is still going on in the Congo, despite the hope that people had after the 2018 elections,” says Pastor Kubisa, one of Mwendo Congo’s key advisors.  “This makes the work of partner organization Let Africa Live as crucial as ever in responding to the impacts of violence.”  Kubisa spent three months in the eastern Congo recently and reflects on the dire realities he observed on the ground.

Resurgence of M23

M23 is a Rwanda-backed rebel group that has made a major resurgence in eastern Congo since 2021.  They have occupied the area where valuable minerals are found, including gold & cobalt. This has led to bloodshed, insecurity, and enormous displacement of the population.  

International demand for minerals exacerbates conflict

Rwanda has factories to process gold and cobalt - most of these minerals come from the Congo.  Those factories are currently under-supplied due to lack of materials.  Access to Congo’s minerals is crucial to Rwanda’s economic interests – and those of many other countries.  Big world powers – the United States , Germany, England, and France – have now entered the conversation and admit that Rwanda’s military has occupied parts of the DRC. During the Pope’s visit to the DRC last month, he told the world that Rwanda is being used by the big powers of the world.  His message was, “take your hands out of Africa and out of Congo”. 

President Tshisekedi calls for response from international community at UN Human Rights Council - 

DRC President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo spoke before the United Nations Human Rights Council in February 2023.  A summary of his remarks states: 

It [is] imperative to put an end to the warlike adventures of Rwanda in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It [is] time for the international community, in particular the United Nations, to punish the perpetrators of crimes and violations of international law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and further compel them to implement the peace plan resulting from the Nairobi and Luanda processes, endorsed by both the African Union and the United Nations Security Council.  (Ref.)

Displacement of entire communities

Just imagine living in this context.  The situation of war and insecurity causes extensive trauma.  People are forced to flee their homes and move to the cities in search of security. But in the urban areas there is not enough work, and resources are lacking to meet the needs of the growing population.  Armed groups fighting against M23 are also proliferating, which escalates the violence.

Impact on 2023 elections?

With the current instability in the region, a major concern is the upcoming election in December 2023.  Opposition parties have expressed serious doubts about a free and fair election when a portion of the country is essentially occupied by a foreign military force and communities are displaced.

Responding to the trauma of war

The work of Let Africa Live remains as important as ever – trauma healing, professional skills training to counter unemployment, education at the community level, and lobbying the authorities for peace, security and respect of life.