Genocide in the democratic republic of congo[1]

Matt Joseph

The DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

The Genocide

Largest Genocide since the Holocaust Conflict between Hutus and Tutsis Uganda got involved for land MONUSCO attempting to create peace

How did it start? Rwanda’s Tutsi government feared Hutu

forces Both engaged in violent acts vs. each

other Rwandan genocide of 1994 forced

Hutus to flee to Zaire (DRC) Rwandan genocide spread to DRC Poor Economy Kabila

Poor Funding of Armies

Zaire was a poor country at the time No funding for armies No consistent export, too many imports

(unfavorable balance of trade) Poor country = bad government Anarchic period until 1995, KABILA

Laurent Kabila

Overthrew current leader Mobutu Came to power due to Tutsi support Became suspicious of other ethnic

groups: Ugandans, Rwandans Rwandan government ordered mass

killings, supported rebel troops First Congolese War (1996-1998)

Ethnic Favoritism

Second Congolese War began due to increasing Hutu-Tutsi tension

DRC – Hutu Ugandan, Rwanda – Tutsi

Laurent Kabila started anti-Tutsi campaigns

Tutsi rebel forces grew larger

More nations join…

Kabila calls upon the help of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Chad, Libya and Sudan

Leads to the assassination of Laurent Kabila in 2001

His son, Joseph, gets elected president Peace talks start to happen; UN finally

gets “involved”

Failed Peace, more war

In 2002, Kabila attempts peace talks Is somewhat successful (stops official

fighting) Most fighting wasn’t official; terrorist and

rebel groups did most of the massacres Rape started to become a prominent

tactic; degraded women

Rebel Groups

LRA – Lords Resistance Army Led by Joseph Kony FDLR – Democratic Forces for the

Liberation of Rwanda These two groups together have

assassinated and raped over 2,000,000 citizens

EFFECTS

Death and Poverty

Over 5.4 million people died throughout the course of the war

Over 3 million left homeless Of those 3 million, 1.7 were children Children were then forced to become

child soldiers, joined rebel forces (Many members of the LRA are children)

Patriarchal Society

Millions of women mass raped by rebel groups

Went against African culture, women were abandoned

Impregnated and left to die by their own family

Destruction of Land

Little to no agricultural land to farm on There was little farmland in the first

place, rarity now Exports have become even rarer

Transitional Government

A temporary government (Joseph Kabila is still leader) has been put up as they refine their democracy and attempt to straighten out their government

Attempt to stop corruption

Solution 1 – Stop the Rebels Cut the income flow to the rebel groups,

make them get as little resources as possible (gold + salt)

Provide aid for the DRC to get back on track, help them at least get into stable condition

Solution 2 – Get the UN involved Attempt to get the rebel groups to sign a

cease fire through forceful means Proposed by South Africa, if South

Africa fails then the UN must get involved

My Choice

Would be the least violent and would force the rebel groups to stop

Would directly help a country in dire need of money

Would benefit both the Congolese and American economies in the long run (gold + salt trade)

What you can do Be Aware World Health Organization – Disease Women for Women foundation – help

rape victims UNICEF – Nutrition and agriculture Lutheran World Organization –

Agriculture and Human Rights