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| Suffering children:photo from www.glogster.com |
Deadliest
War after World War II.
Africa News -- The never dying war in the Democratic Republic
of Congo is the biggest conflict in the 21st century and the worst after
the 2nd World War. It’s commonly referred to as “Africa’s World War.”
What is happening in the Iraq, Syria, Pakistan or even Somalia is a child’s
play when compared to the conflict in DRC. It involves 24 armed groups, and 9
African States bordering the DRC have a direct stake in it. 5.4 Million People have died since the
war started in 1998.
What
started the War
The second Congo War began in 1998 after the Mobutu government
reportedly sought to regulate mining activities conducted by foreign companies,
mostly American. According to Project censored.org “
U.S.
military-trained leaders of Rwanda and Uganda invaded the mineral-rich areas of
the Congo.” They also helped
Kabila to march to the capital in takeover power through a coup. The brief
end of the war in 2003 saw many foreign companies jostling for mining licenses.
The war continues to rage to this day
and allegedly involves multinational corporations, arms brokers, terrorist
organizations, and thirsty governments eying Congo’s wealth.
Foreign
Interests
Truth be told. Congo is kept in war by foreign interests so
that they can keep smuggling tons of copper, diamond, manganese, uranium,
niobium, Cobalt, Coltan, and tantalum.
80% of the world’s coltan deposit and 60% of cobalt are in DRC. Computers, smartphones and other electronic
devices with processors cannot function properly without Coltan. Chances are the devices you are using to read
this page has a component made of coltan smuggled from the DRC. It’s safe to
say that Militias backed by Rwanda and Uganda protect the illegal smuggling of
minerals from the DRC.
According to project Censored, Congolese
coltan brings more than $20 million in monthly revenues to Rwandans and their
allies. Furthermore, “Rwanda’s diamond exports went from 166
carats in 1998 to 30,500 in 2000. Uganda’s diamond exports jumped from
approximately 1,500 carats to about 11,300.” The final destination of most
this minerals is the old wise USA. Uganda and Rwanda have always defended their
involvement by stating that they are fighting militias targeting them, such as
the FDLR, and LRA.
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| Coltan extraction: photo from treehugger.com |
United
Nations
DRC hosts the largest UN force in the world numbering 17,000
troops. The combined effort of the Force and DRC government troops have been
unable to bring the situation under control because the foreign-sponsored militias
they are fighting are well trained and very well equipped, obviously supported
by foreign state actors (Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi), corporations, arms
dealers, etc.
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The UN force in DR
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Who is fighting who in the Congo War
The War directly involves up to 20
Militia groups, some backed by Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. While others are
tribal militias are roped in to protect or benefit from the illicit mineral
trade. The country has more than 200 ethnic groups. The remnants of Interahamwe
(The Hutu force responsible for the 1994 Rwandan Genocide), now known as FDLR,
are also based in Eastern Congo. In this war, there are permanent Rwandan
enemies like the FDLR, permanent Ugandan enemies like the LRA, and many permanent
enemies of the DRC government. Other smaller militias switch sides regular
depending on who offers a favorable deal. The FDLR has on several occasions
helped DRC government to fight foreign militias. The FDLR is one of the several
Anti-Rwandan Hutu militias.
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| photo from www.usatoday.com |
Humanitarian
Crisis
Most of the 5.4 million people who have died in the war have
perished due to disease and starvation.
Millions more have been displaced from their homes, seeking asylum in neighboring
countries. Numerous cases of rape and maiming by the brutal militias are
reported daily.
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| Victims of the Congo War: photo from the commune.com |
Hope in Sight
Though much of the world remains silent on the on-goings in the
Congo, there are renewed efforts by the UN and African union to bring the
situation under control. Part of the proposed solutions include a strong and
inclusive government. Hopefully, there
is a bright future for the people of Congo.
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