Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

2.Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): M23 militia, backed by Rwanda, has captured Goma, a mineral-rich city on the DRC-Rwanda border.

• As per the UN estimates approx. 2,900+ killed, 700,000 displaced, many injured (since January).
• About Democratic Republic of the Congo: A country in Central Africa. By land area, the DRC is the second-largest country in Africa and the 11th-largest in the world. 
  • Bordered by:  The Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania (across Lake Tanganyika), Zambia, Angola, the Cabinda exclave of Angola, and the South Atlantic Ocean.
  • Geographical features of DRC: Congo River, flows through DRC & Republic of the Congo, Africa’s 2nd longest river, vital for transportation.

  oKatanga Province: A mineral-rich region in DRC, known for cobalt, copper, tin, radium, uranium, and diamonds.

  oSahara Desert: World’s largest hot desert, covering North African countries with arid landscapes & extreme temperatures.

  oNile River: World’s longest river, flowing through 11 countries, crucial for ancient civilizations & development.

  • Rwandan Genocide (1994): Tutsi repression under Hutu rule led to the formation of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), triggering a civil war (1990) → Rwandan invasions of DRC (1996, 1998) led to Africa’s World Wars: First Congo War (1996) & Second Congo War (1998-2003).
  • About M23 Rebels: Formed in 2012, named after March 23, 2009 agreement between DRC & Tutsi-led CNDP.
  • Uganda’s stance: Supports Congolese troops hunting IS-linked militants which allows M23 to use its territory (as per UN reports).