Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) By: Carly Farmer and Riya Trasi

Geography/ location Democratic Republic of Congo is located in central Africa. In 1996, DRC had a population of about 43,424,997 people.

Background DRC has experienced two wars since 1996: DRC has experienced two wars since 1996: The first was a direct result of the Rwandan genocide in 1996 The first was a direct result of the Rwandan genocide in 1996 The second was a civil war that resulted in the involvement of DRC’s, along with seven other countries’, militia. The second was a civil war that resulted in the involvement of DRC’s, along with seven other countries’, militia.

Current problems Lord’s Resistance Army Lord’s Resistance Army Rebel group that is infamous for their kidnapping and raping of women Rebel group that is infamous for their kidnapping and raping of women Les Effaceurs (“the erasers”) Les Effaceurs (“the erasers”) Rebel group that wants to clear people out of their land for mineral exploitation Rebel group that wants to clear people out of their land for mineral exploitation

Cause/Conflict Since 1998, about 5.4 million people have died from disease – half of which are children under the age of 5 – caused by: Since 1998, about 5.4 million people have died from disease – half of which are children under the age of 5 – caused by: Destroyed healthcare system Destroyed healthcare system Displacement Displacement Lack of food security Lack of food security Collapse of infrastructure Collapse of infrastructure

People/Sides involved FDLR – Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda FDLR – Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda Was a peacekeeping group but became rebellious Was a peacekeeping group but became rebellious MONUC MONUC Peacekeeping groups backed by UN Peacekeeping groups backed by UN Rebel groups against the civilian population Rebel groups against the civilian population At times each organization has gotten governmental support from bordering nations At times each organization has gotten governmental support from bordering nations Children and women are the main victims of violence in DRC Children and women are the main victims of violence in DRC Children are taken to be child slaves/soldier Children are taken to be child slaves/soldier Women are forced into prostitution Women are forced into prostitution

Dates First War = 1996 – 1997 First War = 1996 – 1997 Second War = 1998 – 2003 Second War = 1998 – 2003 July 2006 – first election in almost 40 years; Joseph Kabila came into power July 2006 – first election in almost 40 years; Joseph Kabila came into power He brought the hope of a peaceful resolution to the nation, but it was hard because of the lack of stability (both economically and politically) He brought the hope of a peaceful resolution to the nation, but it was hard because of the lack of stability (both economically and politically)

Resolution June 23, 2004 – International Criminal Court (ICC) declares an official investigation into the problems in DRC June 23, 2004 – International Criminal Court (ICC) declares an official investigation into the problems in DRC March 2006 – Thomas Lubanga officially arrested by ICC for multiple counts of recruiting child soldiers during the Second War March 2006 – Thomas Lubanga officially arrested by ICC for multiple counts of recruiting child soldiers during the Second War March 14, 2012 – Thomas Lubanga’s case reached a guilty verdict March 14, 2012 – Thomas Lubanga’s case reached a guilty verdict

Controversial “Resolution” The issues in Congo, however improved, are not completely resolved: The issues in Congo, however improved, are not completely resolved: The lack of economic stability in the country still kills millions from disease, malnutrition, etc. The lack of economic stability in the country still kills millions from disease, malnutrition, etc. Rebel groups are still attacking innocent civilians Rebel groups are still attacking innocent civilians

Pledge Everyone acknowledges how the dark parts of history must never be repeated, but nobody ever takes action. We pledge to both acknowledge and take action towards finding a resolution. Everyone acknowledges how the dark parts of history must never be repeated, but nobody ever takes action. We pledge to both acknowledge and take action towards finding a resolution.

Support 2010 – UN released a report on human rights violations in DRC 2010 – UN released a report on human rights violations in DRC Outlined the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law Outlined the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law Offered a range of options to deal with the legacy of the crimes Offered a range of options to deal with the legacy of the crimes Currently there are 20,000 UN peacekeepers in DRC Currently there are 20,000 UN peacekeepers in DRC It’s the largest and most expensive UN mission It’s the largest and most expensive UN mission

Works cited "Democratic Republic Of The Congo." Democratic Republic of the Congo Map / Geography of Democratic Republic of the Congo / Map of Democratic Republic of the Congo. WorldAtlas. Web. 01 Feb "Democratic Republic of Congo." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Web. 01 Feb "Democratic Republic of the Congo « World Without Genocide - Working to Create a World Without Genocide." Democratic Republic of the Congo « World Without Genocide - Working to Create a World Without Genocide. World Without Genocide. Web. 03 Feb "Flag of Democratic Republic of Congo." Flag of Democratic Republic of Congo. Maps of World. Web. 01 Feb "Nutrition Clinics Offer Hope in the Midst of a Drought." Nutrition Clinics Offer Hope in the Midst of a Drought - IRFC. IRFC, 12 Sept Web. 03 Feb "Population, Total." Total Population Data. The World Bank, 1 Jan Web. 01 Feb "Q&A: DR Congo Conflict - BBC News." Q&A: DR Congo Conflict. BBC News, 20 Nov Web. 03 Feb Shah, Anup. "The Democratic Republic of Congo." Global Issues. Global Issues, 21 Aug Web. 01 Feb "UNICEF Photo Essay - Child Poverty in the Republic of Congo." UNICEF Photo Essay - Child Poverty in the Republic of Congo. UNICEF. Web. 03 Feb