Conflict In DRC
By The Center of Research Training and Publication (CRTP)
Last Updated April 23 2024
According to the CMT-2024, the conflict level for DRC was 2.6. This means that DRC is on the confrontational stage of conflict. The CMT 2024 highlights a complex landscape of conflicts in the DRC, with resource-based violence, gender-based violence, domestic violence, armed robbery, political violence, and police brutality being prominent concerns in the region. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces multifaceted challenges as violence escalates in North Kivu, where M23 fighters advance, prompting concern from Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu about widespread insecurity, particularly in Goma. Amidst nearly two million displaced since late 2021, the Cardinal underscores the Church’s commitment to supporting the affected population despite the precarious situation faced by the Church. Meanwhile, in Kinshasa, the Committee to Protect Journalists expresses alarm over the prosecution seeking a 15-month prison sentence for radio journalist Blaise Mabala, arrested for allegedly insulting a provincial governor. The CPJ urges DRC authorities to halt the criminalization of press work, highlighting concerns about fairness and transparency in Mabala’s case, which reflects a broader crackdown on freedom of expression and press freedom in the DRC. On the other hand, the Belgian Ambassador to the DRC has urged DRC to file a complaint with the ICJ against Rwanda for allegedly failing to respect its border following UN’s findings of Rwandan troops and units fighting along M23 rebels. However, Rwanda has denied these allegations and stated that they have no involvement in the conflict in the DRC.
The CMT-2024 also notes that the religious institutions, peace committees, and certain community-based organizations, including council of elders, women groups, youth groups, government court systems, and various NGOs, are the most effective contributors to conflict resolution in the eastern DRC. However, DRC faces significant challenges in achieving effective conflict resolution, with issues related to governance, corruption, climate change, and historical grievances recognized as the major hindrance to the realization of conflict transformation in the region. Nonetheless, some of the proposals made that would help in conflict resolution in DRC include the government taking the initiative to invest in economic development and poverty reduction programs to alleviate high levels of unemployment among the youth. Further, was proposed that the government need to implement stringent measures to control the availability and access to small arms and light weapons in DRC. Finally, the findings emphasize on the need for the government and other multi-lateral peace keeping missions to promote disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs for former combatants.
Latest News
Belgium’s ambassador to Congo suggests that the DRC should file a complaint with the ICJ against Rwanda for allegedly failing to respect its border
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa in DRC has expressed deep concern about the escalating violence in North Kivu’s capital, where M23 fighters have launched attacks on several towns
The continued detention and repeated arrests of radio journalist Blaise Mabala highlight the government’s crackdown on freedom of expression and press freedom in the DRC