Mennonite Weekly Review

This summer, the Democratic Republic of Congo turns 50. In 1960, Belgium abruptly transferred its colonial keys and declared Congo independent.

Stata

Since then, Congo’s road has been rocky. Poor political leadership and mismanagement of natural resources have thwarted its development. Western governments and private enterprise have also played a role in ensuring a continuation of the colonial cycle of poverty and insecurity for the Congolese people.

Mennonite Central Committee has worked in Congo since 1960. We base all advocacy suggestions on our connections with Congolese civil society partners, as well as our relationships with the more than 200,000 Mennonites in Congo.

Despite its vast mineral wealth, eastern Congo remains under­developed, impoverished and unstable. It is home to the world’s largest United Nations peacekeeping operation and continues to struggle to implement the rule of law, combat corruption and promote socioeconomic well-being for its people.

Congo is embroiled in a conflict that involves nearly a dozen armed groups and has resulted in more than 5 million deaths. The conflict is fueled by the rebels’ efforts to control lucrative natural resources.

The aftermath of Rwanda’s genocide in 1994 directly impacted Congo, as refugees and combatants spilled into the eastern part of the country. This spurred a brutal cycle of violence that continues today.

Every country in Africa’s Great Lakes Region is, for better or worse, inextricably linked through history, geography, natural resources and ethnic identity that transcend borders. For example, the Rwandan government’s reluctance to dialogue with Rwandan armed groups currently operating in eastern Congo acts as a stumbling block to peace and condemns eastern Congo to conflict, rape and displacement. Regional governments must be held accountable for their destabilizing involvement in eastern Congo.

Four major military operations were launched within the past year and a half in an effort to rout the major rebel groups and consolidate the Congolese government’s control over the east, while protecting civilians.

However, these military operations have proven unsuccessful in dismantling the armed groups and instead provoked backlash attacks on civilians causing humanitarian crises. The military approach, even when supported by the U.N., does more harm than good.

In addition to civilian displacement and casualties, rape is employed as a weapon of war by the rebels and Congolese army alike to terrorize its victims and tear apart communities. The victims range in age from infants to the elderly.