Save the DR Congo Harper Luke, Parker Ohlmann, Daniel Ludin, Latrice Burks Date

European Expansion and Colonialism Portuguese land in central Africa – 1483 Relations begin respectfully, but quickly deteriorate Portuguese exert power over Africans Demand for African slaves increased drastically over the next few decades

Colonial Period Over the next few centuries, more European countries began exploring and laying claim to land across Africa King Leopold II of Belgium desperately wanted a colony and after several failed attempts, he formed a “philanthropic” company to convince the Berlin Conference to give him personal claim over the territory of the Congo

Congo Free State and Belgian Congo Under this Philanthropic façade, King Leopold II committed some of the worst atrocities and human rights abuses found throughout Colonial Africa. Slave labor, starvation, terrible working conditions, wide spread illness, and physical mutilation In 1908, after several people reported the conditions in the Congo Free State, Leopold was forced to relinquish his the land to Belgium Under Belgium rule, conditions did improve slightly, but the Congolese were still treated as second class citizens and were without access to education or health care

Independence The people of the Belgian Congo, both Congolese and Belgian, played a significant role in both world wars. Fought against German and Italian colonies and provided revenue for Belgium after its occupation by the Nazis Following WWII, the Congolese formed several political parties aimed at gaining independence for the Congo, although they often disagreed on how to do so. As these parties gained traction and popularity throughout the country, the Congolese began participating in widespread civil disobedience culminating in the Leopoldville Riots in 1959 In January of 1960, a conference was held between the Belgian leaders and the Congolese parties resulting in setting June 30 1960 as the date for independence

The Republic of Congo – 1960 to 1971 Within three months of independence, the country’s first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, was dismissed by the president, Joseph Kasavubu and Lumumba was then assassinated on January 17, 1961 by his own military with assistance from the CIA From 1961 to 1965, the Congo four different governments in place In 1965, Joseph Mobutu, the Congolese army chief of staff who was appointed by Lumumba and later his assassin, led a coup financed by the U.S. through which Mobutu declared himself head of state, establish a new constitution and renamed the country the Republic of Zaire

Republic of Zaire – 1971 to 1997 Mobutu’s regime was guilty of corruption, repression, and severe human rights violations. Despite his corruption and embezzling of government funds, the U.S. continued to support him because of his anti- communist views until the end of the Cold War when Mobutu was no longer a valuable ally Despite widespread opposition, Mobutu remained in power until 1997 when the effects of the Rwandan Civil War spilled over into Zaire leading to a coalition of Rwandan and Ugandan armies partnered with Congolese in opposition of Mobutu invading and overthrowing him

Democratic Republic of Congo – 1997 to Present The rebellion was led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila who declared himself president and renamed the country the Democratic Republic of Congo However, immediately after Kabila took power, his former allies forme two rebel groups in opposition to Kabila initiating the Second Congo War which involved 9 African states and resulted in 5.4 million deaths Group Activity!!

Current State of Violence- Recent Developments "Most of the victims were killed with machetes, axes and hoes," the nongovernmental group Civil Society of North Kivu said in a statement. DR Congo sentences Ndala killers

Current Government 2001, Laurent Kabila assassinated Joseph Kabila became temporary president New Constitution 2005, the beginning of 2006 J. Kabila sworn in as president J. Kabila re-elected in 2011 Protests- election fraud New Constitution

Source: HRW and Amnesty Int. Sexual Violence Some Numbers: UNFPA reported 15,996 cases added in 2008 less than 50% can access health centers FARDC - Congo government main perpetrator sexual assault as a weapon UNFPA- United Nations Population Fund, agency coordinating work on sexual violence in the Congo Source: HRW and Amnesty Int.

Rebel Fighting 2007- FDLR commit Massacre, 29 killed Hutu dominated rebel group 2008- Christmas Massacre, 400 killed by LRA 2012- M23 rebels marched into the city of Goma FDLR: The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, made up of Hutus fighting Tutsi forces in North and South Kivu LRA: Lords Resistance Army M23 Rebels: Made up of soldiers that were part of the DRC army, tutsi, March 23, 2009 peace deal between CNDP and the Congo government, revolting because the DRC government was doing enough for the soldiers, alleged to be backed by Rwanda Source: BBC

Structural Violence Protesters killed during the 2006 election Who live in poverty? 72% rural households and 59% urban households Majority of the population lives under some level of food insecurity, including access to water Source: World Bank

Future Vision DRC will prosper economically Government will function with the best interest of the citizens as the main goal Women will no longer be marginalized End to direct violence Less police brutality Less guns Less fighting between (ethnic, territorial clashes, etc…)  groups Less sexual assaults End to violence between Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC

Economic Prosperity No one is starving Everyone has access to jobs/steady income that can support them Easy access to the basic necessities (food, clean water, shelter, clothes, heating, etc…) Modernize the infrastructure (transportation and communications) Encourage NGO’s/MNC’s to set up factories in the DRC-bring jobs and better wages

Reform the Government End of corruption/establishment of genuine democracy Everyone can vote, no one fears going to the polls to vote, no one feels like they must hide their political identity Make all treasury transactions accessible to be viewed by the public -Keeps the government workers honest

Feminist Perspectives Feminist perspectives as a means for integrated human rights Women are represented in the government in the same proportion as they make up in society Women to bring a more peaceful perspective to the government

Peace Tools- Human Rights & Feminist Perspectives Human rights: focusing on the worth and dignity of people (Alger 20) Restoring voting rights, equality, and social necessities Feminist Perspective :adopting women’s experiences to achieving peace. Start with family and kinship (Alger 37) Both of these tools will be used at the same time to address sexual violence in the DRC

Democratization Participatory Democracy: every individual has a say (Barash and Webel 477). Democratic voting process with free non-corrupt elections Address political corruption and direct violence within Rwanda(Democratization theory for peace)

Economic Development & Education Human Centred Development-shifting focus on economic projects to address needs of rural poor and famers (Jeong 253). Establish modernized infrastructure, manufacturing, and sustainable use of natural resources Education- investment in human resources to increase incomes for poor (Jeong 253). Increase in advanced educational resources (textbooks, and well- trained teachers) Both tools to address poverty

Disarmament & Peaceful Settlement Disarmament- eliminating and or reducing arms increase changes for peace (Alger 17). Policies already being implemented by UN Disarmament polices focused on FDRL (Rwandan Rebel group) Peaceful Settlement through mediation: bring in 3rd party from South Africa Address violence from rebel groups & unnecessary intervention from Rwanda