The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Paul Farmer: Humanitarian Dr. in Haiti

Congo King Leopold Took Congo as his own personal colony. King Leopold Took Congo as his own personal colony. Enslaved population to work in rubber fields far away from their farms, destroying their family systems. Enslaved population to work in rubber fields far away from their farms, destroying their family systems.

History Leopold seized in 1885, when European powers carved up Africa. Leopold seized in 1885, when European powers carved up Africa. Brutally ruled the Congo to extract rubber for the newly growing car industry in early 20 th c. through 1950s. Brutally ruled the Congo to extract rubber for the newly growing car industry in early 20 th c. through 1950s. In 1960 Congo “given” its independence. In 1960 Congo “given” its independence.

Hangings, floggings and amputations to enforce colonial rule

Patrice Lumumba, democratically elected Prime Minister in 1960, assassinated by U.S. CIA and Belgium security: seen as too “leftist.” More nationalist than communist

Replaced by Mobutu Seko : ruled for 30 years plundering resources, abusing population with no development

Rwandan Genocide 1996 Hutus exterminated 800,000 Tutsis in 9 months while the world stood by. Hutus exterminated 800,000 Tutsis in 9 months while the world stood by. The difference between Hutu and Tutsi was socially constructed The difference between Hutu and Tutsi was socially constructed –Tutsi, generally, taller, lighter skin, narrower nose –Tutsi were an elite class, generally wealthier –Hutus and Tutsi regularly intermarried and were neighbors until the genocide.

Artificial separation in reality: although everyone knows what everyone is; marked on IDs

Paul Kagame Tutsi liberator from Hutus, President of Rwanda.

Joseph Kabila Took over from father after last revolt against Congolese government and his father’s assassination. Revolt Sponsored by Kagme/Rwanda and Uganda.

Congo’s Corrupt government Congo’s government is notoriously corrupt with Kabila pocketing tens of millions of dollars while population lives in poverty. Congo’s government is notoriously corrupt with Kabila pocketing tens of millions of dollars while population lives in poverty. Congo rarely pays its military and has no control in the East. Congo rarely pays its military and has no control in the East. The East if filled with rich mineral mines including Coltan The East if filled with rich mineral mines including Coltan

After the Genocide Hutus escaped into Eastern Congo and terrorized population, including Tutsis who lived there too. Hutus escaped into Eastern Congo and terrorized population, including Tutsis who lived there too.

Coltan is necessary for cell phones IPads and other high tech machines. Very Rare. Found in Eastern Congo, along border with Rwanda and Uganda.

Chinese are actively securing minerals and building infrastructure of Congo.

5 Million People have died as a result of the Congolese Wars since Many Militias trying to secure mineral mines have used mass rapes, murders, amputations and kidnapping of children as tools of war. Many Militias trying to secure mineral mines have used mass rapes, murders, amputations and kidnapping of children as tools of war. Lord’s Resistance Army is but one of the militias operating in the area. Others backed by Uganda and Rwanda are there too. Lord’s Resistance Army is but one of the militias operating in the area. Others backed by Uganda and Rwanda are there too.

M23 Was a militia funded by Rwanda to protect Tutsis and secure the area, have been one of the main perpetrators of these atrocities. Actively uses child soldiers and rape to terrorize population. Was a militia funded by Rwanda to protect Tutsis and secure the area, have been one of the main perpetrators of these atrocities. Actively uses child soldiers and rape to terrorize population.

Sultani Makenga is head of M23. Took over from previous leader who is wanted by World Court. h2ZyU h2ZyU h2ZyU h2ZyU

M23 takes Goma without fight from Congolese Army, UN Watches.

Congolese Army Is undertrained and often untrained and commits as many atrocities as the rebel forces Is undertrained and often untrained and commits as many atrocities as the rebel forces Have killed and sold as many as 10,000 elephants to poachers, raped population, summarily killed villagers. Have killed and sold as many as 10,000 elephants to poachers, raped population, summarily killed villagers. Has no support among the people of the East. Has no support among the people of the East.

M23 was absorbed into the army after the 2000 revolution putting Kabila in power They were promised power to steal, but didn’t get as much as they wanted. They were promised power to steal, but didn’t get as much as they wanted. In recent weeks, they have captured Goma, the major trading center of the East, without opposition from the U.N. or Congolese army, many of who have joined the uprising. In recent weeks, they have captured Goma, the major trading center of the East, without opposition from the U.N. or Congolese army, many of who have joined the uprising.

¼ million civilians have fled, rape torture, murder, disease sure to follow unless resolution.

What does M23 Want? Who Knows? They say to get what was promised after last revolt. Probably control of Eastern Congo. Or overthrow of DRC government.