The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Quick Facts Capital City: Kinshasha Population: 75,507,308 A little bit bigger than the combined areas of Spain, France, Germany, Sweden and Norway Official Language: French – Other languages: Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, Tshiluba Demographics: Over 200 ethnic groups, majority Bantu

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Government & Politics Belgian Congo: – 1908 – 1960 – Paternalistic approach, Belgian government took taxes, built infrastructure and exploited resources Independence: June 30 th 1960 – Patrice Lumbumba Republic of Zaire – 1971 – Mobutu: had the support US, political repression, corruption, human rights violations, Democratic Republic of the Congo – During the First Congo Civil War, 1997, Laurent Kabila marches to Kinshasa, claims himself president

Mobutu also known as: The all powerful warrior who, because of his endurance and inflexible will to win, shall go from conquest to conquest, leaving fire in his wake

Wars, Corruption & Human Rights Violations First Congo War, Second Congo War Mobutu’s government was a kleptocracy “War that involves at least 20 different rebel groups and the armies of 9 different countries, yet does not seem to have a clear cause or objective.” – Howard W. French, NY Times Human Rights Violations

The DRC Today Current President: Joseph Kabila First free elections in 2006 In 2013, UN secures peace agreement with M23 rebels, but Eastern Congo still remains volatile