1. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Peter Langan & Jake O’Flahavan

2. What is Genocide?
Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

3. Background Information
Began in 1996
5.4 million deaths
Bloodiest conflict since WWII
DRC is located in central Africa

4. Causes
After the genocide in Rwanda ended in 1994, Hutu perpetrators fled into eastern provinces of the DRC to form the FDLR.
FDLR means Democratic Forces for Liberation od Rwanda, they are a rebel group in East DRC
They are composed of ethnic Hutus who oppose Tutsi rule.
This conflict formed the genocide.

5. Causes
Two largest ethnic groups in this region. Hutus make up 85% of the population while Tutsi make up 14%.
The RPF, a Tutsi-led militia defeated the Hutu movement in July, 1994.
Immediately following the defeat, nearly 2 million Hutus fled into neighboring countries to avoid a potential Tutsi retribution.
This influx of Hutu in the DRC, among other factors led to the first Congo War in 1996.

6. First Congo War
Refugee camps served as de facto army bases for Hutu militants. They terrorized and robbed the local population.
Then in October 1996, Tutsi in the region led an uprising to force the Hutus out of the Congo, sparking the First Congo war.
This war lasted from October 1996 to September when Kabila took over as president of the Newly formed Democratic Republic of the Congo

7. 2nd Congo War Also known as The Great War of Africa.
2nd Congo War
Also known as The Great War of Africa.
August 1997 – July 2003
Despite new government the eastern government to be an unstable war zone.
The new president turned on his supporters (Rwanda and Uganda) and allowed Hutu armies to regroup in eastern Congo.

8. 2nd Congo War
This betrayal resulted in a joint invasion of Rwanda and Ugandan forces into Eastern Congo in 1998.
Other countries came to Kabila’s help which slowed the Rwandan and Ugandan troops.
This conflict lasted for five years.

9. End Result
Since the fighting began in 1998, around 5.4 million people died in the Congo.
Many of the deaths were indirectly caused by the war, malaria, and malnutrition.
The Hutu tribes that formed after the Rwandan genocide, terrorized neighboring villages.

10. Pledge awareness
We pledge awareness to stop genocide, and keep the world safe from terror and evil.
- Jake O’Flahavan and Peter Langan..

11. Bibliography
brief-history-of-Congo-s-wars