The Conflict in the DRC

A lot of people including myself have never heard about the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (or DRC), It’s scary how some conflicts are pasted all over the media, And others stay hidden in plain view.

Described by some as Africa’s first World War, the conflict in the DRC (formerly known as Zaire) has involved seven nations and claimed the lives of at least 3.3 million people, mostly Women, Children, and Elderly since the outbreak of fighting in 1998. Most of these deaths come from either Starvation or Disease. Another 2.25 million people have been driven from their homes many of them beyond the reach of humanitarian agencies.

These shocking figures would usually be more than enough to get media attention all over the world. Could it be that our country does not want us to know about their foolish decisions of the past.

Due to the vast amounts minerals and other resources including, Water, Diamonds, Coltan, Cassiterite, Tin, Copper, and Timber, The US backed the dictator Mubutu Sese Seko in his overthrow of previous leader, Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba in 1960. (Lumumba was also non-aligned in geopolitical/cold-war sense, so not seen favorably by the US.) Corruption, siphoning off massive personal wealth, a plunge in copper prices, and mounting debt led to enormous economic downturns.

To read more about the overthrow and eventual assassination of Patrice Lumumba and the US involvement CLICK HERE

United States president Dwight Eisenhower met his national security advisers to talk about the situation in Congo two months after the June 1961 independence he said Lumumba, the country’s first prime minister, should be eliminated.

The coltan trade and battle over the other minerals and resources has also affected DRC’s wildlife and environment. National Parks that house endangered gorillas and other animals are often overrun to exploit minerals and resources. Increasing poverty and hunger from the war.

This war should not go unnoticed, We must do something about this.

Do what is right! Open your eyes and the eyes of those around you,

-Zak