Democratic Republic of Congo
The conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the deadliest in African history. Since it began in August 1998, it is estimated that the fighting and its aftermath (poverty, disease, and malnutrition) have claimed nearly four million lives.
Despite a well-established peace process, high levels of insecurity and human rights abuse continue in the east of the country and there is a heightened risk of violence in the approach to national elections in April-June, as well as in the immediate post-election period. Several armed factions appear to favour a continuation of violence as a means of achieving their political and economic objectives. Neighbouring governments continue to channel support to some factions, and foreign armed groups continue to operate in eastern DRC. In certain areas, insecurity is linked to heightened ethnic tension.
Video: Child soldiers abandoned
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Congo's tragedy: The war the world forgotThe UN estimates that 45,000 women were raped in the North Kivu province last year alone. Journalist Johann Hari visited a hospital coping with the sexual violence inflicted on women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Read the report |
At least 11,000 children are still with armed groups or unaccounted for more
than two years after the government launched a country-wide programme to release
and reintegrate child soldiers into civilian life Amnesty appeal: support free speech in Congo
Amnesty International is working actively to ensure that human rights journalists are allowed to carry out their work unhindered and unmolested. Please support free speech in Congo by contributing to our appeal.
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Reports
- DRC: Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) and the Reform of the Army 25 Jan 2007
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Children at war, creating hope for the future 11 Oct 2006
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Election update; The Wire, September 2006. Vol. 36, No.8. 01 Sep 2006
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Open letter to DRC parliamentarians on legislation implementing the Rome Statute 14 Feb 2006
- DRC: North-Kivu: Civilians pay the price for political and military rivalry 28 Sep 2005
Lives blown apart
Despite the desperate situation in DRC much good work goes on. Gégé Katana Bukuru has set up an organisation for training women activists and helping people stand up for their rights.
