DRC Flashcards
Issues of human rights in DRC: unlawful attacks and killings
Tensions emerged over planned 2023 election
violent action by armed groups increased by 10% between May and Nov
Conflict between Kivu and Ituri provinces
At least 1137 civilians killed from may to November
55 civilians killed in attacks from the CODECO, an alliance of militia groups
Role of UN in DRC: peacekeeping
UN stabilising mission replaced peacekeeping mission
Aimed to protect civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders from immediate threat of physical violence.
Supports DRC gvmt attempt to consolidate peace efforts
Over 18000 deployed near Uganda and Burundi borer
Failures of UN in the DRC
Dozens killed after protests against UN peacekeepers in city of Goma
Gvmt asked UN to leave
Role of new government in DRC
New president since 2019: positive change with coalition government
Aims to include improvements to governance, economic development, safety, access to healthcare and education
Recognises issues of corruption
Understands importance of co operation with UN and. NGOs
How many cases of cholera in DRC
3700
Role of NGOs: CARE
Helping to reduce mortality and strengthen local governments
Improve gender equality and food security
Reduce vulnerability to social injustice, especially for migrants
Improved healthcare for 760 000
USAID
Helps fund a number of NGOs
Development programmes on improving education, encouraging democracy and rising income
E.g. support of small coffee farms in NE of the country
USA is a superpower: unequal power balance
Tackling trafficking and corruption
Mutual investment and trade
Gender inequality in DRC
Average family size is 5.7
Aims to empower women to control family size
Domestic violence, trafficking, forced labour
Over half of 15-24 year old women are illiterate
Infant and maternal mortality rate
IMR: 68.2/1000 live births
MMR: 473/100 000 live births
Poverty in the DRC
74% of the population in extreme poverty: less than 1.90 USD per day
HDI of 0.459 (179th in world)
Growth in the DRC
Copper demand expected to double to 50 million metric tonnes by 2075
Used for wiring, piped and EVs
Global shortage of copper and difficulty with South American supply stream increases profitability
Gender Inequality in DRC
Sexual violence
Survival sex with wealth forgiven soldiers and peacekeepers due to poverty
Increase public raped called “la reigne” as part of intimidation and reward for gang leaders
At least 1100 women were raped in North Kivu and Ituri alone
41% women report violence from an intimate partner
Gender inequality in DRC: part 2
46% Congolese school girls have been victims of sexual harassment abuse or violence from school teachers or personnel
Article 444 of Congo family code states a women “owe her obedience to her husband”
Marital rape is not considered an offence
Stability in the DRC
South African Development Community (SADC) plays a critical role in ensuring peace and stability
Stability enables increased use of natural resources, agricultural opportunities and nature tourism
President Tshisekedi has been in power for 4 years but postponing elections, creating political instability
Violent protests against the government resulted in a lack of trust
Injustice in DRC: unfair work conditions
Cobalt miners use sub contractors to evade accountability for poor work conditions
China dominates copper and cobalt mines for the last 4 years
Low wages (about R40 per day) abuse and discrimination
