Somali Magazine – The United Nation agency has reported about 6.9 million people displaced, following the intensify Congo conflict, making it one of the largest displacement and humanitarian crisis ever happened in the world.
War in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC; the Congo) has been ongoing since the 1990s, causing political repression and instability since her independence in 1960. On Monday, the International Organization for Migration said the escalation of the DRC conflicts has spur on the displacement of people, some seeking refuge to neighbouring countries. The report based on data from Congo’s 26 provinces.
Despite its massive human capital and resource endowment, peace has eluded the Congo, and human security challenges have proliferated. Currently, eastern DRC is the site of ethnic conflict and violent resource competition involving ethnic militias, Congolese security forces, UN troops, and complex external interests.
Flashpoints like the eastern Congo’s province of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika have seen nearly 80 per cent residents displaced by dozens of armed groups seeking a share of the region’s minerals among other resources.
“The most recent escalation of the conflict has uprooted more people in less time like rarely seen before,” said IOM’s chief of mission in Congo, Fabien Sambussy.
Nearly 4.8 million people displaced, live with host families causing a further crowding of already impoverished communities.
DRC is home to some of the world’s largest reserves of the metals and rare earth minerals that are used in the production of advanced electronics. As the world has become more reliant than ever on cobalt, copper, zinc, and other minerals, foreign actors, multi-national companies, and local armed groups have become more incentivized to get involved in the Congolese conflict.
Despite U.N. offering a peacekeeping mission in Congo, the pressure has remain to bulge with the government feel unsatisfactory with the ground results. As a results, the East African regional force deployed in Congo, will likely be expected to overstay despite the Congolese government issuing directives to end the war and leave the country by December.
By Mujidu Victor