Current issues in the democratic republic of congo

Official position of the congolese government on the. Dr congo has a total land area of about 2,344,858sq. Forty years later, on july 10, 1999, drc, along with angola, namibia, zimbabwe, rwanda, and uganda, signed the lusaka ceasefire agreement for a cessation of hostilities between all belligerent forces in the congo. The united states has encouraged congolese efforts to diversify the economy and. Over the last two years, the situation has massively deteriorated due to an increase in the scale and number of conflicts in the country. The congo today imperialism of democratic republic of the congo. Democratic republic of the congo environment current issues. Dr congo is a vast country with immense economic resources and, until recently, has been. As with most conflicts in africa, the current situation has much to do with the. Opposition leader felix tshisekedi was declared the winner of the democratic republic of congo s drc presidential elections held in late december 2018 and was inaugurated.

Crime statistics democratic republic of the congo knoema. Democratic republic of the congo democratic republic of the congo economy. The consequences have been devastating for the congolese people, with some 4. Rights groups say at least half a million people have been displaced in recent. Democratic republic of the congo democratic republic of the congo government and society. The democratic republic of the congo is a source, destination, and possibly a transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. Violence in the democratic republic of congo global conflict. Usaid helps governments and communities plan how the forests and land will be used so that they are conserved for future generations, while at the same time providing products such as medicines, wildlife, wood and other products that can improve living standards today. Throughout 2018, government officials and security forces. Democratic republic of congo drc national democratic. Usccb issues and action human life and dignity global issues africa democratic republic of the congo printable version may the risen lord break down the walls of hostility that today divide brothers and sisters, especially in south sudan and the democratic republic of congo. This brief video summarizes the initial challenges the drc faced. Congo, republic of the roc the most significant environmental problems in the congo are deforestation, increases in urban population, and the protection of its wildlife.

Yet the rich country leaders and their media drew everyones attention to 2000 ethnic albianians being killed in kosovo to gain support for a war there. The below is just a snapshot of some of the major issues facing the country. Opposition leader felix tshisekedi was declared the winner of the democratic republic of congos drc presidential elections held in late december 2018 and was inaugurated. Major issues since the war that took place in august of 1998, the drc has encountered many internal problems over the recent decade. Usaid administrator mark greens meeting with david gressly, united nations emergency ebola response coordinator. Media coverage is poor and yet there have been millions of refugees and over five million killed since the war began around august 1998. Congo, democratic republic of the transnational issues. The main issue currently going on in the democratic republic of congo is the war zaire. Major issues conflicts in the democratic republic of the. The cities lie at the downstream end of an almost circular widening in the river. The who country health profile of democratic republic of the congo provides key statistics and links to health topical databases, plus news, features and bulletin journal articles on the health issues of the country. There are many issues that must be addressed in the democratic republic of the congo for there to be peace and development. The democratic republic of congodrc has one of the highest incidences of poverty in the world. The democratic republic of congo has confirmed its first cases of covid19 in a prison.

The congos forests are endangered by fires set to clean the land for agricultural purposes. Voices concern for american held in republic of congo the naturalized citizen, marcel pika, moved back to his home country in 2007. Hiv is a leading cause of death and a health threat to millions worldwide. Ambassador in the democratic republic of the congo is michael hammer. Congo, republic of the transnational issues 2020, cia. Presidents emergency plan for aids relief pepfar, cdc works with the democratic republic of the congo drc to build a sustainable, highimpact national hiv response program to accelerate progress towards the unaids global targets to control the hiv epidemic. Technical issues and irregularities, including a delay in voting for more than a million. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of congo, democratic republic of the transnational issues 2020 information contained here. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of congo, republic of the transnational issues 2020 information contained here. Democratic republic of congo also known as congo kinshasa is the 2nd largest country in africa by total land area.

Democratic republic of congo has been engulfed in a complex humanitarian crisis for decades. The united states established diplomatic relations with the democratic republic of the congo d. Dr congo ebola outbreak still an international public. The smaller city on the north side of the river is brazzaville, while the larger, kinshasa, is on the south side. Congo, republic of the transnational issues 2020, cia world. Congo, democratic republic of the transnational issues 2020. Democratic republic of the congo economic indicators. Conflict in the democratic republic of congo drc threatens the lives of millions of. Democratic republic of the congo news top stories from al jazeera. Democratic development in the democratic republic of congo drc faces a myriad of challenges, including a legacy of exploitation and conflict, lack of physical and communications infrastructure, extreme poverty and continuing pockets of insecurity.

While the democratic republic of congo has the natural and human resources to thrive, it has the unenviable distinction of. Learn about sources of continued violence in the democratic republic of congo and how the united nations, african union, and neighboring countries are struggling to curtail it. The largest francophone country in africa, the democratic republic of congo drc, endowed with vast natural resources, has nearly 80 million inhabitants, fewer than 40% of whom live in urban areas. The democratic republic of congo, located in central africa, has spent decades in the grip of violent conflict and economic unrest. A country of paradoxes, it is a land rich in natural resources, but its people are among the poorest in the world. Democratic republic of congo overview world bank group. The economy of the democratic republic of the congo a nation endowed with vast potential wealthhas declined significantly since the mid1980s. Postindependence, the country saw a mix of unrest, rebellion, secession movements, a long dictatorship, armed conflict, and foreign intervention, including on the d. The capital, kinshasa, is located on the congo river about 320 miles 515 km from. Curated by knoemas data analysts to deliver leading shortterm and longterm indicators and forecasts from trusted sources for each of the covered industries. Democratic republic of the congo economy britannica. Democratic republic of congo world africa human rights.

This part of the web site looks at the conflict in the democratic republic of congo. Relations with republic of the congo united states. Zaire was started because of resource, control, water, and other reasons that have lead to the deadliest war since world war ii. Feedback congo, democratic republic of the economy. The new government instituted a tight fiscal policy that initially curbed inflation and currency depreciation. Systemic corruption, countrywide instability, and conflict that began in the mid90s have all drastically reduced national output and government revenue, increased external debt, and resulted in the death of over five million people due to famine, violence. Crisis in democratic republic of congo oxfam international.

Democratic republic of the congo news top stories from al. The democratic republic of the congo is grappling with the worlds second largest ebola epidemic on record, with more than 2200 lives lost and 3400 confirmed infections since the outbreak was declared on 1 august 2018. The two countries have worked together on issues of common interest such as strengthening regional security, improving the living standards of congolese citizens, and safeguarding the environment. From zaire to the democratic republic of the congo. Current issues the main issue currently going on in the democratic republic of congo is the war zaire. Backgrounder on democratic republic of the congo printable version may the risen lord break down the walls of hostility that today divide brothers and sisters, especially in south sudan and the democratic republic of congo. Major problems facing dr congo today africa and the. Background and current developments congressional research service 1 recent developments in february 2011, the congolese government formally charged one senior military officer and 10 soldiers of mass rape in the town of fizi, in the eastern province of south kivu. The united states military has been covertly involved in the wars in the democratic republic of congo, a us parliamentary subcommittee has been told. Decades of war, violence, and poverty have claimed the lives of over five million people. Jun 16, 2016 one of the main causes of poverty in the democratic republic of the congo is health threats, specifically a malaria outbreak, which resulted in approximately 6. Jan 10, 2019 the recent history of the democratic republic of congo dr congo has been one of civil war and corruption. Testimony statement before the house foreign affairs committee subcommittee on africa, global health, global human rights, and international organizations washington, dc thank you very much chairman smith, ranking member bass, and other members of the committee for the opportunity to testify today on u. Political crisis in the democratic republic of the congo.

The world bank is helping to fight poverty and improve living standards for the people of the democratic republic of congo, through education, energy, health and other social services. Relations with democratic republic of the congo united. The democratic republic of congo faces a worsening humanitarian, human rights, and security crisis. Feb, 20 today, the democratic republic of the congo has a great potential for wealth, but has been slowly recovering from decades of decline. But elation over mobutus downfall faded as kabilas own autocratic style emerged, and he seemed devoid of a clear plan for reconstructing the country. An examination of the political and social situation in the democratic republic of the congo since may 1997 when laurent kabila proclaimed himself president of the country. With regard to the issues addressed in the report of the secretarygeneral on monusco and the general development of the situation in the democratic republic of the congo. The democratic republic of the congo is a country located in central africa poverty. The democratic republic of the congo maintains an embassy in the united states at 1100 connecticut avenue nw, washington, dc 20036. Authorities in the democratic republic of congo have not brought to justice those responsible for the massacres of ethnic banunu in yumbi territory one year ago.

Infectious diseases, like malaria, divert intentions for economic investments, threaten public health and contribute to child mortality rates. Malaria lower respiratory infections neonatal disorders tuberculosis lschemic heart disease diarrheal diseases stroke congenital defects road injuries hiv aids. Republic of the congo relations are positive and cooperative. Democratic republic of congo cdc center for global health. The democratic republic of the congo pronunciation help info french.

The recent history of the democratic republic of congo dr congo has been one of civil war and corruption. Stay on top of the democratic republic of the congos biggest stories by al. The ebola virus disease outbreak in the democratic republic of the congo drc remains an international public health concern, experts meeting in geneva concluded on wednesday. Kabila renamed the country the democratic republic of the congo drc, but in august 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second insurrection again backed by rwanda and uganda. The eastern drc region and the three kasai provinces kasai, kasaioriental, kasaicentral due to crime, civil unrest, armed. The origins of the current violence in the drc are in the massive refugee. At independence in 1960, the formal economy of congo was based almost entirely on the extraction of minerals, primarily copper and diamonds. Congos civil war 19982003 was essentially ended by a powersharing agreement that created the transitional constitution of 2003, which provided for a transitional government that consisted of representatives from various rebel groups, the previous government, the political opposition, and. The country has been poliofree for four years, a major achievement given its size and the lack of infrastructure for delivering health services. Africa congo, democratic republic of the the world. Zaire was started because of resource, control, water, and other reasons that have lead to. It is, by area, the largest country in subsaharan africa, the secondlargest in all of africa after algeria, and the 11th.

Social issues in the democratic republic of congo wikipedia. The democratic republic of the congo s economic freedom score is 49. Violence has plagued the democratic republic of congo drc since its emergence from belgian colonial rule in 1960. Aug 21, 2010 this part of the web site looks at the conflict in the democratic republic of congo. Democratic republic of congo also known as congokinshasa is the 2nd largest country in africa by total land area. Since the development of the democratic republic of the congo commonly known as the drc or the dr congo the nation has been the center of what many historians refer to as africas world war. The democratic republic of the congos economic freedom score is 49. The democratic republic of congo drc has one of the highest incidences of poverty in the world. Democratic republic of the congo, country located in central africa. The democratic republic of the congo is a country located in central africa.

A rise in violent tension in the east of the democratic republic of congo, across the border from rwanda, is the latest phase of a conflict unresolved since the rwandan genocide of 1994. At least four inmates have tested positive and many more are quarantined in ndolo prison in the capital city. The largest francophone country in africa, the democratic republic of congo drc, endowed with vast natural resources, has nearly 80 million inhabitants, fewer. Congo, democratic republic of the economy flags, maps. Facts and statistics about the environment current issues of democratic republic of the congo.

This astronaut image shows two capital cities brownishgray areas on opposite banks of the congo river. Democratic republic of the congo news top stories from. Republique democratique du congo, also known as dr congo, the drc, droc, congo kinshasa, or simply the congo, is a country located in central africa. The country was renamed the democratic republic of the congo in 1997, which had been its name before mobutu changed it to zaire in 1971. Economic development the democratic republic of congo has some of the most fertile land in the world, but for decades the small farming communities surrounding lake kivu in eastern congo have endured cycles of violence and postconflict poverty. Poverty in the democratic republic of the congo the. The congo has 70% of the worlds coltan, a third of its cobalt, more than 30% of its diamond reserves, and a tenth of its copper. These plans have put forest management in the hands of local communitieswhich has been shown to be among the most effective. In the democratic republic of the congo, rape is widely used as a weapon of war against women, men and children. The democratic republic of congodrc has one of the highest. Officially known as the democratic republic of the congo, the country has a 25mile 40km coastline on the atlantic ocean but is otherwise landlocked. Major issues conflicts in the democratic republic of the congo. The democratic republic of the congo drc, the secondlargest country in africa, has been mired in conflict for decades.

With 80 million hectares of arable land and over 1,100 listed minerals and precious metals, the drc has the potential to become one of the richest. Poverty in the democratic republic of the congo the borgen. The world health organization who convened its emergency committee which reaffirmed that the risk remains high at the national and regional levels, but low globally. In 2008, at the request of the government of the democratic republic of congo dr congo, the united nations environment programme unep established a country programme and a project office in the capital, kinshasa. Ndis activities in the drc began with assisting the countrys unarmed political organizations to participate in the intercongolese dialogue. Presidential election crisis and poor governance currently, the major challenge facing the drc is the presidential election crisis.

Democratic republic of the congo, january 23, 2019. Democratic republic of the congo government and society. Violence in the democratic republic of congo global. In terms of population size, dr congo is the fourth most populous country in africa today with a population of about 81. The fight to stop a deadly outbreak of ebola in the democratic republic of congo has lasted nearly two years. The security situation in congo severely deteriorated in 2017, leaving 1. The democratic republic of congo is widely considered one of the worlds richest countries in natural resources.

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