For three decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been the scene of recurrent armed conflict, particularly in the eastern province of Kivu. This dramatic situation has caused the death of nearly six million people and displaced millions more, all to the alarming indifference of the international community.
The DRC is plagued by violence between different groups. These clashes, often intertwined with power struggles and economic stakes, have devastating consequences for the civilian population. The most vulnerable, especially the elderly, are particularly vulnerable, as they have few means to flee or protect themselves.
The commitment of Les Petits Frères des Pauvres
Faced with this situation, Les Petits Frères des Pauvres supports the Association Assistance et Encadrement des Personnes Vulnérables (AEPV). Founded in 2018, this organization acts in North Kivu to provide essential aid to the elderly. Every day, it intervenes to distribute food parcels to combat hunger, provide medical care for the most vulnerable, and offer activities that enable these people to regain a little economic autonomy. Despite the insecurity, Les Petits Frères des Pauvres continues to support AEPV in order to develop and structure its actions.
To help this initiative, contact us via LinkedIn or by e-mail: barbara.bringuier@petitsfreresdespauvres.fr
The root causes of conflict in the DRC
The conflicts ravaging the DRC are rooted in a complex tangle of historical, political and economic factors. The colonial legacy left a fragmented country, where ethnic divisions were exacerbated by the “divide and rule” policy of the Belgian administration. This situation encouraged the emergence of tensions between different groups, which became even more acute after independence in 1960. One of the most significant milestones in this regional instability was the massive influx of Rwandan refugees in 1994, as a direct consequence of the genocide in Rwanda. These refugees included the militiamen responsible for the massacres, which sparked a chain of violence in eastern Congo and attracted the military intervention of several neighboring countries. At the same time, the chronic weakness of the Congolese state and pervasive corruption have given free rein to the expansion of armed groups, who proliferate in a climate of chaos and lack of effective governance.
The richness of the Congolese subsoil is another major factor in instability. The DRC possesses immense reserves of strategic minerals such as coltan, gold and cobalt, indispensable to the digital and energy industries. These resources fuel greed and finance numerous armed groups who illegally exploit these riches to pursue their activities. Today, it is estimated that over 100 armed groups are active in the country, ruling over entire territories through violence, looting and atrocities against the civilian population. Regional interference is also fuelling these tensions. Rwanda and Uganda are regularly accused of supporting certain rebel factions to strengthen their influence and gain access to the DRC’s natural resources. This explosive combination of ethnic rivalries, economic interests and political instability prevents any lasting peace, leaving the civilian population in a state of permanent insecurity.
Key dates in the conflict
1994: Mass arrival of Rwandan refugees in Kivu.
1996-1997: First Congo War, overthrow of Mobutu Sese Seko.
1998-2003: Second Congo War, involving nine African countries.
2008: Offensive by Laurent Nkunda’s CNDP, causing thousands of displacements.
2012: Emergence of the M23 rebel group, capture of Goma.
2013: M23 defeats FARDC and UN forces.
2017: Intensification of ADF attacks in the Beni region.
2021 : Proclamation of a state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri.
2023: Resumption of hostilities by the M23, new mass displacements.
2024: Capture of Goma and Bukavu by rebels.
An uncertain future
Despite humanitarian efforts, the situation in the DRC remains extremely fragile. Les Petits Frères des Pauvres and its local partners are continuing their mission to bring help and hope to the most vulnerable. More than ever, international solidarity is essential to break out of this spiral of violence and suffering. This article does not claim to be exhaustive, and provides only a brief overview of an extremely complex situation.
To deepen your understanding of the situation, here are some other reliable sources:
Exploitation minière et conflit dans l’est de la RDC: Une carte narrative interactive – IPIS
