Democratic Republic of Congo

Sparsely populated in relation to its area, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to a vast potential of natural resources and mineral wealth. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, with the main cash crops including coffee, palm oil, rubber, cotton, sugar, tea, and cocoa.

However, the country has a difficult history of predatory mineral extraction, which has been at the heart of many struggles within the country for many decades, but particularly in the 1990s.

The 1990s saw conflict erupt in the country after decades of unity under the control of Mobutu Sese Seko who ruled over the then Zaire. The conflict began in August 1998 and officially ended in July 2003 when the Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo took power (though hostilities continue to this day). The largest war in modern African history, it directly involved eight African nations, as well as about 25 armed groups. By 2008 the war and its aftermath had killed 5.4 million people, mostly from disease and starvation, making the Second Congo War the deadliest conflict worldwide since World War II. Millions more were displaced from their homes or sought asylum in neighboring countries.

Today the human rights situation in the DRC remains a cause for serious concern. Serious violations, such as arbitrary executions, rape, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are pervasive, committed mostly by the army, police and intelligence services. Foreign and Congolese armed groups operating in the country, have perpetrated massacres, arbitrary executions, abductions of villagers, and subjected women to systematic rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence- particularly in the Eastern parts of the country. Corruption, and lack the human and material resources needed to function efficiently remain significant obstacles to a well functioning state. Interference by military and political authorities in the administration of justice is widespread. Despite declarations by the authorities, hardly any progress has been made in the fight against impunity. Prolonged pre-trial detention periods, dilapidated detention centres, and the lack of food and medical supplies are common throughout the DRC's correctional system.

Challenges facing the country include security sector reform, fostering a culture of accountability within the resource extraction sector, securing a lasting peace, fighting corruption amongst public officials and strengthening the institutions of the state.