Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Key Notes

1. Geopolitical & Security Context

• Capital: Kinshasa
• Size: Largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2nd in Africa (after Algeria).
• Borders: 9 countries (CAR, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Republic of Congo).
• Maritime Access: Atlantic Ocean (west).

M23 Rebellion (Rwanda-Backed)

• Recent Advances (2024):
  • Captured Goma (North Kivu capital) – mineral-rich city near Rwanda border.
  • Eyes Bukavu (South Kivu capital); seized Kavumu airfield.
  • Vows to march to Kinshasa.
• Root Cause: Linked to fallout from 1994 Rwandan genocide; M23 claims to protect Tutsi minorities.
• Rwanda’s Role: Accused by DRC/UN of backing M23 (Tutsi-led Rwandan govt. denies).
• Humanitarian Crisis:
  • North Kivu: 1/3 population displaced.
  • Lake Kivu Region: Bukavu at risk; key for coffee/tea trade.

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2. Economic Significance

• Mineral Wealth:
  • Cobalt (70% global production), Copper (10% reserves), Gold, Diamonds, Tantalum, Tin.
  • Copperbelt Region: Haut-Katanga & Lualaba provinces.
  • Conflict Minerals (3TG): Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten, Gold fund armed groups.
• Regulatory Responses:
  • US Dodd-Frank Act (2010): Mandates corporate transparency on conflict minerals.
  • EU Regulation (2021): Requires 95% responsibly sourced 3TG imports.

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3. Health & Environment

• Disease X Alert:
  • Hypothetical WHO-listed pathogen (post-COVID concern).
  • DRC’s history of Ebola/Zoonotic outbreaks raises vigilance.
• Lake Tanganyika:
  • World’s 2nd deepest freshwater lake (after Baikal).
  • Borders DRC, Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia.
• Refugee Camps: Bulengo, Mugunga

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4. International Engagement

• India-DRC Ties: First India-DRC defence secretary-level talks held.
• UN Presence:
  • Major Radhika Sen (India): Awarded UN Military Gender Advocate 2023 for work in DRC.
• Nile Basin Agreement (2024):
  • Includes DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, others.
  • Governs Nile River (fed by Blue Nile, White Nile, Kagera).

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5. Key Risks & Future Outlook

• M23 Expansion: Threatens Kinshasa; risks regional war (Rwanda/DRC tensions).
• Resource Wars: Conflict minerals fuel violence; global supply chains implicated.
• Health & Displacement: Disease X/refugee crises loom.

Sources: UN reports, WHO, mining audits, conflict monitors.