Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Why it Matters?
The DRC-Rwanda U.S.-brokered peace deal and Qatar-mediated ceasefire with M23 rebels quickly collapsed as fighting resumed. Despite promises of disarmament, withdrawal, and cooperation, violations persisted.
What You Should Know?
The DRC is located in Central Africa and shares borders with nine countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia.
Its capital city is Kinshasa, and it is the second-largest country in Africa.
It has the mineral-rich Katanga Plateau known for cobalt, copper, tin, uranium, and diamonds. It holds approximately 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves.
The Congo River, Africa’s second-longest river which cuts the equator twice, flows through the country.
The eastern DRC faces conflict due to the 1994 Rwandan genocide spillover and armed groups like M23 competing for minerals.
In June 2023, the DRC and Rwanda signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement to cease hostilities and integrate armed groups.