DRC and Resource Conflicts

Democratic Republic of Congo and Resource Conflicts

 

            There are many conflicts in the DRC centered around distribution and uses of resources. There have been a number of complex reasons for these conflicts including, basic needs of water, access and control over rich minerals and other resources as well as various political agendas. Due to various national and international corporations and other regimes, which have interest in the outcome of conflicts. Since violence outbreaks in 1998 over 5.4 million people have died (deadliest conflict since WW2), a majority of the people have died from non-violent related issues (such as diseases), which has risen due to the conflict, with children resulting in 47% of the deaths (some 45,000 children dying each month).

            Due to the immense natural resources in this nation, there have been various powers internationally and domestic who have sought to gain the advantages of the resources. The DRC has accused some of its former allies such as Rwanda and Uganda as ulterior motives to gain access of water, diamonds, and rich minerals. All sides have been accused of having commercial interests in this war due to the vast resources involved.

            Because the DRC’s rich resources proved easy ways to finance the conflicts and rebels it is apparent that the DRC is associated with a resource curse. Involved with the resource curse is the rentier effect, the modernization effect, and the repression effect. It has been very clear that this country has been negatively affected by large corporations in order to receive its rich resources. Due to this, DRC’s civilians continue to be repressed due to these corporations not sharing resource wealth to the countries civilians. Because of this conflicts have risen and promoted regimes to violently rebound. In order for these issues to be resolved action from the international community, participation to promote domestic prosperity from large corporations, and government aid must be put in place.

 

"The Democratic Republic of Congo." - Global Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://www.globalissues.org/article/87/the-democratic-republic-of-congo>