Congo Conflict Reflects Africa Turmoil

Fresh Fighting Adds to Congo's Long Pain.

More than 700 people died near Goma in east Congo last week. These deaths bring back hard thoughts of past wars in Africa.

The trouble started long ago. When Rwanda had its ethnic war in 1994, many Hutu people ran to Congo. They feared the new Tutsi leaders would hurt them.

Congo saw its first big fights in 1996, but the seeds of war came earlier, when Belgium ruled the land. A key moment came in the 1960s when men killed Patrice Lumumba, a leader who wanted African nations to work as one.

Years later, fighters pushed out ruler Mobutu Sese Seko and changed the name from Zaire to Congo. Many call this time "Africa's First World War." The land held great wealth—deep woods and rich mines drew armed groups.

More wars occurred between 1998 and 2003. Rebel groups tried to remove Laurent-Désiré Kabila, the man who had forced Mobutu out. Rwanda and Uganda initially helped Kabila.

But Kabila turned on his friends. In 1997, he made Rwanda and Uganda take their troops home. This often happens in Africa. Leaders who win power with help from others push those helpers away.

Peace talks took place in Lusaka and Pretoria. These talks made rebel groups and the state agree to stop fighting. Congo held its first free vote in 2006. Joseph Kabila won.

Felix Tshisekedi took power in 2019. This marked the first calm switch of leaders since Congo became free. But peace did not last. A group called M23, led by Tutsi fighters, started new fights.

The land needs help from other nations. Years of war left the Congo weak. Its leaders cannot give people basic needs. UN peace troops came to help make things better.

War could spread to more lands near Congo. Bad people from far away make money from these fights. The world must help end this war, just as it tries to bring peace between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Palestine.

No land can grow strong with war inside it. Congo needs help. Its women and children should not have to leave their homes to stay safe.
 

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