Key People and Parties.

Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR): A militia group formed by Hutu extremists – many of whom participated in the Rwandan genocide of 1994 –  and based in East DR Congo.  During the Second Congo War (1998-2003) Congolese President, Joseph Kabila, used the FDLR as a proxy force against the Rwandan-backed Rally for Congolese Democracy (RDC). The UN accuse the FDLR of a catalogue of abuses, including the use of rape as a weapon of war, the abduction of children to be used as soldiers, and using slaves for illegal extraction of DR Congo’s vast mineral wealth.

Mai-Mai militia: The term Mai-Mai is a generic term that refers to any community led militia formed with the intention of defending their territory against other armed groups.

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Joseph Kabila: Current President of DRC, elected in 2006 for a five year term. Son of Laurent-Désiré Kabila – who launched the campaign to overthrow the Mobutu regime – he fought extensively in the campaign and lead the ‘kadogos’ (child soldiers), and became President in 2001 following the assassination of his father. He signed the 2002 Peace Agreement which ended the Second Congo War.

National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP): Formed in 2006 by Laurent Nkunda, and allied with Rwanda, the CNDP was involved in heavy violence in North Kivu. In January 2009, the CNDP split after Bosco Ntaganda declared he would be taking over leadership from Laurent Nkunda. It has since agreed to become a political party & have its former armed members be incorporated into the national army.

Laurent Nkunda: Founder & former leader of the CNDP, Nkunda was arrested by his former Rwandan backers in January 2009, and is currently being held in an undisclosed location.

Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC): The Congolese military is made up of elements from all the former rebel groups. In order to enhance integration, new brigades are formed through a process called brassage (‘mixing up’), in which soldiers from formerly warring rebel groups a placed together. However, there are consistent reports of ongoing human rights violations, especially sexual violence, on the part of FARDC recruits.

Mobuto Sese Seko: President of DR Congo (then Zaire) for 30 years, Mobutu came to power in a coup in 1965.  Mobutu was a staunch anti-communist, and despite his brutal & authoritarian rule, was a key ally of the USA during the Cold War. Mobutu is estimated to have amassed a fortune of over $4 billion by diverting aid money into his personal accounts.

United Nations Mission in DR Congo (MONUC): The largest and most expensive peacekeeping mission in the U.N.’s history, comprising of around 18,500 uniformed personnel and a 09/10 budget of $1.35 billion. A withdrawal is planned for 2011.  However many see this as unrealistic given the continued security pressures DR Congo sees from militia groups.

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Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC): The Ugandan backed militia force in the Second Congo War. It subsequently took part in the transitional government and is now the main opposition party.

Rally for Congolese Democracy (RDC): The RDC formed in 1998 in response to the continued ethnic violence in East DR Congo. Backed by Rwanda, they were a major force in the Second Congo War.

Rwanda: Following the genocide of 1994, millions of Hutus, fearing retaliatory violence, fled Rwanda to neighbouring DR Congo. Among those refugees were elements of the Interhamwe militia groups responsible for the genocide, and upon arrival in DR Congo, continued their campaign of ethnic violence. Mobuto, with his grip on power loosening,  did nothing to stop them, causing Rwanda to back anti-Mobuto forces that led to the First Congo War. During the Second Congo War, Rwanda backed the RDC against the new Kabila government. 2009 saw relations between Rwanda & DR Congo improve – ambassadors have been exchanged, commitments to develop joint economic projects have been made (including the exploitation of natural gas reserves in Lake Kivu), and joint military operations are taking place against the FDLR.

Uganda: As with Rwanda, Uganda backed Kabila’s anti-Mobutu campaign, and then anti-Kabila militia in the form of the MLC. Also, anti-Ugandan rebels, the LRA, operate in north DR Congo.

Lords Resistance Army (LRA): Perhaps the most notorious rebel militia in sub-Saharan Africa. Defined as a terrorist organisation by the USA, and accused of widespread human violations, including the use of child soldiers and sexual enslavement, the LRA have fought a guerrilla war against Uganda for the past 20 years. Its operations have since spread to neighbouring countries including Sudan, Central African Republic, and DR Congo. It is estimated that over 1,000  civilians have been killed by the LRA in northern DR Congo in the past 2 years, including the “Christmas Massacre” in which over 400 people were murdered in the days over Christmas 2008.

Kimia II: A joint FARDC-MONUC military operation, launched in mid-2009, to disarm the Hutu militias – particularly the FDLR -  in North and South Kivu. However, many accuse the operation of worsening the situation in the region, with civilians not being adequately protected, whilst the overall objective of the operation – to remove the threat of the FDLR – is unlikely to be met. Despite criticism, the UN maintains that the operation is essential if there is ever to be peace in the Kivus.