Civil wars and lootings in the Congo: how the poor pay the bill

Abstract

In August 1996, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) entered a civil war. The conflict drew in many African forces, such as the Rwandan, Ugandan, and Burundian armies on one side and the Angolan, Zimbabwean, Sudanese, and Namibian militaries on the other, and a dozen armed groups and militias throughout the DRC and neighbouring countries. It left more than 3.5 million civilians dead. This paper discusses the role played by belligerents during the conflict in the killings and looting of the DRC. It explains how the looting, previously conducted by the Rwandan, Ugandan and Zimbabwean armies, with the Congolese rebels backing them, has been replaced by organized economic crime and the diversion of Congolese State funds. It shows how the Congolese poor are paying the bill for the conflict and it concludes by advocating the protection of civilians, the consolidation of democracy, the promotion of a sound macroeconomic environment and social justice structures. Bibliogr., note, sum. [Journal abstract]