Environmental Security Analysis of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Keith Ball, Matt Otto, Andrew Jenkins, Matt Riden, Kelsey Smith

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

HS/WX 480: Environmental Security

April 22, 2014

Prepared for:

Jim Ramsay, PhD, MA, CSP

Abstract

A one-paragraph summary that begins to describe the environmental challenges that

exist and the security implications to both the region and the U.S.

The following environmental security report is an in-depth analysis of how varying affects

including environmental, climatic, and political events, acting locally and transnationally, have

destabilized and continue to influence central Africa; specifically the Democratic Republic of the

Congo, its environment and people. These events, working individually or in combination have

resulted in geopolitical instability, regional conflicts, ineffective and deteriorating critical

infrastructure, radicalization, poor health conditions, and the displacement of millions of people.

Through this analysis, we will also evaluate the overall effect of these security implications and

poor conditions on both regional and United States national security.

Table of Contents

Introduction......................................................................................................................................5

Government.....................................................................................................................................6

Resources.........................................................................................................................................8

Economy........................................................................................................................................11

Unemployment...........................................................................................................................13

Exports.......................................................................................................................................14

Imports.......................................................................................................................................15

Public Health.................................................................................................................................17

Population Dynamics.................................................................................................................19

Regional Conflict and Military......................................................................................................21

Recommendations..........................................................................................................................25

Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................27

References......................................................................................................................................29

Visuals

Figure 1. DRC Unemployment Rate............................................................................................................................................................13

Figure 2. DRC Male/Female Age Distribution............................................................................................................................................................20

Introduction

The United States established diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of the

Congo (DRC) in 1960, following its independence from Belgium. Post-independence, the

country saw a mix of unrest and rebellion, secession, dictatorships, armed conflict, and

neighboring countries attempting to control parts of the DRC’s territory. The country was the

battle ground for the African World War (1997 – 2003), during which time nine African

countries fought over the DRC’s vast amount of resources, causing the deaths of upwards of five

million Congolese people (U.S. Relations With Republic of the Congo, 2013). Following the

2001 assassination of the country’s president, a United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping mission was

deployed throughout the country and a transitional government took office in 2003 (U.S.

Relations With Republic of the Congo, 2013).

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is situated in Africa’s Great Lake’s region of

central Africa, bordering the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north – Uganda,

Rwanda, and Burundi to the east – Zambia and Angola to the south – as well as The Republic of

the Congo, Cabinda, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Regional stability and security is

dependent on durable peace in the DRC, due to the country’s size, resources, and its location

bordering nine nations. The DRC faces challenges that include inadequate infrastructure and

human resources, the government’s inability to project its authority throughout the country,

rampant corruption, a limited capacity to raise and manage revenues, and the destabilizing

presence of armed groups, particularly in the eastern region of the DRC (U.S. Relations With

Republic of the Congo, 2013). These issues and concerns have caused years of turmoil for the

country and continue to affect not only the DRC and the surrounding region but also the United

States interests and national security. As these conflicts continue, the economy continues to

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remain unstable, resources found only in the area are not guaranteed to be exported to countries

that depend on them (the United States), the well-being of the country’s people is threatened and

plagued by disease and unrest, and diplomatic relations between the United States and DRC

remain unsure. In order to secure economic stability and ensure that the region continues to

grow in a positive direction these issues must be addressed locally and globally, as they affect

more than just one country.

Government

Originally established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Belgian imposition violently ruled

for 75 years. However, in 1960 the Belgian’s abruptly left and relinquished all political rights to

the people of what was then known as the Republic of the Congo. Following its independence

from Belgium, the Democratic Republic of the Congo established diplomatic relations with the

United States in 1960. Post-independence the country saw a mix of unrest and rebellion,

secession, dictatorships, armed conflict, and neighboring countries attempting to control various

parts of the DRC’s territory. In November 1965, with the help of the Central Intelligence

Agency (CIA), Joseph Desire Mobutu launched a coup d’état and seized power in the former

Belgian Congo and declared himself president. United States’ policy toward Mobutu was

rationalized on the grounds of fighting communism and Soviet influence in Africa, but the U.S.

seemed to be more concerned with securing its own interests in the region than helping foster a

stable, secure, and peaceful future for the people of Central Africa (Shah, 2010). As a result,

even with the on-going presence of violence and ethnic strife, Mobutu was capable of retaining

his power for 32 years through several sham elections. However, these hardships escalated in

1994 and ultimately led to the toppling of Mobutu and a shift of power to Laurent Kabila.

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Kabila’s regime, however, was short lived and was soon challenged and overthrown by his own

son, Joseph Kabila (Shah, 2010).

In 2011, following the assassination of the country’s president, the U.N. peacekeeping

mission was deployed throughout the country in an effort to stop and mitigate the endless

conflicts throughout the region. In October 2002, the new president was successful in

negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying the eastern DRC; two months later, the

Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a

government of national unity. This led to the establishment of a new transitional government in

July 2003 (U.S. Relations With Republic of the Congo, 2013).

The DRC has made only limited progress, if any, in improving governance and

advancing democracy since the landmark 2006 elections. Presidential and parliamentary

elections held in 2011, the first to be organized and financed primarily by the Congolese

government, were widely viewed as flawed to the point of lacking credibility (Arieff, CRS,

2014).

Poor leadership and governance are significant problems in this country, which has

resulted in the DRC achieving only limited progress. Although the U.S. does not have a direct

national security interest in the DRC, it does have an interest in promoting stability and good

governance. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, the U.S. provided more than $110 million in humanitarian

assistance for Congolese refugees, internally displaced persons, and conflict-affected civilians

(Roach & Schaefer, 2012). In addition, the corrupt political establishment has no vision of

national development.

The U.S. policy toward DRC “is focused on helping the country become a nation that is

stable and democratic, at peace with its neighbors, extends state authority across its territory, and

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provides for the basic needs of its citizens (Arieff, CRS, 2014). A stable and U.S. “friendly”

DRC government is a critical to successfully gain access to minerals and other resources

important to America’s National interest. In addition, the lack of government control of its own

country’s natural resources as result from regional conflicts create problems for the economic

stability of the DRC and directly affect the global market.

Resources

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country rich with natural resources of

global significance, and in some circumstances, it is one of very few places they can be found on

the planet. These resources range from wildlife such as the endangered gorillas, threatened by

poaching and habitat encroachment to the rainforest and the minerals found within the country.

For example, the Congo River Basin’s rainforest is said to be the planet’s “second set of lungs”

as it is the largest behind the Amazon and contains a spectacular array of biodiversity – 10,000

species of plants, 1,000 species of birds, and 400 species of mammals, many of which exist

nowhere else on earth (USAID, 2012). Protecting the region’s forests has become a crucial part

of the international effort to combat global climate change.

The Congo’s rainforest, along with the Amazon, acts as a giant filter for the worlds

Carbon Dioxide. Without this filter, the balance of gases in the Earth’s atmosphere would be

thrown drastically out of balance. Especially when coupled with the planets gross

overpopulation problem, an overabundance of carbon dioxide could result in a global warming

trend, mass droughts in forested areas, and the extinction of animals that are sensitive to the

increased levels. These Global climate change issues are not only relevant to American National

Security but also Global Security overall. The effects of which will be outlined later. One key to

mitigating these issues is the protection of the planets rainforests.

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The DRC is currently home to 22.5 million hectares (55 million acres) of rainforest,

approximately one quarter of the world’s tropical forests (Austin, Stolle, & Elmore, 2010).

Historically, deforestation rates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been very low.

Forest degradation, a gradual destruction process of the land caused by numerous factors,

however is estimated to be a more significant driver of forest loss in the country and the Congo

Basin as a whole. Forest degradation occurs as a result of activities such as shifting cultivation,

fuel wood collection, selective logging, and the construction of roads for commercial logging or

mining activities. Additionally, research has shown that mining is degrading the forests at a rate

of 2 million acres every year (USAID, 2012). A recent study estimates, “carbon emissions from

degradation may be three times greater than those from deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa”

(Biogeosciences). The underlying factors for this forest degradation are attributed to population

growth, population displacement, and poor rural populations. Ultimately, the lack of alternative

energy sources for impoverished people in the region is a main reason that rapid forest loss has

occurred.

An additional natural resource found exclusively in the DRC that is of critical importance

is Columbite-tantalite, commonly referred to as Coltan. Coltan is a mineral with high heat

resistance properties and is utilized worldwide to manufacture electrical capacitors. The United

States is especially dependent on Coltan as the US is a technology-based nation. Without the

availability of this mineral, most technology used worldwide – computers, phones, automobiles,

televisions, even parts used in electrical grids could not be manufactured. Therefore, the most

critical assets of American infrastructure as well as military power will be significantly reduced

in their abilities to operate if access to this mineral were eliminated. The Eastern region of the

Congo is one of very few places that Columbite-tantalite can be mined on earth. Much like the

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rainforest, Coltan has drawn a lot of publicity and negative attention to the DRC. Often times

these two resources are the sole reason the country is of any interest to the international

community. Whereas the rainforest is cause for international aid and brings peace and relief

efforts to the nation, Coltan is the cause of war and brings grief and aggravation to the

inhabitants of the country. Coltan is but one example of the many mineral resources that can be

found in the country; diamonds, silver, and gold are also abundant and well known for their role

in violent conflicts across central Africa. As well as tin and copper which are mined and then

exported to be refined and turned into useful products.

Of the many natural resources available to the DRC, the most basic needs of food and

water cannot be met. This inability to be self-sufficient for the basics of life is a major reason the

country remains unstable. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the eleventh largest country

on earth. However, of the 2,344,858 sq. km (57 million acres) of land that makes up the country

only 2.9% of it is arable creating considerable concern; this suggests that only 66,700 sq. km (16

million acres) can be used to grow crops (The World Factbook 2013-2014, 2013). Extensive

mining activities by the small, wealthy, and elite class has further reduced the small amount of

arable land available, increased water pollution, and has caused much of the fresh water in the

country to become contaminated. The remaining water has been made widely unavailable on a

nationwide scale due to a lack of manmade infrastructure to support it.

The above listed resources are the centerpieces for several main problems found in the

country. As a result of the political turmoil, many of the nation’s inhabitants have turned to rebel

groups found in the area for stability and financial assistance. The motives of these rebel groups,

the DRC government, and the surrounding country’s governments are not much different. Rebel

groups fight for control of the abundant resources and with it, the country’s money. The most

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recent civil war caused by these conflicts left 4 million people dead, approximately 6.2 percent

of the Congolese population (Katunga, Minerals, Forests, and Violent Conflict, 2010). The

Congolese war for resources has caused a rift within the country and amongst its people.

Lastly, foreign countries and their businesses are limiting the resources generated by

exporting the goods coming from mining. The DRC does not have the ability to fund projects

for mining and the refining of minerals themselves, therefore, they allow multinational

corporations (MNC) to come and front the project for pennies on the dollar. This dependency

theory relies on the assumption that more developed countries keep less developed countries

economically subjugated in order to remain in control.

Economy

The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has continuously suffered from

years of political turmoil and poor leadership. While under Belgian rule, the area’s economy

remained stable and thrived off its natural resources and vast mineral reserves. Unfortunately,

during the region’s post-independence in the 1960’s the area remained fixed in an unstable cycle

of economic downturns. Between 1990 and 2000, the country experienced severe inflation and a

decreased production in manufacturing and of agricultural products. As a result food prices

spiked, the banking system collapsed, the region’s deficit skyrocketed, and investors fled to more

stable nations. Individual measures of well-being also declined-GDP per capita fell from US

$240 to US $85, human rights abuses escalated, and the average life expectancy dramatically fell

(Akitoby, 2004). Although the area remains one of the poorest in the world it has steadily seen a

slow recovery in recent years due to peace accords and the implementation of new economic

reforms in an effort to give fair treatment to private businesses and encourage further economic

expansion throughout the region (The World Factbook 2013-2014, 2013). It is predicted that the

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region’s economy will continue to grow in 2014 by 9.4% even with issues plaguing the region

such as rebel groups, instable governments, and corruption but only with political stability and

continuing structural reform will this be possible (WHO, 2013).

Natural resources found in the region as previously stated drive the majority of the

region’s economy and although the majority of the country’s wealth is based upon the

manufacturing and distribution of these resources only a minimal amount made will ever be seen

by the broader population of the DRC. This lack of adequate distribution of wealth is the driving

factor behind poor education, lack of unskilled workers, and an overall poor economy. As this

situation has worsened and gained ground as a global issue, many countries have attempted to

enact various reforms including the United States; in past fiscal years (FY), the administration

has directly cited the DRC as a potential national security issue as well as a global matter. In

FY2011 alone, President Obama requested $213.2 million dollars in Economic Support Funds

(ESF) solely for economic advancement and government stabilization in the Democratic

Republic of the Congo (Arieff, CRS, 2013). These support funds are distributed in support of

community recovery, conflict mitigation, and extension of authority; all of which are imperative

when attempting to repair a country that must initially build up from the bottom. Unfortunately,

as the DRC’s economy remains fragile several questions arise, including if the U.S. should

continue to fund a corrupt government with little concern for its people. The United States

continues to allot millions of dollars without guaranteeing its distribution to the people who need

it; money that could potentially be used for its own security and economy.

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Unemployment

In direct correlation with the region’s other economic problems, the Democratic Republic

of the Congo’s unemployment rate has also suffered severely and is estimated to be at 46%. It

was estimated in 2012 that the labor force consisted of 34.12 million persons, which is a poor

comparison to the regions vast and largely available resources and opportunities for job creation.

Such a large unemployment rate has also caused the number of people under the poverty line to

increase significantly at 71% (The World Factbook 2013-2014, 2013). Even with economic

stability slowly increasing the extremely high unemployment and poverty rate make recovery in

this area difficult and slow to spread throughout the interior of the country.

Several factors add to the country’s high poverty rate including lack of education,

opportunities, and even lack of transportation. With most children only attending school for ten

years of their lives, the majority will not have the opportunity to educate themselves in various

fields that could potentially benefit them and the nation as a whole if offered on a wide scale. In

addition, transportation around the region remains almost impossible as there are very few roads

and even fewer people who have any type of transportation. This alone greatly limits the ability

to search for

employment and

causes most

people to remain

in the same, close

area. Closely

tying in with both

previous matters

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is the lack of opportunities available to the people in the DRC. With little to no education and no

way of acquiring it opportunities are scarce and therefore cause the majority of the population to

remain stationary with no chance to rise out of poverty. All of these issues hinder the

Democratic Republic of the Congo’s ability to grow and better its economy and way of living for

its people. As the economy declines, it makes way for conflict and tension in the region, a trend

the country is accustom to. These ongoing wars and political downturns not only affect the

country, but those attempting to better its economy by providing funding and reforms. If the

country does not attempt to heal itself, even on a small scale, it becomes a burden and potential

loss for other regions to allocate their resources to a failing economy. Thus, a national security

issue to the United States.

Exports

The region contains a vast amount of resources that are unavailable or extremely sparse

in other areas of the world including large reserves of diamonds and cobalt. Other major exports

coming from the area include copper, gold, wood products, coffee, and crude oil. Although these

resources, especially mineral deposits and agricultural products, are extremely important in

various other regions for manufacturing and various technological needs, obtaining these various

assets can be difficult with scant government regulations and numerous illegal groups attempting

to seize the various mines and deposits. Even with these difficulties, the region and surrounding

areas heavily rely on the exports of these products with various other countries including China,

Zambia, and Belgium in order to account for a high percentage of the GDP with agriculture

making up approximately 46.3% of exports and industry accounting for an estimated 20.8% (The

World Factbook 2013-2014, 2013). Although these resources appear to be abundant throughout

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the region they are extremely vulnerable to world prices and can experience sharp changes

making percentage and monetary gain difficult to estimate and anticipate.

As previously stated, carious resources located solely in the DRC and exported globally

are relied upon for a large amount of varying technological needs, including coltan, a mineral

used in the production of capacitors. Several implications are presented, including those that

threaten the United States’ national security when dealing with resources that are rare and

heavily depended on. These minerals are extremely vulnerable to sharp price increases, which

can be potentially harmful to a highly advanced, and addicted, country such as the U.S. and can

threaten its economy and competitive position in the global marketplace. In addition to

constantly changing prices, a large majority of these resources are controlled by violent groups

causing unrest throughout the region and are commonly known as “conflict resources.”

Acquiring these resources not only create economic implications but ethical questions as well. Is

it ethical to continue funding a country in an attempt to better its economy while also buying and

exporting goods from the armed groups causing the most turmoil? President Obama and the

United States Congress attempted to respond to these issues by passing the Wall Street Reform

and Consumer Protection Act. Amendments concerning the Democratic republic of the Congo

can be found within this law stating, “[all] American companies are required to disclose means

taken to ensure minerals imported do not contain ‘conflict minerals’,” (Dagne, 2010). These

exports are necessary to remain competitive but difficult to obtain in a manner that is beneficial

to the Congolese people.

Imports

Although the area remains open to a myriad of possible agricultural products most

individuals are primarily subsistence farmers growing crops consisting of bananas, cassava, corn,

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and fruits and are only capable of producing enough to provide for themselves. However, the

majority of agricultural products are commercially owned and include coffee, sugar cane, palm

oil, tea, and cotton but are exported to various countries and therefore are extremely limited in

availability to locals and surrounding areas. This type of farming forces the Democratic

Republic of the Congo to import most of their foods and creates an extremely limited supply for

their growing population that is under the poverty line. In addition to importing the majority of

agricultural products, the region is also forced to import a large part of their machinery and

mining equipment, transportation equipment, and fuels. As stated earlier, there are already

various difficulties surrounding the mining of precious minerals and having to import the

equipment to do so only makes this process even more of a challenge.

Unfortunately for the DRC, obtaining an adequate amount of agriculture products and

various resources to support its own population has proven to be difficult. In order to make up

for its lack of supplies, the region heavily relies on many countries to provide these basic

necessities. One of the country’s largest proprietors in both exports and imports has consistently

remained the People’s Republic of China. Major imports into the DRC from China include

various light industry products and mining machinery. In April 2008, the Congolese government

agreed to grant several Chinese companies access to different minerals in the region in exchange

for several billion dollars of infrastructure investments (Burke, 2009). Although this agreement

may appear beneficial to the Congolese economy and people it is estimated that Chinese

nationals own as much as 90% of the production plants in certain regions of the DRC (Burke,

2009). With one country solely owning and operating a large amount of highly required

resources, it can become costly and potentially harmful to other countries. In the event of poor

diplomatic relations, availability of these resources can be denied or cost can be exponentially

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increased. These potential situations can cause tensions between countries and be detrimental to

the global and U.S. markets. Thus, a national security issue to the United States.

Public Health

Accessing even basic healthcare in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has

proven difficult. In the eastern part of the country, violent incidents occur daily as a result of

shifting alliances between armed groups and banditry. Poor environmental quality from land

degradation, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water pollution enhances poverty, causes

disease, and effects living standards as well as food and livelihood opportunities negatively.

Access to safe water at a useful quantity is of the utmost importance for improvement of general

public health. According to the U.N., an estimated 51 million people in the DRC, approximately

three quarters of the population, have no access to safe drinking water, even though the country

holds over half of Africa’s water reserves (UN 2014). The DRC and its people also have very

limited access to improved sanitation facilities, which can be defined by the CIA as flush or

pour-flush to a piped sewer system, septic tank or pit latrine, ventilated improved pit latrine, pit

latrine with slab, or a composing toilet (CIA 2014). Unbelievably, only 30.7 percent of the total

population has access to any type of improved sanitation facility. Access to safe drinking water,

improved sanitation facilities, and good nutrition is crucial for a healthy life and in order to

improve the alarming health status of the DRC.

Another concerning issue in the DRC is child malnutrition. Many children in the DRC

are dying from preventable illnesses due to malnutrition caused by years of war and insecurity.

In children under the age of five, the malnutrition rates are above the 15 percent emergency

threshold. The cause of this malnutrition used to be poverty says Susanne Kahamba of World

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Vision; yet many people are now displaced due to the ongoing conflicts and do not have

available land to grow crops or support a stable way of life (Cite?).

AIDS and HIV also run rampant throughout the region, leading to high child and adult

mortality rates and causing a huge burden to the country. According to the Central Intelligence

Agency’s World Fact Book in 2012, approximately 481,500 Congolese were living with a form

of HIV/AIDS. Several factors fuel the spread of HIV in the DRC including movement of large

numbers of refugees and soldiers, scarcity and high cost of safe blood transfusions in rural areas,

lack of education, limited HIV testing sites, high levels of untreated sexually transmitted

infections among sex workers and their clients, as well as a large population of sexually raped

women (UNAIDS 2012).

Additionally, the DRC region also has a very high risk of danger from major infectious

diseases, according to the CIA. The DRC is at high risk of bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever due to unsanitary food and water. It also remains at high risk of

other vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and trypanosomiasa-gambiense

(African sleeping sickness) (CIA, 2014).

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Population Dynamics

The DRC’s poor population dynamics also plays a key role in the country’s poor quality

of life. The current population pyramid indicates the DRC, a country with a total population of

77,433,744, is currently described with a LPC status. According to the United Nations, and LDC

is a country characterized by minimal industrialization, low technological development, low per

capita income, and high population growth rates. Many of these countries are found in Asia,

Africa, and Central and South America. In direct correlation with the LPC definition, the

Democratic Republic of the Congo’s

population is currently growing at 2.5

percent annually, with a birth rate of 35.62

births per 1000 population and an infant

mortality rate at 73.15 deaths per 1,000

live births (CIA 2014). It is also important

to factor in that 168 infants out of 1000

live births will die by the age of five due to poor conditions (WHO 2011). Also in relation with

minimal industrialization, only 34.3 percent of the population lives in an urbanized setting,

professional medical treatment remains extremely low with only .11 physicians per 1,000 people,

and only .8 hospital beds per 1,000 people. According to the WHO, there are more than 150,000

annual deaths due to diarrhea caused by polluted water in the DRC. The life expectancy at birth

is only 49 years old, significantly lower than the regional average of 56 years of age (WHO,

2013).

Access to water of adequate quality and quantity is of the utmost importance for

improvement of public health as well as reducing poverty and achieving many of the UN’s

Figure 2. Male/Female Age Distribution

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millennium development goals. If the DRC cannot improve its overall public health the country

will be severely affected by low health standards that could potentially be detrimental, resulting

in many conflicts in the region, and jeopardizing the national security of the United States.

These population dynamics proves to be a critical issue for the United States as civil unrest and

poor living conditions are the main drivers for the movement of refugees and conflicts that occur

in neighboring countries, all of which prove harmful to the stability in the African continent.

Stability in Africa is a huge concern for the United States due to the needed access to Africa’s

many precious resources that have developed the world’s needs, as previously stated. If Africa

or the countries within become further unstable, the United States could have a difficult time

acquiring these important resources. Further, the population is predicted to double from nearly

60 million in 2005 to approximately 120 million by 2020. The demand for agricultural land is

growing and with it the increased possibility of further forest degradation. The population in the

DRC is a significant factor for many of the detrimental environmental qualities affecting the

inhabitants. The high birth rate is due to a lack of centralized government, regional conflicts,

and poor health and environmental status. This rapid growth is a concern for the U.S. because of

the increasing strain it is putting on the environment. As the population grows beyond its

surrounding environment’s’ threshold limits, the Congolese people will be forced to find new

resources as well as additional land, driving them out of the DRC and into neighboring countries,

causing further regional disputes.

Regional Conflict and Military

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The DRC has faced increasing violence since the 1990’s; thousands of Congolese civilians have

been tortured and killed during military operations to secure mineral-rich lands. These conflicts

include two of the most influential encounters; the first occurring in 1997, also known as the

First Congo War, involving seven foreign countries and several militias that ultimately led to the

replacement of Dictator Mobutu Sésé Seko. The second conflict caused mostly in part by

unchanged government policies

after the rise of President Kabila

occurred in 1998 and lasted until

2003, the Second Congo War.

Many of the local people died

during these altercations because

the government was unable to

protect them and prevent

treatable diseases due to the

tunnel vision focus on wars

(Dagne, 2010). These previous

two wars posed great threats to

the national security of the

United States. Furthermore,

conflicts contribute to

environmental degradation as

well as to the breakdown of legal institutional frameworks, which are also critical to the United

States’ national security. Further struggles within the DRC are partly caused by other natural

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resources including water, diamonds, and gold; diamonds contributed to funding the Second

Congo War in 1998. Control over territory is the key factor enabling armed groups to profit

from the exploitation of natural resources. Armed rebels continue to exploit the DRC’s

resources and such theft is funding their illegal operations. Unaccountability of these precious

resources could lead to depletion resulting in lowering the quality of life in the United States.

One of the biggest groups that participated in this type of activity was the M23, captured in 2013.

At least 1,700 Congolese M23 rebels, including the top commander, have surrendered to

Ugandan authorities following their defeat by Congolese troops (Press, 2013). Some leaders

“appear motivated by self-preservation and a desire to control resource and smuggling revenues,

but others are arguably driven by what they see as unequal treatment and broken promises by the

government” (Arieff, CRS, 2014).

Armed rebel groups cause a huge source of instability in the DRC. Five of the main

groups include:

Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)

o Estimate numbers range from 6,000 to 8,000 soldiers. They are known to fight in

Rwanda and within the Congo. Some of the leaders of this group are known to

live in the United States.

National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP)

o The CNDP is a DRC-based rebel group. They were formed to protect the Tutsi

population in eastern Congo as well as fight the FDLR. This group has been

disbanded, however, many of the soldiers that have relocated to the DRC are

known for their ruthless beatings of the local Congolese people.

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)

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o A Ugandan rebel group under the leadership of Joseph Kony. The LRA used to

receive sanctuary in Sudan in return for fighting in northern Uganda and Southern

Sudan. However, after a number of events, including the Sudan Comprehensive

Peace Agreement, the LRA has been forced to break apart into small groups.

Some of these groups seek sanctuary in remote areas of the DRC. The Ugandan

military works with the Congolese army to fight this organization.

Mai Mai Militia

o A Congolese militia that remains unorganized and lacks any known goals. This

group has been identified in attacking civilians and U.N. peacekeeping forces, as

well as participating in mass rape with “more than 500 people reportedly raped in

July-August 2010, according to U.N. officials,”

Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)

o A Ugandan Muslim rebel group seeking unauthorized sanctuary in the DRC. The

Congolese army has launched “Operation Rwenzori) to rid this rebel force from

the country. The ADF has reportedly provided assistance to Al-Shabaab, a

transnational terrorist organization (Dagne, 2010).

Should these armed insurgencies continue to fund their operations, they could pose a

threat to the stability of Africa and threaten the national security of the United States.

The DRC is not in this fight without foreign assistance. The United Nations (U.N.)

Organization Stabilization Operation, known as MONUSCO, has approximately 17,000 military

personnel and provides support for security and the extension of state authority in the east. In a

2013 resolution, MONUSCO mission expanded to include an “Intervention Brigade” with an

authorized troop ceiling of 19,815 troops. This special unit has some three thousand troops from

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South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania and is tasked with “neutralizing” non-state armed groups.

MONUSCO forces are now authorized to “carry out targeted offensive operations,” (Arieff,

CRS, 2014). These forces could prove vital in eliminating the drives that threaten the U.S.

national security. Unfortunately, however, the DRC’s military lacks proficiency and morale due

to the lack of standard operating procedures and training. The military is poorly and

inconsistently paid and not given adequate food or supplies (Arieff, CRS, 2014). Additionally,

the integration of supplementary-armed groups into the military has reportedly contributed to

internal disarray; the DRC national police, judiciary, and other security institutions also suffer

from these same shortfalls leading to abuse and corruption (Arieff, CRS, 2014). This lack of

state power allows further instability to ferment.

In addition to the aid provided by the U.N., other countries including the United States

have attempted to assist the DRC through financial aid and political and judicial reforms. With

these reforms, public law 111-32 and 111-212 were passed and appropriated funds to the DRC

military in an effort to promote professionalization and prevention and treatment of sexual and

gender-based violence. Furthermore, Secretary Clinton and DRC government identified five

areas of focus for reform including security sector reform and corruption. In May 2010 Assistant

Secretary of State for Africa, Johnnie Carson, testified before the House Sub-committee on

Africa that, “the continuing presence of illegal armed groups has been exacerbated by the lack of

state authority throughout much of the east.” As a result, in late July 2010, President Obama

signed into law the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203); wherein

contains an amendment on Congo Conflict Minerals. This new law requires that American

companies disclose what kinds of measures have been taken in order to ensure that minerals

imported from the DRC are not “conflict minerals.” (Dagne, 2010). The United States also helps

25

the DRC with International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds. The objective is to

focus on training Congolese officers on military justice and human rights (Dagne, 2010). The

United States also provides assistance in security sector reform and significant humanitarian

assistance to the DRC with a requested $213.2 million dollars in aid for the 2011 fiscal year

(Dagne, 2010).

Recommendations

One is bound to repeat history if they do not know it. Thus, it is our recommendation to

try new and innovate ways to stabilize the DRC. We hope to accomplish these objectives

through sustainable and accountable goals.

First, we want to establish a U.S. government oversight & accountability review board.

We hope to develop a unique and new organization that will have one mission – oversight and

accountability. This new organization will be sent to every country that receives foreign aid

from the United States (to include the DRC). The mission of this organization will be to see that

monies appropriated are spent in accordance with why they were given. Further, should a

country (such as the DRC) agree to receive international aid they will also accept that our

oversight & accountability organization has legal authority.

To clarify we will provide an example: The DRC has accepted one million dollars for

AIDS prevention. Through intelligence gathering, investigators from our oversight and

accountability organization have evidence that the president of the Congo used $200,000 of that

appropriated money to fund a new personal home. Our organization will hold the president

accountable by forwarding that evidence to the people of the Congo. In turn, they will seek legal

actions against the president. Similar to the Iraq people sentencing Saddam Hussein to death.

26

Second, we propose that the United States fund a hydroelectric dam in the DRC. DRC’s

hydropower can be a regional game changer and light up the African continent. DRC has an

enormous hydropower potential estimated at 100 gigawatts (equivalent to about 774 terawatts

per hour per annum), the third largest country potential behind China and Russia (Project

Apprasal Document on a Proposed Grant to the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2014)

(PROJECT APPRAISAL DOCUMENT ON A PROPOSED GRANT TO THE DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 2014). Inga 3 could provide the needed electricity to the current

ninety percent of the DRC citizens that currently do not have (Sanyanga, n.d.). Inga 3 could also

provide electricity to the entire continent of Africa, changing the continent, as we know it.

Furthermore, the United States will include agreed upon conditions before funding.

Examples of these stipulations will be that the DRC has to use a percentage of revenues raised

from Inga 3 to self-fund/invest in health care, to include HIV/AID, infrastructure such as roads,

bridges, schools, and libraries. As well as funding their military proper salaries, benefits, and

equipment. Additionally, the DRC will need to fund other traditional social services such as

unemployment, disability programs, and food services (i.e. food stamps).

Third, we would like to fund a project that would build a large national university or

college. This college will use a philosophy called “train the trainer”. This university will

specialize in lectures on health, self-accountability, rape prevention, social workers, and other

related topics. Additionally, the United States will fund tuition to select people from tribes or

villages that have been identified as at risk or strategically (or tactically) important to our

national security.

Fourth, we seek to establish a trade agreement for technology transfer such as border

protection technologies. The United States can leverage the transfer of equipment for DRC

27

resources such as minerals. We will provide the DRC with border protection/surveillance

unmanned aerial systems as well as other board technologies that are currently used at customs

and border patrol (CBP). We hope that this will stop rebel groups from freely entering the

country and smuggling goods out. This will allow the DRC to control who enters and leaves

their country.

Conclusion

The Democratic Republic of Congo has a strategic importance due to its large size and

central location, as well, of course, all its natural resources. For decades, the Congo has

experienced varying degrees of political instability and violence, and it is estimated that more

than five million people have died due to preventable disease and war-related causes. The

violence is additionally troubling because of the high degree of gender-based and sexual

violence, which appears to have become frighteningly commonplace there. In the midst of this

violence, the Congo has been the site of one of the largest and most expensive United Nations

peacekeeping missions in the world. Changes in this U.N. mission are on the horizon, and the

Congolese government recently asked for a gradual withdrawal of the U.N. peacekeeping force

that is there. These changes impact security and stability in the region and we should prepare

accordingly. With its porous borders, its weak institutions and its close proximity to East

African countries, such as Uganda and Sudan, transnational terrorist threats should not be ruled

out when we seek to understand U.S. national security concerns associated with the Congo and

with the Great Lakes region (H.A.S.C. No. 111-185, 2010). It is our goal to fund sustainable and

accountable programs that would allow the country to crawl, walk, and run. We see a future

DRC similar to Saudi Arabia; a stable and secure country that trades with the United States.

28

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