Summary
This webpage covers the political history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Under politics, the regimes of Marshall Mobutu Sese Seko (1965–1997), Laurent Kabila (1997-2001), Joseph Kabila (2001-2006), and finally democracy under Joseph Kabila (2006-present) are detailed. Additionally, the political instability of terrorist regimes throughout the country are noted. Social aspects and agricultural instability are also intertwined with government actions and responses to curb famine. Local cultural aspects such as religion, music, and food are also detailed.
Political StructuresThe Democratic Republic of the Congo has gone through multiple regimes. That of Marshall Mobutu Sese Seko (1965–1997) takes place during the Poison-wood Bible. In May, 1997, Rwanda and Uganda supported a rebellion led by Laurent Kabila. Kibala set in place a "transitional parliament," a parliament that transitions from dictatorship to democracy. Kibala was assassinated, his rule (1997-2001), and his son Joseph (2001-2006) began to rule the country and fully instated the parliamentary system in the DRC. Present day (2006-present) Joseph Kabila is the elected president, and the country is under the "Third Republic." Currently there is a decentralized semi-presidential republic.
|
Social CustomsSocial customs and local government is also covered within this website. The diversity of the Congo is made up of hundreds of Bantu languages, with over 215 root (staple) languages. Over half of the population in the Congo is Roman Catholic. However, off branches of christianity, such as the local Kimbanguist Church, are growing
|
Terrorism and Rival Factions |
In 2014, eastern DRC security forces and terrorist groups abused civilians. The Rwandan-backed M23 armed group was a recently large terrorist source led by Bosco Ntaganda. The M23 then fought and was defeated by the UN, or the Congolese army supported by MONUSCO. In North Kivu, the country’s 812th regimine and Tutsi militia racially murdered ethnic Hunde. Other terrorist groups include the Nduma Defense of Congo militia group, led by Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka. In Kivu, ethnic attacks are perpetrated by Raia Mutomboki, the Nyatura, the Mai Mai Kifuafua, and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). In North Kivu, the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorizes. In Oriental Province, there is the Patriotic Resistance Force in Ituri (FRPI). Katanga is oppressed by The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a Ugandan rebel group. Supporters of Etienne Tshisekedi, the opposing political candidate, have been silenced and abused alongside reporters and liberal journalists. Recently, in 2014, the “Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework” treaty was signed denouncing terrorism. |