Everything you need to know about Congo: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
DR Congo: Equatorial African Country torn by Civil Strife
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Congo or DRC or RDC or DR Congo or Congo-Kinshasa is an African state that has varied colonial past thanks to its vast natural resources that includes the Congo Rainforests. The country was first colonized by Belgium and called the Belgian Congo. The country was renamed Zaire by Joseph Mobutu in 1960 whose reign witnessed a tremendous increase in corruption and brought the country on the brink of a civil war. The country reclaimed its original name in 1997. The African Congo is currently torn by a civil war between the Congo government, backed by Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia on one side and the Mobutu rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda on the other.
Congo Facts and Figures:
Geoghraphy and Climate of DR Congo:
The Congo or Zaire is a country through which the Equator passes and located in sub-Saharan Africa. The DRC is the third largest country in Africa area wise. The Congo River dominates much of the Congolese mainland and is a major contributor to the Congo economy. Apart from the desert expanse Congo also consists of plateaus that merge into the savannas in the south and glaciated mountains in the east.
Due to Congo's equatorial location the country witnesses heavy precipitation that exceeds 200 cms in some areas. Also Congo has the second largest expanse of rainforests in the world after Brazil. Congo or the DRC also has the highest thunderstorm frequency anywhere in the world.
Economy and Civil Strife in Congo:
Congo has been blessed with rich natural wealth that has proved to be both a blessing and curse. The country is the World's largest Cobalt ore producer, apart from producing Copper and industrial Diamonds. However the two major wars have drastically curtailed the Congolese economy, so much so that nearly 2/3 rd Congolese are victims of malnutrition. The country is heavily dependent on foreign aid and humanitarian agencies to sustain itself.
Congo is witness to decade long civil war beginning in 1997 when the Rwandan Hutus started using Congo as a base for attack against Tutsi-led government in Rwanda. Since then much of the conflict has raged around the issue of control of Congo's substantial mineral resources. The war has killed 5.4 million till now and has been termed ?Africa's World War'.
Culture and Tourist Attractions in DR Congo:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo inheres hundreds of different ethnic groups that abound the course of the River Congo. Even the Congolese music is well blended, which includes Soukous, a mixture of Cuban rumba and the Merengue. Congolese art is also well known for the fine masks and well-crafted wooden statues.
The Equatorial rainforests of DR Congo offer a diverse range of flora and fauna including the bonobo Chimpanzee, white rhino and mountain gorilla. Congo features must-see National Parks that include the Garumba, Kahuzi-Biega, Salonga and Virunga National Parks, and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, all of which are on the World Heritage Site list of UNESCO. Tourists traveling to DR Congo can also enjoy the serene view along the Congo River cruise that terminates in the Congo Capital Kinshasa.
New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Increasing numbers of African students are keen to study in Indian universities, with a steep rise in African researchers seeking science and technology fellowships in this country, officials said Tuesday.
Washington, May 21 (IANS) The World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will make a joint visit to Africa's Great Lakes region, a World Bank statement said Monday.
Washington, May 17 (ANI): Angelina Jolie, who revealed on Tuesday that she had a double mastectomy and reconstruction in February, was determined to keep her family's lives as normal as possible during her difficult phase.
United Nations, May 17 (IANS) An Indian police unit in the Democratic Republic of Congo has received the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal.
Los Angeles, May 16 (IANS) Actor Ben Affleck has reportedly designed a shoe range and its sale will benefit his charitable organisation - the Eastern Congo initiative.
Melbourne, May 12 (Xinhua-ANI): The statistics released by the 14th Save the Children's State of the World's Mothers report showed that Australia has reached the top 10 best countries to be a mother around the world this year, local media reported on Sunday.
Islamabad, May 9 (IANS) A Pakistani UN peacekeeper was killed while performing his duties in the strife-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Pakistani foreign ministry said Thursday.
Durban, May 8 (IANS) South African gold-mining company AngloGold Ashanti has appointed Indian-origin Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan as it new chief executive officer with immediate effect.
Helsinki, May 8 (IANS) Finland is considered to be the country where mothers enjoy the best conditions in the world, according to a worldwide report.
Beijing, Apr. 29 (Xinhua-ANI): Italy's new cabinet, lead by Prime Minister Enrico Letta, was sworn in on Sunday, starting their task for breaking the impasse the country had been locked for months.
Rome, April 28 (IANS) Two police officials and a pregnant woman passer-by were injured when an "insane man dressed in a suit" fired several shots during the swearing-in ceremony of Italy's newly-appointed government in Rome Sunday.
The 46-year-old's candidacy was backed by the centre-left Democratic Party, of which he is a prominent member, and the centre-right People of Freedom to which he is linked by family ties, Xinhua reported.
Marrakech, April 21 (IANS) The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria lashed Congo 7-0 here to qualify from Group B for the semi-finals of the ongoing 10th African Under-17 Football Championship.
Washington, Apr.20 (ANI): Wild fires not only destroy millions of trees each year but the residue is transported to the sea by rivers which penetrates the carbon cycle, a recent study has revealed.
Gaborone (Bostwana), April 19 (IANS) Botswana is set to play 2012 African champions Zambia in the first round qualifiers of the 2014 African National Championships (CHAN) football tournament.
Marrakesh (Morocco), April 15 (IANS) Nigeria defeated Ghana 6-1 here in their opening group B match at the ongoing 10th Confederation of African Football (CAF) Under-17 championship.
London, April 15 (IANS) Angelina Jolie arranged for spicy Indian delicacies like lamb bhuna, chicken korma and chicken tikka to be made here for her to fly home to fiance Brad Pitt.
London, Apr. 15 (ANI): Angelina Jolie reportedly arranged for Brad Pitt's favourite Indian restaurant in Surrey to cook and flash-freeze dishes for her to fly to him, at the couple's Los Angeles home.
Bujumbura (Burundi), April 13 (IANS) International Judo Federation ( IJF) president Marius Vizer will arrive in Burundi Sunday for a two-day visit and is expected to watch a demonstration between judokas from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
Wellington, Apr. 12 (ANI): Angelina Jolie has joined British Foreign Secretary William Hague to announce an additional funding of 36 million dollars from G-8 nations, for putting up a series of measures to prevent sexual violence and ensuring justice for survivors of military conflicts.
New Delhi, Apr 11 (ANI): The bodies of the five Indian soldiers, who were killed in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, arrived in India this morning.
New Delhi, Apr 10 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today expressed anguish over the killing of five Indian army personnel during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
London, April 3 (ANI): The wedding ring that Angelina Jolie wore on her recent UN trip belonged to Brad Pitt's great-grandmother, it has been revealed.
Beijing, April 1 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping's maiden foreign tour as head of state was "historic and fruitful", Xinhua commented Monday, a day after the visit ended.
Washington, Mar. 30 (ANI): African forest elephants are being poached out of existence.
Washington, Mar 27 (ANI): Actress Angelina Jolie was spotted wearing a 'mysterious' gold band on her ring finger, where her giant platinum engagement sparkler used to be, during a trip to a rescue camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo this week.
Durban/New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) France has expressed regret over the killing of two Indians by its troops in the Central African Republic, where a rebel leader seized power during the weekend, and has ordered an inquiry.
New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian Tuesday called up Defence Minister A.K. Antony to convey regrets over killing of two Indian nationals by his country's troops in the Central African Republic, and was asked to ensure safety of Indians there.
Durban, March 26 (IANS) France has expressed regret over the killing of two Indians by its troops in the Central African Republic, where a rebel leader seized power during the weekend.
London, March 26 (IANS) Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has teamed up with Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague for a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to highlight concerns over sexual violence.
Durban, March 25 (IANS) French President Francois Hollande has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing regret over the "inadvertent" killing of two Indians in the Central African Republic, where a rebel leader seized power during the weekend.
London, Mar. 25 (ANI): British Foreign Secretary William Hague will team up with actress Angelina Jolie and travel to Africa this week to raise awareness of warzone rape.
Moscow, March 24 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his state visit to Russia, the first foreign destination after he took office this month.
Moscow, March 22 (IANS) Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin Friday held talks over the further development of their countries' comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
Moscow, March 22 (IANS) China's new President Xi Jinping arrived in the Russian capital Friday for a state visit, his first foreign trip after assuming office last week.
Beijing, March 19 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday that China will adhere to the path of peaceful development.
Moscow, March 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss energy partnership during his maiden overseas visit to Russia, as leader of the world's most populous country, the Kremlin said Monday.
New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) Twenty-three-year-old Richie Ronsard left his home in the Congo two years ago to fulfil his childhood dream of obtaining a degree from an established instutute in the India. The reality check was not long in comming.
Moscow, March 10 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Russian Mil Mi-8 helicopter has crashed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the fate of the crew is unknown, a Russian official said Sunday.
Los Angeles, March 8 (IANS) Actress Jessica Chastain is being lined up to play Jane in David Yates' remake of "Tarzan".
New York, Mar. 6 (ANI): Jessica Chastain is reportedly the first choice to play Jane in a new version of 'Tarzan.'
New York, Mar. 6 (ANI): Jessica Chastain is reportedly the first choice to play Jane in a new version of 'Tarzan.'
Cape Town, Mar. 5 (ANI): African forest elephants are being poached out of existence.
At least 36 people have been reportedly killed after a twin-propelled passenger aircraft crashed upon landing in the Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Khartoum, March 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) At least 36 people were killed after a twin-propelled passenger aircraft crashed upon landing in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern city of Goma.
Washington, Mar 1 (IANS) Elephants, a protected species, are fast vanishing from Congo's Okapi Faunal Reserve (OFR), recording an alarming 37 percent decline over the past five years, according to surveys carried out by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), an environmental protection organisation.
London, Feb 28 (ANI): The difficulties and pain endured by Fabrice Muamba following his enforced retirement from football after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch during a FA Cup game at Tottenham in March 2012 would be shown in a documentary movie.
Johannesburg, Feb. 28 (ANI): Seven people have been arrested in the past few months for putting up 'penis enlargement' posters in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD).
Geneva, Feb 22 (IANS/EFE) Some 30,000 elephants are slaughtered each year for their ivory tusks, a figure that could be reduced dramatically if Thailand, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria ban the ivory trade, the World Wildlife Fund, or WWF, said Thursday.
Nairobi, Feb 17 (IANS) Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Kenyan government are in the process of submitting a bid to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2015 Africa Youth Championships.
London, Feb 6 (IANS) Nineteen films will be shown at the 17th edition of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival here next month.
London, Feb.6 (ANI): The 17th edition of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival will be presented in London from March 13 to 22, 2013.
Geneva, Feb.6 (ANI): The United States government should promptly carry out the recommendations of a United Nations committee of experts to improve protection of children abroad from armed conflict, Human Rights Watch said today. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child released a report and recommendations to the US government on February 5, 2013.
Turbat (Balochistan), Feb.4 (ANI): Thousands of Baloch people, including women and children, took part in a protest rally over the weekend in Balochistan's Turbat District.
New Delhi, Feb.3 (ANI): Expressing concern at the mounting environmental challenges, global thought leaders unanimously emphasised on the need to adopt resource-efficient innovations at the final session of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2013.
Washington, January 31 (ANI): Comforting a friend or relative in distress may be a more hard-wired behavior than previously thought, concludes a new study of bonobos.
Nairobi, Jan 31 (IANS) Kenya will play Libya in Tunis next week minus their midfield maestro McDonald Mariga of Inter Milan.
Moscow, Jan 29 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Two-thirds of the world's nations lack the tools to counter corruption in their defence sectors, says a survey by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International.
New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) India has 13 million people who have been cured of leprosy, but they still find it hard to get a job due to the stigma attached to the disease. This, despite the government making provisions for their employment, health experts and activists say.
Washington, Jan 17 (IANS) Fruit bats in Bangladesh are harbouring a new version of Ebola virus, which causes severe hemorrhagic fever, a fatal condition afflicting humans and primates, says a new finding.
Washington, January 3 (ANI): Bonobos value social networking so much, they share food with a stranger before they do with an acquaintance, according to research
Quetta/Washington, Dec.31 (ANI): The military offensive in Mashkay town of Awaran district of Balochistan entered its seventh day on Monday (December 31).
Rome, Dec 26 (IANS) Pope Benedict XVI, in his Christmas message, called for ending the violence in Syria and urged for showing greater respect for religious communities in China, which does not allow Catholics to respect papal authority.
Brussels, Dec. 20 (ANI): The European Union has donated its 2012 Nobel peace prize cash, plus a one million-euro top-up, to thousands of children impacted by war in Syria, Colombia, Congo and Pakistan.
New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) The number of rapes in India shot up from 1953 to 2001 by a staggering 873 percent, the CPI-M's "People's Democracy" said in its latest edition released Thursday.
New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) The European Parliament in Strasbourg passed a strongly worded resolution recently against caste discrimination in India, noting that inhuman practices like manual scavenging continue, despite laws banning the practice.
Kigali (Rwanda), Nov 28 (IANS) At least six members of the rebel Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) were killed while launching an attack early Tuesday, the military said.
London, Nov 27 (IANS) British globetrotter Graham Hughes has become the first person to visit all 201 countries in the world ? without using a plane, the Daily Mail reported.
United Nations, Nov 19 (IANS) The UN Security Council, whose presidency for this month is being held by India, has strongly condemned attacks by the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), RIA Novosti reported.
Beijing, Nov 18 (IANS) China will launch a communications satellite for the Democratic Republic of the Congo before the end of 2015.
New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Six foreign envoys, including Japan's Ambassador to India Takeshi Yagi, presented their credentials to President Pranab Mukherjee here Thursday.
New Delhi, Nov 8 (ANI): Envoys of six nations presented their credentials to President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
Kinhasa, Nov 4 (IANS) At least 10 people died in Democratic Republic of Congo Saturday in a head-on collision between two trains, authorities said.
Washington, October 27 (ANI): Rosario Dawson is determined to do something about the disturbing statistics of domestic violence against women, it has been revealed.
New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Despite the government's efforts to improve maternal and child health, the latest report released by UNICEF shows India had the highest number of deaths of children under five years of age in 2011.
New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Despite the government's efforts to improve maternal and child health, the latest report released by UNICEF shows India had the highest number of deaths of children under five years of age in 2011.
New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Despite the government's efforts to improve maternal and child health, the latest report released by UNICEF shows India had the highest number of deaths of children under five years of age in 2011.
Washington, September 13 (ANI): In a new study, researchers have identified a new species of African monkey - locally known as the lesula.
New York/Geneva, Sep.13 (ANI): The pace of reducing child deaths has accelerated sharply since 2000, according to new data released today by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank and the UN Population Division.
Washington, Aug. 26 (ANI): China's arms exports have surged over the past decade, flooding sub-Saharan Africa with cheap assault rifles and ammunition.
New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Cuban actress Rosario Dawson, known for her roles in "Men In Black II" and "Zookeeper", flaunted Indian designer Amit GT's creation while posing for an international fashion magazine.
Washington, Aug 17(ANI): A new research by the University of Cincinnati has examined the relative impact of militarization and corruption on civilian populations, revealing startling findings in the process.
London, Aug 14 (ANI): Four members of Congo's Olympic team are believed to have gone missing in London, as their fellow London 2012 athletes and officials flew home.
London, Aug 9 (ANI): Developing countries that depend heavily on food imports, will be hardest hit by the international price spike, a report has warned.
London, Aug 1 (IANS) Actor Tom Hardy has agreed to fight boxer David Haye, also known as Hayemaker in the ring, as long as the money raised by the match goes to charity.
Washington, July 31 (ANI): The president of Uganda has called on people in the East African country to avoid physical contact, including handshaking and kissing, to prevent the spread of the deadly and highly contagious Ebola virus.
Washington, July 26 (ANI): Almost half of the tropical forest reserves are ineffective towards preserving biodiversity, according to a new study.
New Delhi, July 23 (IANS) Move over bare-boned travel listings couched in a flourish of words. Powerful transformation stories about people and places are the fashion of travel writings of the day.
Addis Ababa, July 17 (IANS) African leaders ended their 19th biannual summit that saw the election of the first female head of the African Union Commission and a renewed pledge to push democracy and fast-track resolution of crises in the continent's hotspots, including Mali, the Sudans, Guinea Bissau and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Addis Ababa, July 17 (IANS) African leaders have ended their 19th biannual summit that saw the election of the first female head of the African Union Commission and a renewed pledge to push democracy and fast-track resolution of crises in the continent's hotspots, including Mali, the Sudans, Guinea Bissau and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Addis Ababa, July 16 (IANS) It was midnight drama, intrigue and last-minute deal-making at the Chinese-built new building of the African Union as rival camps upped the stakes for the AU's top job, which has been won by South Africa's Home Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Hague, July 10 (Xinhua-ANI): The International Criminal Court in The Hague has sentenced the Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga to 14 years in prison.
London, June 27 (ANI): Five Pakistanis have been arrested in by Ugandan Police in the country's oil dominant western region, just two weeks before the second anniversary of the deadly terror attacks in national capital Kampala.
Moscow, June 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Russian Post is among the world's worst postal services, outperformed even by counterparts in countries like Angola, Honduras and Mongolia, says a new study.
Washington, June 19 (ANI): Pakistan has been ranked 13th in the latest ranking of failed states, by Foreign Policy magazine.
Damascus, June 18 (ANI): Turmoil in Libya, Sudan, Somalia and other countries forced 800,000 people to flee their nation in 2011, the United Nations has claimed.
Washington, June 17 (ANI): Ben Affleck and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reportedly came together in Washington on Thursday, to promote the child survival initiative in a generation.
Washington, June 14 (ANI): Scientists have completed the sequencing and analysis of the genome of the last great ape, the bonobo.
Lome (Togo), June 9 (IANS) Emmanuel Adebayor will once again miss Togo's 2014 World Cup qualifier against DR Congo in Kinshasa Sunday.
Islamabad, June 3 (Xinhua-ANI): As the world has just celebrated the International Day of United Nations peacekeepers on May 29, the Pakistani military said Sunday that Pakistan stands as the second largest troop-contributing country in UN peacekeeping.
