A limitation of resources in the Great Lakes region has caused serious political and military conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Neighboring countries have been competing for control over eastern Congo's rich gold mines. Since fighting began in 1998, an estimated 3.8 million people have died, and over 2.5 million have become internally displaced. Although the war was officially pronounced over in 2002, fighting still continues today.

Articles and News

• Human Rights Watch News Archive, Congo
• Child Soldiers in the DRC - Documentation by Witness
  Visit Watchlist to learn more about child soldiers in Congo.
• Amnesty International Articles
  In eastern DRC, members of armed groups have raped tens of thousands of women, including young girls and the elderly, as well as a number of men and boys, in order to terrorize, humiliate and subjugate civilian populations.
  Mass Rape - Time for Remedies
  HIV - The Longest Lasting Scar of War
  

Stop the Violence!

• Global Fund for Women
  Rape is a common weapon of war in Congo. The Global Fund for Women, an international network of women and men committed to a world of equality and social justice, advocates for and defends women's human rights by making grants to support women's groups around the world.
• Mass Rape Must Be Stopped
  Send as many letters as possible to authorities in the DRC calling on them to meet the health care needs of rape survivors and to end impunity for violence against women.

ADVOCACY FOR AFRICA
DARFUR / RWANDA / CONGO / LIBERIA / SOUTHERN AFRICA / GENERAL RESOURCES