The Road to Nowhere
The war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo officially ended in 2003, but violence never stopped. Armed groups continue to fight over resource-rich territories, with over three million war-related deaths. Despite its vast natural wealth, corruption and conflict have left the country among the poorest in the world.
Instability in the east persists, with rebels, some allegedly backed by Rwanda and Uganda, waging war. In 2012, renewed fighting in Goma underscored the region’s volatility. Over 2.2 million people remain displaced, fleeing relentless violence.
The UN’s largest and most expensive peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, operates with over 22,000 personnel and a $1.2 billion budget. Yet, in 2024 and 2025, the war continues, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
