The Congo Civil War was the deadliest conflict since World War II, resulting in an estimated 5.4 million deaths.¹⁾

It involved multiple countries and armed groups, making it a regional war with far-reaching implications.²⁾

The war was a continuation of the First Congo War (1996-1997) and was driven by political, economic, and ethnic factors.³⁾

The conflict was sometimes referred to as “Africa's World War” due to the involvement of numerous African nations.⁴⁾

Rebel groups and foreign forces vied for control over the DRC's vast mineral resources, including diamonds, gold, and coltan.⁵⁾

Coltan, a mineral used in electronic devices, played a significant role in funding the conflict and prolonging the war.⁶⁾

The DRC's former president, Laurent-Désiré Kabila, came to power with the help of Rwandan and Ugandan forces, but relations soured, leading to the conflict.⁷⁾

Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe intervened on behalf of Kabila's government, forming a coalition known as the “Allied Forces.”⁸⁾

The war led to the displacement of millions of Congolese civilians, causing a severe humanitarian crisis.⁹⁾

Numerous human rights abuses, including massacres, rapes, and child soldier recruitment, were reported throughout the conflict.¹⁰⁾

The United Nations established a peacekeeping mission, MONUC (later known as MONUSCO), to help stabilize the situation.¹¹⁾

The war exacerbated ethnic tensions, particularly between the Hutu and Tutsi populations.¹²⁾

The Rwandan-backed rebel group Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD) fought against the Kabila government.¹³⁾

Uganda supported the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), led by rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba.¹⁴⁾

International arms smuggling and illegal resource trading fueled the conflict's duration.¹⁵⁾

The war's impact extended beyond the DRC, destabilizing neighboring countries and leading to increased regional tensions.¹⁶⁾

The conflict officially ended in 2003 with the signing of the Sun City Agreement and the establishment of a transitional government.¹⁷⁾

The war's legacy continues to shape Congolese politics and society, with ongoing instability and violence.¹⁸⁾

The conflict exposed the limitations of UN peacekeeping and sparked discussions about reforming international intervention efforts.¹⁹⁾

Child soldier recruitment was rampant during the war, and efforts to reintegrate former child soldiers into society have been ongoing.²⁰⁾

The war had a detrimental impact on the DRC's healthcare system, leading to the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria.²¹⁾

Laurent-Désiré Kabila was assassinated in 2001, leading to his son Joseph Kabila assuming the presidency.²²⁾

War crimes and crimes against humanity were committed by various parties involved in the conflict.²³⁾

The war disrupted the country's infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals.²⁴⁾

The presence of armed groups and instability made it difficult to provide humanitarian aid to affected populations.²⁵⁾

The DRC's vast rainforests, home to diverse wildlife, suffered environmental damage due to displacement and resource exploitation.²⁶⁾

The conflict resulted in an intricate web of alliances and rivalries among rebel groups and foreign actors.²⁷⁾

The establishment of a new constitution in 2006 marked an important step towards stability in the DRC.²⁸⁾

The war led to the collapse of the DRC's formal economy, exacerbating poverty and inequality.²⁹⁾

Various rebel factions emerged with differing agendas, adding to the complexity of the conflict.³⁰⁾

The conflict strained relations between neighboring countries, with accusations of cross-border support for rebel groups.³¹⁾

Sexual violence was used as a weapon of war, with women and girls being particularly vulnerable.³²⁾

In 2002, the International Court of Justice ruled that Uganda had violated international law by plundering Congolese resources.³³⁾

The conflict highlighted the challenges of establishing accountability for war crimes and holding perpetrators responsible.³⁴⁾

Natural resources looted from the DRC during the war contributed to global supply chains.³⁵⁾

The war revealed the fragility of the DRC's post-colonial state and its struggle to establish effective governance.³⁶⁾

Efforts to disarm and demobilize combatants were met with challenges, as many had become economically dependent on the conflict.³⁷⁾

The war's aftermath saw the emergence of armed groups that continued to operate in various parts of the country.³⁸⁾

The UN's peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, remains one of the world's largest and most complex.³⁹⁾

The war brought attention to the issue of conflict minerals and their role in funding violence.⁴⁰⁾

A 2010 study estimated that the DRC's mineral wealth had financed armed groups responsible for widespread atrocities.⁴¹⁾

The conflict strained diplomatic relations between African nations, leading to ongoing tensions in the region.⁴²⁾

Numerous peace agreements were signed during the war, but many were short-lived and failed to bring lasting stability.⁴³⁾

The war's impact on neighboring countries, including refugee flows and cross-border violence, added to the complexity of the conflict.⁴⁴⁾

Efforts to rebuild the DRC and address the root causes of the conflict continue to this day, with the country still facing significant challenges.⁴⁵⁾