Barriers to Development in the DRC and Actors' Responsibilities

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to current barriers to development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and specific actors responsible for these challenges, based on lecture notes.

Political Instability

A significant current barrier to development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Extreme Poverty

A widespread condition in the DRC, defined as living on $2.15 a day or less, hindering development.

Internal Conflict

Ongoing hostilities between different indigenous people groups and various rebel factions within the DRC, acting as a barrier to development.

M23

An infamous rebel group operating in Eastern DRC, responsible for taking over territory and backed by the Rwandan government.

ADF

Another notable rebel group causing trouble in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

State Monopoly on Violence

The concept that a state (government) exclusively controls the legitimate use of force within its territory, a characteristic the DRC government lacks in parts of its own country due to rebel groups.

Environmental Exploitation

One of the barriers to development in the DRC, involving the extraction of valuable minerals like copper and coltan, often linked to conflict.

Gender-Based Violence

Used as a weapon against the local population in the context of conflicts in the DRC, particularly in affected regions.

Africa's World War

A term for the two Congo Civil Wars (late 1990s, early 2000s), which resulted in over six million deaths, making them the worst casualty events since World War II.

Corruption

A significant barrier within the DRC government, impacting the allocation of economic resources and leading to vast disparities, such as high parliamentary salaries versus low military pay.

Colonization of the Congo

The period from 1885 to 1960 under King Leopold II (Congo Free State) and then the Belgian state, characterized by mass atrocities, brutal exploitation of rubber resources, and a massive reduction in the Congolese population.

King Leopold II

The Belgian monarch who personally controlled the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908, overseeing a regime responsible for an estimated 10 million Congolese deaths through forced labor and violence.

Goma

A significant city in Eastern DRC that was invaded by the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, negatively impacting the region's development and security.

Cobalt and Coltan

Highly valuable minerals abundant in the DRC, essential for electric vehicles and sustainable energy technologies, sparking renewed international interest in the country.

Lack of International Attention

A historical barrier to resolving conflicts and supporting development in the DRC, though interest is increasing due to the country's strategic mineral resources.

Rwanda's Role in DRC Conflict

Seen as backing rebel groups like M23 to hinder DRC's development and security, despite Rwanda itself being a relatively developed state in the region.

Felix Tshisekedi

The current president of the DRC, whose election marked the first peaceful handoff from a previous president, although there are indications it might have been fraudulent.