Our work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is blessed with abundant wealth (minerals, forests, water and land), but 78 per cent of its population lives on less than US$2.15 a day. Armed groups vying to control the country’s vast mineral wealth terrorize civilian populations, resulting in mass displacement. As fighting has intensified since the beginning of the year, accusations pointing to Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict have multiplied.

In 2019, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees had commented on the alarmingly high incidence of sexual violence against women over 20 years of conflict in eastern DRC. Today, gender inequalities remain widespread. Gender inequalities are found everywhere, notably in the illiteracy rate among women in the provinces, which fluctuates between 40% and 60%, except in Kinshasa. This creates fertile ground for various abuses against women, including impeding them from voting freely and legitimizing misogynistic views and practices.

On December 20, 2023, the DRC conducted its fourth electoral cycle, which renewed Felix Tshisekedi’s mandate as president for five years. Although it documented several irregularities, the electoral observation mission of the Catholic and Protestant churches confirmed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s announcement of the president’s victory. The peaceful participation of the electorate, many of whom waited hours and even days to vote, along with the role of observers, attested to the civic commitment of the Congolese people.