News– The M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have taken control of Goma, a key city in North Kivu Province of the DRC and are moving south toward Bukavu.
About Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- Location & Size:
- Located in Central Africa, DRC is the 2nd largest country in Africa and 11th largest in the world by land area.
- It has a 25-mile (40-km) coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.
- It shares borders with nine countries: Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Angola.
- Capital:
- Kinshasa, the largest city and economic hub, is situated on the Congo River (the only river in Africa that crosses the equator twice).
- Geographical Features:
- Congo River Basin: It is home to the second-longest river (Congo River) in Africa.
- Mountains: Albertine Rift Mountains, including the Virunga Mountains and the active Mount Nyiragongo volcano.
- Lakes: Includes Lake Kivu, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Edward.
- Provinces in News:
- North Kivu & South Kivu: Rich in natural resources but affected by conflict.
- Katanga Plateau: A key mining region producing cobalt, copper, tin, uranium, radium, and diamonds.
Historical Context:
- Gained independence from Belgium in 1960 but has faced ongoing instability.
- First Congo War (1996-1997) and Second Congo War (1998-2003) led to millions of deaths.
M23 Rebel Group:
- March 23 Movement (M23), formed in 2012, is mainly composed of ethnic Tutsis.
- It claims to defend Tutsi interests and accuses the government of failing to uphold peace agreements.
- It is mainly active in the eastern DRC, particularly in North Kivu province.
