Key Facts about Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Red Book
Red Book

Mains Guidance Program (MGP) for UPSC CSE 2026, Cohort-1 starts 11th February 2025. Registrations Open Click Here to know more and registration.

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.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Source- ICWA

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.

Discover more from Free UPSC IAS Preparation Syllabus and Materials For Aspirants

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Print Friendly and PDF
Blog
Academy
Community