NEW YORK -- Since achieving independence in 1960, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been ravaged by internecine ethnic strife that has claimed millions of lives. In spite of that, the conflict has been largely neglected by the world's industrialized governments. The United Nations Security Council's decision to authorize the deployment of a 1,400-strong interim force to keep peace in the region is an important -- but not a sufficient -- step to end the country's humanitarian emergency. What is happening now in Congo could easily expand beyond its borders and have serious repercussions for the entire region.
An International Rescue Committee report released in April states that at least 3.3 million people (almost 7 percent of the country's population) have died in the past four years of civil war -- either because of fighting or as a result of widespread disease and famine. Magnifying this tragedy is the estimate that 2.8 million Congolese are HIV-infected or already suffer from the onset of AIDS.
Congo is plagued by a deadly combination of warring ethnic factions, a weak central government, and greedy political and military leaders from neighboring countries and corporations who want to exploit the country's resources. Congo is rich in diamonds, tin, copper and coltan (columbite-tantalite), an essential component of many electronic devices, particularly cell phones and computers. Illegal exploitation of these resources has been taking place at a rapid pace.