Democratic Republic Of Congo (DRC)

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Introduction

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, previously known as Zaire, is the largest country in Central Africa. Its boundaries extend from the Central African Republic and Sudan in the north to Zambia and Angola in the south, with Tanzania, Uganda and the tiny states of Rwanda and Burundi to the east and Congo (Brazzaville) to the west. Despite its large size, it has only one coastal access - a channel running to the Atlantic between Congo (Brazzaville) and Angola. The terrain ranges from the vast plains of the north and far south to the dry Zaire River valley in the west. The Area of it is 2,345,410 square kilometres, Currency is Congolese franc (CDF = 100 makuta) and the Capital is Kinshasa. Since 2001, Joseph Kabila is the Head of State and Head of Government is Adolphe Muzito. The Ruling Party is “The People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy leads a coalition”.

Discussion

In January 2001, Kabila was killed. His son Joseph Kabila attained as president and initiated peace measures that led to a treaty in December 2002. The war, which had cost three million lives, was declared over. Foreign troops left the country, and the leaders of the MLC and the RCD were granted positions in a transitional government. In 2006, Kabila was elected president in the nation's first free elections since independence. The 2002 peace agreement largely held, despite clashes between rival militias in the nation's east. Heavy fighting between government and rebel forces erupted there in 2008, displacing thousands of people. The government signed peace deals with several rebel groups in March 2009. Despite some steps forward, peace initiatives have been largely unsuccessful, and violence continues to plague the region. (Clark, 2011)

Joseph Kabila was reelected president with 49 percent of the vote in late 2011. The election was plagued with logistical problems and widespread allegations of voting irregularities and voter intimidation. Several people were killed in demonstrations both leading up to and following the election. Kabila faces enormous challenges as president, as Congo-Kinshasa is widely considered the least developed country in the world and a failed state. (Edgerton, 2012)

Benefit/costs/Risks Assessment

In recent years, the Congo has experienced two alleged coup attempts and various military mutinies. The government is widely criticised for graft. Fighting displaced more than a quarter of a million people in 2008 and the situation remains fragile. Much of US$8 million a month earmarked for soldiers' salaries has been embezzled. The crisis has also complicated the job of economic management.

The IMF estimates that 71% of all households live in poverty and that nearly 60% of poor households are headed by women. Fewer than 20% have reliable access to water and electricity. A large portion of the country is isolated from the capital in Kinshasa. In 2007, about 450,000 people were left homeless in Kivu province.

Comparative Advantage

Corruption and tax evasion are widespread. The Congo has some of the richest mineral deposits in ...