Rebels edging closer to taking key DR Congo city

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of the Congo face many problems, including:

Human rights violations: The DRC has experienced widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary killings, torture, and gender-based violence.

Armed conflict: The DRC has been in conflict for decades, with clashes between the Congolese armed forces and non-state armed groups.

Poverty: The DRC is one of the world's poorest countries, with many people living in extreme poverty.

Lack of access to basic needs: The DRC has shortages of food, clean water, and healthcare.

Economic challenges: The DRC's economy is vulnerable to climate change, inflation, and a decelerating mining sector.

Displacement: The DRC has seen millions of people displaced within the country and more than a million flee to neighboring countries.

Violence against women and girls: The DRC has high rates of rape, domestic violence, and sexual mutilation, especially against women and girls.

Violence against LGBTQI+ people: LGBTQI+ people in the DRC face gender-based violence, including so-called corrective rape.

Violence against Indigenous people: Indigenous people in the DRC face violence and threats of violence.

Child labor: The DRC has the worst forms of teen labor. read more