Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo vs. Uganda)

Armed Activities of the Congo : The First and Second Wars

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC ) bs the Central African Republic and Sudan on its north side . Uganda , Rwanda , Burundi , and Tanzania are on its eastern bs . Zambia and Angola b the DRC on the south side , and the Republic of Congo on the western side

The DRC was previously named the Republic of the Congo until August 1 1964 . it was changed to the DRC to distinguish it from its neighboring country with the same name . On October 27 , 1971 the then-President

br Mobutu Sese Seko renamed the country Zaire . After Mobutu 's overthrow in 1997 , the country 's name was reverted back to the DRC

One of the country 's most recognized features is the Congo River . The country also has a large amount of natural resources , which include gold , copper , cobalt , diamonds , bauxite , silver , zinc , radium , uranium iron , manganese , tin , and petroleum . Many of the resources have been exploited

The DRC 's economy has suffered drastic declines since the late 1980s The First and Second Congo Wars have contributed to the reduced output and government revenue , and have caused an increase in outside debt Many foreign businesses have ceased their operations because of the conflicts , and the possible outcomes and damages

As of 2003 , the population was estimated at 56 .6 million (CIA World Factbook , 2006 . There are 250 known ethnic groups , but the most commonly known are the Kongo , Luba , and Mongo . There are seven hundred local languages . However , the languages of Kongo , Tshiluba , Swahili and Lingala are widely used . French is a universal language used to bridge the language barriers between ethnic groups

The majority of the Congolese are Roman Catholic or Christian . Most of the non-Christians follow the traditional religions , such as animism spirit and ancestor worship , and witchcraft . In some cases , these traditions are combined with Christianity

In 1960 , which is believed to be the estimated start of the country 's troubles , Patrice Lumumba was elected Prime Minister by a democratic election . Shortly thereafter , Lumumba was fired illegally and then murdered

Mobutu Sese Seko pronounced himself as dictator , until the United States decided not to support Mobutu any further . Before long , rebels and rival nations saw an opportunity to overthrow Mobutu . The Rwandans and Ugandans began to funnel weapons and money to the ADFLC (the anti-Sese Seko Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo , led by Laurent-Dysiry Kabila . By 1997 , Kabila had the confidence to demand governmental surrender

In April of 1997 , a new Prime Minister , Etienne Tshisekedi , replaced Lumumba . Tshisekedi and Mobutu were rivals . By May of 1997 Kabila 's forces were securing Lubumbashi airport , and Mobutu had fled the country . Kabila proclaimed himself as President and immediately began to repair the nation

Kabila soon struggled to remove his foreign supporters . These foreign supporters did not want to leave . Tensions continued to grow

In July of 1998 , Kabila replaced James Kabare , his Rwandan chief of staff , with a Congolese native . However...