n Conflict Trends - Focus on the Great Lakes Region : Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda - : feature

Abstract

The Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is multidimensional with both a regional and a domestic aspect, which have since been intermingled. It began in 1961 when Patrice Lumumba was assassinated, then 1965 Mubotu Seseko seized power, and reigned over an economically weak and politically unstable territory until 1997. The climax was after the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Hutu extremists (Interahamwe) and ex-Rwandan armed Forces (FAR) fled with refugees to DRC. As a result there were cross border attacks on Uganda and Rwanda. In retaliation October 1996, Banyamulenge/Tutsi forces supported by Uganda and Rwanda invaded Kivu regions.