civil war in the democratic republic of Congo
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Civil War in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Introduction:
Formerly known as Zaire, the West African nation of Congo has been torn by a civil war spanning 5 years.1 It is a land of contradictions. It is a resource-wealthy country that exports many millions of dollars worldwide, but wounded and still recovering from their devastating war.2 Having a population of over 50 million and being the third largest nation in all of Africa, events in Congo have an enormous effect on the stability of western and central Africa.1 People face torture and even death in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Violence, disease and malnutrition have killed millions.3
History:
In May 1997, Laurent-Desire Kabila became president of Zaire and renamed it the Democratic Republic of Congo. The following year (1998), Rwandan and Ugandan troops invaded Congo in hopes of removing Kabila from power. They were stopped by Angolan, Namibian, and Zimbabwean troops, which were allied to Kabila.4 In July 1999, after more then two years of fighting has continued even in the presence of over 5000 UN peacekeepers sent to monitor the nation...