By Morris Wambua

Introduction

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains a nation caught in the crossfire of persistent violence, political turmoil, and deep humanitarian crises. Despite years of international interventions and regional agreements, the harsh reality is that the world has failed Congo.

The continued suffering of millions is a glaring testament to the collective failure of the international community and Africa itself, both of which have repeatedly promised peace but delivered little more than empty assurances.

This article delves into the key events and dynamics discussed during the UN Security Council’s 9736th session, revealing why the DRC remains a tragic emblem of unfulfilled promises and systemic neglect.

Political Developments Undermined by Unmet Needs

During its recent meeting, the UN Security Council acknowledged progress and ongoing challenges in the DRC.

Bintou Keita, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and Head of MONUSCO emphasized that although the December 2023 elections brought new national institutions and opened parliamentary discussions, the challenges have only intensified.

With over 8.7 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance, the stark reality is that donor funding falls significantly short of what is needed.

The expected $1 billion from international donors is dwarfed by the nearly $2.6 billion required to meet escalating humanitarian demands.

The lack of adequate financial support highlights how the international community’s promises of aid have been mainly symbolic gestures devoid of meaningful action.

Resource Wealth, Resource Curse: A Country Exploited, Not Supported

The eastern DRC’s vast natural resources should be a blessing for its people and a foundation for prosperity. Instead, competition over these resources has resulted in increased violence and exploitation.

The situation in regions like Ituri and North Kivu, where groups like M23 have tightened their grip, demonstrates a perpetual cycle in which Congo's wealth fuels external interests rather than benefiting its citizens.

The recurring violence highlights the inability—or unwillingness—of both the international community and regional African bodies to address the root causes of conflict in the DRC. These entities have often disregarded the looting of Congo's riches, failing to implement concrete measures to prevent external actors from exploiting these resources.

M23 and ADF: The Ever-Growing Threats

Despite ceasefires and diplomatic negotiations, armed groups such as M23 and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) continue to expand their influence. The Congolese armed forces, weakened by redeployment pressures and insufficient support, struggle to counteract these militant threats effectively.

The tragic consequence is a security vacuum that leaves millions of Congolese people vulnerable. Bintou Keita’s recent report paints a bleak picture: 2.4 million new displacements since the start of 2024, coupled with widespread sexual and gender-based violence, demonstrate the complete failure of regional and global actors to protect Congo's most vulnerable.

The emergence of public health crises such as mpox further complicates an already devastating humanitarian situation.

A Shocking Rise in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

The humanitarian crisis in the DRC has disproportionately affected women and children. Thérèse Nzale-Kove, a representative from the Center for Congolese Women, highlighted the staggering toll of sexual and gender-based violence, with over 90,000 cases documented in the past year alone.

These statistics include harrowing reports of gang rapes in locations like Makala prison, illustrating the extent of the brutalities faced by women.

Nzale-Kove’s call for women’s inclusion in peace processes has largely gone unanswered, reflecting a broader failure to ensure gender equity in conflict resolution efforts.

The lack of women's voices in decision-making processes at both the national and international levels is yet another example of how systemic injustices compound Congo’s plight.

International and Regional Silence on Sexual Violence

Sexual violence has been rampant in the DRC, yet international reactions remain disappointingly muted. While some nations, such as South Korea, have pledged financial support, the real issue is the lack of coordinated action against the perpetrators.

Statements of condemnation by representatives from the Republic of Korea, France, and Switzerland, though well-intentioned, do little to alter the grim reality on the ground for Congolese women and girls.

There is an undeniable need for binding international measures against all parties involved in such violence—measures that the UN Security Council continues to debate but has not yet enforced effectively.

The failure to act decisively against gender-based violence further highlights the international community's negligence.

Africa's Failure to Stand by Congo

The hope for African-led solutions is yet to materialize in Congo. Angola’s President JoãoLourenço was crucial in brokering a ceasefire between the DRC and Rwanda.

Still, this achievement, while commendable, has yet to translate into sustained peace on the ground. Despitebeing members of regional bodies like the African Union, many African nations have failed to provide the necessary support for genuine peace building in the DRC.

The Russian Federation called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to step up and prevent a security vacuum following MONUSCO’s planned withdrawal.

However, SADC's response has been lackluster, reflecting the broader issue of regional disunity.

Instead of a collective push to fill the security gap, Congo relies heavily on international forces whose departure may leave the country more vulnerable than ever.

The Luanda and Nairobi processes have repeatedly been cited as roadmaps for peace in the DRC.

However, despite their positive intentions, these initiatives have been hampered by a lack of follow-through. Meetings and agreements between leaders often make headlines, but on-the-ground implementation remains absent.

As violence persists, the failure of African-led diplomatic processes stands as a stark reminder of how regional promises remain unfulfilled.

Rwanda's role in the DRC conflict is both direct and controversial. The Congolese government has consistently accused Rwanda of interference and resource exploitation, allegations that Rwanda denies.

Rwanda’s representative countered these accusations, pointing to the need to address the Congolese
army’s alleged links with anti-Rwandan groups like the FDLR.

Yet Rwanda's narrative ignores the undeniable impact of its presence in the DRC—a presence that has deepened the conflict rather than stabilized the region.

Africa's inability to hold Rwanda accountable reflects a lack of regional solidarity and a failure to address the broader dynamics fueling Congo's suffering.

International Promises: Symbolic Words, Lack of Concrete Action

MONUSCO, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC, has been a controversial force in the region for decades.

As MONUSCO prepares for a phased withdrawal, concerns abound that its departure will leave a dangerous vacuum. The United States and other UN Security Council members expressed fears that
MONUSCO's exit could exacerbate instability, especially in South Kivu.

However, no concrete plan has been implemented to address the challenges post-MONUSCO, underscoring the lack of a comprehensive exit strategy that genuinely considers the Congolese people’s safety.

Humanitarian Assistance: Too Little, Too Late

The humanitarian crisis in the DRC is among the world’s most dire, yet the funding allocated to address it remains inadequate.

Nations such as France, which announced €22 million in aid, and the UK, which is still finalizing its
support for mpox, are offering far less than what is needed to meet the enormous needs of the Congolese population.

These symbolic contributions are helpful but ultimately insufficient, given the scale of the crisis. The lack of proactive, substantial financial support underscores a pattern where the international community offers half-measures rather than real solutions.

Mpox Outbreak: A Symbol of Systemic Neglect

The resurgence of mpox in the DRC is a stark reminder of how neglected public health is in the country. Sierra Leone's representative noted a significant shortage of vaccines, with only 200,000 doses available when 10 million were required.

The discrepancy highlights how global health initiatives have largely ignored Congo, focusing resources elsewhere while millions in the DRC continue to suffer. Public health in Congo mirrors the broader international neglect—despite repeated warnings and urgent needs, the world's response remains inadequate, leaving millions without access to primary healthcare and protection.

Conclusion: The Failure of the Global and African Community

The recent session of the UN Security Council on the Democratic Republic of the Congo laid bare the grim reality that the world has failed Congo.

From the shortcomings of international peacekeeping missions and insufficient humanitarian aid to ineffective regional support and rampant resource exploitation, the evidence of collective failure is overwhelming.

While the DRC is a nation blessed with abundant natural resources, its people live in conditions of extreme poverty and insecurity. The failures of both the international community and Africa itself to act decisively have left the DRC vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and neglect.

The people of Congo deserve better than symbolic ceasefires and piecemeal funding—lasting peace,
justice, and a chance to thrive.

As Congo faces its uncertain future, it remains clear that without a significant shift in international and regional policies, the promises of peace will continue to be broken, and the suffering of millions will persist.

The time for symbolic gestures has passed.

International bodies, regional players, and individual nations must demonstrate true solidarity with the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo.

This means substantial financial investment in humanitarian aid, binding measures against perpetrators of violence, and genuine commitment to peace processes. The world and Africa must not continue to fail Congo—only through decisive, collective action can we hope to see lasting change for the Congolese people.