The D.R. Congo continues to struggle, with poverty remaining widespread throughout the country and violence and instability continuing in the east. In addition to a lack of capacity, the Congolese security forces lack credibility due to their widespread human rights abuses. There is a need for the government to better hold accountable members of the security forces and to punish those who are committing human rights abuses. Fighting corruption, ending impunity of the security forces and creating a more capable and professional military are also key priorities. With the proposed withdrawal of MONUC in 2010, the need for increasing the capacity and legitimacy of government security forces has become increasingly urgent.

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Indicator Scores

	Position													Total Score
2010	5 (177)	9.9	9.6	8.6	8.0	9.5	8.7	8.8	9.0	9.4	9.8	8.9	9.7	109.9
2009	5 (177)	9.7	9.6	8.9	8.1	9.3	8.3	8.6	9.2	9.0	9.7	8.7	9.6	108.7
2008	6 (177)	9.6	9.2	8.8	7.9	9.0	8.3	8.3	9.1	8.9	9.6	8.6	9.4	106.7
2007	7 (177)	9.4	8.9	8.8	7.6	9.1	8.0	8.3	8.7	8.9	9.6	8.6	9.6	105.5
2006	2 (177)	9.5	9.5	9.1	8.0	9.0	8.1	9.0	9.0	9.5	9.8	9.6	10.0	110.1

Core Five State Institutions

	Leadership	Military	Police	Judiciary	Civil Service
2010	Poor	Poor	Poor	Poor	Poor

Basic Information

Context

Following independence from Belgium in 1960, the country has been plagued by instability. Mobutu Sese Seko’s dictatorial rule lasted from 1965 to 1996, when rebel and Ugandan forces forced him to leave the country. Spillover from the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and the deterioration of relations between AFDL leader Kabila and external actors launched the country into a bloody conflict with Rwanda and Uganda. Following Kabila’s assassination, his son Joseph Kablia took power and began instituting reforms to establish a liberal democracy. In 2006, the country both adopted a new constitution and held the first free and fair elections in over 40 years. However, the east of the country continued to be destabilized by fighting between rebel and government forces, inflicting extreme violence against civilians. One of the most violent conflicts involves the Lord’s Resistance Army, notorious for its egregious human rights abuses. Rebel forces also emerged in the western provinces in 2009 and continue to pose a threat to the country’s stability. The country’s economic situation deteriorated due to the worldwide economic downturn, and has led to increased dependence on aid.

Social Indicators

D.R. Congo experiences severe issues with food and human security due to the ongoing conflicts against rebel forces. The country has an estimated 1.4 million IDPs and Congolese refugees remain displaced in neighboring countries, giving this pressure a regional dimension.

Recent Improvements and Pressures

• The Group Grievance score improved significantly, reflecting attempts to negotiate with eastern rebels, such as amnesty deal offered in May 2009.
• The Human Flight score declined slightly, showing some progress in joint army-U.N. operations against Rwandan rebels. However, eastern D.R. Congo remains heavily entrenched in conflict.
• The Demographic Pressures score worsened as food prices rapidly increased in 2009.

Economic Indicators

A country with vast natural resources, D.R. Congo is slowly recovering from decades of mismanagement. Systemic corruption and continued conflict remain problems for the country’s economic growth. However, due to President Kabila’s demonstrated commitment to reforms, foreign aid and investment has been growing.

Recent Improvements and Pressures

• The Uneven Development score increased slightly due to intensifying poverty despite the country’s lucrative exports of minerals and agricultural products.
• D.R. Congo’s Poverty and Decline score jumped significantly as the effects of the global economic downturn halved GDP growth.

Political/Military Indicators

D.R. Congo’s history of dictatorial rule and proximity to regional conflicts has long destabilized the country. The violent presence of rebels in the east continues to undermine the government’s legitimacy. D.R. Congo has suffered from gross human rights abuses from both rebel groups and government security forces in this anarchic environment, including mass murders, sexual violence, and looting of already impoverished villages. Poor infrastructure and extreme income inequalities in the country, despite its obvious natural wealth, also serves to foster discontent. MONUC extended its mandate for five months in late 2009 amid concern about unstable conditions.

Recent Improvements and Pressures

• D.R. Congo’s Public Services score improved 0.2 points, demonstrating the effects of infrastructural projects funded by international aid, including an additional hydroelectric facility.
• The Legitimacy of the State score increased, indicating ongoing discontent with corrupt and ineffective government during an economic recession.
• The Human Rights indicator worsened significantly. Joint D.R. Congo and Rwandan attacks against rebels resulted in rebel retaliatory attacks and government indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
• D.R. Congo’s Factionalized Elites score jumped 0.2 points due to increasing tensions among the country’s many militia leaders and warlords.

Latest Update: 2011-04-21 Kristen Blandford

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