Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) | 16 Sep 2025

Source:TH

The conflict in eastern DRC saw two major developments-a U.S.-brokered peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC, and a ceasefire between the DRC and M23 (March 23 Movement) rebels, mediated by Qatar. 

• Despite these efforts, M23 resumed its offensive, undermining the peace objectives.

DRC

• Political Features:
  • The DRC, Africa’s 2nd-largest country, shares borders with Angola, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia.
  • The country also has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest.
  • The main areas of conflict are North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri.
    
• Geographical Features:
  • It has the mineral-rich Katanga Plateau (cobalt, copper, tin, uranium, diamonds). 
  • Its capital Kinshasa lies on the Congo River, the only African river to cross the equator twice.
  • The country contains the Congo Basin, a vast central lowland rainforest, as well as savanna regions.
  • The DRC is home to several significant lakes, including Lake Tanganyika, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake Kivu.
  • Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano in the Virunga Mountains, is one of the country’s notable geological features.