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Democratic Republic of the Congo
Africa
Africa's second-largest country by area, the DRC is rich in natural resources including cobalt and copper, but faces political instability and conflict.
108,000,000
Population
2,344,858
Area (km²)
Kinshasa
Capital
68
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
68 Events
August 31, 2025 - Hundreds killed in M23 attacks in eastern DRC despite peace efforts.
August 18, 2025 - DRC and M23 miss Qatar peace deal deadline after July commitment.
August 17, 2025 - ADF attacks Oicha, North Kivu, killing nine.
August 16, 2025 - Air KasaĂŻ Antonov An-2 crashes near Kisangani, killing all seven aboard.
August 15, 2025 - Kenya appoints consul-general for M23-held Goma, drawing Kinshasa criticism; ADF kills 30 in Bapere village, North Kivu.
August 12, 2025 - U.S. sanctions PARECO rebels, Congolese firm CDMC, and Hong Kong exporters for abuses and illegal mining in Rubaya.
August 07, 2025 - Government conducts cabinet reshuffle.
August 06, 2025 - UN reports M23 killed 319 civilians in July, one of the deadliest months.
August 02, 2025 - DRC and Rwanda sign economic cooperation framework.
August 01, 2025 - African Union agrees to take over peacekeeping in eastern DRC from UN.
July 28, 2025 - ADF kills 38 in Ituri Catholic church attack.
July 27, 2025 - ADF attacks church in Komanda, Ituri, killing 43; former President Kabila tried for treason.
July 25, 2025 - Mai-Mai militias clash in Mambasa Territory, displacing villagers.
July 23, 2025 - Mine collapse in M23-held South Kivu rescues 12, traps unknown number.
July 20, 2025 - Lomera golf mine collapse in South Kivu rescues 12, with others missing; Congolese diplomat arrested for cocaine smuggling in Bulgaria.
July 19, 2025 - DRC and M23 sign Qatar-mediated ceasefire, pledging a peace deal by August 18.
July 17, 2025 - Government signs $1 billion+ investment deal with KoBold Metals for Manono-Kitolo mine.
July 15, 2025 - Four killed, including two children, in Goma clashes despite truce.
July 12, 2025 - Uganda reopens border with M23-held eastern DRC; Islamic State-aligned rebels kill 66 in another attack.
July 11, 2025 - ADF kills 66 civilians in Irumu, Ituri.
July 04, 2025 - UN report details Rwanda's military support to M23, including equipment for mineral access.
June 27, 2025 - DRC and Rwanda sign U.S.-mediated peace agreement in Washington, addressing territorial integrity and disarmament.
April 23, 2025 - Luhihi mine collapse in South Kivu kills 10.
April 19, 2025 - Government suspends Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy over his Goma visit.
April 15, 2025 - Boat fire and capsizing on Congo River near Mbandaka kills 33.
April 12, 2025 - Clashes near Goma kill at least 50.
April 11, 2025 - Joint DRC-Ugandan operation rescues 41 ADF captives in North Kivu.
April 09, 2025 - Three U.S. nationals convicted in 2024 coup attempt are repatriated after sentences commuted to life.
April 04, 2025 - M23 withdraws from Walikale as a goodwill gesture for Qatar-mediated talks; floods in Kinshasa kill 33.
March 28, 2025 - M23 announces ceasefire with SADC to aid withdrawal.
March 19, 2025 - M23 seizes Walikale mining town.
March 13, 2025 - South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi withdraw SADC contingents from eastern DRC.
March 10, 2025 - Military prosecutor questions Joseph Kabila's party officials amid accusations of M23 sponsorship.
March 09, 2025 - Boat capsizes on Kwa River in Mushie, killing 25.
March 08, 2025 - ADF militants kill nine in Ngohi Vuyinga village, Lubero Territory.
February 25, 2025 - UK suspends aid to Rwanda and imposes sanctions due to its role in the conflict.
February 21, 2025 - Rwanda expresses solidarity with sanctioned General James Kabarebe over eastern Congo violence.
February 18, 2025 - UN High Commissioner Volker TĂĽrk accuses M23 of executions, child recruitment, and aid attacks in Bukavu and Goma; Ugandan troops enter Bunia to curb ethnic violence.
February 16, 2025 - M23 enters Bukavu's center without resistance.
February 14, 2025 - Rwandan forces and M23 invade and capture Bukavu, with Congolese army withdrawing to avoid urban combat.
February 07, 2025 - UN Human Rights Council condemns Rwanda's M23 support and launches an investigation into violations, reporting 3,000 killed and 2,900 injured since late January.
February 05, 2025 - M23 fully captures Goma after heavy fighting, resulting in 900–2,000 deaths and mass displacement.
February 04, 2025 - M23 declares a unilateral ceasefire.
January 27, 2025 - Congolese shelling kills five civilians in Gisenyi, Rwanda; M23 seizes Goma.
January 26, 2025 - Intense fighting erupts on Goma's outskirts between Congolese forces and M23 (backed by 500–1,000 Rwandan troops); DRC foreign minister calls it a "declaration of war" at UN Security Council.
January 25, 2025 - DRC severs diplomatic ties with Rwanda, closing embassies as M23 nears Goma.
January 21, 2025 - M23 captures Minova town, displacing over 178,000; DRC accuses a Rwandan sniper of killing North Kivu's military governor.
December 31, 2024 - Violence in eastern DRC intensifies, displacing hundreds of thousands and worsening the humanitarian crisis, with over 7 million internally displaced by year-end.
August 30, 2024 - The DRC announces plans to sue Rwanda at the East African Court of Justice over alleged violations.
June 01, 2024 - MONUSCO peacekeeping mission withdraws from South Kivu province as part of an accelerated drawdown requested by the DRC government.
May 04, 2024 - Bombing of refugee camps near Goma kills 12 and injures 20; DRC and U.S. blame Rwanda and M23, who deny involvement.
March 01, 2024 - M23 rebels seize Nyanzale town, expanding control in North Kivu.
February 17, 2024 - The U.S. condemns Rwanda's support for M23, demanding withdrawal of Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) and missiles; Rwanda rejects it, citing defense against FDLR.
February 01, 2024 - The DRC accuses Rwanda of a drone attack on a civilian aircraft at Goma International Airport, sparking protests.
January 16, 2024 - A Congolese soldier is killed by Rwandan forces in Rubavu District after allegedly firing; two others are arrested.
December 31, 2023 - East African Community (EAC) troops withdraw after a year-long deployment.
December 20, 2023 - Tshisekedi wins re-election for a second term amid widespread violence and a deteriorating human rights situation; he threatens to invade Rwanda over M23 support.
December 09, 2023 - Tshisekedi compares Kagame to Adolf Hitler, accusing him of expansionism; Rwanda condemns it as a threat.
November 30, 2023 - The U.S. brokers a pact between DRC and Rwanda to reduce military presence near the border, curb hate speech, and avoid political interference.
November 21, 2023 - Tshisekedi and Kagame agree to de-escalation steps per U.S. intelligence; M23 rebels capture Mweso town.
November 07, 2023 - A Congolese soldier begins recruitment drive against M23 rebels in Goma.
November 06, 2023 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges de-escalation, calling on Presidents FĂ©lix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame to reduce tensions.
October 18, 2023 - The UN warns of the risk of direct war between the DRC and Rwanda amid rising rebel clashes.
September 01, 2023 - Armed groups rob a Chinese mining convoy, resulting in casualties among Chinese nationals and underscoring risks to foreign investments in resource extraction.
July 27, 2023 - The DRC reports repelling a Rwandan army incursion north of Goma, with one Rwandan soldier killed.
May 01, 2023 - The Southern African Development Community (SADC) deploys troops to eastern DRC to support UN stabilization forces ahead of December elections.
January 24, 2023 - A Congolese Su-25 aircraft is damaged by Rwandan MANPAD fire after allegedly violating airspace, which the DRC deems an act of war.
January 19, 2023 - Rwanda accuses the DRC of preparing for war and importing European mercenaries, heightening cross-border tensions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Democratic Republic of the Congo
100 Questions
It is in Central Africa, bordered by nine countries including Angola, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan.
The capital is Kinshasa, located along the Congo River.
Over 110 million people as of 2025, making it Africa’s 4th most populous country.
French is the official language. National languages include Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, and Tshiluba.
Equatorial in the center, tropical in the north and south, cooler in highlands.
The Congolese franc (CDF).
Blue with a yellow star in the top left and a diagonal red stripe with yellow borders.
Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi, Goma, Kisangani, and Bukavu.
On June 30, 1960, from Belgium.
Patrice Lumumba.
Military leader who ruled the country (renamed Zaire) from 1965 to 1997.
FĂ©lix Tshisekedi (as of 2025).
A unitary semi-presidential republic.
Because of its central location and vast natural resources.
No official religion, but Christianity is dominant (about 90%).
Around $70 billion in 2025 estimates.
Around $600, among the lowest in the world despite vast resources.
Around 80%.
About 61 years.
About 5.7 children per woman.
Over 65%.
Cobalt, copper, diamonds, gold, coltan, and oil.
Machinery, food, fuels, and manufactured goods.
It holds some of the world’s largest reserves of cobalt, copper, diamonds, gold, and coltan.
Because of its extraordinary mineral wealth.
Batteries, especially for electric vehicles and electronics.
In smartphones and electronic devices.
Africa’s second-longest river, vital for transport and energy.
One of the world’s largest hydropower projects, with future potential to power much of Africa.
Mount Stanley (5,109 m) in the Rwenzori Mountains.
A UNESCO site, home to endangered mountain gorillas.
Another UNESCO park, known for eastern lowland gorillas.
Gorillas, okapis, elephants, bonobos, and leopards.
An animal unique to the DRC, related to giraffes.
Cassava, maize, plantains, rice, fish, and beans.
A staple made from cassava flour, eaten with sauces.
A dish made from cassava leaves.
Palm wine, beer, and ginger tea.
Football, basketball, and boxing.
Yes, winning twice (1968, 1974).
Yes, once in 1974 (as Zaire).
Claude Makélélé, Dieumerci Mbokani, and Yannick Bolasie.
A prominent human rights activist killed in 2010.
Soukous (Congolese rumba), ndombolo, and gospel.
A famous Congolese musician, known as the “King of Rumba Rock.”
A leading contemporary Congolese musician.
Members of the Congolese fashion culture, known for stylish dress.
Brightly colored pagnes (wraps) and tailored suits.
Around 74%.
Around 86%.
High, with widespread informal work.
Around 60%.
Cassava, maize, coffee, palm oil, and bananas.
Cattle, goats, pigs, and poultry.
Among the highest in the world.
Also extremely high.
Malaria, cholera, measles, and Ebola.
Over a dozen since the 1970s.
“Debout Congolais” (“Arise Congolese”).
“Justice, Paix, Travail” (“Justice, Peace, Work”).
The okapi.
The Congo peafowl.
Pondu (cassava leaves stew).
Africa’s third-largest city, a cultural and political hub.
Mining capital of the DRC.
Near Virunga Park, affected by volcanic eruptions.
Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira.
In 2021, devastating parts of Goma.
Also called the Second Congo War (1998–2003), the deadliest conflict since WWII.
A rebellion that overthrew Mobutu in 1997, led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila.
Rebel leader who became president, assassinated in 2001.
Laurent’s son, president from 2001 to 2019.
An armed group active in eastern DRC since 2012.
Local armed groups claiming to defend communities.
The DRC hosts MONUSCO, one of the UN’s largest peacekeeping missions.
Often accused of backing rebel groups in the east.
Involved in conflicts, also accused of exploiting resources.
Largest investor in mining and infrastructure.
Supports humanitarian aid and governance reforms.
Former colonial power, still tied economically and culturally.
Much higher than older generations, around 85–90%.
Overcrowded schools, but enrollment improving.
Weak, heavily supported by NGOs.
Hydropower (mainly from Inga Dam) and biomass.
Enormous, especially hydropower.
Around 45%, with rapid growth.
Low overall but high in cities like Kinshasa.
Around 12% difference.
Remaining very high.
Around $600 annually.
Conflict, corruption, and poverty despite resources.
Resource wealth and hydropower potential.
Active member, especially in peace and security.
Major peacekeeping presence, aid recipient.
Rich mix of ethnic groups, music, and traditions.
One of the continent’s leading music exporters (soukous, ndombolo).
Uncertain, depending on stability and governance.
Much lower, often below 50%.
Millions displaced, food insecurity, and ongoing crises in the east.
It is one of Africa’s largest, most resource-rich countries with huge potential but also chronic instability.