An often cited proverb in the context of African conflicts, is that ‘when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers’. This blog sheds light on the lived consequences of the protracted conflict in the east of Congo, based on the Just Future research that I am conducting in this region together with colleagues from The Social Science Centre for African Development – KUTAFITI. Part of our research focuses specifically on people who are forced to flee – often repeatedly – because of insecurity and violence: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). In contrast to refugees, IDPs do not cross international borders but seek security within their own country. As part of our research, we speak with them about the challenges they face in rebuilding their lives in displacement, about obtaining access to justice, about realising their fundamental rights, and about finding human security.

What is going on in Congo?

A lot can – and should be – said about the current conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which is rapidly escalating. The Rwandan-backed armed group M23 is fighting with the Congolese army and a large number of non-state armed groups (together referred to as ‘Wazalendo’ (patriots in Swahili) over power, identity and resources. The area is rich in natural resources such as gold, coltan and tantalum (key minerals for your mobile phone) and even if access to these mines may not be the prime conflict driver, it does play a role.

Thus far, mediation efforts by eastern and southern African leaders are not leading to an effective end to the war. Efforts by Congolese church leaders are also not yet leading to results and M23 keeps advancing its territory. An earlier take-over of Goma by M23 in 2012 was halted thanks to diplomatic pressure by the US and the EU. This time, the international community is less responsive to calls for mediation or diplomatic pressure.

'The grass that suffers'

Following the news on Congo from the comfort of my home or office, I feel sad knowing that many of the IDPs we spoke to are at risk again; that they are trying hard to find ways to stay safe, and to rebuild their lives as much as possible, despite all the challenges and risks they face. There is nothing I can do directly to address their concerns and to change their situation. What I can do is to pass on the information we receive from them to a wider audience and hope their stories will be listened to.

If you knew that Albert is leading a bare life in a displacement camp because he spoke out against the M23 rebel occupation in his community, while his wife is siding with the M23 and can therefore still stay in their home, you would understand how the conflict divides families and shapes the social tissue of society.

If you knew that Bahati – who is still a minor - was abducted to a village far away from home, managed to escape, but then got raped by a police officer, you would understand what impunity means in real life. And if you knew that she does not have money to travel back home to her parents and is forced to stay in a village where she hardly knows anybody, you would understand what hardship means.

If you knew that Pacifique and his wife had been targeted three times by different armed groups and were forced to hand over their livestock, you would understand why he no longer slept well at home, and why he ultimately fled to another village. If you knew that filing a complaint against a member of an armed group can lead to deadly acts of retaliation, you would also understand why he did not consider filing a complaint, nor tried to recuperate his property. If you understood the impossibility of return, you would also understand why he wants to rebuild his life in a new place.

If I knew that my dear colleagues in Congo - Patrick, Innocent, Stanislas, Joachim and Rachel and their loved ones - will be fine in the time ahead with their home town Bukavu under control of the M23 rebels, and if I knew that peace is returning to the east of Congo, I would no longer have to bother you by telling you about a forgotten crisis in a faraway place in the world.