Underdevelopment in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Underdevelopment in the Democratic Republic of Congo
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Underdevelopment in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Unlike the developed world, the less developed economies continue to struggle in wanton poverty and inequality. Often, the root cause of economic struggles in these nations has a common base which is poor governance. Notably, how a nation is governed by its political elite is crucial for its success, and in situations where political order lacks accountability and transparency, pillaging of state resources and citizen oppression carries the day. This phenomenon is a testament to the levels of poverty and its manifestations such as hunger, dilapidated infrastructure, low education levels, chronic unemployment, poor healthcare, and extreme corruption that many African countries struggle to contain. Not only is Africa a rich continent in terms of natural resources but also untapped opportunities. Undoubtedly, if such opportunities are exploited, chances of increased wealth and improved living standards are imminent. As is the case in the Democratic Republic of Congo, multiple political and social factors have compounded to make it a poor nation.
Background information
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the largest nation in Sub-Saharan Africa and is a country endowed with plenty of exceptional natural resources such as minerals like copper, and cobalt, arable land, the second-largest rainforest in the world, and immense biodiversity. In stark contrast, the nation's population ranks third among the poorest globally. Poverty levels in DRC are high, pervasive, and widespread. According to 2018 World Bank Statistics, about 73% of DRC's population-totaling to 60 million-survive on less than $1.90 daily (World Bank, 2018). To put it aptly, one out of six people in Sub-Saharan Africa who live in abject poverty are in DRC. And many political and social factors, including governmental corruption, internal conflicts, misuse of natural resources, and corrupt judicial systems have massively contributed to the destitution witnessed in Congo.
Governmental corruption
Like in many developing economies, DRC is no exception in matters of corruption. It is very easy to recognize corruption instances of corruption and an array of factors contribute to the quantum levels of corruption in DRC. With a weak democracy, the deceitful and thieving political class has maintained power. Coupled with ineffective institutions, corruption has soared to higher levels (Transparency, 2019). Bribery is at its peak at every level including law enforcers and even the judiciary. Furthermore, there is a high likelihood that corrupt state officials can be sanctioned and prosecuted in courts of law because of the weak systems of the country. Lack of transparency of state-owned institutions has also catapulted corruption whereby contracts and tenders are given depending on the number of bribes companies can offer. At some point, corruption levels in DRC were legendary, however, it has reduced but its levels continue to exceed that of many nations. Between 1965 and 1997, Mobutu Sese Seko ruled with an iron fist and plundered the country's resources to the extent that its critics coined the word kleptocracy. In 2015, DRC ranked 147 out of 167 according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.
Internal conflicts
The frontiers of DRC are familiar with internal conflicts fronted by rebel groups. Decades of non-stop conflict have significantly damaged the county's infrastructure and humanitarian conditions and heightened the levels of suffering, poverty, and inequality in DRC. The roots of the present violence in DRC can be traced back to the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. It created a massive refugee crisis as many people ran into the borders of DRC to evade death. The Hutu community then formed armed groups in Eastern DRC which lead to the formation of other rival resistance groups in the country (CFR, 2019). Failure of the DRC government to contain these groups exploded and drove internal conflicts to unprecedented levels. A widely known armed called the March 23 Movement was composed of ethnic Tutsis who are believed to have been financed by the Rwandan government. Additionally, DRC has an estimated $24 trillion of untapped wealth which has increased violence. Put together, the nation has failed to register significant progress in terms of development. Undoubtedly, constant insecurity is a hindrance to poverty reduction because every new violent interaction between armed rebels results in additional displacement, damages private property, and complicates the duties of humanitarian organizations. And all these problems are synonymous with DRC.
Unfair judicial systems
A strong and independent judicial system is vital for a nation's economic and social progress. Every society that is compromised in terms of its judicial systems will lag in terms of development. Cases of weak judicial systems remain common in less developed countries. For example, the Congolese judicial system does not meet the minimum threshold when it comes to the administration of justice. Failure to meet such criteria fuels unfair judicial systems. Additionally, there...