Crisis in the DRC: 6.9 Million Displaced and the Looming Concern for Upcoming Elections

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) reaches a staggering 6.9 million. This dire situation has been exacerbated by renewed conflict between Tutsi-led M23 rebels and militias loyal to the government in the eastern province of North Kivu. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has described it as one of the largest internal displacement and humanitarian crises globally. As the security situation continues to deteriorate, the upcoming elections in the DRC have become a cause for great concern. In this article, we explore the reasons behind this crisis and the potential impact on the upcoming elections. The renewed conflict in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika has displaced millions of Congolese people. Conflict has been cited as the primary reason for this displacement, with the M23 rebels and government militias clashing viole...