The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country in the center of Africa. It’s home to spectacular things, like: a majority of the Congo Basin rainforest, the second largest in the world, with magnificent flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth, and a population of one hundred million people belonging to 250 ethnic groups who speak more than 200 languages. The country also has an estimated $24 trillion worth of untapped minerals. 

That fact has put Congo in the center of international conflict for generations. However, over the last few months, a rebel militia called M23 has taken control of multiple cities in Eastern Congo. These conflicts have reverberated far and wide, as Congolese people displaced by fighting have sought refuge around the world. For those escaping conflict, being granted asylum is only the first step in building a new life.

Guests:

•  Floribert Mubalama, the founder and CEO of the Seattle-based Congolese Integration Network
• Francoise Milinganyo, the Executive Director of Congolese Integration Network 
• University of Washington lecturer Dr. Francis Abugbilla

Related Links:

Why Are Congo and Rwanda at War? —NYT

Martin Gordon, Anglican bishop of Goma, calls for peace in the DRC —NPR

Congolese Integration Network Seattle 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW. You help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.