Jihadist Attacks, Sexual Violence, and Child Exploitation Escalate
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become one of the most dangerous places in the world for women and Christians, as jihadist attacks, rampant sexual violence, and child exploitation intensify. In February, Islamist ADF militants beheaded 70 Christians inside a church, continuing their push to establish an Islamic caliphate in eastern DRC. The United Nations has also reported an alarming 895 cases of rape in just two weeks, averaging over 60 rapes per day.
In addition to violence, the DRC faces mysterious disease outbreaks. The World Health Organization (WHO)recently confirmed an unknown illness in Equateur Province, which has already claimed 60 lives and infected over 1,300 people. The disease spreads quickly, with symptoms worsening within a day, yet tests for Ebola and Marburg virus have come back negative. Meanwhile, in Goma, armed men raided two hospitals, abducting dozens of patients in the ongoing conflict.
Children in the DRC are also being exploited, with reports indicating that kids as young as four are forced to work in cobalt mines. An estimated 70% of the world’s cobalt comes from the DRC, and China controls or co-owns 80% of these mines. The demand for minerals used in electronics, AI, and defense technologies has led to extreme human rights violations.
Security analysts argue that the conflict is fueled by control over the country’s vast mineral resources. Experts urge global intervention, particularly from the Trump administration, to counter terrorism, stabilize governance, and prevent a regional war. As violence escalates, the world watches to see if the DRC will find peace or plunge further into crisis.
Source: Foxnews