Today the Congo is a place known for starvation, sexual abuse, execution, and slavery, yet Americans still tend to shy away from these devastating facts and ignore what is happening. Emile Hirsch (a famous American actor) recently traveled to Africa (and the Congo) to raise awareness on the situation.
The Congo has a total population of 55 million people. It is under a dictatorship, and its people continue to suffer. One woman recounts her rape in the Congo, “They were beating me so much I lost count after four or five, but there were perhaps as many as 20 in the group.” It is rapes and sexual abuse like this that makes the spread of HIV/AIDS continue to grow. As a result Africa is the leading country for individuals infected with the HIV/AIDS virus.
These issues have been taking place over several years, and have finally come to a head. In 1994 the Rwandan genocide occurred in which 800,000 Tutsi individuals were murdered over the course of a 100 day period. Eventually the Tutsi fought back, and their murderers, the Hutu retreated, however, the strife lead to a need for basic food and water, and it has been reported that since that attack 5.4 million people have died from hardships.
Since the Congo is under a dictatorship, slavery is also a common problem that is continuing to make people suffer. Children are enslaved, and some women are forced into sexual slavery as well. Secret policemen and presidential guards help enforce this, and the Congo continues to be a scary place to live.
It is still unclear why no one is taking more action. Hopefully in time we will see other countries such as America reach out and help those living in the Congo. It is truly sad that the individuals that live there are living such terrible lives, and that no one is putting a stop to it. Only time will tell what will happen in the Congo, hopefully the circumstances there will improve.
Sources:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20031130/ai_n12585716
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