DRC Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act

DRC Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act (S2125), introduced by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in December 2005, was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate last summer, and it has significant bipartisan support in the House, led by Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ). Although the bill was expected to make the suspension calendar for passage by unanimous consent in the House before the summer recess, this did not happen.

We believe that State Department officials convinced House leadership at that time to block the bill’s passage. But Republican and Democratic leadership has changed since November elections. We now have a second chance to pass S2125 by targeting new Republican and Democratic leaders in the House to press for the inclusion of S2125 on the suspension calendar when the House comes back into session after Thanksgiving recess.

Warfare in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1998 has resulted in more than 4 million deaths. Some have been killed by armies or militias, most have died due to displacement, and the destruction of health services in their communities. The United Nations Mission in the Congo (MONUC) has played an important role in restoring order.

Although war formally ended in 2003, grave human rights violations including extrajudicial executions, kidnapping, torture, rape, threats and intimidation, use of child soldiers, and denial of access to food, medical care and shelter are still perpetrated. Victims and survivors of this violence are disproportionately among the most vulnerable: women, children, and the elderly.

It will take years to restore basic services like clinics and schools, train a professional, integrated and accountable police force and military, and otherwise support the Congolese in protecting their human rights and rebuilding their nation. S. 2125 would help ensure that the United States provides the support necessary to achieve these goals.