What is Happening in Congo

A video recently shared to X shows a man in the conflict ridden democratic republic of Congo, setting himself on fire. The man can be seen standing with a sign that reads “stop the genocide in Congo” before pouring gasoline all over himself and setting himself on fire while refusing help from bystanders.

What pushed him to perform this act of self immolation? you may wonder, well the DRC has been experiencing conflict over two decades and his self sacrifice was an attempt to bring attention to the crisis.

The DRC is a massive Central African nation that’s been ravaged by armed groups in conflicts over ownership of territory and the country’s valuable supply of natural resources like gold, coltan and cobalt, which are essential components of the devices we use today.

Millions of civilians have been terrorized by these armed groups and have lost their lives and livelihoods in the process. Children have also been recruited as child soldiers by the groups.

Many have been left requiring urgent medical care and the economy is in shambles leaving millions of people without basic needs like food, water and shelter.

To increase awareness and international attention toward the crisis, activists are calling for a boycott of products made from materials sourced in the DRC including smartphones and laptops.