When we read, watch, or listen to global news from the so-called mainstream media, or our local media, certain conflicts get headlines while others remain woefully underreported.
Today’s world is rife with such ignored conflicts that threaten regional stability and have implications that can ripple across the globe. One such crisis is the ongoing battles between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, a complex web of hostilities that if left unchecked, could have far-reaching consequences
The history of the DRC and Rwanda is fraught with violent clashes, political spats, and deep-seated distrust. The current conflict primarily revolves around DRC accusations that Rwanda supports rebel groups inside the DRC, aiming to destabilize the region. Rwanda, in turn, accuses the DRC of harboring militant factions hostile to the Kagame government. This vicious cycle of accusations and retaliations has created a humanitarian crisis that has displaced thousands and caused untold suffering.
Despite the severity of this conflict, it has not gotten much global attention. There is scant international media coverage and very little international intervention. This kind of neglect is not an isolated phenomenon. Conflicts in places like Yemen, the Central African Republic, and Myanmar often fly under the radar, overshadowed by more prominently reported crises. This selective inattention, I believe, can be attributed to several factors, including narrow geopolitical interests, media biases, and a perceived lack of immediate threat to international stability.
In my opinion, this is wrongheaded and perilous. Localized wars have a tendency to eventually spill over borders, drawing neighbors into the fight and causing broader instability. The DRC-Rwanda conflict, for instance, has the potential to destabilize the entire Great Lakes region of Africa, which includes Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania. These countries are so interlinked, unrest in one can quickly lead to unrest in others, causing a domino effect that can be difficult to contain.
In addition, these conflicts are often fertile ground for extremist groups to thrive. In regions with weak governance, chaos prevails, and militant groups can gain a foothold, and then pose a global threat, as we’ve seen with the rise of groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS in Afghanistan. The spread of radical ideologies, human trafficking, and the proliferation of weapons are just some of the byproducts of unchecked regional conflicts that can have much broader implications.
The human cost of these conflicts is staggering. Civilians often bear the brunt of the violence, with displacement, famine, and disease run rampant as infrastructure is destroyed and access to basic needs is limited. These regional crises often lead to large-scale outmigration, with refugees seeking safety, and putting a strain on the limited resources of neighbors and even distant nations.
The international response to these responses has been woefully inadequate. The international commitment, to the DRC-Rwanda conflict, for example, has fallen short insofar as resources and sustained commitment is concerned.
The first step in achieving meaningful change and possible resolution of these conflicts is raising awareness. The media has a responsibility to shine a light on them, and the global public must demand accountability from their governments and international organizations.
The proliferation of conflicts around the world is not just a distant problem for ‘other people’ to solve. It is a global issue with potential repercussions for all of us. By ignoring these wars, we risk allowing them to fester and explode into larger crises that are far harder to address. It’s imperative that we pay attention, act with empathy, and work collectively to promote peace and stability all over the glove. | NWI
