Five things about DR Congo, a Catholic country, poor and full of wealth

The Pope Francisco will travel on January 31 to Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)the largest Catholic country in Africawhich enjoys a subsoil rich in mineralsalthough the majority of its population is poor.

Rich country with poor population

Copper, cobalt, gold, diamonds, uranium, coltan and tin are some of the minerals present in the subsoil of this central African country, which became independent from Belgium in 1960.

It also boasts enormous hydroelectric potential — the first among African countries — and has 80 million hectares of arable land.

But despite these riches, two thirds of its 100 million inhabitants live on less than US$2.15 a day, the level set as the international poverty line by the World Bank.

culture mosaic

With 2.345 million km2, the DRC is the second largest country in Africa after Algeria and, according to estimates, the fourth most populous African state after Nigeria, Ethiopia and Egypt.

It is also the most multi-ethnic country on the continent, with 250 registered ethnic groups, mainly Bantu.

Its official language is French, but it also has four other national languages, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba and Swahili. To these are added some 200 local languages.

Yet national unity persists, despite a brief separatist adventure in the wealthy Katanga region in the 1960s and attempts to “balkanization” from the east of the country.

the war in the east

The country has experienced two wars in its recent history: the first in 1996-1997 managed to depose the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, and the second between 1998 and 2003 that involved new African countries, some thirty armed groups and almost caused the implosion. from the country

Since then, the situation has stabilized in a large part of the territory, but the eastern provinces, bordering Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, have remained prey for 30 years to the violence of various armed groups fighting to control wealth between neighboring communities and countries. .

secular but religious

The secularism of the State has been enshrined in the constitution since 1974. There is no official religion and everyone is free to practice the religion of their choice.

The country is 40% Catholic (49% according to the Vatican), 35% Protestant or Evangelical, 9% Muslim and 10% Kimbanguist, a Christian denomination born in the Congo.

But it is difficult to declare yourself an atheist in the country, where religion permeates society, education, public life, politics… a habit that dates back to the Belgian colony, when education was in the hands of Catholic missionaries.

Rumba, SAPE and wit

To cope with life’s difficulties, the Congolese developed a strong sense of humor and wit, for example with an imaginary article in their Constitution, “article 15”which essentially says “get ready”.

Music is also intimately linked to their existence, especially music. “congolese rumba”declared intangible cultural heritage of humanity in December 2021.

They are also known for their well-studied taste in appearance and clothing, called “SAPE” for “Animated Society of Elegant People”.

(With information from AFP)