UPSC Prelims 2004 Q85: Current Affairs – International Conflicts & Security
In which one of the following countries, did an ethnic violence between the communities of
Hema and Lendu result in the death of hundreds of people?
- (a) Democratic Republic of Congo
- (b) Indonesia
- (c) Nigeria
- (d) Zambia
Answer: (a) Democratic Republic of Congo
Explanation
Hema and Lendu ethnic violence
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| Democratic Republic of Congo | Yes — Ituri district, 1999 to 2003 |
| Indonesia | No |
| Nigeria | No |
| Zambia | No |
The ethnic violence between the Hema and Lendu communities took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the Ituri region.
Answer: (a) Democratic Republic of Congo.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Hema-Lendu conflict was in the DR Congo.
- (b) Incorrect. Indonesia's conflicts were with other groups.
- (c) Incorrect. Nigeria's tribal clashes involve other groups.
- (d) Incorrect. Zambia was not in this conflict.
Key point
Africa: Hutu-Tutsi in Rwanda; Hema-Lendu in DRC; Janjaweed in Sudan.
Remember
The Hema-Lendu conflict took place in the DR Congo.
Common mistakes
- Mixing Hema-Lendu with Hutu-Tutsi of Rwanda.
- Choosing Nigeria for ethnic violence.
- Forgetting the Ituri region of the Congo.
Exam tip
Ituri: gold, ethnic militias, UN peacekeepers 2003.
Sources
- United Nations Security Council — Resolution 1484 (2003) on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ituri, Bunia)
- Human Rights Watch — Ituri: "Covered in Blood": Ethnically Targeted Violence in Northeastern DR Congo (July 2003)