Dongo conflict

Quick Facts: Who was Dongo conflict?

Subject:

Dongo conflict

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A major 2009 conflict in the DRC over fishing rights, causing massive displacement.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Dongo conflict was a minor conflict centered in the town of Dongo, on the left bank of the Ubangi River in Sud-Ubangi District, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Violence initially broke out in late October 2009 after a local dispute over fishing rights. This destabilised the region and led to a spiral of violence, and an exodus of civilians attempting to flee from the fighting. By December 2009, this conflict was one of the biggest conflicts of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) and the United Nations; more than 168,000 people had fled their homes, many of them crossing into the neighbouring Republic of the Congo. An intervention by the Congolese army and MONUC brought the conflict to an end by 13 December 2009.

Career & Major Achievements

Dongo is a small town on the Ubangi River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on its frontier with the Republic of the Congo. The conflict at Dongo began in July 2009 with a dispute over the ownership of fish ponds claimed by people from Enyele and Monzaya villages which had been disputed since 1946. In the confrontation, seven policemen were killed and ethnic tensions increased. By 5 November 2009 at least 16,000 civilians had fled to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo (ROC) and Dongo had become a ghost town. Further to the south, in Saba-Saba and in the Bomboma area, new fighting started on 17 November and the residents and the refugees from Dongo had to flee.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The refugees included members of the Congolese navy, which patrols the Ubangi River; they had to flee with their families because they had neither weapons nor ammunition to protect themselves. More clashes occurred in the village of Buburo on 20 November. Although the inhabitants had already fled, the attackers destroyed the houses there, including the UNHCR offices, which had also earlier evacuated its staff. By 30 November 2009 more than 70,000 people had been displaced. About half of the displaced remained in DRC, taking temporary shelter in locations such as Kungu, Bokonzi, Bomboma and Bonzene.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2009: 2009 Milestone — Violence initially broke out in late October 2009 after a local dispute over fishing rights.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dongo conflict

True or False: “The initial dispute that sparked the Dongo conflict was related to mineral extraction rights rather than fishing rights.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The violence initially broke out due to a local dispute over the ownership of fish ponds claimed by people from Enyele and Monzaya villages.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dongo conflict