The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is slowly getting back on its feet from what is known as ‘Africa’s world war’, which claimed some five million lives between 1994 and 2003. Yet many areas, especially in the east, are still enmeshed in conflict, and peace and stability has yet to take root in the country. This paper describes the conflicts in Congo and argues that such hostilities have been exacerbated by the involvement of external state actors surrounding the republic. Despite agreements forged and the UN’s efforts, peace has been elusive in this region, and for many reasons, including conflicting claims to natural resources,and the realpolitik aims of various countries and of ethnic groups in and outside the DRC. This paper gives a sketch of current developments in the country and the prospects for genuine peace.