What are the causes and effects of the second Congo war?

The Second Congo War, which erupted in 1998, was primarily driven by the power vacuum following the Rwandan Genocide, regional rivalries, and longstanding ethnic tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Key causes included the involvement of multiple neighboring countries and armed groups seeking to exploit the DRC's vast mineral resources. The war resulted in devastating humanitarian consequences, including an estimated 5.4 million deaths, widespread displacement, and severe human rights abuses. Additionally, it destabilized the region, leading to ongoing conflicts and political instability in central Africa.