It also opened the possibility of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, plans for which have been delayed because of concerns from donor countries. Fighting continues both between factions within the Democratic Republic of Congo, and their external supporters. The human rights record for Kabila's government remains poor. Citizens are denied the right to democratic elections. Security forces were responsible for numerous extra-judicial killings, disappearances, torture, beatings, rape, and other abuses.
Prison conditions remain harsh and life threatening.
The judicial branch suffered from a lack of resources, inefficiency and corruption, and proved ineffective as a deterrent to human rights abuses and as a corrective force. Violence against women is also a serious problem in the violation of human rights as the cases of rape and female genital mutilation have risen and were rarely punished. The new government instituted a tight fiscal policy that curbed inflation and currency depreciation, but saw little results after fighting in the eastern region began in 1998. The war that ensued dramatically reduced government revenue and increased external debt. Many foreign businesses have ceased operations causing a decline in investment and growth that was exacerbated by poor infrastructure, an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of transparency in government.