The conflict in Congo is too complicated to explain in a five-minute video, so we've left most of the context out in order to focus on Pascal's story. For more background on the recent fighting, check out my Q&A on history, rebels and crisis in eastern Congo.

I've been reporting on DRC for five years now, and there's nothing that frustrates me more than the dismissive comments I often get about how conflict in Africa is endemic.

I wasn't surprised when the secret police stopped me and Michael Kavanagh as we headed out to film in Rutshuru [a town in North Kivu] in October. After all, it wasn't the first time I had been taken in by Congolese police for "carrying a camera," and "not having my paperwork in order."

The Democratic Republic of Congo has endured one of the world's bloodiest wars for over a decade. More than 5 million people have died, mostly from preventable disease and starvation.

In the last year alone, over a million people have fled the fighting in eastern Congo.

An estimated 250,000 children are exploited every day as child soldiers around the world. There are more than 30,000 former child soldiers in the West African nation of Liberia alone, many of whom are eager to help rebuild their country. Now a unique photography program is helping some of them see hope and beauty again, and regain the respect of their communities as peacemakers.

Airs beginning Friday, November 28, 2008

Michael will answer viewer questions about his experience in the Congo and the country's deteriorating situation on WorldFocus.org.

Michael Kavanagh of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting just returned from the battlegrounds of eastern Congo. He speaks with Martin Savidge about the roots of the ongoing conflict, the rebel demands and the worsening humanitarian crisis.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country again in turmoil. The latest violence involves a rebel general named Laurent Nkunda. Nkunda's managed to take over large swathes of eastern Congo with a small band of well-trained soldiers. Reporter Michael Kavanagh takes a look at the renegade general.