Understanding the DR Congo Conflicts&Security Dilemma

While existing publications on conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo have mainly focused on proximate/immediate causes and drivers starting in 1990s, this book documents untold historical and political facts that constitute the root causes of the country successive conflicts since 1960s. Thus, the main thrusts of the book are not current conflicts drivers that are in public domain such as the proliferation of armed groups, exploitation of natural resources, external interventions and support to rebel groups but governance failures under the country‘s successive regimes since independence. The book demonstrates how governance failures at all levels of the DRC governments since 1960s have enabled a situation of persistent insecurity and conflicts, making the DRC a typical example of state that has failed to transform into a veritable nation. Current conflict drivers are rooted in the governance failure given that the leadership in DRC has in many instances, failed to create and foster a sustainable environment in which these issues can be tackled. More so, that situation has made the eastern DRC a regional security threat in which neighboring countries have been at odds with each other in attempts to guarantee their own security. The book also documents how national and international efforts have missed the opportunity to address the root causes, focusing instead on superficial issues that serve the interests of some main international and local actors. The book concludes with actionable recommendations that are rooted in local and regional context, taking into account the complexity and dynamic of the Great Lakes political and security issues.