Families in the DRC sharing water delivered by the Red Cross. Photo by The International Committee of the Red Cross. Taken on October 26, 2012. No modifications have been made. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Original photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/icrc/8249728318.

Promoting Inclusive Peacebuilding in the African Great Lakes Region: A Case Study of the Democratic Republic of Congo

by Balingene Kahombo October 13, 2021

This Special Issue of Kujenga Amani brings together articles by Congolese scholars and researchers, largely from the University of Goma, examining peacebuilding efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and prospects for the future. The DRC remains one of the most conflict-affected and unstable countries in the African Great Lakes Region (AGLR) because of continued armed conflicts and political instability over almost three decades. The contributors explore possible methods of overcoming past failures and addressing current challenges by promoting inclusive peace and sustainable development in the AGLR.

Pigeon Kambale Mahuka’s essay explores the root causes and drivers of armed conflicts in the DRC and proffers some recommendations aimed at fostering peace, security and development. Olivier Bahoze reflects on the strategies for building peace in the DRC, proposes conditions under which ongoing conflicts can be resolved, and contends that future crises may be prevented through inclusive peacebuilding. In his contribution, Trésor Makunya Muhindo highlights the negative effects of the failure to include a gendered approach to peacebuilding in the DRC, citing low female participation in political and peace negotiations. He suggests a framework for engendering inclusive peace in the country. Balingene Kahombo’s essay draws attention to the need to improve the governance of natural resources in the AGLR. He explores four mechanisms of natural resource governance and identifies challenges that need to be addressed to promote peace and development in the region.

We hope that these reflections and recommendations will resonate with scholars, as well as shape the actions of decision makers and peacebuilders in the DRC and the AGLR.

Balingene Kahombo

Dr. Balingene Kahombo is an associate professor of public law and African international relations at the Faculty of Law, University of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He obtained his PhD at the Faculty of Law of the Free University of Berlin, Germany, with a scholarship awarded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and a grant provided by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). A graduate of High/Advanced Studies in public law, public international law, and international relations at the University of Kinshasa (DRC), he also holds a Licence en droit... Read more