Nelson Mandela International Essay Competition
on African Security and Development
Download
wake_mandelaessay08.pdf Chris Wake
Mandela Essay
2008 (89 Kb)
 

Bringing the Local Back into the DRC’s ‘Post’ Conflict Transition

Bringing the Local Back into the DRC’s ‘Post’ Conflict Transition: What Role Should Local Solutions Play in Bringing Peace to the Congo?

By Chris Wake

This essay was a runner-up in the 2008 Nelson Mandela International Essay Prize.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is struggling to recover from the deadliest conflict since the Second World War. Despite the presence of the largest UN peacekeeping operation (MONUC) in the world today, there is every possibility the Congo will relapse into devastating civil war. Both its colonial and post-colonial history has been brutally scarred by endemic corruption, external interference and ethnic strife.

Congo is the third largest country in Africa and possesses vast mineral wealth, but its immense economic potential has never been realised. If Africa is gradually shaking off its image as ‘the hopeless continent’, today the Congo would still epitomise the ‘hopeless country’.

The full essay can be viewed for free by clicking here.



Further Analysis: Congo, Africa

Bookmark and Share
More >> >>
RUSI Under 35's Forum
RUSI crest 2
Network for the next generation of policy-makers and thought leaders.
More >>
RUSI Library of Military History
Library Home Card
A unique collection of national historical and cultural importance.
More >>
New Benefits
Membership badge
A greater range of membership packages announced
More >>
Follow RUSI.org
Podcast badge
Follow RUSI through Twitter, Facebook and RSS feeds