From Militias to Minerals: The Economic and Security Effects of the Rwanda-DRC Peace Accord on Eastern Congo
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55559/fgr.v2i1.28Keywords:
Peace Accord, Militias, Conflict Minerals, Eastern Congo, Post-conflict Security, Resource GovernanceAbstract
This paper examines the economic and security effects of the Rwanda-DRC Peace Accord to the conflict-stricken area of Eastern Congo. Nevertheless, the cycles of violence and illegal extraction of resources have become the order of the day in the region, despite the formal agreements that are meant to disarm militias and stabilize the situation in the mineral-rich regions. The study will be focused on evaluating whether the peace accord resulted in any significant decrease in militia activity and any gains in terms of mineral governance. It uses qualitative case study approach, which relies on interviews, policy reports and conflict mapping information to assess the post-accord developments in North and South Kivu. There are initial indications that although cross-border collaboration is now better and the number of militias demobilized, there are still formidable challenges in this regard that appear because of the ineffectiveness of institutions in implementing the goals and informal mining exploitation. The study is adding to peacebuilding and conflict economics literature and offers policy-relevant information on the sustainability of resources governance in the future and on the stability of the region of the Great Lakes region and further diplomatic work in the region.
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