Conflict about natural resources and the prospect of development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Abstract

As a departure from the general debate on the nexus between natural resources endowment and conflict in Africa, which focuses on the authoritarian nature of African states, the rise of ethnic militias, corruption and the policies and activities of foreign oil multinationals, the objective of the paper is to trace and explain the cause of conflict and underdevelopment in DRC as a product of history. Using secondary data and a qualitative analytical framework, the paper argues that the prevailing conflict on natural resources in DRC has its roots in colonial history. It found that, as in the past, there are state and non-state interests behind the exploitation of natural resources whereby groups and citizens excluded from the accumulation process resort to violence. The paper then suggests the deployment and utilization of indigenous knowledge and practices with modern approaches to the resolution of conflict and management of resources in the country.