Ethnic militias and national security in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (1990-2021)

Abstract

There is no part of the world that has never experienced conflict. Despite this, many regions have advanced towards greater political, economic and social stability. However, sub-Saharan Africa has remained a bed rock of conflict characterized by ethnicity, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being an example. In the DRC, ethnic militia groups have had devastating effects on national security. They have promoted insecurity, undermined development and caused a lot of human suffering. The activities of ethnic militias in eastern DRC has led to forced displacements, economic and physical insecurity, and sexual violence among others. Ethnic militias are irregular force of civilians who have been trained to use arms the same way as the military forces of the state. The major distinction between these militias and government forces is that unlike the state that is only legitimate institution with the monopoly of use of force, ethnic militias are not legitimate. This research paper examines the nexus between ethnic militia and national security in eastern DRC. The ineffectiveness of the state to secure the lives and property of citizens in this part of the country has given opportunity for the ethnic militia groups to fill the gaps, hence, causing national insecurity. Ethnic militias remain a reality within the eastern DRC and they enjoy large followings in their localities since central government has not given the people in this region a sense of belonging. The findings of this study shows that the existence of ethnic militias have caused national insecurity, affected development and led to violation of human rights.