The dynamics of peace building in South Kivu, 2004-2011, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Abstract

South-Kivu armed conflict is a result of issues related to the pillage of minerals, bad governance within the whole country, citizenship and power sharing matters of Rwandophones (Banyamulenge) within the sub-region. Both international and local actors took advantage of the existing situation to carry out their mayhem, further spoiling the state security in Kivu region. The study was conducted in eight territories of South-Kivu sub-region, plus two of its town cities of Bukavu and Uvira. The study objectives generally focused on exploring the dynamics of achieving a safe and secure peaceful environment in the sub-region through reestablishing state authority in the observance of the rule of law, strengthening the provincial parliament system and getting a stable government as well as improving social wellbeing. The study used qualitative data collection and simple statistical analysis of data. The qualitative design was used to bring out conflicts within communities, analyzing their causes and strategies used to cope with different armed conflicts. A total of two hundred fifty randomly selected respondents were interviewed and completed the questionnaires. Six focus group discussions were held in the six territories of South-Kivu sub-region. Major conflicts identified in the study area included conflicts over the control of mining sites in South-Kivu peripheral, territorial occupation, citizenship, land and power sharing conflicts within South-Kivu communities. The study recommended that the Congolese government in collaboration with the international community, have to strongly work together to implement and enforce effective policies that are able to mitigate and or stop armed conflicts and bring peace in the South-Kivu sub-region.