A Realist Perspective on the Regional Significance of State Failure. Case Study: The Democratic Republic of Congo, 1996-2006 By Fabrice Nshimirimana (208509632) Submitted to the College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, Cluster of International and Public Affairs in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Social Sciences in International Relations Prepared Under the Supervision of Doctor (Dr.) Alison Jones At the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Republic of South Africa 31 July 2014 Author’s Signature--------------- ------------------------------------ International and Public Affairs 31 July 2014 Certified by -------------------------- ---------------------------- Doctor (Dr.) Alison Rae Jones Senior Lecturer: School of Social Sciences Dissertation’s Supervisor ©2014 University of KwaZulu-Natal All rights reserved Abstract Since the demise of the Cold War, the concept of state failure predominantly has been utilized as a corrective to prevalent approaches designed to promote global peace, development, or humanitarian assistance. These attempts were in accordance with the idealist perspective. However, the events of 11 September in the United States gave rise to the global security concerns. State failure, since then, is no longer regarded as solely located in underdevelopment discourse, but as threat to regional security, and ultimately to global security. The concept of „failed state‟ increasingly is making an impact on security discourse. This dissertation explores the security threats posed by failed states to regional stability viewed from a realist perspective. It elucidates the historical trajectories of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which led it to definitively become a failed state. Although the causes of the Congo‟s failure, seemingly, originate from Belgian colonization and Cold War rivalries, post-independence Congolese political and military elites have maintained and increased its weakness, through secession wars, rebellions, corruption and poor governance. This dissertation contributes to the existing literature on the impact of state failure on regional security by demonstrating why and how, in addition to poor leadership, the DRC has been paralysed by continued conflicts over its natural resources fuelled by regional and global actors in collusion with domestic actors. In particular, the case-study investigates the impact of the 1996-2006 DRC civil wars on the Great Lakes Region. The research demonstrates the extent to which the DRC has been weakened by a combination of the following problematics: past security conditions; absence of sufficient military capability to defend its borders; and inadequate provision of law and order within its territory. In consequence, Congo has become a vortex of regional rivalry and contention. ii Declaration Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Social Science in International Relations, to the College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, Cluster of International and Public Affairs, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Republic of South Africa. I, Fabrice Nshimirimana, declare that: 1. The research reported in this dissertation, except where otherwise indicated, is my original work. 2. This dissertation has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. 3. This dissertation does not contain other persons‟ data, pictures, graphs or other information, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons. 4. This dissertation does not contain other persons‟ writing, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then: a. Their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced b. Where their exact words have been used, then their writing has been placed in italics and inside quotation marks, and referenced. 5. This dissertation does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the dissertation and in the References sections. Author‟s name: Fabrice Nshimirimana Author‟s signature: ---------- ------------------------------------------ Supervised by Dr. Alison Rae Jones Supervisor‟s signature: ---------- ------------------------------------------------------ Date: 31 July 2014 iii Acknowledgements Dissertation writing might seem as an individual project, but it has encompassed many people for it being successful. I have drown ideas to compile this research project from my previous study done at the Honours level, which attempted to investigate the role played by ethnicity in the consecutive wars between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. I have, however, found it difficult to begin with a new title at Masters Level, however: thanks to Dr. Suzanne Francis and Dr. Alison Jones for their help. The contribution of this dissertation would surely be inadequate without the proficient guidance of many people. I, first, would like to express my gratitude towards Dr. Alison Jones for her supervision, support and valuable comments, which cannot be easily described in this research paper. Her vast and thorough knowledge of Political Science in general, and particularly African Studies, have made my task manageable, “You have been an inspiration for my future career; I have learnt a lot from you.” Her immense sacrifice of personal time and energy is greatly appreciated and deserve profound thank. I also would like to thank many of my lecturers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who have provided me with ample knowledge, advice and great scholarly role models. My gratitude goes to John Cameron, Amanda Barratt, Biniam Misgun, Ayo Whetho, Sanele Nene, Kerry Frizelle, Belinda Johnson, Dr. Lubna Nadvi, Professor Ufo Uzodike, and Professor Kevin Durrheim, whose academic skills, publications and lessons continue to fill my academic inspiration. I would like to thank the University of KwaZulu-Natal for funding this research. I am also thankful to the KwaZulu-Natal Language Institute for editing some chapters of this research. I would like to acknowledge them with deep appreciation. I would like to extend my appreciation to my colleagues and family for being helpful and supportive. In particular, I would like to thank Mphatso Moses Kaufulu and Coma for providing me with helpful information during my research. I am grateful to my brothers Jean Nicolas Semayugi and Jeff Juma, my sisters Esperance Muhirwa for always remained supportive and loving. My sons, Divin and Fabrice Junior are an endless source of joy and inspiration. Thanks to all of you. You have all gone to great lengths to help me attain my goal. This research project would not have existed without your contributions. iv Dedication To my beloved sons Divin R. and Fabrice Junior R. v Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................. page ii Declaration .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements................................................................................................................... iv Dedication.................................................................................................................................. v Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... vi Lists of Boxes and Tables ......................................................................................................... x Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................ xi Glossary of Names and Ethnic Terms ................................................................................... xvi CHAPTER ONE ...................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE DISSERTATION .................................................................... 1 1.1. Background and Outline of Research Problem ................................................................... 1 1.2. Preliminary Literature Study and Reasons for Choosing Topic ......................................... 2 1.3. Research Problems and Objectives: Key Questions ........................................................... 4 1.3.1. Central Research Problem ................................................................................................ 4 1.3.2. Research Questions .......................................................................................................... 4 1.3.3. Research Objectives ......................................................................................................... 5 1.4. Principal Theories upon which the Research Project is Constructed ................................. 5 1.5. Research Methodology and Methods .................................................................................. 9 1.6. Overview of the Research ................................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................... 12 CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK