DOCSLIB.ORG

Religion and Conflict Transformation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1999-2004

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Religion and Conflict Transformation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1999-2004 Religion and Conflict Transformation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1999-2004 Ayo Whetho A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Political Science in the School of Politics, Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa November 2006 Supervisor: Dr. Nwabufo Okeke-Uzodike Abstract This study investigates the role of religious networks in the conflict transformation process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 1999 and 2004. Religious groups are an important segment of Congolese civil society in that they wield enormous influence in the Congolese polity that has been characterised by years of arbitrary rule, crisis of governance and, most recently, state deflation/failure or declining state capacity arising froma deadly and complex conflict that has been labelled "Africa's First World War". Over the years, DR Congo's religious networks have demonstrated their comparative advantage in social service delivery in the face of maladministration or malfeasance and corruption on the part of the political elite. The onset of war in the DRC deepened the imperative forconstructive engagement by faith-basedgroups in the public domain, not least in the area of peace building. Drawing from the eschatological underpinning of liberation theology as well as existential causalities, religious networks have undertaken a number of initiatives in the conflict transformation spectrum with a view to building sustainable peace in the DRC. This study, in its explication of the specific roles of faith-based actors in the DRC's peacebuilding process, contends that the involvement of religious networks in such activities as peace advocacy, humanitarian/relief provision, mediation, reconciliation, demobilisation/reintegration of ex-combatants and reconstruction necessitates the rethinking of the overarching paradigm which portrays religion exclusively as a negative factor in conflict situations. Hence, this study seeks to provide insight into the constructive role of religion in public life, albeit with due cognisance of its ambivalent character by which is meant the recognition of religion both as a force for bad and a resource for good. This study contextualises the positive role of religion in public life with reference to the involvement of religious networks in the DRC's conflict transformation process. It also seeks to replace the formal governmental peace process paradigm with a more encompassing framework that encapsulates important and powerful civil society/non- 11 governmental networks, of which faith-based organisations are a part, in peacebuilding processes in Africausing the DR Congo as a case study. lll Declaration I declare that except where explicitly stated to the contrary, this dissertation - "Religion and Conflict Transformation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1999-2004" - is my original work. Ayo Whetho November 2006 lV Dedication This work is dedicated to Jehovah God, my help in years past and my hope for years to come; the One who ceases not to perfect our laudable ambitions - and also to my mother and siblings. V Acknowledgement I wish to express my profound gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Nwabufo Okeke Uzodike forhis invaluable assistance, guidance, encouragement and suggestions towards ensuring the completion of this work. His poise, professionalism and integrity have been sources of academic inspiration to me. I am also grateful to all staff in the School of Politics for their kind assistance, which has made my sojourn in South Africa a pleasant one and has also given impetus to my academic pursuits. I owe a debt of gratitude to my mother, Mrs. Shade Whetho and my uncle, Dr. Felix Eke­ Metoho for their unalloyed support. Special thanks are reserved for my siblings (Segun, Setin, Seyon, Medese, Sonayon and Fun.mi) fortheir love and understanding as they have had to endure the "pains" of my absence at home. My deepest appreciation also goes to prodigious benefactors namely Mr. & Mrs. Sola & Kemi Ogunmeru and Mr. (hopefully soonest Dr.) Victor Ojakorotu. I also appreciate the invaluable support I have received from Mr. Segun Ogunyannwo, Mr. & Mrs. Christopher & Efe Isike, Mrs. Uju Uzodike, Bishop Edward Ishaya, Messrs. Christopher Ifeacho, Najero Okoro, Tayo Abatan, Anthony Corsy, Bobby Bright, Tolu Akoyokun, Ranti Moses and Kunle Ola. The families of Mr. & Mrs. Nathan & Barbara Labuschagne, Mr. & Mrs. Norman & Yvonne Christison and Mr. & Mrs. Rozani deserve special mention for not only making me feel at home in South Africabut also serving as fountainsof (spiritual) support. I am profoundly grateful to all the Congolese who obliged me with responses to the questionnaire and participated in the interviews. The research support I received from these Congolese, who remain anonymous for the purpose of confidentiality, is deeply appreciated. I also wish to thank the University of KwaZulu-Natal Scholarship Committee (and the Archbishop Denis E. Hurley Scholarship Trust in particular) for awarding me a scholarship which assisted in no small measure towards completing this research. Needless to say, I alone take fullresponsibility forthis work. Vl Abbreviations AACC All AfricaConference of Churches AFDL Alliance des forces democratiques pour la liberation du Congo-Zaire i.e. Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire AU AfricanUnion CBCN Communaute Baptiste du Congo Nord i.e. the Baptist Community of Northern Congo CEI Commission Electorate Independante i.e. the Independent Electoral Commission CELPA La Communaute des Eglises Libres de Pentecote en Afriquei.e. the Community of the Free Churches of Pentecost in Africa CENCO Conference episcopale nationale du Congo i.e. the National Episcopal Conferenceof Congo CEPAC Communaute des Eglises de Pentecote en AfriqueCentrale i.e. the Community of the Churches of Pentecost in Central Africa CFA Commission forAfrica CIIR Catholic Institute for International Relations CJP Commission forJustice and Peace CJPC Commission Justice et Paix Congo i.e. the Justice and Peace Commission of the Congo CNS Conference nationale souveraine i.e. Sovereign National Conference CRS Catholic Relief Services CSOs Civil Society Organisations DRC Democratic Republic of the Congo ECC Eglise du Christ au Congo i.e. the Church of Christ in the Congo ECZ Eglise du Christ au Zaire i.e. the Church of Christ in Zaire EJCSK l 'Eglise de Jesus-Christ sur la Terre par le Prophete Simon Kimbangu i.e. the Church of Jesus Christ on Earth by the Prophet Simon Kimbangu FNLC Front national de la liberation du Congo i.e. National Front for the Liberation of the Congo Vll FP Force Publique i.e. Public Forces ICC InternationalCriminal Court ICD Inter-Congolese Dialogue ICG InternationalCrisis Group ICTR International Criminal Tribunalfor Rwanda IDPs InternallyDisplaced Persons IRC InternationalRescue Committee IRC-DRC Inter-religious Council of the Democratic Republic of the Congo LPA Lusaka Peace Accord MCC Mennonite CentralCommittee MONUC Mission des Nations Unies en Republique Democratique du Congo i.e. United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo NIC National Islamic Council OAU Organisation of African Unity RCD Rassemblement Congolais pour la Democratie i.e. the Congolese Rally forDemocracy SADC Southern AfricanDevelopment Community sec Sudan Council of Churches UDPS Union pour la democratie et le progres social i.e. Union for Democracy and Social Progress ULC Universite libre du Congo i.e. the Free University of the Congo UMC United Methodist Church UMCOR United Methodist Church Committee on Relief UN United Nations UNITA Uniao Nacional para a Jndependencia Total de Angola i.e. the National Union forTotal Independence of Angola wee World Council of Churches ... Vlll Table of Contents Contents Page Abstract .............................................................................................. ii Declaration ......................................................................................... iv Dedication ............................................................................................. v Acknowledgement ................................................................................. vi Abbreviations ..................................................................................... vii Table of Contents ................................................................................... ix List of tables/figures .............................................................................. xii Chapter One .......................................................................................... 1 Introduction ......................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction .............................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ............................................................... 3 1.3 Objectives of the research ............................................................ 6 1.4 Scope of the study ........................................................................ 7 1.5 The significance of the study .......................................................... 8 1.6 Methodology- ............................................................................... 9 1. 7 Structure of the study ................................................................ 10 Chapter Two ......................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ebola Virus Disease
    EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment Page 1 WHO Health Emergency Program EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE Date of issue: 25 May 2018 Data as reported by: 23 May 2018 Grade Cases Deaths CFR 1. Situation update 3 52 22 42.3% The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues. The Ministry of Health, WHO and partners carried out data cleaning and reclassification of cases and deaths, following ongoing epidemiologic and laboratory investigations. The investigations invalidated eight of the initial 17 historical probable cases reported in Bikoro. Since the beginning of the outbreak (on 4 April 2018), a total of 52 suspected EVD cases and 22 deaths (case fatality rate 42.3%) have been reported, as of 23 May 2018. Of the 52 cases, 31 have been laboratory confirmed, 13 probable (deaths for which biological samples were not obtained) and eight suspected cases. About 55% (17) of the confirmed cases came from Iboko, followed by Bikoro (10 cases, 32%) and Wangata (4). A total of five healthcare workers have been affected, with four confirmed cases and two deaths. In the latest events that occurred on 23 May 2018, one new confirmed EVD case has been reported in Iboko and one new death of a confirmed case has occurred in Bikoro. Three new suspected cases have been reported from Bikoro (2) and Iboko (1). Seven laboratory specimens (from suspected cases reported previously) in Wangata (5) and Bikoro (2) have tested negative, and have been discarded (non-cases). The outbreak is still localised to the three health zones initially affected: Iboko (24 cases and 3 deaths), Bikoro (23 cases and 16 deaths) and Wangata (5 cases and 3 deaths).
    [Show full text]
  • Conflict Timber: Dimensions of the Problem in Asia and Africa Volume III Table of Contents
    Final Report Submitted to the United States Agency for International Development Conflict Timber: Dimensions of the Problem in Asia and Africa Volume III African Cases Authors Murl Baker, Conflict Resolution Specialist Robert Clausen, Forester Ramzy Kanaan, Natural Resources Management Specialist Michel N’Goma, Forester Trifin Roule, Forensic Economist Jamie Thomson, Institutional Specialist Under the Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry (BIOFOR) IQC Contract No. LAG-I-00-99-00013-00, Task Order 09 Submitted to: USAID/OTI and USAID/ANE/TS Submitted by: ARD, Inc. 159 Bank Street, Suite 300 Burlington, Vermont USA 05401 Tel: (802) 658-3890 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................................... ii OVERVIEW OF CONFLICT TIMBER IN AFRICA .............................................................................................1 DR CONGO CASE STUDY AND APPENDIXES ...................................................................................................7 GABON CASE STUDY ..........................................................................................................................................116 GUINEA CASE STUDY.........................................................................................................................................126 LIBERIA CASE STUDY ........................................................................................................................................137
    [Show full text]
  • Justice and Poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a Challenge to the Church
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Unisa Institutional Repository JUSTICE AND POVERTY IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: A CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH by EALE BOSELA EKAKHOL submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY in the subject THEOLOGICAL ETHICS at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA PROMOTER: PROF. RTH DOLAMO June 2009 II DECLARATION Student Number: 35906235 I declare that JUSTICE AND POVERTY IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: A CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. ________________________ _________________ EALE BOSELA EKAKHOL DATE III SUMMARY The central theme of this study involves an ethical examination of the issues of justice and poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Chapter one deals with the methodology of the research. It also provides an overview of the DRC. Chapter two shows that justice occupies a special place in society. It represents a fundamental aspect of human beings that illustrates one’s humanity. In the biblical perspective, justice is considered as a chief attribute of God. Chapter three discusses the phenomenon of poverty in the world, particularly in developing nations where people are unable to meet their basic needs. The chapter explores different causes of poverty on the African continent, as well as the crisis of underdevelopment, which to some extent is attributed to the exploitation of African nations by the Western powers.
    [Show full text]
  • A Critique of the Development Approach of Kongo Central Protestant Church in Poverty Alleviation
    TOWARDS A FUNCTIONAL DEACONATE UNITY: A CRITIQUE OF THE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH OF KONGO CENTRAL PROTESTANT CHURCH IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION By NUNI-NDUNDU MAKITU 216076102 Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Religion Philosophy and Classics, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Supervisor Dr. Clint Le Bruyns 2019 DECLARATION I, Nuni-Ndundu Makitu, hereby declare that the research presented under the title, “Towards a functional deaconate unity: a critique of the development approach of Kongo Central Protestant Church in poverty alleviation”, is my original work, except where otherwise indicated. Further, this thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. It does not contain information copied from the Internet unless specifically acknowledged as such with the sources provided in detail. Signature: ---------------------------------------- Date: ------------------------------------ Nuni-Ndundu Makitu Signature: ---------------------------------------- Date: ------------------------------------ Dr. Clint Le Bruyns i DEDICATION - To my regretted parents Jean Nuni and Myriam Nkanani Sumba from whom I inherited this brain of intelligence; - To my late sisters Helene Mambueni Masika and Suzanne Kintona Diena Ma Suza, who initiated this project without seeing its achievement; - To Margueritte Yawutua Makiese the one who understood and supported my passion despite all the vicissitudes of life; - Finally, to
    [Show full text]
  • Education Policies and the Development of the Colonial State in the Belgian Congo, 1916-1939
    Education policies and the development of the colonial state in the Belgian Congo, 1916-1939. Submitted by Marie Elizabeth Dunkerley, to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History, September 2009. Education policies and the development of the colonial state in the Belgian Congo, 1916-1939. Submitted by Marie Elizabeth Dunkerley, to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History, September 2009. This thesis is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. I certify that all material in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has previously been submitted and approved for the award of a degree by this or any other University. (signature) Marie Dunkerley Abstract Taking the transformative potential of education as its starting point, this thesis analyses Belgian attempts to use schools policy to strengthen the hegemony of the colonial state in the Congo during the interwar years. Through an empirical treatment of the development of the colonial school system, based largely on archival research, the study pursues two main contentions. The first is that the Belgian colonial authorities played a far more direct role in formulating and implementing education policy than is often believed. The second is that the state authorities’ interest in education was defined both by the economic imperative of colonial exploitation, which compelled them to train skilled workers, and the fear that access to education would fuel potential sedition.
    [Show full text]
  • Ebola Virus Disease
    EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment Page 1 WHO Health Emergency Program EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE Date of issue: 29 May 2018 Data as reported by: 27 May 2018 Grade Cases Deaths CFR 1. Situation update 3 54 25 46.3% The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is still active. On 27 May 2018, one new suspected EVD case was reported in Wangata. Three laboratory specimens from suspected cases reported previously in Iboko (1), Ntondo (1) and Wangata (1) health zones have tested negative (non- cases). There were no new confirmed cases and deaths. Since the beginning of the outbreak (on 4 April 2018), a total of 54 suspected EVD cases and 25 deaths (case fatality rate 46.3%) have been reported, as of 27 May 2018. Of the 54 cases, 35 have been laboratory confirmed, 13 probable (deaths for which biological samples were not obtained) and six suspected cases. Sixty percent (21) of the confirmed cases came from Iboko, followed by Bikoro (10 cases, 29%) and Wangata (4). A total of five healthcare workers have been affected, with four confirmed cases and two deaths. The outbreak is still localised to the three health zones initially affected: Iboko (27 cases and 6 deaths), Bikoro (22 cases and 16 deaths) and Wangata (5 cases and 3 deaths). The suspected EVD case reported in Ntondo Health Zone on 25 May 2018 has tested negative and thus a non-case. As of 26 May 2018, a total of 906 contacts have been recorded and are being followed up actively.
    [Show full text]
  • Democratic Republic of Congo Public Expenditure Review (PER) Public Disclosure Authorizedpublic Disclosure Authorized
    Report No42167-ZR Report No 42167-ZR (PER) Review RepublicofCongoPublicExpenditure Democratic Democratic Republic of Congo Public Expenditure Review (PER) Public Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure Authorized March 2008 Poverty Reduction and Economic Management 3 Africa Region Public Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure Authorized Document of the World Bank Public Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure Authorized Co-produced with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo Department for International Development MICS2 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2nd Series MinBud Ministry of Budget MinEPSP Ministry of Primary, Secondary, and Professional Education MinFin Ministry of Finance MinSect Line Ministries MinWA Ministry of Women’s Affaires MSF Médecins sans Frontières MTEF Medium-Term Expenditure Framework NGO Non-governmental organization NPV Net present value ODA Official Development Aid OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OFIDA Customs Agency (Office des Douanes et Accises) OGEDEP Debt management agency (Office de Gestion de la Dette Publique) PER Public Expenditure Review PETS Public Expenditure Tracking Survey PFM Public Financial Management PHC Primary health care PPG Public and publicly guaranteed PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper PSF Pharmaciens sans Frontières SANRU Santé Rural Project SP Deconcentrated provincial offices (Services Provinciaux) SWAP Sector Wide Approach TENAFEP The exam required to pass 6th grade/primary level TOFE Treasury Operations Report (Tableau des Operations Financières et Économiques) UN United Nations UNAIDS United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund UNCTAD United Nations Conference for Trade and Development USAID United States Agency for International Development US$ United States Dollar WHO World Health Organization Vice President: Obiageli K. Ezekwesili Country Director: Marie-Francoise Marie-Nelly Sector Director: Sudhir Shetty Sector Manager: Jan Walliser Lead Economist: Hinh T.
    [Show full text]
  • The Linguistic Features of Bangala Before Lingala: the Pidginization of Bobangi in the 1880S and 1890S
    https://www.afrikanistik-aegyptologie-online.de/archiv/2019/5012/ The linguistic features of Bangala before Lingala: The pidginization of Bobangi in the 1880s and 1890s Michael Meeuwis Ghent University Summary Described are the lexical and grammatical features of the pidgin Bangala, spoken between roughly 1880 and 1900 in western, northern, and northeastern Congo. This pidgin formed the basis of what after 1900 became, in northern and western Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lingala, and what in northeastern DRC remained known as “Bangala”. Pre-1900 Bangala arose out of the pidginization of Bobangi in the context of the arrival of the first European conquerors and their East and West African troops. First is discussed the sociohistorical evidence given by contemporaneous sources for the emergence of Bangala out of Bobangi and its development then into Lingala. The problematic notions of “pidgin” and “pidginization” is also addressed. The bulk of the article then describes the linguistic features of the pidgin. This is done on the basis of contemporaneous sources, documenting the lan- guage as it was spoken in its own time, and on the basis of strict data selection criteria. The linguistic features of the pidgin included, in the lexicon, the loss of the functional load of tone, the scarcity of function words, word category indeterminacy through generalization and multifunctionality, foreign input, and more than average use of transparent periphrasis; and, in the grammar, reduction of nominal class inflection and of agreement patterns in the noun phrase, reduction in subject person inflection on the verb, reduction of tense-aspect-modality distinctions, loss or reduction of root ex- tensions, and a strong general tendency away from morphological syntheticity towards syntactic ana- lyticization.
    [Show full text]