THE ROLE OE EXTERNAL ACTORS IN NATURAL RESOURCE BASE CONFLICTS; THE CASE OF DRC (1990-2005)

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the role of the external actors in conflicts that have become influenced by the availability and loot ability of natural resources like the DRC between 1990 and 2005. The analysis seeks to understand natural resource-based conflicts and the external actors involved in the illegal exploitation and plundering of the natural resources like the DRC conflict. The study sets out three objectives: To make a contribution to the literature on natural resources based conflicts, to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the external actors in the conflict and their role in the conflict especially the peace spoilers and widening the scope of internalization of the conflicts and to offer recommendation on policy mainstreaming in the area of conflict and natural resources, the study utilizes the greed theoretical frameworks as the analytical tools. The study reaches a number of conclusions. The DRC conflict is different from all conflicts and as such should be analyzed on its own in order to reach to a comprehensive analysis and influence sound peace agreements. Secondly weak institutions, infrastructures and poor decisions making by those in power have created space for the external actors to be able to venture and exploit the natural resources available in the DRC. The illegal exploitation of the DRC natural resources by external actors has been a problem that has never been resolved. The peace process has been treating the symptoms and not the root causes of the conflict and has been narrow in facing the conflict issues hence the management process has been settlement oriented. I he analysis of the external actors also brought about different levels of internationalization: at the regional and international level as a result of the war economy. The study concludes that the DRC conflict needs to be analyzed at all levels and the state needs to be strengthened so it can shelve off external interference.