Natural Resources and Violent Conflict in Central Africa
Publisher: Innovations for Peace and Development, University of Texas
Author(s): Andrew Stravers, Raheem Chaudhry, Tawheeda Wahabzada, and Michael Findley
Date: 2016
Topics: Conflict Causes, Extractive Resources
Countries: Congo (DRC)
Conflict has ravaged the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for almost two decades. Scholars have proposed a number of theories to explain the role that mineral resources have played in this ongoing conflict. Some claim that natural resources play a leading role in providing funding for rebel operations, and others argue that the presence of resources in the DRC is incidental to a conflict that has other origins. In fact, both of these narratives may be correct but under different sets of circumstances.