AN ASSESSMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 1999-2010
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Date
2017
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University of Ilorin
Abstract
The protracted armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains a
major concern to the global community based on its high level of destruction. This had
necessitated the establishment of the first mission called the United Nations Operation in
Congo in 1960. The failure of the mission in resolving the conflict led to the
establishment of the second mission tagged the United Nations Mission in Democratic
Republic of Congo (MONUC) in 1999. Therefore, the study assessed the performance of
MONUC in relation to its mandate of resolving the ever-present crisis in DRC. The main
objective is to assess the impact of MONUC on the peace process in DRC. The specific
objectives are to: (i) identify the political dynamics of the peace process (ii) assess the
roles of civil society organisations in the peace process (iii) examine the challenges of the
mission in relation to its overall mandate (iv) draw lessons from the mission for future
UN’s peacekeeping missions in Africa.
The study adopted the realist theoretical framework, and employed qualitative research
methodology. Both primary and secondary data were collected for the study. Primary data
were collected through interviews using interpreter in some occasions. Secondary data
such as journal articles, reports and books were used to complement the primary data.
Using purposive sampling method, sixty-five key informants were interviewed. These
included one past UN Secretary General, eighteen UN officials who were involved in
peacekeeping operation in DRC, ten diplomats representing countries that initially
participated in the conflict such as Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe; ten civil society
organisations engaging in peace-building in DRC; ten African Union representatives that
participated in the peace process; fourteen armed militia members (male and female)
from DRC and twelve journalists, who reported on the conflict in DRC. The analysis was
done descriptively.
The findings of the study revealed that:
i) The political dynamics of the peace process was complicated by the interest of internal
and external interested actors who found the resources in DRC attractive for easy
exploitation.
ii) The lack of robust support from civil society organisations led to an increase in the
number of active militias from about 12 to 24 groups within the study period.
Consequently, the overall success of the mission was minimal due to suspicions among
the local populace and lack of robust support for the UN mission.
iii) The mandate of MONUC was relatively underachieved, however, the mission
conducted a post-war election but was unable to reduce civilian deaths and prevent
further humanitarian crisis. The study concluded that for durable peace to be achieved in
the DRC, it recommended that there must be an inclusive political engagement with all
actors in the conflict. Establish effective post-conflict natural resources management in
the DRC. In addition, the support of the civil society in the DRC is very crucial in
earning the trust of the local populace. To reduce civilian death and arrest humanitarian
crisis, it is recommended that the mission should formulate a strategic peace-building
architecture toward demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants/militia
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Keywords
UNITED NATIONS, PEACEKEEPING MISSION, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO