"Join me on the bridge" in New York

Join us on the Brooklyn Bridge on the 101st Anniversary of International Woman’s Day as people come together on bridges around the globe as part of Women for Women International’s campaign to unite for peace and women’s equality worldwide. Read more >>>

From the field Observing the polls in DR Congo

November 28, 2011 was historic in the DR Congo; the first ever democratic national election organized by the Congolese themselves. Indeed it was only the second time since independence in 1960 that a multi-party electoral vote would be set to determine the presidential seat. However, this relatively undeveloped voting system left the electoral process wide open to systemic and local corruption that could erode its very legitimacy. Two years ago I visited communities affected by violence in the eastern DR Congo. So when Christian Aid offered me the opportunity to help monitor and evaluate the election, I felt compelled to return in the hope that a fair election would improve the livelihoods of the Congolese people. Read more >>>

Commentary DDR in DRC: the limitations of externally led approaches

I recently researched Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) projects carried out by the international community in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo, or DRC), looking at activities of the World Bank’s Multi-Country Demobilization and Reintegration Program (MDRP). This programme brought together the Congolese Government, various NGOs and UN agencies between 2002 and 2009. I found that although a large number of ex-combatants were successfully demobilized, reintegration was less successful. Furthermore, I found that the majority of DDR projects suffered from a number of shortcomings common to externally led approaches to peacebuilding. Read more >>>

From the field SOS from a Congolese peacebuilder: rescue the young democracy of DR Congo!

There are concrete steps the Congolese political establishment can take to avert post-election violence, if external pressure helps to engender the necessary political will. Peacebuilders across DR Congo have launched an urgent call towards the international community to take preventive measures to avoid a resurgence of violence. Read more >>>

From the field DR Congo: Local conflicts lacking attention

With elections in DR Congo due at the end of Novemeber, there is a lack of attention on local conflicts. Insight on Conflicts Congolese local correspondent reports from Fizi territory in South Kivu, where tensions and violence between local tribes threatens to escalate. Read more >>>

From the field DR Congo: Local and international roles in reconciliation

Ituri in DR Congo, saw a major outbreak of violence triggered by a land conflict that started in 1999 between landowners and farmers. The conflict quickly spread and divided the population into the two main ethnic groups. Groups have continuously worked for reconciliation in Ituri. But what is the contribution of local and international organisations respectively to that process? In 2011, I conducted a series of interviews aimed at answering that question. Read more >>>

Commentary DR Congo: the role of locals and internationals

The history of state predation and neglect in DR Congo led to the development of a strong and professionalised civil society in the 1980s. Since 2003 there has been a proliferation of international NGOs working in the eastern region, and a concomitant proliferation of ‘local partners’, oriented towards the international donor regime, leading some to speak of two civil societies. In June 2011 I visited DR Congo to gain more insight into the role of internationals and locals in the DR Congo conflict. Read more >>>

Interview Jason Stearns: elections, minerals and impunity in DRC

Jason Stearns is the author of a new book, Dancing in the Glory of Monsters: The Collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa. He has worked on the conflict in the Congo for the past ten years, including work for the United Nations and the International Crisis Group. Listen here to an exclusive interview about his new book and the different challenges facing DR Congo today, including the upcoming elections, the role of minerals in the conflict and impunity for crimes committed during the Congolese Wars. Read more >>>

From the field DR Congo: Making Crafts from War

Hope can make all the difference in a person’s life. One small light of hope can lead people to peace, even in the massive shadow of war. SHONA, which means “sew” in Swahili, started with a simple idea; to give dignity and hope to a handful of handicapped persons living in Goma, in the DR Congo who are normally expected to beg for their subsistence. Read more >>>

Commentary Understanding the local dynamics of security

Why should we get local actors involved in conflict and complex security issues? Are they capable of dealing with large-scale insecurity, violent conflicts and oppressive regimes? Is the state not responsible for security, and is it not up to state security actors to provide security? And if these states are not willing or able to provide security, are international organisations such as the UN, NATO and the like not the most capable of dealing with insecurity in states? Based on my recent research in Sudan, Burundi and DR Congo, I would argue that this is not necessarily so. Read more >>>