Structural causes of conflict in democratic republic of Congo, 1996-2006

Abstract

This study investigate the structural causes of conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between 1996and 2006. The study is based on the political, economic and social structures that the DRC society is structured. the study applies structural theoretical framework to provide profound insight into how political, economic and social structure generates violent conflict in DRC. Both primary and secondary data were used. This study argues that the scramble for natural resources in the DRC is the main structural cause of conflict.

Natural resource exploitation in DRC is linked to all forms of cause of conflict, thus none of the cause would be looked in isolation without linking it to the resource based The study also contend that complexity of the DRC conflict is linked to the presence of multiple actors with diverse interest and motive, thus management of the DRC conflict can only be achieved when the wider conflict networks. The study asserts that the parties that have been intervening in the DRC conflict enhance conflict escalation. Inter Congolese dialogue would yield more peace than when multiple actors are involved.