Management of strategic resources as a key determinant of persistent conflicts in Africa ׃ case of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Botswana

Abstract

Generally, this study is about management of strategic resources as a key determinant of persistent conflicts in Africa Case of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Botswana. This study examines the effect of resources mismanagement in DRC; secondly it analyzes the strategies put in place to manage resources conflicts in Botswana and finally examines the challenges facing the resources management. The study further sets out three hypotheses namely that mismanagement of strategic resources has impacts on political, economic, social environment, secondly the transparency and the control linked to the mechanisms of democratic governance and finally global changes, increasing consumption are placing significant pressures on the management of natural resources. This study was founded on the resource curse theory and the natural resource abundance theory. It relied on both primary and secondary data. The study visited strategic resources management in both Botswana and DRC and found out that mismanagement of the natural resource sector has been a way of connecting conflict and natural resources, but also an obstacle to individual nation’s ability to leverage their wealth of natural resources for desired economic development. Steps countries need to take to transform their natural resources into sustainable development are many, but they are highly context specific. Lastly, the study has given recommendations to enhance strategic resources management that include strengthen the institutional and regulatory framework, improve transparency and accountability in economic governance, Prioritize Resource-Based Development Planning, Improve resource sharing mechanisms.