Resource Wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo : Prospects for Peace via African Knowledge Systems

This book demonstrates how Afrocentric approaches, enshrined in African Indigenous Knowledge systems, particularly the various expressions of Ubuntu (humanism) can contribute to engendering peace, security, development and effective natural resource governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Drawing on over 250 interviews conducted in the DRC, this book argues that neoliberal approaches to peace, security, development, mineral and metal governance have failed and that instead transformation should be home grown, rooted in people’s cultures and worldviews.By treating those directly impacted by violence and human rights violations as protagonists, the book lays out a path towards deescalating violence and in national reconstruction process that is grounded in Congolese cultures and Indigenous knowledge systems. Afrocentric by design, this book holds the narratives and perceptions of people from the DRC battle fronts at its heart.It will be an important read for researchers of African peace, conflict, and security, as well as for policy makers and all those interested in peace and security in Congo and the entire Great Lakes Region of Africa.