Ending the deadlock: Towards a new vision of peace in eastern DRC

This report demonstrates how the conflicts in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo are embedded in Congolese history and how they relate mainly to the distribution of power and economic resources, influenced by the ethnic identity of the various parties.

The conflicts combine local aspects along with the dynamics of regional war, which explains their particular complexity. This report analyses the various programmes aimed at restoring peace in the country, concluding that they have not addressed the root causes of conflict.

Given on one hand the mismatch between the political and structural conflict in eastern DRC and on the other the predominantly technical response, this report argues that a new generation of peacebuilding initiatives and stabilisation is required.