The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: Prospects and Challenges

ABSTRACT The study examined the “United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo”. The study used a case study. This study was guided by the following objectives: to examine different initiatives the U.N peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo has undertaken in order to stabilise this region. To unearth challenges the U.N peacekeeping mission is currently facing, and to unveil available opportunities that can be helpful for the mission’s success. A self-administered questionnaire was used as the main method of data collection. Interview and documentation review were also used to compliment, supplement and validate data collected through the questionnaire. Three hundred and sixty eight respondents were chosen for this study. The study found that peacekeeping in eastern Congo was a challenging undertaking. This is because of different factors that impede the U.N peacekeeping efforts. It was found that some initiatives such as training of civilians and national police as well as army have been undertaken. However roads are few, and these few roads pose key problems to peacekeeping efforts because they are of poor quality. In addition climate has been a major disturbing factor to the U.N peacekeeping mission efforts. Language barriers as well as cultural aspects have become thorny issues within the peacekeeping establishment. Apart from weather and language barriers, the persistent rebel movements’ activities make the U.N peacekeeping operations more painful. Furthermore the size of the territory to be controlled remains a challenge, and it has been very difficult if not impossible for the U.N peacekeeping to cover the entire territory. The study further revealed that external influence affects significantly the U.N peacekeeping mission. Though rebel movements have been profiteering from illegal exploitation of natural resources, the U.N mission is facing problems of funds and military equipments. The study concludes that peacekeeping in eastern Congo has been a daunting task. The challenges unearthed during this study patently continue and will continue to impede the U.N peacekeeping efforts. To overcome these challenges the UNPK mission is facing, a number of recommendations were formulated. The U.N has been requested to continue searching for troops from French speaking countries. The U.N mission has been requested to increase patrols, and avoid using military armors frequently. Finally the people have been asked to work closely with the U.N peacekeeping forces, and inform peacekeepers timely on rebel movements’ activities.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS vi

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1. Background of the study 1

1.2. Statement of the problem 3

1.3. Purpose of the study 4

1.3.1. Objectives 4

1.4. Research questions 4

1.5. Significance of the study 4

1.6. Scope of the study 4

1.7. Definitions of operational terms 5

CHAPTER TWO :LITERATURE REVIEW 6

2.0 Introduction 6

2.1. Understanding the United Nations peacekeeping 6

2.2. Nature of peacekeeping 8

2.3. Evolution of Peacekeeping 8

2.4. Peace Theories 9

2.4.1. World peace 9

2.4.2. Democratic peace theory 9

2.4.3. Capitalism peace theory 10

2.4.4. Self-organized peace 10

2.4.5. Economic norms theory 10

2.4.6. Theories of War and Peace 11

2.6. Status of Forces and Mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC 13

2.7. The Role of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC Crisis 14

2.8. Challenges to the U.N. Mission in the DRC 15

2.9. MONUC: Status of Forces and Human Rights Abuses 16

2.10. The UN peacekeeping mission and Civilian Protection in eastern Congo 17

2.11. The UN peacekeeping’s attempts to bring peace and security in eastern Congo 18

2.11 .1. Operation Umoj a wetu (Operation Our Unity) 18

2.11.2. Operation Kimia II 18

2.12. The current security situation in eastern Congo 21

2.12.1. Indiscriminate attacks and extraj udicial executions of civilians in eastern Congo 22

2.12.2. The Internally Displaced and Humanitarian cirisis 24

CHAPTER THREE : METHODOLOGY 27

3.0. Introduction 27

3.1. Research design 27

3.2. Location of the study 27

3.3. Population of the study 28

3.4. Sample size 28

3.5. Data collection 29

3.5. 1. Questionnaire 29

3.5.3. Documentary Analysis 29

3.6. Research procedures 30

3.7. Data Processing and Analysis 30

3.8. Limitations of the study 30

CHAPTER FOUR :PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 31

4.0: Introduction 31

4.1: Characteristics of the respondents 31

4.1 .1: Sex of the Respondent 31

4.1.2: Age group of respondents 32

4.1.3: Country of origin of the respondent 32

4.1.4: Education of the respondents 33

4.1.5: Respondents’ experience in peacekeeping missions 34

4.1.6: Time spent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by respondents 35

4.2: Research findings in line with research objectives and research questions 35

4.2.1: The state of peacekeeping in eastern Congo 36

4.2.2: Consideration of peacekeeping operations in eastern Congo 36

4.2.4: Quality of roads in eastern Congo 38

4.2.5: Impact of culture on peacekeeping mission 39

4.2.6: Impact of language on UN peacekeeping operations 40

4.2.7: The persistent rebel movements’ activities 41

4.2.8: The most disturbing rebel movements to the UN mission movement in eastern Congo 43

4.2.9: The size of the eastern Congo 43

4.2.10: Number of peacekeepers vis-à-vis the size of eastern Congo 44

4.2.11: Weather condition in eastern Congo 45

4.2.12: External influence of major powers on peacekeeping mission 45

4.2.13: Influence of economic conditions of the contributing states to peacekeeping mission 46

4.2.14: Funds allocated to UN mission in the DRC 47

4.2.15: Military equipment for military operations 49

4.1.16: Illegal exploitation of natural resources in eastern Congo 50

4.2.17: Opportunities available to peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo 51

CHAPTER FIVE :DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 52

5.0 Introduction 52

5.1 Discussion 52

5.2: Conclusion 54

5.3: Recommendations 54

5.3.1: To the United Nations 54

5.3.2: To the UN peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo 55

5.3.3: To the government of Congo 55

5.3.4: To people in eastern Congo ss

5.4: Suggestion for further research ss

REFERENCES 56

APPENDICES 58

APPENDIX A:AN INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR RESEARCH ON UN PEACEKEEPING

MISSION IN EASTERN CONGO, DRC 58

APPENDIX B: QUESTIONNAIRE 59

APPENDIX 1: TIME SCHEDULE 64

APPENDIX 3: BUDGET ESTIMATES 65