Mediation in the Republic of Congo: an African solution to an African problem?

Abstract

The Republic of Congo has been wracked by violent conflicts since it became democratic in the early 1990s. The inability of the government and its citizens to adapt to the new political situation coupled with the extreme poverty faced by most of the population meant a power struggle was certain to ensue. This conflict was devastating in its effect on the civilian population and its features and dynamics are indicative of the newer type of warfare found in other countries all over Africa. Conflict management processes were conducted in the form of different international mediation attempts over a three-year period, but most failed in some way. It is obvious that conflicts of this nature do not lend themselves to conflict resolution practices of this nature, and as a result, traditional mediation methods are becoming more prevalent. This thesis examines the causes and dynamics of the 1997-1999 conflict in the Republic of Congo. It considers subsequent mediation attempts, both of an international and domestic nature, and investigates the successes and failures of these efforts. It states the need for a revision of current mediation practices and offers alternatives through means of traditional African mediation, examining whether the successful mediation outcome was an African solution lo an African problem. Chapter One introduces the background to conflict in the Republic of Congo, ranging from historical to contemporary elements, and the effect these had on the country and its people and politics. Chapter Two examines the conflict in detail, and discusses the failings of the state, the concept of militia, the features of the conflict, the involvement of outside countries, and the conflict's humanitarian effect. Chapter Three studies features of international mediation, and examines two international mediation attempts that were carried out, focussing on the successes and failures of each. Chapter Four introduces the features of traditional African mediation practices, and considers two domestic mediation attempts and their successes and failures. Chapter Five analyses the successful mediation attempt and the factors that made it so, and compares international mediation with traditional African mediation, finally discussing whether the conflict resolution was an African solution to an African problem.