AbstractsPolitical Science

As the Congolese conflict marks the 20th year, and the peace process 17 years, the apparent question is why is the search for peace in the DRC proving elusive? Spoilers and other impediments to the peace process in the DRC have been studied and UN peacekeepers have been operational in the country for nearly seventeen years, but the conflict continues. This study therefore seeks to understand the potential of UN peacekeeping to hinder the peace process in the DRC, and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) constitutes a study case. MONUSCO has been in operation for six years today succeeding the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), and is still operating. Inasmuch as it looks early to gauge whether MONUSCO is contributing to progress or hindering the peace process in the DRC, this study focuses on the practices of UN peacekeepers under MONUSCO and their potential to delay peace initiatives. Using secondary data as the main source of information, i.e., books, articles, journals, news, UN reports and resolutions, triangulation and Game Theory, especially the Prisoners’ Dilemma Analytical Framework derived from the Prisoners’ Dilemma Game Matrix, this study finds that the Stabilization Mission is inconsistent, i.e., UN peacekeepers are performing controversial tasks: use of force to protect civilians, engaging in battles to neutralize armed militias and investigation of war crimes and human rights, tasks that have generated resentment from the FARDC/Kinshasa government and the armed militias, making the search for peace a one actors responsibility [MONUSCO’s task]. A clear indication that MONUSCO is hindering the peace process in the DRC. The thematic analysis details five (5) themes and indicates that; cooperation is problematic, use of force to protect civilians is controversial, there is a mismatch between doctrine and practice, i.e., deviation of UN peacekeeping from the basic principles, the justice dilemma, and an understanding of peace as absence of war and fighters. The thesis concludes that practices of MONUSCO need revisiting, dialogue should be encouraged, revision of peacekeeping principles and accurate timing of interventions, so as to enhance progress in the search for peace in DRC.