PrintThe Democratic Republic of the Congo
part of the Center for Sustainable Economies
Country Specific Work Center for Sustainable Economies
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Events and Multimedia
Business Action Against Corruption (BAAC):The Business Action Against Corruption group featured a partnership between USIP’s Center for Sustainable Economies and the African Institute for Corporate Citizenship (AICC) to combat endemic corruption in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on their best practice website. Since 2009, this initiative has organized consultations and capacity-building sessions with the DRC business community and sought to establish a code of ethics that would reduce corruption and foster peace; particularly in the mining sector.
July 2010 A panel of experts shared their perspectives on effective policies and faith-based initiatives to curb civilian rape of women in Eastern DRC.
May 2010 Reducing violence and conflict triggers in the DRC requires an effective and lasting solution to the problem of displacement. UNHCR has programs to register displaced persons, provide legal and protection assistance, in addition to assisting refugee and IDPs with basic needs such as shelter and non-food items. Measuring and evaluating the impact of these interventions is critical, particularly in view of the worrying trends in areas like SGBV. In light of these challenges, panelists at this event examined opportunities and limitations for international engagement in the humanitarian, social and economic sectors.
May 2010 Panelists at this workshop discussed Congolese perspectives and recommendations to improve economic and political policies in the Congo with members of U.S. agencies, development organizations, think tanks, non-profits and other stakeholders.
November 2008 Over the past year, renewed violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) North Kivu province has created a humanitarian catastrophe by displacing more than 250,000, killing scores of innocent civilians, disrupting aid efforts and destroying critical infrastructure. The crisis was precipitated by a host of factors, including: continued concerns about the influence of Hutu extremists in the region, weak governance and competition for access to the region's vast mineral wealth.
October 2008 Mining, the mainstay of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is also at the heart of pervasive economic, political and social instability. Understanding the role of corporate actors in the mining sector sheds light on multifaceted conflict dynamics and provides insights into possible entry points for effective intervention.
March 2008 This workshop aimed to inform members of the Democratic Republic of Congo Diaspora and other stakeholders of ongoing development assistance programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), provide a forum for a frank exchange of ideas and identify avenues for more effective Diaspora involvement in peacebuilding.
Publications
December 2009 Peace Brief by Dorina Bekoe and Michelle Swearingen
USIP summarizes ways the Congolese diaspora can help resolve the long-running conflict in the DRC, and their recommendations to improve conditions in the country.
November 2009 Special Report by Raymond Gilpin and Richard Downie
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has enormous economic potential thanks to its rich mineral deposits and vast tracts of arable land. Historically, these resources have been exploited by predatory leaders and a host of subregional actors. The time is now ripe for the DRC to put years of war and economic underdevelopment behind it.
August 2009 Peace Brief by Raymond Gilpin, Catherine Morris, and Go Funai
The deadly conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed the lives of millions and appears to have no end. A new USIP report provides context to this protracted war, assesses current approaches and presents new options on how to resolve it.
December 2008 Peace Brief by Go Funai and Catherine Morris
This USIP Peace Briefing discusses the resurgent violence that left hundreds dead, thousands displaced and millions destitute in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The report, by Go Funai and Catherine Morris, highlights the meaning of "human security" in a chronic conflict zone, informal lending mechanisms among local ethnically homogenous communities and the role of neighboring African states in contributing to conflict and stability in the DRC.
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence on 30th June 2010 against a backdrop of weak state authority, a culture of impunity, deepening poverty, continuing violence in the northeast and a significant worsening of sexual violence. Decades of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo have discouraged private investment, destroyed infrastructure, hindered development and considerably weakened the capacity of governance institutions. The DRC ranks at the bottom of every corruption index; pervasive corruption undermines peace, increases business costs and strengthens the predatory state. A vibrant, transparent and socially-responsible business sector could foster much needed change. Building peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo requires sustained intervention by a wide range of stakeholders to address a complex political economy that is related to the exploitation of the country’s abundant resources.
The weak regulatory and institutional frameworks created a vacuum that has precipitated and sustained corruption. This environment is conducive to conflict, and in need of anti-corruption initiatives to eradicate malpractices and inject ethics into business happenings. These initiatives can be most effective when supported jointly by the communities, government officials and private sectors functioning within the DRC.
Initiatives
Private Sector Anti-Corruption Workshops and Model Code in the DRC
The purpose of this project is to promote and institutionalize anti-corruption dialogue in the DRC’s business sector by developing a guidebook on anti-corruption measures for the business community as co-created by DRC officials, businesses and communities. Building on an initial workshop in FY10, this project would develop a robust set of anti-corruption guidelines for businesses operating in the DRC in collaboration with the African Institute for Corporate Citizenship (AICC), and Ethic South Africa. Specifically, the project will aim to share practical experiences on business-led collective initiatives to fight corruption; raise awareness on the relevant legal frameworks and assessment mechanism that influence the behavior and perceptions of corruption; equip participants with practical strategies and tools for collective action to counter corruption in their business operations; facilitate the establishment of a business-led solution to promote good governance and accountability in the DRC; and develop tools for cultivating good investment climate through private sector platforms.
Delinking the DRC's Mining Sector from Violence
Decades of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have exacted a terrible human toll, discouraged private investment, destroyed infrastructure, hindered development and considerably weakened the capacity of governance institutions. The weak regulatory and institutional frameworks created a vacuum that has precipitated and sustained corruption. According to the Corruption Perception Index compiled by Transparency International, DRC’s global ranking dropped from 156 in 2006, to 168 in 2007 and 171 in 2008. This worsening and pervasive corruption has impacted peace prospects adversely by undermining competitiveness and deterring much needed investment. It also fosters conflict by perpetuating bad governance of the country’s abundant natural resources. Addressing corruption is an essential part of state building. Governments may not have the capacity or will to make sufficient progress expeditiously. Thus, the problems persist. The business sector could play an important role in promoting anti-corruption initiatives to complement and supplement government efforts. Establishing a Responsible Business Initiative (RBI) in the DRC would provide a platform for learning and sharing best practices on broader socially responsible business practices.
The Center for Sustainable Economies is working with local NGO’s to better understand conflict triggers and design strategies to build communities, promote stability, and help lay the foundation for lasting peace. The center will provide supportive research and facilitation over the convening meetings in early 2011 and will foster a series of reports in the process that will cover conflict between mining and conflict, gender-based violence, corruption and peace building, and the project aims to adopt an approach supported by DRC officials, businesses and communities and inclusive of the recommendations submitted by practitioners.
DRC Diaspora Dialogue Series
The purpose of this project is to empower the voices of the DRC Diaspora communities
on conflict dynamics, perspectives on foreign assistance and practical steps the Diaspora communities can take to promote peace and stability in the DRC. Building peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains an evolving and continuous process. USIP has planned three forums in Washington, D.C., for members of the DRC Diaspora communities in North America and Europe to dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders and formulate innovative strategies to prevent conflict and promote peace.
Building peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) requires sustained intervention by a wide range of stakeholders to address a complex political economy that is related to the exploitation of the country’s abundant resources. Violent competition for control of mineral resources has had dire consequences, particularly in the Kivus where an estimated 1,500 people die, 1,650 people are displaced, and numerous women and girls are sexually assaulted every day. Recent research by the USIP suggests creative ways that stakeholders could support lasting peace and economic progress in the DRC. These include establishing a framework for legitimate mineral trade, strengthening regional economic linkages, improving economic governance and the business climate, and introducing disincentives for corruption and mismanagement. This dialogue with representatives from the DRC Diaspora community in the United States and noted scholars/practitioners would provide a forum to (a) explore the merits and demerits of proposals for sustained progress and (b) outline practical ways in which Diaspora communities could contribute.
This project builds upon previous programs that facilitated the DRC Diaspora Dialogue Series, holding transatlantic meetings with over 90 Diaspora representatives attending. A special report is forthcoming to highlight the discussion from these conferences.