Security, Conflict and Exploitation in Congo

With Dr Zoe Marriage. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the largest countries in Africa and has experienced intense human and resource exploitation and violence throughout its history. This talk explores the links between violence, resources and political power, and the effects that these have had on development and migration. The recent presidential elections have seen a relatively peaceful handover of power, and the emergence of a new form of political opposition. These have taken place alongside a marked continuation in the destitution suffered by majority of the population, and a critical lack of service provision, evident in the responses made to the on-going Ebola outbreak in the east of the country. Zoe Marriage is a Reader in Development Studies at SOAS and a member of the Centre on Conflict, Rights and Justice. She has researched extensively in countries affected by conflict in Africa and has focused on the relationship between security and development in the DRC publishing on demobilisation and the imposition and pursuit of security (Formal Peace and Informal War, Routledge 2013). She will talk about the current situation in the DRC and the prospects for development and security.