The independent resource on global security

Archived research

This page is for historical purposes and is no longer maintained

Natural resources, arms and conflict in DRC

Funder: Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Timeline:Mar. 2009 - Dec. 2010

The dual task of the proposed project is:

  • To examine the role of arms/armed forces in different resource sectors and explore how these sectors can be governed in a way that they contribute positively to economic reconstruction and peace building;

  • To identify the main actors that transport or facilitate the transport of illicit arms shipments into the DRC and explore more effective national and international strategies to respond to them.

By examining existing and proposed control and governance mechanisms and by analysing the political playing field in which these are implemented the project will generate entry points for international donors and national civil society to contribute positively to demilitarisation and peace building.

The project’s recommendations will seek to inform approaches at both national and international levels towards (1) resource governance reform, e.g. new mining and forestry legislation and concession reviews, international trade and transparency initiatives, and local development and anti-corruption initiatives in artisan industries (2) small arms control measures, e.g. the Nairobi Protocol, UN weapons sanctions regime, and other relevant forms of international regulation such as EU air safety regulation, and (3) security sector reform and DDR strategies.

Research staff

no researchers