Boundary-Making in the Congolese Conflict. An Analysis of Ethnic, Autochthonous, and Religious Boundaries in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (2019-2023).

Abstract

People with similar backgrounds tend to form groups and live within closed-off communities. To differentiate themselves (the in-group) from others (the out-group), boundaries are created. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) there are many different groups, and in multiple cases, tensions arise between them. Occasionally, these tensions escalate into episodes of violence. The objective of this study is to explore how boundaries are constructed by different groups to gain a better understanding of the conflict dynamics in the DRC. This will be examined through the following question: ‘Which processes of ethnic, autochthonous and religious boundary-making are evident in the final and midterm reports issued by the United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo between June 2019 and December 2023 and how does this contribute to our understanding of the conflict in the DRC?’ A document analysis of nine Group of Experts reports has demonstrated that ethnic, autochthonous and religious boundaries become manifest. The historiography indicates that while ethnicity and autochthony have received considerable attention in the academic literature, the religious aspect of the conflict remains understudied. By analysing the religious boundary, this research sheds light on the religious element in the Congolese conflict. Furthermore, instead of focusing on one of these aspects, this study advocates for the integration of these three types of boundaries into research. The combination of different perspectives facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the conflict.