This research paper investigated the Hema and Lendu conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 1999-2003. Five significant theories; Primordialism, constructivism, instrumentalism, greed and grievances were applied to explain the causes of this conflict and to find out the role ethnicity played in triggering the conflict. Using secondary data, a single-case study was conducted, and results show that colonialism, inequality, poor government policies, greed from local and external forces are the primary causes of this conflict. Based on the results, one theory on its own is not substantial enough to explain the cause of this conflict since it was triggered by a combination of different factors. However, the Hema and Lendu did not fight because of their ethnic differences. Ethnicity was used by militia leaders as a tool for mobilisation thus ethnicity being a secondary factor and not a driving force. Therefore, ethnicity did not play a significant role in triggering this conflict.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
1.1. Introduction to the Topic
1.2 Research Problem and Aim
1.3 Research question
1.4 Terminology
1.5. Relevance to IMER-International Migration and Ethnic Relations
1.6. Delimitation
2. Previous Research
3. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
3.1 Primordialism
3.2 Constructivism
3.3 Greed
3.4 Instrumentalism
3.5 Grievances
3.6 Theory interconnectivity
4. Operationalization
5. Method and Design
5.1 Case Study
5.1.1 The weakness of the Case study
5.1.2 Strength of Case Study
5.2 Methodology
6. Data and Material
7. Background History
8. Analysis/Discussion
8.1. Colonialism
8.2 Mobutu, Bakajika Law “Post-colonial Period”
8.3. External and Local Forces Dynamics 1999-2003
8.4. The Role of Ethnicity in the Conflict
9. Conclusion
10. Further Research
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis investigates the causes of the violent conflict between the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo between 1999 and 2003, with the primary aim of determining whether ethnicity was a driving force or a secondary tool for mobilization.
- The impact of colonial administration on ethnic identity and territorial division.
- The influence of post-colonial land laws and state policies on inter-ethnic tensions.
- Economic motivations and the role of greed in sustaining militia activities.
- The manipulation of ethnic identities by political and military elites for mobilization.
- The interplay between grievances, inequality, and the escalation of civil violence.
Excerpt from the Book
8.1. Colonialism
During colonialism in Congo which was between 1908 to 1960 before DR. Congo gained her independence, the Belgians in the Ituri created division between the Hema and Lendu (Long, 2011, p. 4). According to Pottier, the Belgian colonizers referred to the Hema as a superior race Handsome with curly hair and a race close to that of the European. Basically, a Hema could be mistaken to be a dark Egyptian while the Lendu were referred to be warriors, untameable and barbaric race. As a result, the Hema had to be territorially separated from the Lendu (Pottier, 2010). It is seen that during this period, the Belgians re-constructing new meaning to these ethnic identities and making both the Hema and Lendu become ethnically conscious.
Using biological and physical traits to categorise or classify these groups, the Belgians were actualising on a primordial way of perceiving ethnicity at the same time constructing identities with a new meaning. Cornell and Douglas (2007) termed this as “constructed primordiality”; this is when groups ethnicity is constructed with some primordial mooring to it. By using the primordial ways of reconstructing or constructing identity, the Belgians were creating polarity and strong ethnic boundaries between Hema and Lendu groups because the attributes used for creating these boundaries are immutable.
Summary of Chapters
1.0 Introduction: Provides the background of the study, the research problem, and the core research questions concerning the Hema-Lendu conflict.
2. Previous Research: Reviews existing literature on ethnic conflicts in various contexts to establish a comparative foundation.
3. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework: Introduces key theories including Primordialism, Constructivism, Greed, and Grievances to analyze the conflict.
4. Operationalization: Defines the variables and explains how the chosen theories are applied to the gathered data.
5. Method and Design: Details the qualitative case study approach and discusses the methodology used for data interpretation.
6. Data and Material: Describes the secondary sources and materials utilized for the research.
7. Background History: Outlines the historical context of the Hema and Lendu groups and their interaction prior to and during the conflict.
8. Analysis/Discussion: Examines the impact of colonialism, land laws, external forces, and the role of ethnicity in fueling the violence.
9. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings and reiterates that ethnicity was a secondary factor rather than the primary driver of the conflict.
10. Further Research: Suggests future directions for comparative studies and expanding the research scope.
Keywords
Ethnicity, Ethnic Conflict, Hema, Lendu, DR. Congo, Colonialism, Bakajika Law, Militia, Greed, Grievances, Resource Control, Political Elite, Mobilization, Ituri, Land Dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this research paper primarily about?
The paper investigates the causes and dynamics of the conflict between the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo during the period 1999-2003.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include the colonial origins of ethnic division, the impact of post-colonial land laws, the role of economic greed in fueling rebellion, and the strategic use of ethnicity for political mobilization.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to determine the main factors that fueled the conflict and to critically assess the role that ethnicity played in triggering the violence between the two groups.
Which scientific methods were used?
The author employed a qualitative single-case study method, focusing on historical analysis and the interpretation of secondary data, such as articles, reports, and academic journals.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers historical background, the application of theories (Primordialism, Constructivism, Greed, Grievances), the influence of colonial and Mobutu-era policies, and the dynamics of external forces like the Ugandan army.
What are the key terms that characterize this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as ethnic conflict, land disputes, political manipulation, economic resource competition, and constructed ethnic identity.
How does the author characterize the role of ethnicity in the conflict?
The author concludes that ethnicity was not the primary cause of the conflict, but rather a secondary tool used by militia leaders and political elites to mobilize members for their own economic and political agendas.
What specific impact did the Bakajika Law have?
The Bakajika Law gave the state full control over land, which was leveraged by Hema elites to gain control of fertile territories, leading to the economic and social marginalization of the Lendu and intensifying existing grievances.
- Citar trabajo
- Nelson Tusiime (Autor), 2019, The Complexity of Ethnic Conflict. Hema and Lendu Case Study, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/492001
