ICTJ in the News

November 2008

Eastern DRC: Attitudes and Experiences of a War-Ravaged People

Eldis

In October 2008 fighting reignited in the eastern region of The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), shattering a fragile peace and causing more misery for a population burdened with the most ‘deadly' conflict since World War II. International attention refocused on this forgotten conflict, with political/military solutions to the crisis being discussed in earnest. But what of the population? What have been their experiences to date? What are their priorities once conflict abates?

This paper presents a detailed survey of eastern Congolese experience - plus a 'subset' of Congolese from outside of the region - conducted between September and December 2007. It provides a timely reminder of the level of violence the population has been exposed to; an understanding of the needs of Congolese civilians affected by the conflicts; and relays attitudes about peace, social reconstruction, and transitional justice mechanisms.

The findings include:

• many respondents were interrogated or persecuted by armed groups (55%), forced to work or enslaved (53%), beaten by armed groups (46%), threatened with death (46%), or had been abducted for at least a week (34%)

• the population of eastern DRC views peace (51% of respondents) and security (34%) as not only their two priorities, but also the two priorities that the Congolese government should pursue. Concerns about peace and security are followed by various social security concerns such as money (27%), education (26%), food/water (26%), and health (23%)

• 90% believes peace can be achieved, defining peace as national unity (49%), the end of fear (47%), and the absence of violence (41%). The population endorses a multifaceted approach to attaining peace, including arresting those responsible for crimes (28%), through dialogue between ethnic groups (22%), dialogue with militias (22%), establishing the truth (20%), and military victory over armed groups (17%)

• to achieve justice, the eastern Congolese population endorses the national court system (51%), followed by the International Criminal Court (ICC) (26%), military courts (15%), and traditional justice mechanisms (15%). There is also a strong desire for the international community to assist national prosecutions (82%)

• 85% believes it is important to hold those who committed war crimes accountable and that accountability is necessary to secure peace (82%). It is most important to seek accountability for those responsible for murders/killings (92%) and rape/sexual violence (70%). There is a preference for national trials (45%), followed by internationalised trials in the DRC (40%).

 

The paper also offers a number of recommendations for the Congolese government, donors, the ICC and the UN in order to address the concerns and wishes contained in this survey.

 

"Eastern DRC: Attitudes and Experiences of a War-Ravaged People" originally appeared on Eldis.