The National security challenges of the internal displacement of persons in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Internal displacement of persons has a long historical precedent. Nevertheless, there has been little attention devoted to understanding the impact of this phenomenon on national security as it evolves. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether there is a connection between national security challenges faced by DRC and prolonged internal displacement. To this end, the study was guided by the following key objectives; to analyse the connection between IDPs and ethnic conflict, to assess whether there is a connection between IDPs and the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons and lastly to examine the nexus existing between IDPs, ethnic conflict and the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The research employed a descriptive research design. It was conducted in South Kivu (specifically Bukavu) and North Kivu (specifically Goma). The target population included government officials, staff of international organisations, representatives of civil society, members of religious organisations, leaders of community-based organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Open-ended questionnaires were used to collect the qualitative and quantitative data which were analysed respectively using statistical and thematic analysis techniques. The findings indicate that participants identified four main themes regarding the relationship between IDPs and ethnic conflict: the intersection of poverty and displacement, the shifting of responsibility, stereotypes and competition. Regarding the link between IDPs and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), participants highlighted insecurity, trafficking and recruitment. In examining the links between internal displacement, ethnic conflict and the proliferation of SALW, two main themes emerged: urban ethnic clustering leading to insecurity, and insecurity reinforcing ethnic grouping tendencies. The study employed rational choice theory and Cadinu and Rothbart's differentiation model to explain the underlying reasons behind the identified themes and the connections between them. The study recommends that a strategically informed national security plan should be implemented, incorporating elements of citizen security into state security and tailored to the specific security context of each province, city and district. This plan may begin with legislation defining IDP status, followed by registration and aid distribution in partnership with NGOs. Additionally, the integration component can include incentives for host communities, such as access to land, and be supported by nationwide cultural tolerance campaigns.