Abstract

Despite a massive investment of international diplomacy and money in recent years, the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a conflict-ridden and volatile country, its present situation the result of a series of rebellions, international interventions and unworkable peace agreements.

In Congo's Violent Peace, leading DRC expert Kris Berwouts provides the most comprehensive and in-depth account to date of developments since the so-called 'Congo Wars' – from Rwanda's destructive impact on security in Eastern Congo to the controversial elections of 2006 and 2011; the M23 uprising to Joseph Kabila's increasingly desperate attempts to cling to power.

An essential book for anyone interested in this troubled but important country.

‘Kris Berwouts is one of the very rare analysts who write what the population in eastern Congo thinks and feels.’
Denis Mukwege, women's rights activist and gynaecologist in eastern Congo

‘Essential reading for all those who want to understand the current situation in Congo. Berwouts is an astute observer with profound insights and a wealth of knowledge on the country. Congo’s Violent Peace has all the makings of a classic.’
Séverine Autesserre, author of The Trouble with the Congo and Peaceland

‘Understanding contemporary Congolese politics is often a daunting task. Few people have a better grasp of the key players on the field, the issues at stake and their complex historical background than Kris Berwouts. From diplomat parties to refugee camps, from warlords to the presidential entourage, this book is essential reading for anyone truly interested in the DRC.’
David Van Reybrouck, author of Congo: The Epic History of a People

‘Will become indispensable reading for those seeking an understanding of the two decades of sporadic civil strife in the eastern borderlands of Congo… Thoroughly researched, this prospective volume is without doubt an authoritative work.’
Crawford Young, author of Politics in Congo: Decolonization and Independence

‘Berwouts’s convincing arguments stem from his unparalleled field experience and his culturally sensitive capacity to listen to and decode the messages of both agents and victims of conflict.’
Théodore Trefon, author of Congo Masquerade

'I recommend Congo’s Violent Peace as a reminder of what really happened during the last two decades in the DRC … to understand conflict better and to make us, external actors, better mediators to help end it.'
Strategic Review for Southern Africa

'A savvy history.'
Foreign Affairs