Valuing a People-Centered Approach to the Protection of Civilians Following Peacekeeping Mission Withdrawal in Eastern DR Congo.

Abstract

This summary is from the abstract of my thesis.

In the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, ongoing cycles of conflict and violence have heightened the focus on civilian protection by peacekeeping missions. Despite the robust military efforts employed to address these needs, violence against civilians persists, leading to calls for the withdrawal of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). This qualitative study involved interviewing civilians, MONUSCO personnel, and Congolese National Police representatives in Eastern DRC, alongside analyzing official UN policy documents to understand MONUSCO’s organizational perspective. The research examined the security landscape for civilian protection and explored how the protective role of the Congolese National Police in Eastern DRC might be enhanced by adopting a people-centered approach amidst discussions of MONUSCO’s potential withdrawal. Grounded in human security theory and community-oriented policing framework, this study proposes establishing strong police-civilian relationships as a foundational step toward enhancing people-centered civilian protection. The findings of this study suggest that adopting a people-centered approach can potentially enhance the effectiveness of local security forces in protecting civilians in Eastern DRC after the withdrawal of the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission. If the approach had been adopted to address violence against civilians in Eastern DRC, it might have led to fewer community-based conflicts and fewer protection needs among civilians. Therefore, the perspectives and experiences shared in this research are vital for developing longer-term people-centered protection strategies and solutions if conflicts and physical violence against civilians persist in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.