The link between bad governance and conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Assessing the role of state institutions in instability in South Kivu

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been marred by persistent conflicts, and South Kivu, in particular, has been a hotspot of violence and instability. This thesis seeks to explore the link between bad governance and conflicts in the DRC, with a specific focus on South Kivu. The study delves into the role of bad governance in contributing to or mitigating the region's instability. It employs a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative analysis of historical data, policy documents, and expert interviews with quantitative data from surveys and reports. The investigation seeks to identify patterns and correlations between instances of bad governance and conflict escalation in South Kivu over the years. This study gives historical background of this conflict, explores the current ongoing events and proposes solutions which can help to identify best practices and potential areas for improvement in the governance frameworks. The findings of this research have shown that there have been different cases of displacement and humanitarian crisis, weak governance and security; and sexual abuses and human rights abuses. Human rights organizations have documented numerous cases of rape and other forms of violence against civilians. Also, the findings of this research have implications for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working on significant conflict resolution and state-building in the DRC and beyond. By uncovering the links between bad governance and conflicts in South Kivu, this study seeks to inform evidence-based policy recommendations that can contribute to sustainable peace and stability in the region. Overall, this study represents a critical step towards understanding the complex dynamics that underlie conflicts in the DRC, offering insights into how state institutions can play a crucial role in addressing underlying grievances and promoting peace in South Kivu.