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When Enemies are Friends - Warfare relations in DRC Congo.

Hedlund, Anna LU orcid (2011) PACSA (Peace and Conflict Studies in Anthropology Network). The “local” in global understanding of war and peacemaking. Anthropological and inter-disciplinary perspectives. Workshop 7: Enemies and Others. On Conflict, social Polarization and Othering
Abstract
This paper explores wartime relationships and the culture of armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Without exceptions, the crises in the Congo must be framed in local-global correlations, i.e. in terms of criminal network activities and its linkages to mining businesses and exploitation of natural resources. In the eastern DRC the boundaries between the different armed groups and the state have become blurred. Previous enemies have now begun to collaborate for common pursuits; such collaborations are linked to what a global economic shadow market offers. On local level, groups split and from the ashes of such fractions new groups emerge. On ground we find a “gangland” with the national army (FARDC), the (defense) militias... (More)
This paper explores wartime relationships and the culture of armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Without exceptions, the crises in the Congo must be framed in local-global correlations, i.e. in terms of criminal network activities and its linkages to mining businesses and exploitation of natural resources. In the eastern DRC the boundaries between the different armed groups and the state have become blurred. Previous enemies have now begun to collaborate for common pursuits; such collaborations are linked to what a global economic shadow market offers. On local level, groups split and from the ashes of such fractions new groups emerge. On ground we find a “gangland” with the national army (FARDC), the (defense) militias (Mai-Mai), and the FDLR, (Rwandese Hutu ex-interahamwe accused of the genocide in Rwanda 1994). New relationships among these groups are constantly being formed depending on relationships (and status among different commanders) and lucrative commerce opportunities. This paper argues that in the context of war, the concept of relationship – moral, practical, strategic, tactical – must be reconceptualized. This paper is a result of extensive fieldwork in DRC (South Kivu province) together with the different armed groups. (Less)
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author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
unpublished
subject
keywords
war, Democratic Republic of Congo, armed groups, socialantropologi, social anthropology, violence
conference name
PACSA (Peace and Conflict Studies in Anthropology Network). The “local” in global understanding of war and peacemaking. Anthropological and inter-disciplinary perspectives. Workshop 7: Enemies and Others. On Conflict, social Polarization and Othering
conference location
Cyprus
conference dates
0001-01-02
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
169d42e5-a043-4847-8600-47820795156d (old id 2301980)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 14:09:56
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:18:39
@misc{169d42e5-a043-4847-8600-47820795156d,
  abstract     = {{This paper explores wartime relationships and the culture of armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Without exceptions, the crises in the Congo must be framed in local-global correlations, i.e. in terms of criminal network activities and its linkages to mining businesses and exploitation of natural resources. In the eastern DRC the boundaries between the different armed groups and the state have become blurred. Previous enemies have now begun to collaborate for common pursuits; such collaborations are linked to what a global economic shadow market offers. On local level, groups split and from the ashes of such fractions new groups emerge. On ground we find a “gangland” with the national army (FARDC), the (defense) militias (Mai-Mai), and the FDLR, (Rwandese Hutu ex-interahamwe accused of the genocide in Rwanda 1994). New relationships among these groups are constantly being formed depending on relationships (and status among different commanders) and lucrative commerce opportunities. This paper argues that in the context of war, the concept of relationship – moral, practical, strategic, tactical – must be reconceptualized. This paper is a result of extensive fieldwork in DRC (South Kivu province) together with the different armed groups.}},
  author       = {{Hedlund, Anna}},
  keywords     = {{war; Democratic Republic of Congo; armed groups; socialantropologi; social anthropology; violence}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  title        = {{When Enemies are Friends - Warfare relations in DRC Congo.}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}