The reconfiguration of political order in Africa

Auteurs

• Denis Tull

Paramètres

• Sciences politiques & Politique

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This book analyzes the dynamics of power and survival in stateless societies, focusing on insurgency-controlled North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 1998 to 2003. It investigates the sources of local power and authority in the absence of strong bureaucratic state institutions. Drawing on original fieldwork, the study highlights key actors, including the RCD insurgency leaders, traditional authorities, civil society groups, churches, local associations, and NGOs. Central to the inquiry is the political rule of the rebels and their interactions with society, revealing the types of political order emerging at the local level. Despite the destructive nature of North Kivu's wartime political landscape, it is shown to be relatively structured, with rebel rulers dominating the political arena and influencing societal strategies, whether in opposition or support. This relative stability of rebel governance has fostered processes of engagement and accommodation, challenging the perception of chaos in war-torn regions. Additionally, the governance methods of the rebels exhibit significant similarities to the pre-war Mobutist state in Eastern Congo. While there are notable changes, the persistence of established political patterns and the lack of institutional innovations caution against viewing the situation as a complete break from the past.

Achat du livre

• Année de publication: 2005
• Reliure: (souple)