Democratic Republic of the Congo
Continuous conflict and instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo hinder social reconstruction and peace. Despite efforts for justice, including the ICC's involvement, violence persists. Government institutions lack the will and capacity to address root causes. Recent surveys document affected individuals' experiences to inform policymakers.
Challenges and Hopes for Peace
The Congolese government and other institutions lack the political will, capacity, and resources to address both national and local root causes of the DRC's conflicts. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Observatory of Human Rights, though mandated to address past atrocities, lack credibility and effectiveness.
By focusing on Rwanda, international peace builders neglect other local causes of violence. Despite transitional efforts, little significant change has occurred, particularly in volatile North Kivu. Recent violence and negotiations offer hope for lasting peace. In this context, the Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley, the Payson Center at Tulane University, and the ICTJ surveyed those most affected by the conflict in the DRC, aiming to inform policymaking in peace negotiation and reconstruction.
Objectives
The survey focused on the eastern DRC regions directly impacted by war, reflecting the perceptions of the vulnerable Congolese population. It also compared opinions from Kinshasa and Kisangani.
Assess the overall exposure to violence among the population in eastern Congo as a result of war and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law since 1993.
Understand the priorities and needs of civilians affected by the conflict.
Capture attitudes about peace and social reconstruction, including resettlement, protection, unity, and the reintegration of former combatants
Document attitudes and opinions about transitional justice mechanisms
Elucidate views on the relationship between peace, justice, and social reconstruction
Despite methodological challenges, the HRC, Payson Center, and ICTJ conducted a population survey in Congo to prompt dialogue among government, belligerents, and international entities for sustainable peace, justice, governance, and rule of law.
Methodology
Research Design
Researchers consulted with representatives of the Congolese government, civil society, and local and international NGOs. A discussion guideline was developed to inform a population-based survey. This was followed by a quantitative survey from September to December 2007 of 2,620 individuals in eastern DRC and 1,133 individuals in Kinshasa and Kisangani.
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The survey focused on the conflict-affected areas of North and South Kivu and the Ituri district in Oriental Province. For comparison, 1,133 individuals were also surveyed in Kinshasa and Kisangani. Data was collected by local teams using a standardized questionnaire, with respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling strategy. Interviews were conducted anonymously, with oral consent obtained. The study was approved by the Human Subject Committees of the University of California, Berkeley, Tulane University, and the University of Kinshasa, DRC.
Research Instruments
The survey instrument covered 13 topics including (1) demographics, (2) place of living/displacement, (3) priorities and access to services, (4) sense of security, (5) sense of community, group dynamic, and reintegration, (6) understanding of peace and justice, (7) peace and mechanisms for peace, (8) accountability and mechanisms for justice, (9) the ICC, (10) truth, (11) victims and reparation, (12) psychological impact, and (13) the role of the media. (The presentation of the results does not follow this order.) The instrument was developed by a team with expertise in human rights, law, transitional justice, epidemiology, psychiatry, anthropology, surveying, and the conflict in eastern Congo, in consultation with local actors. The instrument was first developed in French and then translated into the local languages and tested. Back-translation and consultation with local experts ensured the quality of the translation. In addition to the qualitative survey, some in-depth interviews and key-informant interviews were conducted in selected sampled sites to gain an understanding of the concepts and judicial mechanisms under study.
Statistical Analysis
Data were entered into Microsoft Access database. They were subsequently imported and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16.0. No weighting factors were used during the analysis because selection of the primary sampling unit was done proportionately to the population size
Limitations
All possible steps were taken to ensure data reliability and accuracy, but some limitations must be acknowledged given the challenges of field research in conflict settings.
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First, recall error and question sensitivity may have affected respondents' answers. Fear of reprisals might have influenced their candor.
Second, local events contemporaneous to the survey influenced responses. Renewed fighting in North Kivu and the ICC's transfer of Germain Katanga in Ituri likely impacted views.
Third, respondents interpreted survey terms like “peace,” “security,” and “justice” individually, as these concepts were not explained to avoid biasing answers.
Fourth, not all sampled individuals could be interviewed. 649 households and 412 individuals were replaced due to absence or refusal.
Fifth, the study's results are representative of the selected areas (eastern DRC, Kinshasa, and Kisangani), but not all of Congo. Census data limitations also affect reliability, though estimates are deemed relatively accurate.
