Rebellions in the DRC : hindrance or catalyst to the process of democratization.

Abstract

The present study is an analytical investigation of the impact of rebellions on the process of democratization in the DRC. It is concentrated principally on the Ceasefire Agreement signed in 1999 in Lusaka (Zambia) between main rebel groups, central government, opposition political parties, civil society and representatives of countries involved in conflict. The stipulations of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement which provided the Inter-Congolese Dialogue widely affected the course of events in many ways. This study assesses with rigor whether rebellions in the DRC hindered or catalysed the process of democratization. Opportunity approach is selected as the theoretical framework of this study; it gives a variety of tools to analyze the dimensions of the political environment which provides incentives for leaders to initiate actions that can affect their expectations. The tools of historical and qualitative analysis of different texts of various Scientifics and non-Scientifics have been used in this study. Different aspects of rebellions and the process of democratization in the DRC have been analyzed comprising the process of democratization before the rebellions of 1996-1997 and those of 1998 which culminated in the signature of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement by all belligerents. The result of this study stipulates that, rebellions in the DRC played a catalytic role in boosting the process of democratization by pushing the central government to agree on the Inclusive Global Accord which provided a transitional government composed of main rebel groups‟ representatives; central government and opposition political parties. This adds proof to scientific findings that democratization is connected with possible diminution of rebellion, as well as co-relation between that stage of development and democracy in combating rebellion (Morrisson, 2003). Recommendations are made at the end of this study in order to tackle obstacles that could obstruct the process of democratization in the DRC.