A la conquête du dernier Far West : gestion des ressources naturelles et dynamiques des conflits au Congo-Zaïre

Abstract

Over the past years a lot of discussion has taken place on the issue of war and natural resources and how to prevent illegal trade in resource wealth from fueling conflict in Africa. Democratic Republic of Congo one of the richest countries in Africa is wracked by conflict for 10 of 15 years and now in the process of implosion.

The crucial element in the definition of natural wealth such as diamonds, coltan, cobalt, gold, oil is the role played by illegal diamond trade and others minerals resources in fuelling wars and the rather unusual criminal network forged between rebel factions, warlords government and pro-government forces, corrupt politicians, rogues states, and MNC's. The plundering of Congo (DRC) has formed a recurrent parameter throughout the history of this Region and its successive violent conflicts. This is particularly true of the current situation where the illegal exploitation of diamonds, coltan, gold now occurs at an alarming pace.

The 'official state' can longer save as the primary security provider specially in the context of new economic configuration. What we see is the emergence of a global informal economy that is inextricably linked with the globalization of legal trade. The consequences of globalization have compounded the governance capacity of week states and in extreme cases have led to the collapse of the state apparatus and the privatization of security. These complexed crises have slow down any hope of development in a context of "collapse" of Africa Nation-State.