UGENT Human Rights Research Network
UGENT Human Rights Research Network

Published on 19-02-2025, Last modified on 19-02-2025

Rights Bites with Koen Vlassenroot: How to understand the escalation of the Congo conflict?

28/02/2025 @ 12:00:00
Faculty Meeting Room Dean John Vincke | Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, Technicum 1, 9000 Gent
Rights Bites

How to understand the escalation of the Congo conflict?

 

The military capture of the city of Goma by the M23 rebels came as a surprise to many. Meanwhile, this movement has rapidly expanded its area of control, mounting the pressure on the Congolese regime itself. Where did this sudden escalation come from? Are there parallels with previous Congolese wars? What is the attitude of the wider international community? Why has no lasting solution to this conflict been found so far? This seminar will delve into the history of conflict in eastern Congo, its complexities, and its main players.

 

PLEASE REGISTER HERE: https://event.ugent.be/registration/rightsbitesfeb

 

Professor Koen Vlassenroot

 

Conflict Research Group
Department of Conflict and Development, Ghent University

 

His area of expertise includes conflict dynamics in Central Africa, with a specific focus on public authority, armed groups, resource governance and land issues. He currently conducts research on networks of conflict, politics of resistance and armed groups in eastern DRC. He is also a visiting professor at the LSE and investigator of a number of international research projects.