Abstract
This chapter examines the nature and dynamics of state fragility and post-conflict capacity building efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), focusing on key issues relevant to socioeconomic development. The analysis uses existing literature to explore the causes of fragility in the country and to document the crucial role played by the civil society in tackling some of the post-conflict challenges that the state cannot adequately address. The discussion of the drivers of state fragility details how weak local and national governance structures, protracted civil war and ethnic strife, and the failure to build a national consciousness are exacerbating the problem of state fragility. The chapter explores how the civil society has stepped in to provide badly needed services by initiating and supporting capacity building projects in the country. It is argued that given the current challenges facing the state, civil society organizations will continue to be key players in peace building and provision of essential services to the people of the DRC.
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Kongolo, M., Zamberia, A.M. (2016). State Fragility and Capacity Building in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In: Olowu, D., Chanie, P. (eds) State Fragility and State Building in Africa. United Nations University Series on Regionalism, vol 10. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20642-4_9
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