Ethnicity, Leadership and Conflict Mediation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: The Case of the Barza Inter-Communautaire

Abstract

This article explores a community-level conflict mediation institution in the province of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), known as the Barza Inter-Communautaire (Barza). The Barza assembles leaders from North Kivu's nine major ethnic groups to help resolve low-level conflicts before they escalate to violence. Between 1998 and early 2004, the Barza generally succeeded in resolving ethnic disputes in North Kivu, particularly those over land ownership, ensuring there were few cases of ethnic violence in its sphere of influence. However, by the end of 2004 the Barza's ability to mitigate ethnic tensions had weakened considerably, and by the end of 2005 the Barza had collapsed altogether. This article traces the history of the Barza and explores its impact on ethnic conflict in North Kivu and the reasons why it eventually broke down. In particular, the article highlights the effects on the Barza of national and regional politics in the context of ongoing violence and the DRC's first national elections since independence. Efforts to restore the Barza may yet prove successful, and it may once again contribute to decreasing ethnic tensions in North Kivu, but only if its leaders overcome significant internal and external obstacles.