The Role of South Africa in the Democratic Republic of Congo: The View of the Congolese State, Capital and Civil Society

Abstract

This article analyses the role of South Africa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as viewed by the Congolese state, capital and civil society. While South Africa situated its role in the resolution of the DRC confl ict within its African Renaissance project, it did not substantiate its theoretical position on the realisation of the objectives of this project in practice, nor did it use its leverage to exert pressure upon the Congolese leaders to move towards these objectives. It sided with those Congolese leaders not committed to the transformation of the country and also with Rwanda and Uganda. Its contribution was the tactical means to pave a way for the expansionof its capital and the realisation of socioeconomic policy objectives in the DRC.