| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Western policy towards the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) throughout the 1996-2006 period can be understood within a realist framework. Consequently, the West has generally had a counterproductive effect on DRC internal politics. The desire to create and defend Western zones of influence in Africa had a negative impact on conflict resolution until 1997. Following this and until the setting up of a transitional government in 2003, Western inaction and neglect meant that the West was quasi-absent from the negotiations to end the war. Between 2003 and the elections of 2006, the desire to consolidate the EU as a credible actor had an impact on DRC security through the EU's support to the DRC state and to UN peacekeeping missions, but this was limited in time and space.
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