Fatal Transactions presents results of the mapping research in the DRC

Fatal Transactions member IPIS presented the results of their recently published report ‘Mapping Conflict Motives: Eastern DRC’, in the DRC. IPIS researcher Steven Spittaels and Fatal Transactions coordinator Anneke Galama travelled to the regions where IPIS’ conducted its research and presented the findings and conclusions to NGO’s, MONUC and embassies in Kinshasa as well as interested local media.

In Goma (South Kivu) as well as Bukavu (North Kivu), the report was presented and discussed with local NGOs. MONUC, with a large presence in both cities, showed its interest in the results and asked for some copies of the report. The Belgium Embassy in Kinshasa invited IPIS to present and elaborate on its conclusions to a group of diplomats and international military staff.

The reactions were overall positive. The combination of maps and a 40 page report, outlining the different armed groups -including the governmental army FARDC- and the presence of natural resources -including timber and cannabis- make the overall analysis of great value for many stakeholders. The relation between the ongoing violence in the eastern DRC and the presence of natural resources is of interest to many investing in the reconstruction and potential industry of the DRC.

Read more about the IPIS mapping project and view all the maps here.