Black Gold in the Congo: Threat to Stability or Development Opportunity?

This report discusses how the renewal of oil interest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo represents a threat to stability in the still vulnerable post-conflict country. Oil prospecting is nurturing old resentments among local communities and contributing to border tensions with neighboring countries. Potential oil reserves straddle the country's borders with Uganda, Angola and possibly other countries and could rekindle old sensitivities once exploration commences, posing risk for maintaining regional stability. The report provides several national and international recommendations to avert a destabilizing effect of an oil rush, including the support of the African Union and World Bank Group.

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Author:

International Crisis Group

Series:

Crisis Group Africa Briefings

Issue:

188

Publisher: