Analyzing the Contribution of Natural Resource Governance on Political Instability in North Kivu Province, Eastern Congo

Political instability is a critical and persistent issue in the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in North and South Kivu. To address this concern the study was purposed to analyze the contribution of natural resource governance on political instability in North Kivu Province, Eastern Congo. The study achieved the following specific objectives: First, we examined the role of transparency on political instability in North Kivu Province, Eastern Congo. Second, we assessed the role of accountability on political instability in North Kivu Province, Eastern Congo. Lastly, we explored possible strategies for mitigating political instability caused by natural resource governance in North Kivu Province, Eastern Congo. Two theories underpinned the study. Resource Curse Theory and Institutional Resource Governance Framework. A case study design of North Kivu and a qualitative approach was adopted. An in-depth interviews and document reviews were conducted among 14 participants; 3 security experts, 4 government officials, 4 civil society organisations and 3 NGO representatives. Thematic and content analysis was applied. The study findings revealed a picture of a governance system where secrecy breeds instability. Opaque revenue management allows elites and militias to siphon off wealth, leaving communities impoverished and resentful. Restricted information access prevents accountability, while exclusionary decision-making alienates locals, pushing them toward unrest or militia support. The resulting distrust in institutions perpetuates a cycle of conflict, as communities lose faith in governance and turn to alternative power structures. Addressing transparency through public contract disclosure, community consultations, and accessible information could disrupt this cycle, though entrenched interests pose challenges. More so, the findings reveal that accountability failures i.e. ineffective oversight, pervasive corruption, disempowered communities, and weak legal frameworks drive political instability in North Kivu. Strengthening accountability through independent audits, anti-corruption measures, and community empowerment could mitigate instability, but systemic barriers, including entrenchedcorruption, pose significant challenges. Lastly, the study proposed strategies; transparency, accountability, community engagement, institutional capacity, and regional cooperation as a holistic approach to mitigating instability. Transparency and accountability address governance failures, aligning with the Institutional Resource Governance Framework’s emphasis on robust systems. Community engagement and capacity-building empower locals and strengthen institutions, countering the Resource Curse Theory’s prediction of conflict in resource-rich regions. Regional cooperation tackles external factors, a dimension often overlooked in governance-focused theories. However, implementation faces challenges: corruption, political resistance, and ongoing conflict demand coordinated efforts from local, national, and international actors. These strategies, if realized, could transform North Kivu’s resource wealth into a driver of peace and development. Going forward, future research could benefit by integrating quantitative data to measure the economic and social outcomes of governance reforms to complement the qualitative insights here, offering a fuller picture of their impact. These directions would build on this study’s foundation, advancing knowledge and practice in resource governance and conflict resolution.