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ABSTRACT
The complexity of ethnic associational life in Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo, resulted from both the existence of associations representing ethnic groups, and alliances between related ethnic associations, and between communities originating from the same province. These organisations competed with one another in a bid to secure economic resources. Ethnic associations are characterised by bonding social capital, reinforcing intra-group solidarity, and employ sometimes autochthony discourses to reinforce their demands. Alliances between ethnic associations are based on bridging ties generating broader solidarities and identities, though these can become associated with the hardening of new boundaries: bridging social capital is thus converted into new forms of bonding social capital that defend common interests. This paper challenges the assumption that bridging social capital lowers the risk of inter-group conflicts. It also shows that combining “bridging” with “linking social capital” nevertheless contribute to mitigating inter-group conflicts.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 In 2015, Katanga was split into four provinces (Haut-Katanga, Lualaba, Haut-Lomami and Tanganyika) as a result of the decentralisation process mandated by the 2006 Constitution. Katangan districts were transformed into provinces with the exception of Lualaba and Kolwezi, which were merged into Lualaba province.
2 Although Katanga does not exist anymore, the idea of the Grand Katanga is kept alive by Fondation Katangaise.
3 Interview with former CCK board member CCK, Lubumbashi, 10 February 2011; interview with COREKOR chairman, Lubumbashi, 26 March 2012.
4 Interview with FONKAT chairman, Lubumbashi, 16 February 2011.
5 Interview with Sempya member, Lubumbashi, 19 March 2013.
6 Interview with Obuguma member, Lubumbashi, 11 March 2013.
7 Interview with co-founder of Lwanzo, Lubumbashi, 22 February 2013.
8 Interview with Kulivwa members, Lubumbashi, 4 and 11 February 2011; interview with Sempya member, Lubumbashi, 17 February 2011; interview with Buluba-i-Bukata member, Lubumbashi, 12 February 2011.
9 Interview with FONKAT chairman, Lubumbashi, 16 February 2011; interview with FONKAT vice-chairman, Lubumbashi, 26 May 2014.
10 Interview with FONKAT board member, Lubumbashi, 7 March 2013.
11 Interview with FONKAT vice-chairman, Lubumbashi, 26 May 2014.
12 Interview with FONKAT chairman, Kolwezi, 13 March 2013.
13 Interview with COREKOR chairman, Lubumbashi, 26 March 2012. UDPS and UFERI became opponents in the early 1990s after Mobutu accepted the introduction of multi-partyism.
14 Interview with Tshota chairman, Brussels, 16 July 2013.
15 In the 19th century, Msiri, a trader from Tanzania, arrived in Katanga, attracted by the copper production in the region, and established the Yeke kingdom (Legros Citation1996). Although the Belgians created separate Sanga and Yeke chiefdoms, Yeke integrated into the Sanga community, adopting the Kisanga language.
16 Interview with Sempya board members, Lubumbashi, 23 February 2011; interview with Lwanzo board members, Kolwezi, 14 March 2013.
17 Interview with Espace Sempya-Lwanzo board member, Lubumbashi, 12 February 2011; interview with Sempya member, Lubumbashi, 17 February 2011; interview with Lwanzo member, Lubumbashi, 12 October 2016.
18 Interviews with Lwanzo board members, Kolwezi, 14 March 2013.
19 Interview with Lwanzo member, Lubumbashi, 24 February.2018.
20 Interview with Monano board member (Equateur), Lubumbashi, 3 April 2012; interview with Coordination du Nord-Kivu board member, Lubumbashi, 7 April 2012; interview with Communauté des Ressortissants du Bandundu chairman, Lubumbashi, 4 April 2012.
21 Representative of Lualaba parliament, personal communication, 6 July 2022.
22 Interview with Ashilac/Sempya member, Lubumbashi, 19 March 2013.
23 Interviews with Lwanzo members, Lubumbashi, 14 and 24 February 2018.
24 Interview with Kulivwa member, Lubumbashi, 11 February 2011.
25 Interview with FONKAT chairman, Lubumbashi, 16 February 2011; interview with FONKAT chairman, Kolwezi, 13 March 2013; interview with Mayor of Kolwezi, 23 May 2014.
26 Interview with Vice-mayor of Lubumbashi, 4 June 2014.
27 Interview with Lwanzo board member, Lubumbashi, 12 February 2011; interview with Lwanzo member, Lubumbashi, 14 February 2018.