Territorial Découpage and Issues of ‘Autochthony’ in Former Katanga Province, the Democratic Republic of Congo: The Role of Urban Ethnic Associations

Abstract

This study investigates how ethnic associations have tried to influence decision making in the decentralization process in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in Katanga. Creating new provinces by splitting up Katanga induced the construction of new identities and fueled tensions between communities: ethnic associations either oppose(d) or advocate(d) this break-up for political and socio-economic reasons that concerned interests of the communities they represent. They employed autochthony discourses to reinforce their arguments and claims. In the context of a weak state and its economic uncertainty, decentralization that aimed to bring governors closer to the governed did not necessarily decrease ethnic conflict.

Notes

1 To include ethnic communities from Katanga’s five districts, interviews were conducted with representatives of the associations ASSONDEF, Buluba-i-Bukata, Divar, Kulivwa, Lwanzo Lwa Mikuba and Sempya, and with board members of Fondation Katangaise, Tshota and Espace Sempya-Lwanzo.

2 According to the Ruund tradition, Ruund, Tshokwe, Ndembu, Minungu and Luena all descend from common ancestors in Kapanga territory in Lualaba district. The Lunda cultural space refers to the Lunda Empire, which started to expand in the seventeenth century from its heartland into neighbouring regions (Vansina, 1965).

3 In 1988 Kivu was split into North and South Kivu and Maniema, resulting in eleven provinces.

4 Due to labour migration, Luba-Katanga and migrants from Kasai form important communities in Haut-Katanga, mainly concentrated in the cities (Englebert et al., 2018, pp. 16–17).

5 Kyungu was governor of Katanga from 1991 to 1995, and speaker of the Katangan parliament from 2006 until Katanga’s break-up. In 2000 he founded the federalist party Union Nationale des Fédéralistes du Congo.

6 Open letter Espace Sempya-Lwanzo (2011, January 25). Impact News, 171, p. 6.

7 Interview with board member of Buluba-i-Bukata, Lubumbashi, 14 February 2011.

8 Open letters of Buluba-i-Bukata and Sempya (2010, January 5). Quiproquo, 434, pp. 6–7.

9 In 2016 Muyej was elected first governor of Lualaba province.

10 Interview with board member of Sempya, Lubumbashi, 10 October 2016. Sempya is composed of six sub-divisions, representing communities of each of the territories of Haut-Katanga.

11 Katumbi had suggested that any ambition of Kabila to run for a third presidential mandate, would be unacceptable. Once his governorship came to an end Katumbi left Kabila’s PPRD, and, joining the opposition, officially announced his candidacy for presidency.

12 Interview with board member of Sempya, Lubumbashi, 10 October 2016.

13 As captured in its constitution, Lwanzo claims rights over lands in the territories of Lubudi and Mutshatsha (in former Kolwezi district); Kambove, Kasenga, Kipushi and Mitwaba (in Haut-Katanga); and in the cities of Likasi and Kolwezi.

14 The declaration was addressed to president Kabila and the speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate.

15 Interview with local board members of Lwanzo, Kolwezi, 14 March 2013.

16 Tshota communities represent more than 60% of the population of Lualaba province (Englebert et al., 2018, pp. 16–17).

17 Vano Kiboko’s re-election as national chairman in 2010 was contested, as he was accused by some members of irregular practices (Kalebela, 2010, p. 5). He was not re-elected as a member of parliament in 2011.

18 Interviews with a Vano Kiboko supporter, Lubumbashi, 9 October 2016, 14 February 2018.

19 The organization Regroupement des Jeunes pour le Progrès du Lualaba (RJPL) claimed in its letter to Lwanzo (12 July 2013) that chief Kazembe in Kolwezi district is Ruund and not Sanga.

20 Response from Lwanzo’s youth division on 20 September 2013 to the letter of RJPL (12 July 2013).