This writing sample is an introductory section of a larger research paper proposing a peacebuilding intervention for Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where decades of armed conflict, militarized conservation, and historical injustice have left deep scars on both the environment and surrounding communities. Once envisioned as a sanctuary for biodiversity, Virunga has become a contested space where park rangers—trained and equipped through foreign-funded green militarization—often find themselves in violent conflict with local populations struggling for survival.
The paper critically examines how the militarized approach to conservation, while effective in protecting wildlife, has perpetuated cycles of violence, displaced Indigenous and local communities, and eroded trust. Through a trauma-informed and restorative justice lens, it outlines a peacebuilding framework that integrates land restitution, sustainable resource sharing, and local stewardship.
Drawing on theories from John Paul Lederach, Robert Ricigliano, Angi Yoder-Maina, Laura van der Lipsky and global human development models, the intervention calls for a shift from coercive enforcement to collaborative governance. It advocates for recognizing customary land rights, integrating local communities as co-stewards of the park, and addressing the root causes of violence—poverty, displacement, and historical marginalization.
Ultimately, the project reframes conservation as a tool not only for ecological protection but for healing and justice. By promoting coexistence, dignity, and community-led stewardship, it envisions a pathway toward long-term peace and resilience in one of the world’s most ecologically and politically fragile regions.
This research paper and proposed peacebuilding policy intervention builds upon an earlier evaluation of an existing development initiative: the Hydroelectric Plants of Virunga National Park (see slide deck and summary below).
That prior evaluation found that, while the hydroelectric project delivered vital infrastructure and improved quality of life for surrounding Congolese communities, it also revealed deeper, unresolved tensions rooted in historical trauma, displacement, and structural inequality.
These legacies—often overlooked in conservation and development planning—continue to shape the region’s social, political, and economic landscape. This proposed intervention was developed in response to those findings, with the goal of addressing not only the surface-level impacts of conflict, but also the historical injustices and exclusion that have fueled cycles of violence and mistrust.
Rethinking Green Militarization and Land Stewardship in Virunga National Park:
A Peacebuilding Intervention for Sustainable Conservation and Community Healing
December 11, 2024
This intervention evaluation builds on earlier research exploring the development and impact of hydroelectric plants in Virunga National Park between 2010 and 2020. That foundational work analyzed the Virunga Alliance’s efforts to harness renewable energy as a means of promoting conservation, reducing poverty, and supporting peacebuilding in eastern Congo. The hydroelectric initiative created new economic opportunities, increased access to essential services like electricity and clean water, and supported critical public infrastructure. It directly improved public health by powering hospitals, clinics, and water-purification systems—most notably during a cholera outbreak, when an electric pump station provided clean, safe drinking water to affected communities. Reliable electricity also enabled refrigeration for vaccines, lighting for nighttime medical procedures, and general improvements in hygiene and sanitation. These outcomes contributed to enhanced community resilience and a higher quality of life. However, the research also identified key challenges—including sabotage by armed groups, misinformation, political tensions, and overpopulation—that continue to threaten the long-term stability of the region. These findings informed the current peacebuilding framework by highlighting the need to address root causes of violence and marginalization. Specifically, they underscored the importance of pairing sustainable development with inclusive land governance and trauma-informed community engagement to ensure that conservation efforts support—not harm—local populations.