Koen Vlassenroot

Koen Vlassenroot investigates armed groups and civil wars and has carried out extensive fieldwork in eastern DR Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and the Philippines. His major contribution to the field of conflict research is to understand the social embeddedness of rural armed groups, the mobility of combatants, public authority and non-state forms of governance in conflict zones, and the social transformations induced by long-term violence. He has published numerous peer–reviewed articles and book chapters, has been Co-Principal Investigator of several five-year international research consortia, has directed large international research grants, and has conducted research and consulting activities for international donor agencies and non-governmental organizations. At UGent, he is the director of the Conflict Research Group and of the Governance in Conflict International Thematic Network.

New Publication:The Political Hidden Costs of Power-Sharing in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Two decades after the adoption of a constitution brought about by the Global and Inclusive Agreement (AGI), a full-scale war once again threatens the stability of the regime in the DRC.

EVENT: Rights Bites with Koen Vlassenroot: How to understand the escalation of the Congo conflict?

This talk will delve into the history of conflict in eastern Congo, its complexities and its main player.

OPINION PIECE: ( In Dutch) De Congocrisis reikt verder dan ‘conflictmineralen’

The Congo crisis extends beyond 'conflict minerals'

CALL FOR APPLICATION: Rural Futures   ‘Governance at the edge of the State’ (GOVEDSTA) Summer School

This Summer School addresses the question of rural futures ‘at the edge of the state’ from a planetary perspective.

Vacancy: Two sandwich PhD Scholarships

We offer 2 PhD sandwich scholarships in partnership with a university from the Global South.

Opinion Piece: How the world keeps failing eastern DRC

Old ‘peace-building’ schemes are obsolete in a country that is seeing new and ever-changing political and conflict dynamics.

New article: Rural Radicalisms and the Politics of Order: Authority, Precarity, and Globality in Africa

This special issue traces new forms and practices of rural radicalism.

New Book Chapter Publication: “Democratic Republic of the Congo” in Africa Yearbook Vol. 20

Two dynamics dominated the political and social context in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. One was the electoral process, and the second dynamic was the further intensification of the conflict with the Rwandan-backed M23 in North Kivu Province.

EVENT: Conflict Cafe: Shifting Security Landscape in the Sahel

July 3 (Wed) 6PM. (Please click TO REGISTER ) This café will discuss pertinent issues on the shifting security landscapes in the Sahel.

New Publication: Elections are not an end in itself Reflecting on the challenges facing Félix Tshisekedi’s second term

Published by Governance in Conflict Network.

Current research projects:

Promotion of Peace and Stability in Eastern DRC (Pro Paix II)

This project seeks to inform policy about security conditions and opportunities for programming through independent, regular and field-driven analysis in areas and topics of concern in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Insecure Livelihoods Series

If we can draw one overarching policy implication from the Congo wars, it is the growing disconnect between the existing international conflict response toolkit and the complexity of violent conflict on the ground.

Centre for Public Authority and International Development (CPAID)

CRG is a key member of the Centre for Public Authority and International Development (CPAID), which conducts interdisciplinary research to strengthen knowledge about how the governance of societies in impoverished, marginal and/or conflict-affected places actually functions.

Research Projects under Supervision:

Publications: