Chapter One is the introduction of the study which as noted includes a general background and outline of the research problem, the research hypotheses, preliminary literature review, research justification, research objectives, research problems, questions, theoretical framework, research methodology and the clarification of concepts used in the study.
Chapter Two provides a detailed contextualization of military intervention in order to project the various dimensions of the subject. The various definitions, forms and evolution of military intervention as well as the rationalities for military interventions as given by scholars are discussed.
Chapter Three gives a critical analysis of what exactly constitutes national interest using the realist concept. The chapter contextualizes national interests through an analytical exploration of the various scholarly definitions, the levels of national interest, the decision making determinants in the formulation and implementation criterion of national interest. The
34
coherence and disagreements among scholars regarding what constitute national interest is also discussed.
Chapter Four gives a critical examination and analysis of the historical paradox of military interventionism in the Congo from King Leopold II up to Laurent Kabila. It is noted that in almost all of these conflicts, military interventionism by external players at regional and international level, either in support or against a given regime in the Congo, was driven by the various respective interests of these nation states. These external powers adopted different strategies in the attainment and safeguarding these interests.
Chapter Five’s primary objective is to identify and ascertain the rationale behind the SADC coalition’s military intervention decision in the DRC conflict. Prior to identifying the coalition’s varying interests, a brief analysis is made on significance of diplomatic early warning and threat assessment to the decision for intervention. A critical analysis is also made in regards to the decisions for intervention within the national and subregional contexts as well as the decision for intervention under the SADC coalition of the willing and the legal dimensions of those decisions in respect of the SADC, AU and UN legal protocols. After identifying and ascertaining the interests behind the decisions to intervene by the governments of the SADC coalition, a critical evaluation is made in regards to the levels of significance of these interests. This evaluation seeks to project which of the interests were of primary or vital importance at the time of taking the decisions and which of these interests were secondary as well as the shift of these interests in terms of these levels during the course of the intervention.
35
Chapter Six discusses the significance of the coalition forces’ military strategy in relation to it being a tool used for the attainment, pursuing, and promotion as well as safeguarding of the varying interests of the intervening countries. The relevance of the SADC Mutual Defence Pact (MDP) as a legal and political guide within the framework of the coalition strategy is also discussed.
Chapter Seven makes a critical analysis on the coalition initiative to logistically sustain the war effort. It is noted the longevity of the military intervention resulted in members of the coalition incurring heavy financial costs that affected their national economies. It will be noted that this initiative involved the bilateral business ventures between the DRC government and the respective intervening countries. The chapter also makes a critical analysis of these economic activities. It will be noted that initiative to sustain the war efforts had its consequences such as the institution of the UN Panel of Experts which was tasked to investigate and report on the allegations of the illegal plunder of the natural resources and other forms of wealth of the DRC. A critical examination and analysis of these UN reports indicate that they could have stemmed from the fact that the coalition’s decision to intervene and the initiative to sustain that war effort was viewed or suspected by the non interverners and critics as well as the international community as “predatory and exploitative.”
Chapter Eight contains the qualitative presentation and analysis of the research findings. The findings of the research are qualitatively analysed within the framework of the core of objectives of the study which were as follows: identification and establishment of how the interests of the governments that intervened in the DRC conflict were the primary motivating factor that informed their decisions on military interventions; ascertaining the extent to which the SADC coalition’s military strategy became a principal tool in the attainment, pursuing,
36
promotion and safeguarding of these varying interests as well as how that strategy was utilised as a mechanism for the translation and development of these varying interests into common ones among the AZN intervening countries. A consolidated summary of the whole thesis is made after which recommendations are suggested as a significant measure of addressing the third and last core objective of this thesis research project, which is the provision of policy suggestions on the execution of future military interventions in African conflicts, particularly at the SADC sub-regional level.
37
CHAPTER TWO
CONTEXTUALIZING MILITARY INTERVENTIONS