The international community has constructed a dominant narrative to explain the prevalence of gendered violence in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This dominant narrative posits regional and national antagonisms over conflict minerals as the cause of the Congolese wars that have resulted in the mass rape of Congolese women and girls. Sexual violence against women and girls is portrayed as the most significant form of violence occurring during the Congolese wars. This narrative has had a substantial impact on how the international community has represented, researched and responded to Congolese women and gendered violence. I argue that this narrative is based on problematic conceptions of gender relations rooted in white Western feminism that are incompatible with the local experiences of Congolese women and men. The misconception of gender, gender relations and gender violence has engendered misguided intervention initiatives that have failed to produce meaningful change in the lives of Congolese women. This thesis challenges dominant discourses that inform and impose specific narratives of violence and development agendas. It moves beyond them to propose an alternative analysis of gender and gendered violence. It sheds light on the historical disconnection between international and local perspectives of gender and gender violence in the Congo, arguing that to be effective, international development and humanitarian discourses must be re-examined in light of the local socio-cultural context of eastern Congo.

Notre objectif de recherche vise à identifier les pratiques des femmes lorsqu’elles entrent en relation avec les figures de l’autorité dans le cadre des enjeux auxquels elles font face dans leur vie quotidienne. C'est dans cette perspective que nous avons mené une étude de terrain de huit mois au Nord Kivu, à l’est de la République démocratique du Congo. Notre hypothèse de départ est que malgré le fait que les femmes congolaises continuent de subir les effets des nombreux conflits qui ont ravagé le pays, elles sont également en mesure de mobiliser les normes au sein des différents champs et réseaux semi-autonomes qui régulent leur vie quotidienne, comme un moyen d'assurer leur survie au jour le jour. Nous avons donc voulu retracer certaines reconstructions normatives initiées par les femmes au sein des structures internationales, transnationales, nationales et locales et ce, tout en veillant à maintenir leur participation dans le jeu social.

This thesis uses a case study of mountain gorilla conservation in Rwanda and the DRC to explore how diverse connections and disconnections influence idea circulation and disseminate different forms of inclusion and exclusion of particular people and groups. It is embedded within a theoretical framework that brings together three bodies of literature on non-governmental organisations (NGOs), transnational networks and ideational power to ask questions about network interactions and what they mean in terms of idea circulation. The thesis addresses three research questions: What do transnational networks look like on the ground; what do (dis)connections look like and what do they mean in terms of idea circulation, inclusion and exclusion; and (how) do transnational networks operate to include and circulate the ideas of more marginalised groups in society? This thesis presents results from a survey of the work of 281 conservation NGOs in sub-Saharan Africa, which maps out the institutional context of mountain gorilla conservation and raises questions about the interactions, equality and inclusiveness of the sector. Having identified mountain gorilla conservation as a suitable case study for this research, the thesis explores the political and environmental history of the Virungas, looking at how the two interact and influence (dis)connections. Using data gathered from semi-structured interviews, this thesis introduces the key actors, structures and processes involved in mountain gorilla conservation in Rwanda and the DRC and explores the connections between them. It shows how connections based on perceptions of expertise, staff movement and the professional and social circles people move in cause certain ideas to be respected and circulated, whilst other people and their ideas are ‘accidentally’ excluded. At the same time ‘strategic’ disconnections, which result from personal and organisational conflicts, can prevent idea circulation and lead to project duplication in some areas and a lack of projects in others. The thesis also examines NGO and state claims that ‘the idea (for interventions) came from the community’. It argues that, with exceptions, in a context of ‘sensitisation’ of communities to conservation and a complex political history, NGOs and states often define community ‘ideas’ themselves and do not typically have processes in place to foster local ideas, potentially excluding some of the more marginalised groups in society.

This paper describes the development of Congo since its beginnings until today and focuses on the influence of the Western world on the country. Congo was founded by the Belgian king Leopold II and became his personal colony. Leopold's regime was orientated on the expoitation of Congo's natural resources, above all rubber and ivory. The inhuman treatment of Africans caused international criticism and Leopold was forced to hand over the colony to Belgium. Under belgian rule the economic development of Congo started, even though congolese people were still considered second category citiziens. After gaining independence the country was caught in total chaos until the revolution by general Mobutu. After taking over the government, he ruled Congo for 32 years, supported by the West, and the country was systematically ruined. In 1997, during the first Congo war, Mobutu was overthrown by Laurent Kabila. One year later another war started and though it officialy ended in 2003, a regional conflict in Kivu is still going on. The motivation of armed groups is the mineral wealth of the region. Western companies are indirectly financing the conflict through importing conflict minerals.

This dissertation entitled: “Policy Options in The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): An Overview from 1960 to 2006” entails to develop an analytical framework with the intention of looking at various policy options that could guide the leadership in mapping out a roadmap for sustainable development in the reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The research recognises that suitable policies which can provide solutions for the political and socio-economic problems of the DRC must be sought within the geographic, demographic, religious and ethnic context of that country. Hence, the dissertation departs from the premises that the diagnosis of the solution needed to remedy problems afflicting many African nations such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo begins with the inherent problem of governance. Consequently, the study investigates sources of bad governance and factors which have led to the collapse of a state beginning with the historical consequence of colonialism and the mismanagement by successive regimes. These factors are largely responsible for the decimation of potentially, Africa’s wealthiest nations, reducing them to being amongst the poorest in the world. Beyond the context of the continental policies, the dissertation examines the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s own Post Conflict and Reconstruction policy. Also for consideration is the areas of priority that needs focussing on if a post conflict and reconstruction policy is to be successful. This includes ensuring that peace and security prevails by stabilising the country through the reform of the security sector. Security in this context must be understood in its broad format which includes human security. On the other hand, the study also presents the argument that policies alone are not sufficient to create a functioning state that is of service to its people. For the future and prosperity of the Congo, it is essential not only to have the correct policies only, but also a leadership, at all levels, that will embrace and implement them. / Dissertation (MAdmin)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

The DRC has recently embarked on a new SEZ project. The country does not have a history of success with SEZs, however, much like other African countries. This paper investigates the past and current legal frameworks governing SEZs in the DRC, in an attempt to identify their weaknesses and strengths, with the ultimate goal of finding room for improvement and preventing the failures from the past from occurring again. Because the DRC cooperates closely with South Africa on SEZ regulation, the paper also delves into the South African experience, to see whether the DRC can already draw lessons from South Africa. The study then formulates a number of recommendations including that a new fiscal and non-fiscal incentive framework should be established. / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / gm2015 / Centre for Human Rights / LLM / Unrestricted

A formação de biofilmes em superfícies que entram em contato com alimentos pode resultar em contaminação em qualquer parte do processo produtivo, podendo assim, ser causa de doenças transmitidas por alimentos. A formação de biofilmes por Staphylococcus ssp. é uma das grandes preocupações na indústria de lácteos, e também na área da medicina veterinária. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a capacidade de formação de biofilmes de Staphylococcus spp. isolados de laticínios produtores de queijo Minas Frescal e de leite de vacas com mastite subclínica. O estudo foi realizado em 3 fases, sendo a primeira uma caracterização fenotípica de 150 isolados de Staphylococcus spp. pelo teste do Ágar Vermelho Congo (AVC). Na segunda fase, foi realizada uma caracterização genotípica dos isolados de Staphylococcus spp., pesquisando os genes icaA, icaD, bap, bbp, cna, ebpS, eno, fib, fnbA, fnbB, clfA e clfB. Na terceira fase foram selecionadas 10 cepas com diferentes perfis genotípicos e três cepas padrão de Staphylococcus spp., para avaliação da capacidade de formação de biofilmes. Foi avaliada a capacidade de formação de biofilmes das 13 cepas em três tempos (12h, 48h e 96h), duas temperaturas (5°C e 25°C) e duas superfícies de contato (aço inoxidável 304 e polipropileno) tendo como primeira variável resposta a densidade óptica a 600 nm obtida utilizando metodologia do cristal violeta e a segunda variável resposta foi a contagem microbiológica de células viáveis (log10UFC cm-2) aderidas nas superfícies testadas. Foi utilizado um Delineamento Inteiramente Casualizado (DIC) com fatorial de 13x3x2x2. No AVC 38,7% (n=58) dos 150 isolados foram positivos para formação de biofilme. Observou-se que 93,3% (n=140) dos 150 isolados possuíam o gene clfA, 87,3% (n=131) o eno, 62,7% (n=94) o ebpS, 54,7% (n=82) o fib, 54% (n=81) o fnbA, 53,3% (n=80) o icaD, 47,3% (n=71) os genes icaA e clfB, 43,3% (n=65) o fnbB, 17,3% (n=26) o bap, 8% (n=8) o cna e 4% (n=40) o gene bbp. Pelo Teste de Friedman (&alpha;=0,05) os fatores cepa, temperatura e superfície foram significativos (p<0,0001) para as duas variáveis resposta na formação de biofilmes, enquanto que, entre os tempos de avaliação não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05). A maior produção de biofilme (avaliada por densidade óptica) foi observada a 25°C no aço inoxidável, sendo que as cepas S. epidermidis ATCC 35984 e S. aureus 119 foram as cepas que apresentaram maior formação de biofilme. Nas superfícies testadas foram observadas contagens microbiológicas na faixa entre 6,5 e 7,6 log10UFC cm-2 que sugerem formação de biofilme. Foram selecionadas 6 cepas para realizar a Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), as quais confirmaram a formação de biofilme em aço inoxidável e polipropileno em 5°C e 25°C sendo avaliadas á 12 e 96 horas. / The biofilm formation on surfaces, which are contact with food, can result in contamination in any part of the food processing, causing foodborne illness. The biofilm formation by Staphylococcus ssp. is one of the main concern in the dairy industry, and in the veterinary medicine field. This research aimed to evaluate the biofilm formation capacity of Staphylococcus spp., isolated from dairy producers of \"Minas Frescal\" cheese and cows with subclinical mastitis. The study was conducted in three stages, being the first a phenotypic characterization of 150 Staphylococcus spp. strains using the Congo Red Agar (AVC) test. In the second stage, the genotypic characterization with the screening of the gens icaA, icaD, bap, bbp, cna, ebpS, eno, fib, fnbA, fnbB, cIfA and clfB was performed. In the third stage, 10 strains with different genotypic profiles and 3 standard strains of Staphylococcus spp. were selected to evaluate the biofilm formation capacity. The biofilm formation capacity of 13 strains at three times (12h, 48h and 96h), two temperatures (5 °C and 25 °C) and two contact surfaces (stainless steel 304 and polypropylene) was evaluated. As a result, the optical density at 600 nm obtained by the methodology of crystal violet and the microbiological count of viable cells (log10UFC cm-2) (adhered to the tested surfaces) was analyzed. A completely randomized design was used in a factorial 13x3x2x2. In AVC agar, 38.7% (n = 58) of the 150 isolates were positive for biofilm formation. The 93.3% (n = 140) of the 150 isolates had the cIfA gene, 87.3% (n = 131) the eno, 62.7% (n = 94) the ebpS, 54.7% ( n = 82) fib, 54% (n = 81) the fnbA, 53.3% (n = 80) the icaD, 47.3% (n = 71) icaA and clfB gens, 43.3% (n = 65) the fnbB, 17.3% (n = 26) bap, 8% (n = 8) the cna and 4% (n = 40) bbp gene. The factors strain, temperature and surface were significant (Friedman test p <0.0001) for both response variables in the formation of biofilms, while, time did not have significant difference (p> 0.05). The increased production of biofilm (assessed by optical density) was observed at 25 °C in stainless steel surfaces. The strains S. epidermidis ATCC 35984 and S. aureus 119 were the strains that showed the highest production of biofilm. In the tested surfaces, microbiological counts were observed in the range between 6.5 and 7.6 log10CFU m-2 suggesting biofilm formation. The formation of biofilms in 6 evaluated strains has been confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) on stainless steel and polypropylene on 5°C and 25°C with 12 and 96 h of incubation.

In 2012, a new monkey species, Cercopithecus lomamiensis (lesula), was discovered in the Central Congo basin. Lesula is a semi-terrestrial rainforest guenon endemic to the area. Using a systematic grid approach, three terrestrial camera trap surveys (two inside the Lomami National Park; one in the buffer zone) were conducted over three years to capture the cryptic species. The objectives of my study were to expand knowledge on the behavioral ecology of lesula and evaluate lesula’s sensitivity to hunting threats. The main findings from my study included: confirmation of terrestriality and diurnality, births clustering during the wet season, social group living of one male and multiple females, and high impact of hunting on group size. By studying the latest added species to the Cercopithecini tribe, my thesis helps to better understand the ecological diversity occurring within this radiation of African primates and contributes to the species’ long-term conservation efforts. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The thesis will conduct qualitative content analysis, with the help of theories like electoral democracy and Dahl's theory of polyarchal democracy, the thesis will be able to investigate the grade of democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Throughout the research process, I will analyse these theories to measure the grade of democracy in the country. The focus of this thesis is to determine whether the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indeed related to democratic principles. In addition, I introduced previous reports, documents and theories to measure the grade of democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I analysed the views on these reports and documents by identifying the elements that describe democratic countries and using them to measure the democratic hierarchy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Elements such as freedom of expression, fair and free election and many others. These elements are studied to give a conclusion on the measurement of democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Finally, I conclude my research by presenting measures related to country ́s democracy. However, the Democratic Republic of Congo have failed to establish contact with democratic principles which has led to a lower grade of democracy.

This thesis presents a detailed description and analysis of several topics in the grammar of Bago, a Gur language spoken in the central-eastern region of Togo. It covers areas in the phonology, syntax, and semantics of the language. The first chapter provides background information about the history and culture of the Bago people prior to giving an overview of the geographical location and classification of the language, previous literature, data collection, and the methodology used in this thesis. The second chapter describes the sound system and syllable structure of the language. It also analyzes the vowel harmony and tonal patterns in Bago nouns and verbs. Chapter three gives a brief overview of the grammar of Bago, and chapter four describes number suffixes, semantics and phonological processes observed in the five classes of nouns. The fifth chapter is concerned with personal pronouns, as well as the question of how to encode reflexivity and reciprocity. A discussion of (in)definiteness encoding is presented in chapter six, which also contains a description of the demonstrative morphemes in the language. Chapter seven deals with nominal modification expressed in the language by means of adjectival roots, predicative nominals, and intransitive verbs. In chapter eight, we investigate the distribution of the copular verbs and the distinction between dynamic and stative verbs. A preliminary description and analysis of the factative and the imperfective aspects are presented in chapter nine, while the following chapter aims to describe modality and conditionality. Chapter eleven is concerned with clausal and constituent negation. The final chapter examines lexical, morphological, and syntactic causative constructions in Bago.