Extractivism and Conflict: Comparative Study of Serbia and the DRC

This study explores how populations in Serbia and the DRC have been affected by and responded to natural resource extraction. Specifically, protests and other activist engagement were examined by surveying social movements’ participants from civil society and academia. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of inquiry were used. Data was collected from multiple sources, including academic and online sources pertaining to the topic of extractivism, and a survey of 71 participants. The results indicate that both Congolese and Serbian participants have grave concerns about extractivism and its impact on the environment, peace, stability, health, and well-being but differ in their ability to resist extractive projects and their impacts on local communities. Protests in the DRC were organized locally and sporadically, while in Serbia the environmental movement was present at all societal levels, which led to different outcomes. Exploitation of mineral resources without local development, environmental protection, and improvement of life conditions of the local communities may contribute to the deepening of already grave inequities and instability in both countries.