Not to Forgive, but to Understand
A podcast series discussing topics in genocide studies with scholars and individuals deeply involved in understanding the complexities of genocide and its perpetrators. Presented by writer, and scholar of Genocide Studies Sabah Carrim, along with co-host Luis Gonzalez-Aponte. Tune in to this podcast series for insightful discussions on pressing topics in the field.
Not to Forgive, but to Understand
Zachariah Mampilly: Not Beyond Salvation: A Discussion on Congo
🎙️ In this episode, we sit down with Zachariah Mampilly—Marxe Endowed Chair of International Affairs at CUNY and co-founder of the Program on African Social Research—to unpack the deep historical and geopolitical roots of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
We explore how the 1994 Rwandan genocide and subsequent regional wars laid the foundation for instability in the DRC, the rise and resurgence of the M23 rebel group, and the roles of Rwanda and Uganda in the region. Mampilly also reflects on the failures of international peacekeeping, the power of Congolese civil society movements like LUCHA, and what the future may hold for governance and security in the Great Lakes region.
đź•’ Chapters included in the video
đź“Ś Scroll down for chapter markers to navigate key topics and questions.
00:00 – Opening
01:29 – Guest Introduction: Dr. Zachariah Mampilly
01:54 – How the Rwandan Genocide Set the Stage for DRC Conflict
03:39 – The First Congo War and the Rise of M23
05:21 – M23’s Origins, Evolution, and Ethnonationalism
09:53 – M23: Rwandan Proxy or Independent Actor?
13:20 – Comparing M23’s Current Resurgence to 2012–2013
18:24 – Rethinking UN Peacekeeping in the DRC
22:12 – Civil Society Responses: The Rise and Role of LUCHA
28:01 – Uganda’s Overlooked Role in the Conflict
33:38 – Resource Trafficking and Economic Interests
37:08 – What Lies Ahead for the DRC?
40:34 – Civil Society’s Role in Regional Peace
43:57 – Under-Discussed Issues in the DRC Conflict
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