Public Authority and Conservation in Areas of Armed Conflict: Virunga National Park as a ‘State within a State’ in Eastern Congo

Virunga National Park, located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exemplifies the complex interplay between conservation efforts and conflict dynamics. Research reveals that while transnational actors have increased their influence over park management, this has not strengthened state authority but instead contributed to a 'state within a state' phenomenon. The militarization of conservation in Virunga, often seen as extending state control, actually fosters extra-state territorialization practices. This challenges conventional notions of state authority and suggests that the intersection of conservation and territorialization should be analyzed through the lens of public authority rather than preconceived state frameworks.

Marijnen, E. (2018). Public Authority and Conservation in Areas of Armed Conflict: Virunga National Park as a ‘State within a State’ in Eastern Congo. Development and Change, 49(3), 790–814. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/dech.12380