Lakes as Rebellious Landscapes: From ‘Fishing Rebels’ to ‘Fishy State Officials’ in DR Congo

Lakes, often overlooked as political spaces, are dynamic arenas of power contestation where state authorities and rebel groups engage in fluid control over resources. This study challenges the binary view of landscapes as either subversive or state-controlled by analyzing Lake Edward in Virunga National Park, DR Congo. It reveals how park authorities' attempts to manage the lake through infrastructural and military interventions face resistance from both rebel groups ('fishing rebels') and other state actors ('fishy state officials'). Using a longue durée perspective, the research embeds contemporary conflicts within historical political and social landscapes, arguing for an understanding of lakes as 'rebellious landscapes'—spaces governed fluidly by multiple de facto authorities. The findings highlight the interconnectedness of the lake and the limitations of enforcing controlled enclaves to counter subversion and promote sustainable fishing.

Marijnen, E. (2022). Lakes as Rebellious Landscapes: From ‘Fishing Rebels’ to ‘Fishy State Officials’ in DR Congo. Geoforum, 133, 208–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2021.10.002