Judith Verweijen
@judithverweijen.bsky.social
Assistant professor at Utrecht University. Researching militarization, resource conflict & violence at the intersection of conflict studies, political ecology & geography. Focus on eastern DRC.
Pertinent piece drawing attention to discrepancies between discourses on nature conservation among Western donors and supporters and perception of people living near protected areas www.ftm.eu/articles/bel...
EU bankrolls Belgian prince to save African rainforests – residents call project 'a nightmare'
The European Union is sending millions of euros to a Belgian prince, who wants to protect wildlife and people in a nature reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But local residents and experts F...
www.ftm.eu
June 5, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Pertinent piece drawing attention to discrepancies between discourses on nature conservation among Western donors and supporters and perception of people living near protected areas www.ftm.eu/articles/bel...
Nice to see this 'old' but still very relevant piece of mine getting some attention. If you're looking for explanations for the poor performance of the Congolese army in the battle against the M23, my work provides many answers!
Check out this article from our Forum on Military Cohesion: Soldiers Without an Army? Patronage Networks and Cohesion in the Armed Forces of the DR Congo - Judith Verweijen (@judithverweijen.bsky.social), 2018 #OpenAccess #SpecialIssue journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
June 5, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Nice to see this 'old' but still very relevant piece of mine getting some attention. If you're looking for explanations for the poor performance of the Congolese army in the battle against the M23, my work provides many answers!
I am hiring a 2-year postdoc for my NWO-funded (Vidi) project "Centring Armed Organizations in the Climate-Conflict Nexus" (CLIMCON) which will be implemented in the DR Congo-Burundi and Uganda borderlands: www.uu.nl/en/organisat...
Postdoc in Climate & Conflict Studies – CLIMCON
Join Utrecht University as a postdoc in the CLIMCON project and explore how armed groups shape the climate-conflict nexus in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
www.uu.nl
April 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I am hiring a 2-year postdoc for my NWO-funded (Vidi) project "Centring Armed Organizations in the Climate-Conflict Nexus" (CLIMCON) which will be implemented in the DR Congo-Burundi and Uganda borderlands: www.uu.nl/en/organisat...
My latest analysis on the situation in eastern #DRC with @kvlassen.bsky.social for @egmontinstitute.bsky.social draws attention to the worsening security, economic and governance
conditions both in zones held by the M23 and zones that are not. www.egmontinstitute.be/we-are-caugh...
conditions both in zones held by the M23 and zones that are not. www.egmontinstitute.be/we-are-caugh...
"We Are Caught Between Violence and Famine" - Analysis of the Deepening Crisis Affecting Eastern DR Congo - Egmont Institute
Regional and international initiatives to end the war between M23/AFC and the Congolese government are multiplying, leading to mounting pressure on the belligerents to negotiate through sanctions and ...
www.egmontinstitute.be
April 4, 2025 at 11:17 AM
My latest analysis on the situation in eastern #DRC with @kvlassen.bsky.social for @egmontinstitute.bsky.social draws attention to the worsening security, economic and governance
conditions both in zones held by the M23 and zones that are not. www.egmontinstitute.be/we-are-caugh...
conditions both in zones held by the M23 and zones that are not. www.egmontinstitute.be/we-are-caugh...
Reposted by Judith Verweijen
📄𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 by @judithverweijen.bsky.social, @kvlassen.bsky.social & Godefroid Muzalia
““We Are Caught Between Violence and Famine” – Analysis of the Deepening Crisis Affecting Eastern DR Congo”
#DRC
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 bit.ly/3FLayRl
““We Are Caught Between Violence and Famine” – Analysis of the Deepening Crisis Affecting Eastern DR Congo”
#DRC
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 bit.ly/3FLayRl
April 2, 2025 at 8:46 AM
📄𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 by @judithverweijen.bsky.social, @kvlassen.bsky.social & Godefroid Muzalia
““We Are Caught Between Violence and Famine” – Analysis of the Deepening Crisis Affecting Eastern DR Congo”
#DRC
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 bit.ly/3FLayRl
““We Are Caught Between Violence and Famine” – Analysis of the Deepening Crisis Affecting Eastern DR Congo”
#DRC
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 bit.ly/3FLayRl
Excited to see this article by Xander Dunlap et al. on the decarbonization strategies employed by the Rio Tinto Kennecott mine in the US build on the work on “extractive subjectivities” that we developed in our special issue on that topic
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
March 31, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Excited to see this article by Xander Dunlap et al. on the decarbonization strategies employed by the Rio Tinto Kennecott mine in the US build on the work on “extractive subjectivities” that we developed in our special issue on that topic
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
On 3 April, I am giving a talk on the conflict in eastern DRC for Studium Generale Groningen-a timely event as the humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate and diplomatic and political action is far from sufficient to move towards even de-escalation sggroningen.nl/nl/evenement...
Unpacking the Conflict in Eastern DR Congo
Eastern DR Congo has been mired in violence for over three decades. Despite the dire humanitarian consequences, this violence rarely makes it to the headlines.
sggroningen.nl
March 14, 2025 at 9:52 AM
On 3 April, I am giving a talk on the conflict in eastern DRC for Studium Generale Groningen-a timely event as the humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate and diplomatic and political action is far from sufficient to move towards even de-escalation sggroningen.nl/nl/evenement...
Reposted by Judith Verweijen
Version française de notre analyse, avec @judithverweijen.bsky.social, du focus parfois exclusif et malsain sur les ressources naturelles dans la couverture de l’escalade des conflits dans l’est du Congo.
www.jeuneafrique.com/1657155/poli...
www.jeuneafrique.com/1657155/poli...
Non, le conflit en RDC n’est pas qu’une histoire de « minerais de sang » - Jeune Afrique.com
Même si imputer la crise dans l’est du pays à une simple soif pour les ressources minières est séduisant, les médias internationaux, en se contentant de cette version incomplète, nourrissent un terrea...
www.jeuneafrique.com
February 12, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Version française de notre analyse, avec @judithverweijen.bsky.social, du focus parfois exclusif et malsain sur les ressources naturelles dans la couverture de l’escalade des conflits dans l’est du Congo.
www.jeuneafrique.com/1657155/poli...
www.jeuneafrique.com/1657155/poli...
Reposted by Judith Verweijen
Most reporting on the M23 crisis in DR Congo is using mistaken framings, suggesting the conflict is purely driven by a desire to plunder the region’s rich mineral resources. Opinion from @judithverweijen.bsky.social and @ethuin.bsky.social: ⬇️
Why conflict mineral narratives don’t explain the M23 rebellion in DR Congo
False framings can exacerbate the problems they seek to tackle.
buff.ly
February 12, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Most reporting on the M23 crisis in DR Congo is using mistaken framings, suggesting the conflict is purely driven by a desire to plunder the region’s rich mineral resources. Opinion from @judithverweijen.bsky.social and @ethuin.bsky.social: ⬇️
Excited to see my favourite journal on here too (full disclosure, I am Associate Editor)!
We've made it to this platform too! Follow us to get the latest cutting-edge political ecology contributions (all OA with ZERO corporate profit)- and occasional rants against corporate publishing : journals.librarypublishing.arizona.edu/jpe/ @pollenetwork.bsky.social
Journal of Political Ecology
journals.librarypublishing.arizona.edu
February 6, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Excited to see my favourite journal on here too (full disclosure, I am Associate Editor)!
Nous invitons tous les chercheurs travaillant sur les questions foncières dans les situations de conflit à soumettre un résumé pour notre session (en Anglais et Français) à LANDac en juillet, organise par Claude Iguma & moi. Date limite le 23 février: landgovernance.org/landac-annua...
February 6, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Nous invitons tous les chercheurs travaillant sur les questions foncières dans les situations de conflit à soumettre un résumé pour notre session (en Anglais et Français) à LANDac en juillet, organise par Claude Iguma & moi. Date limite le 23 février: landgovernance.org/landac-annua...
Calling on all researchers working on land issues in conflict-affected settings to submit an abstract to the bilingual (French + English) and hybrid session I organize with Claude Iguma at the LANDac conference in July. Deadline for abstracts is 23 February: landgovernance.org/landac-annua...
February 6, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Calling on all researchers working on land issues in conflict-affected settings to submit an abstract to the bilingual (French + English) and hybrid session I organize with Claude Iguma at the LANDac conference in July. Deadline for abstracts is 23 February: landgovernance.org/landac-annua...
25 years of Conflict Studies at Utrecht University! I really look forward to celebrating the anniversary of the institution where I obtained both my Master's & my PhD 👇
Join us next week in Utrecht, 25 years Conflict Studies conference - where I got my masters now 14 years ago.
With @kvlassen.bsky.social @judithverweijen.bsky.social and @casesofyou.bsky.social and many others
With @kvlassen.bsky.social @judithverweijen.bsky.social and @casesofyou.bsky.social and many others
February 6, 2025 at 10:06 AM
25 years of Conflict Studies at Utrecht University! I really look forward to celebrating the anniversary of the institution where I obtained both my Master's & my PhD 👇
Goed gesprek gisteren bij @ovt-vpro.bsky.social dat mij toestand de hedendaagse Congo crisis ook in historisch perspectief te plaatsen: www.vpro.nl/programmas/o...
Bij inval Rwanda in Congo werkt geschiedenis genocide door
Een al lang sluimerend conflict haalde deze week de voorpagina’s, toen de Congolese rebellengroep M23 de stad Goma in Oost-Congo innam. Het is een dramatisch nieuw hoofdstuk in een regio die al lang o...
www.vpro.nl
February 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Goed gesprek gisteren bij @ovt-vpro.bsky.social dat mij toestand de hedendaagse Congo crisis ook in historisch perspectief te plaatsen: www.vpro.nl/programmas/o...
Reposted by Judith Verweijen
📄𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 by @judithverweijen.bsky.social and #KoenVlassenroot
"Congo crisis extends beyond ‘conflict minerals'"
#DRC #Goma
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 tinyurl.com/yemx79dt
"Congo crisis extends beyond ‘conflict minerals'"
#DRC #Goma
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 tinyurl.com/yemx79dt
January 31, 2025 at 8:55 AM
📄𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 by @judithverweijen.bsky.social and #KoenVlassenroot
"Congo crisis extends beyond ‘conflict minerals'"
#DRC #Goma
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 tinyurl.com/yemx79dt
"Congo crisis extends beyond ‘conflict minerals'"
#DRC #Goma
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 tinyurl.com/yemx79dt
It's been made abundantly clear now that hiring a bunch of private security contractors won't compensate for the structural problems the Congolese army faces, including extremely poor service conditions, deficient logistics and intel, and parallel command chains: www.bbc.com/news/article...
DR Congo's failed gamble on Romanian mercenaries
Several hundred well-paid foreign soldiers fighting on the side of the Congolese government surrender.
www.bbc.com
January 31, 2025 at 7:17 AM
It's been made abundantly clear now that hiring a bunch of private security contractors won't compensate for the structural problems the Congolese army faces, including extremely poor service conditions, deficient logistics and intel, and parallel command chains: www.bbc.com/news/article...
New piece with @kvlassen.bsky.social on the escalating Congo crisis
📣📜New Opinion piece on Congo crisis. (In Dutch)
✅"The Congo crisis extends beyond 'conflict minerals’" by @judithverweijen.bsky.social and @kvlassen.bsky.social Vlassenroot.
Read the full article 🔗 www.mo.be/opinie/de-co...
#DRCongo #Goma #conflict #minerals #opinion
✅"The Congo crisis extends beyond 'conflict minerals’" by @judithverweijen.bsky.social and @kvlassen.bsky.social Vlassenroot.
Read the full article 🔗 www.mo.be/opinie/de-co...
#DRCongo #Goma #conflict #minerals #opinion
January 29, 2025 at 2:21 PM
New piece with @kvlassen.bsky.social on the escalating Congo crisis
Explainer by the @nytimes.com on the M23 crisis, to which I contributed some thoughts: www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/w...
What Is M23, the Rwandan-Backed Group Fighting in Eastern Congo? (Gift Article)
The militia seized the pivotal city of Goma, threatening a new humanitarian crisis in a region that has suffered decades of fighting.
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Explainer by the @nytimes.com on the M23 crisis, to which I contributed some thoughts: www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/w...
Reposted by Judith Verweijen
📂Retrouvez toutes nos analyses, interviews et tous nos reportages sur la guerre entre le #Rwanda et la #RDCONGO dans notre dossier spécial (ouvert par un #edito de @kristoftiteca.bsky.social ) 👇@fredknife.bsky.social
RD Congo-Rwanda. Une guerre aux racines multiples - Parti pris
Minerais de sang, mercenariat, revendications territoriales, intérêts économiques, guerres oubliées... Depuis trente ans, l’est de la République démocratique du Congo est un feu incandescent qui (…)
afriquexxi.info
January 28, 2025 at 11:39 AM
📂Retrouvez toutes nos analyses, interviews et tous nos reportages sur la guerre entre le #Rwanda et la #RDCONGO dans notre dossier spécial (ouvert par un #edito de @kristoftiteca.bsky.social ) 👇@fredknife.bsky.social
excellent article qui attire l'attention sur la coopération militaire contestée de la France www.mediapart.fr/journal/inte...
RDC : les rebelles entrent dans Goma dans l’indifférence de la communauté internationale
Le mouvement rebelle M23 soutenu par l’armée rwandaise est entré dans la ville d’un million d’habitants, sans parvenir pour l’heure à la contrôler totalement. Ni les forces internationales déployées …
www.mediapart.fr
January 28, 2025 at 8:44 AM
excellent article qui attire l'attention sur la coopération militaire contestée de la France www.mediapart.fr/journal/inte...
As Rwanda Defence Force troops and their Congolese allies M23 close in on North Kivu's capital Goma (DRC), here's an important read by @jasonkstearns.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/8bae...
Rwanda’s troublemaking in DRC would be easy to stop
Western countries let the African nation get away with fomenting conflict in its neighbour
www.ft.com
January 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
As Rwanda Defence Force troops and their Congolese allies M23 close in on North Kivu's capital Goma (DRC), here's an important read by @jasonkstearns.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/8bae...
Reposted by Judith Verweijen
New book review -- Aaron Eddens' "Seeding Empire: American Philanthrocapital and the Roots of the Green Revolution in Africa" antipodeonline.org/category/boo... @ucpress.bsky.social
January 22, 2025 at 8:20 PM
New book review -- Aaron Eddens' "Seeding Empire: American Philanthrocapital and the Roots of the Green Revolution in Africa" antipodeonline.org/category/boo... @ucpress.bsky.social
Pertinent reflections on the creation of the world's largest 'community' reserve, the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor (in DRC). Unfortunately, the new reserve was created without much prior consultation of affected populations and local authorities: www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/drc-announce...
DRC announces creation of the world’s largest ‘community’ reserve: what needs to happen now - Rainforest Foundation UK
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has announced the creation of one of the world’s largest protected areas, covering more than 540,000 km² – an area the size of ...
www.rainforestfoundationuk.org
January 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Pertinent reflections on the creation of the world's largest 'community' reserve, the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor (in DRC). Unfortunately, the new reserve was created without much prior consultation of affected populations and local authorities: www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/drc-announce...
Reposted by Judith Verweijen
Just out: ILS report no. 23 which analyses the Bukumu Chiefdom in eastern DRC ! It looks at the different border dynamics, processes of urbanization, and associated tensions around identity and authority that shape the chiefdom’s political economy.
The Political Economy of the Bukumu chiefdom
The Bukumu chiefdom is located in the Nyiragongo territory, named after its active volcano, in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. This report examines Bukumu’s key social, political, g...
www.gicnetwork.be
December 13, 2024 at 1:13 PM
Just out: ILS report no. 23 which analyses the Bukumu Chiefdom in eastern DRC ! It looks at the different border dynamics, processes of urbanization, and associated tensions around identity and authority that shape the chiefdom’s political economy.
Reposted by Judith Verweijen
As I am on it, here is another still very embryonic list bringing together people interested in and posting about armed groups across types, contexts and places. Again, please do chime in with additional suggestions in replies.
go.bsky.app/b1T1De
go.bsky.app/b1T1De
November 27, 2024 at 2:55 PM
As I am on it, here is another still very embryonic list bringing together people interested in and posting about armed groups across types, contexts and places. Again, please do chime in with additional suggestions in replies.
go.bsky.app/b1T1De
go.bsky.app/b1T1De