Nationality, Borders, and Stability: A Historical Legal Analysis of Citizenship in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Law Library of Congress)

Description: 

Citizenship law in the Democratic Republic of Congo lies at the intersection of borders, identity, and conflict. In this presentation, foreign law specialist Louis Gilbert will trace the legal construction of Congolese nationality from the colonial period to the present, with particular attention to the North Kivu region, and examines how successive governments have used citizenship law to regulate territory, population, and political authority. He will explore how nationality law continues to function as a structural driver of conflict in eastern Congo and how citizenship is not merely a status but a legal instrument with far-reaching security implications.

Date and Location

Date: 
Thursday, April 23, 2026 - 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Location: 
online