Congo's War: The Legal Dimension of a Protracted Conflict

The research examines the legal questions raised by the on-going conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It evaluates within a determinate context the problems raised when the UK Charter regime-designed to operate in an inter-state framework - is applied to a conflict encompassing non-state actors. The project investigates two legal dimensions: (1) the normative consequences of 'state failure' within the broad framework of public international law rules on use of force; and (2) the role, place and potential pitfalls of judicial mechanisms in resolving disputes that involve the use of force (focusing on Congolese cases before international tribunals).