The Ambiguities of Local Ownership: Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Local ownership has become a frequently used term, but it is neither clearly defined nor thoroughly implemented. Two main ambiguities remain. The first relates to the counterparts chosen by the international community when promoting ownership and the second to whether ownership should be fostered over the design and/or the implementation of peacebuilding programs. The article depicts the practical consequences of these ambiguities at the example of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a peacebuilding strategy overlooking local perceptions on the central state and sources of authority as well as a lack of attention given to local conflict causes and resolution mechanisms. In conclusion, it argues for a more nuanced relationship between international actors and their local counterparts that is constantly reassessed in order to include marginalized voices as well as an iterative approach to the promotion of local ownership.