Light, dark and the powers that be: a hydroelectric project in Butembo

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Periodical article

Title:	Light, dark and the powers that be: a hydroelectric project in Butembo
Author:	Geenen, Kristien
Year:	2017
Periodical:	Canadian Journal of African Studies (ISSN 0008-3968)
Volume:	51
Issue:	1
Pages:	43-59
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Congo (Democratic Republic of)
Subjects:	electricity hydroelectricity political conditions power dams
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00083968.2016.1276849
Abstract:	Despite its major importance in international trade, the city of Butembo in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo is deprived of such basic urban infrastructure as electricity. Private and public actors have attempted to bring power to the city, but their efforts have remained fruitless. Analysis of these failed projects to electrify the city offers a glimpse of local power relations. Why, rather than cooperating, do various local power holders counteract each other? Will gaining credit for bringing electric power to the city in turn yield political power over its future? With a special focus on a hydroelectric dam that was built but never functioned, this article sheds light on the way in which the citizens of Butembo relate to different bodies of authority. The author argues that the hydroelectric dam gradually became a tool in a larger political strategy. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]