Natural Resources and the Prospects for Post-Conflict Peace : A comparative case study on the role of natural resources in relation to conflict recurrence

Abstract: The aim of this thesis is to determine the relationship between natural resources and peace, by examining whether a correlation exists between conflicts related to natural resources and conflict recurrence. The hypothesis is that conflicts with distribution mechanisms increase the likelihood of conflict recurrence. This is tested through the application of Mill’s Method of Difference and a SFC, cross-case comparison of two conflicts in Angola between 1991 and 2002. The first conflict between UNITA and the government of Angola was characterized by the usage of diamonds for rebel group financing, whereas the second conflict between various separatist groups and the Angolan government in the enclave of Cabinda concerned the inequitable distribution of oil revenues. The findings show that both conflicts resumed, showing little support for the paper’s hypothesis. This thesis’ empirical data derives from different sources of secondary nature. The findings suggest that the paper’s hypothesis lacks sufficient support and therefore, alternative explanations are put forward in order to explain the inconsistency with the hypothesis — thus encouraging other avenues for research that take aim at disaggregating the relationship between natural resources and the prospects for post-conflict peace.