Yvan Yael Ilunga, Ph.D.
Yvan Yenda Ilunga, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director
Political Science and International Relations
Dr. Yvan Yenda Ilunga is an accomplished academic and strategic thinker, currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. With over 15 years of experience, he is also the Associate Graduate Program Director for the M.A. in International Relations, teaching courses at undergraduate, master, and Ph.D. levels in international relations and African Politics.
Dr. Ilunga is the Deputy Director of the Joint Civil-Military Interaction (JCMI) Research and Education Network, where he coordinates strategic partnerships, research, and training related to civil-military interactions in fragile countries. His expertise extends to advising international organizations, government agencies, think tanks, and business consulting firms. He employs a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approach, navigating the strategic, operational, and tactical environment in his analyses and engagements.
Author of the book Humanitarianism and Security: Trouble and Hope at the Heart of Africa (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020), Dr. Ilunga is actively working on two upcoming book projects: The Dynamics of Religion in Peacebuilding and Peacekeeping Operations and Designing and Teaching Peace. His research extends to various aspects of international relations, peace operations, security, and development, addressing issues such as humanitarian action, civil–military interactions, natural resources-based conflicts, regional cooperation, and security.
Dr. Ilunga holds a Ph.D. in Global Affairs from Rutgers University, USA, and is fluent in English, French, Swahili, and Lingala. His commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding in the fields of international relations and conflict resolution is evident through his publications, public engagements, and the initiation of the African Wars in the 21st Century Project.
Featured Spring 2024
Peace Leadership, Security and the Role of the Military in Ethnopolitical Conflict
Yvan Yenda Ilunga
Abstract: This book chapter explores the contemporary landscape of conflict, departing from traditional interstate wars to delve into the complexities of intrastate ethnopolitical conflicts. The narrative traces the transformation from a state-centric focus to a paradigm where the safeguarding of individual rights takes precedence, exemplified by pivotal events in Rwanda and Kosovo. The emergence of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine signifies a shift towards recognizing states' responsibility to intervene and shield individuals from governmental abuses. This evolution has led to an increased involvement of militaries in humanitarian assistance and human protection operations, necessitating the formulation of clear policies to guide the integration of civil society and military actors in intricate environments. The chapter underscores the pressing need to address the challenges posed by escalating ethnopolitical conflicts, urging a collaborative response from humanitarian and military entities.
Access:
Routledge Handbook of Peacebuilding and Ethnic Conflict, edited by Jessica Senehi, Imani Michelle Scott, Sean Byrne, Thomas G. Matyók
Published by Routledge, August 2022
Chapter 12, pp. 137-147
Book Summary Only: DOI 10.4324/9781003000686
Please fill out an Interlibrary Loan Request Form or contact a librarian to access this publication.