Regional dimensions of conflict in the Great Lakes

The document details a workshop on the regional dimensions of conflict in the Great Lakes Region, analyzing how factors like the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), illegal exploitation of lootable natural resources, and forced displacement create a self-perpetuating cycle of instability. It examines the role of regional bodies like the ICGLR and EAC in promoting peace and highlights the critical need for good governance, human rights protections, and coordinated regional strategies to address the root causes of violence.

• The proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) increases the lethality and duration of conflicts in the Great Lakes Region. While these weapons have legitimate uses, their misuse is symptomatic of root causes such as poverty, youth unemployment, and political alienation.
• Lootable natural resources, including gold, diamonds, and mineral ores (cassiterite, coltan, and wolframite), are used to finance conflicts. This creates a security complex where illegal armed groups and corrupt officials exploit resources to sustain conflict goals, often leading to gross human rights abuses.
• Forced displacement and conflict exist in a vicious, self-perpetuating circle where violent conflict produces internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, which in turn increases social pressure and regional tensions, fueling further conflict.
• The region is characterized by 'protracted refugee situations' (PRS), where large populations remain in exile for extended periods. In Tanzania, for example, refugees from Burundi and the DRC had an average duration of exile of 22.5 years as of December 2006.
• Illegal armed groups in the region are categorized as either rebel movements (based in foreign countries) or militias (operating within a state). Key groups include the FDLR, LRA, and ADF, which survive through illegal resource exploitation, extortion, and raiding.
• Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), particularly mass rape, is rampant in the region's conflicts. While efforts have focused on fighting impunity and assisting victims, there is a lack of strategic interventions focused on prevention.
• The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) uses a participatory architecture involving technical task forces and a Regional Interministerial Meeting to address sensitive issues like the property rights of returnees and the fight against illegal resource exploitation.
• Regional bodies such as the ICGLR, EAC, ECCAS, and CEPGL face significant challenges, including heavy dependence on donor funding, weak institutional capacity, and a lack of strategic harmonisation among the multiple bodies.
• The US Dodd-Frank Act (Section 1502) requires disclosure of conflict minerals from the DRC and adjoining countries. While intended to curb conflict financing, there are fears it may lead to reduced investment and adverse effects on the livelihoods of mining communities.

APA

Githaiga, N. (2011). Regional dimensions of conflict in the Great Lakes. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/RegDimConGreatLakes.pdf

Chicago

Githaiga, Nyambura. Regional dimensions of conflict in the Great Lakes. Institute for Security Studies, 2011. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/RegDimConGreatLakes.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Githaiga |first1=Nyambura |title=Regional dimensions of conflict in the Great Lakes |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=2011 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/RegDimConGreatLakes.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{githaiga2011regional, author = {Githaiga, Nyambura}, title = {{Regional dimensions of conflict in the Great Lakes}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2011}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/RegDimConGreatLakes.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }