Great powers interventions in Great Lakes region countries of Africa: geostrategic consequences for the region’s stability (1990–till now)

Abstract

The conflicts in the Great Lakes Region Countries of Africa have been influenced in one way or another by interventions from the Great Power including major Powers. After independence movement by African Nations, most interventions by major Power into the Great Lakes region allowed them to meddle in political internal matters of these countries, further setting circumstances that positively respond to their foreign policy agendas for both parties and that way promoting their economic interest in the region. The region has suffered from ethnic conflicts. These ethnic conflicts are gradually evolving towards an identity crisis with what is happening now. The region, however, benefited a lot of support. Several interventions have been made by major powers in diplomacy, mediation, economy, military or even in a subversive way; Thus, interventions by insiders through regional economic communities (RECs) or bilateral agreements have become complicated in design and execution that they always seem ill-fitted to specific situations on the ground. This paper draws insights from cases studies on Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. Intervention occurs in many kinds thus contributing to peace or stability. However, an intervention for the benefit of a country will be perceived as the country’s political regime support; The opposition to the regime will want to seek allies. With great chances, it would be the one with interest in the natural resources of the region. This paper adopts a descriptive survey design of selected respondents and uses data encompassed published materials, technical documents, and annual reports that discussed interventions by major powers in the Great Lakes region available in public databases and policy think-tanks. Peace and security of the region is paramount to achieve sustainable development and successful interventions need to be by and for all stakeholders and not merely serve as a way for intervening parties to further their objectives at the expense of other stakeholders.