Sustainable Peace and Development in the Great Lakes Region, Africa

Abstract

This paper comprises information from referenced literature and the author’s experience in the study area. The focus for this paper is to recall some of possible areas of socio-economic areas that can be reinforced under cooperation between Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for sustainable peace; leading to sustainable development in the Great Lakes region, Africa. It has been revealed that although different conflicts that have characterized these countries, there are yet wealthy opportunities that can jointly be utilized towards sustainable peace and development of the region. However, the paper shows that, for any sustainable development initiative, there is a well recognized need for peace makers or “peace holders” to play rightly their roles to allowing potential investors to commit their capitals to investment in the region. Among these include the role of local leaders and local population (followers), the International Community, and the civil society and the media. The paper concludes its reflection with hope that once initiatives are taken in preventing conflicts and its related consequences, development agents are likely to significantly play their roles towards sustainable development in the region. Finally, the paper offers areas for deepen analysis of some of the arguments by further researchers in a multidisciplinary approach and policy intervention to fostering efforts to peace and hence to development of the region.

Key words: War and Conflicts, sustainable peace and development, CEPGL, Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC.