The role of the East African Community (EAC) in preventing and resolving regional conflicts

Abstract

The study aims at examining the role of the East African Community (EAC) in preventing and resolving regional conflicts. The study is guided by four research questions: (1) Are the EAC institutions set up to deal with conflict affected by the need to maintain diplomacy in preventing and resolving regional conflicts? (2) Could sovereignty concerns be affecting the use and operations of the EAC institutions in resolving regional conflicts? (3) Is it a trend under international setting for the EAC to function as it does when it comes to preventing and resolving regional conflicts? (4) Which systems could be put in place to address conflicts affecting the EAC? The study findings affirm that the EAC has a strong role to play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts among Partner States such as the heightened tension between Uganda-Rwanda in 2019 which led to the closure of the border and Kenya-Uganda conflict over Migingo Island, among others. It is established that conflict resolution does not happen in a vacuum but involves working with other international, continental and regional institutions. Organizations such as the UN, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), AU, CISSA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and embassies have worked hand in hand with the EAC to resolve regional conflicts. It is important to empower EAC institutions charged with maintaining peace. Continuous engagement in social activities such as sports would also prevent conflict in the region. Both regional and international organizations added multilateral value approach to peace mediation which goes hand in hand with the mandate of each regional actor and stakeholder involved in conflict resolution in the EAC.