The International System and the Peace Map for Africa’s Great Lakes Region (AGLR)

The African continent habituated with volatile conflicts and protracted violence, be it intra-state or inter-state is also acquainted with multi-ethnic tensions breeding different militias. The trend, although not new, is the expanding phenomenon of Jihadism and general terrorism. Some of these and other forms of conflicts summarize the geopolitics of Africa’s Great Lakes Region (AGLR). The bloodbath wherein the subregion engrosses itself is not solely guided by political considerations. Both endogenous and exogenous capitalist economic profit have stirred the system while ethnic politics and politics on ethnic leanings have amplified the scenario. The endeavors of both the international community and regional blocs appear deficient – a consequence of the frailty of the UN system and general multilateralism. Peace is possible for AGLR when humanity is placed over the tidal wave of capitalist profit, patriotism over toxic ethnicity and respect is accorded to international jurisprudence emblemed by the bona fide principle of pacta sunt Servanda, without neglecting the capacity of the youth and peace education.