EU’s Great Lakes Region Strategy: A 24-Month Forecast

The European Union (EU) consider itself as a committed partner to the Great Lakes Region (GLR). In particular, the Union focuses on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda. A recent strategy states that the EU will continue to prioritise peace, the management of natural resources and integration (source). However, the region faces many challenges in the realm of security, the rule of law, governance, and human rights (source). Furthermore, in recent times, the EU have experienced strained relations with Burundi and Uganda. This is because of human rights abuses and the violation of civil rights. The EU Great Lakes Region Strategy, therefore, has to balance insecurity in the region with the need for good governance.