Effectivenes Of Regional Organisation in Conflict Management And Resolution

Abstract

This research study sought to assess the effectiveness of regional organizations and conflict management and resolution in Africa with the EAC-led Nairobi Process on restoration of security in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as a case study. Specific focus was to examine the effectiveness of EAC mandate in conflict management and resolution during the EAC-led Peace Process on Restoration of Peace and Stability in the eastern DRC, identifying the various conflict management and resolution mechanisms employed and examine the challenges faced during the EAC-led Process. This study was anchored on both the realism theory and the theory of neoliberal institutionalism that holds that provided a good framework to analyze the EAC intervention in eastern DRC. This study adopted a qualitative research design and relied on primary data collected through interviews with key informants and analyzed using content analysis for each research objective. The study found out that the Treaty for the establishment of EAC provides adequate mandate for the promotion of peace and security in the region and mechanisms guiding its intervention in conflict management and resolution. The study however revealed several challenges that constrained the EAC in effectively implementing its mandate such as; inadequate resources, conflicting national interests, reliance on political good will of Partner States and poor implementation of decisions and directives. The research study concludes that sufficient funding and capacity building, adequate decision making structure, political goodwill and ensuring timely implementation of decisions will enhance the efficiency of regional organizations in conflict management and resolution. Scope of the Study Finally, the study makes recommendations to enhance the efficacy of regional organizations in managing and resolving conflicts in their regions. These recommendations identified will address the knowledge gained from the study, policy directions for decision-makers, improvements in management practices, theoretical implications, and areas for further investigation.