The European Union and the Great Lakes Region: Constraints and Inconsistencies

Abstract

The European Union (EU) is a significant political and security actor in the Great Lakes region, notably via the four Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions sent to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the high amounts of development aid contributed to the region’s four states. Yet the EU is struggling, alongside other international actors, to both prevent crises and impose itself as a key political and diplomatic actor in the region. The reason for this lies mainly in the nature of the EU as an inter-governmental organisation, a long-time aid donor, and a still young international and political actor. These constraints have made it difficult, so far, for the EU to respond effectively and coherently to the complex challenges of a region that is rapidly changing political faces.