The Conflict monitoring research conducted by the Centre for Research Training and Publications (CRTP) in 2024 revealed early warning indicators pointing to a likely escalation of conflict in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the 2025 situation confirming the emergence of new conflict fronts in both countries. In South Sudan, fragile peace processes and rising ethnic tensions continue to fuel instability, while in the DRC, renewed armed group activity and disputes over critical minerals have intensified violence, particularly in the east. The research underscores the urgent need for immediate and coordinated measures to prevent further deterioration. Ethiopia remains in a fragile state, still recovering from the northern conflict, while inter-ethnic clashes persist in northern regions. In Kenya, growing public agitation for political and economic accountability especially among the youth must be addressed to safeguard national peace and stability. CRTP emphasizes that without swift and inclusive interventions, the region risks deeper instability and prolonged humanitarian crises.

The main objectives of the CMT were to:

  1. Identify the key drivers and key actors of conflict across the region of study
  2. Identify the levels of conflicts using the conflict curve tool.
  3. Examine the local and regional interventions for improving peace stability
  4. Recommend strategies for conflict resolution and peace intervention

Key recommendations that emerge from the study include:

  1. For the governments, the study findings emphasized the need for the government to be more responsive to citizens’ needs by adopting inclusive governance approaches by ensuring justice through dialogue and prompt responses to historical grievances
  2. There is need to strengthen the conflict early warning systems through networking among security agencies
  3.  More employment opportunities for youths was highly recommended to reduce corruption, ethnicity and nepotism while addressing poverty and historical injustices to ensure equitable development
  4. For the civil society organizations (CSOs), the study emphasized their critical role in conducting  civic education to enhance understanding of governmental functions and responsibilities across the study region
  5. There is need for inclusive peace structures at all levels, engaging youths, women and marginalized groups in decision making  and peace building process
  6. Institutional reforms including judicial reforms were highly recommended for South Sudan and DRC
  7. To restore law and order among the citizens, there is need to disarm unauthorized civilians who own illicit firearms and weapons across the study region
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