The Centre for Research, Training and Publication (CRTP) at Hekima University College successfully hosted a Baraza Conversation Webinar on 29th August 2025, focusing on Conflict Response and Peace in Eastern and the Horn of Africa. The online conversation attracted 64 participants and was moderated by Prof. Elias Opongo, SJ, Director of CRTP, alongside Mr. Linus Kawuondi, a researcher at the Centre. The discussion examined the evolving conflict dynamics in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, highlighting key drivers and implications.
Participants observed that these countries continue to grapple with political instability, resource competition, and governance challenges, with unemployment rates exceeding 90% acting as a critical catalyst for unrest. Political leaders were identified as central actors in perpetuating conflict, with indicators showing responsibility levels above 80% across the region. The humanitarian toll remains severe, with millions displaced, particularly in Sudan and Ethiopia, where violence and blockades have escalated crises. While regional and international bodies such as the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) have contributed to peace efforts, these interventions remain heavily militarized and have struggled to deliver sustainable solutions.
In conclusion, the webinar underscored the urgent need for grassroots-led, bottom-up peacebuilding approaches, rooted in community dialogues, traditional reconciliation practices, and youth- and women-led initiatives. CRTP’s Conflict Monitoring Tool (CMT) was presented as a valuable mechanism for assessing conflict levels, predicting potential escalation, and informing more strategic and inclusive peace interventions across the region.