The Need For Preventive Diplomacy In Eastern African Region.

Abstract

This paper attempts to present the viability of pre ventative diplomacy in the Eastern African Region. The argument posited throughout is the significance of preventative diplomacy and in particular in the EAR considering the existing mechanisms within sub-regi onal organisations. The paper takes note of prevention being better if not the best, than curin g the disease of violent conflict in our societies. A thread of presentations is shown through section I to section VII. Section I presents the definition, various forms, origins of preventative diplomacy, a ctors in preventative diplomacy, difference between conflict prevention and preventative diplomacy, pro blems and challenges of preventative diplomacy and finally its importance. Section II presents the EAR by briefly highlighting the sub-regional organisat ions within this region: IGAD, ICGRL and EAC. Then secti on III deals with an application of preventative diplomacy from a bigger world perspective and from an African perspective. The point here is to possib ly grasp lessons learnt in the previous application of preventative diplomacy. Section IV presents specif ic examples of EAR while Section V deals with the chal lenges of preventative diplomacy within the EAR. Second from last is section VI with a critical anal ysis on the viability of preventative diplomacy in the EAR. Finally is section VII with conclusion and rec ommendations. What is preventative diplomacy?