The Great Lakes region of Africa faces its most severe political crisis in more than 20 years. The M23 crisis in the eastern DRC has displaced close to 3 million people. While the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) prepares to withdraw from the DRC, there is little sign of a functional peace process to address both immediate and root causes of the conflict. The conflict also features heavy involvement by Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, and has drawn in the East African Community, the African Union and the Southern Africa Development Community. Other challenges are on the horizon. Succession battles in Congo and Uganda promise to render the upcoming elections in both countries contentious, while the polls in Burundi will test political stability there, especially given the gloomy economic situation.

The 2025 Great Lakes Course will explore the political economy of these countries, their governance challenges and the importance of shifting global geopolitics, as well as debate paths toward a more equitable and peaceful future.