--- title: "Home" description: "Welcome to The Great Lakes Crisis blog, where we delve deep into the heart of the Great Lakes Region, a land of stunning natural beauty." url: "https://greatlakescrisis.org/" date_modified: "2026-06-05T11:47:44+03:00" --- # Journey Through the Stories of The Great Lakes Region Welcome to The Great Lakes Crisis blog, where we delve deep into the heart of the Great Lakes Region, a land of stunning natural beauty. We aim to shed light on the untold stories, the resilience of its people, and the intricate tapestry of political, social, and environmental challenges they face. Through in-depth analysis and personal narratives, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the region’s struggles and triumphs, offering a platform for voices that often go unheard. Join us as we navigate through the current events within the Great Lakes Region. [Start Reading](https://greatlakescrisis.org/articles/) ![A large group of people by the shores of a river or lake in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lakeside_crisis.jpg) ![A man in Uganda being dragged by security forces](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dragged-ugandan.webp) ![A mother holds her child who looks exhausted and emaciated from the effects of war](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/hungry-child.webp) ![Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobby Wine walks alongside an injured protester](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/hurt-ugandan.webp) ![A large crowd protesting in the streets of Kenya](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/kenya-protest.webp) ![A group of people migrating from war zones](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/migration.webp) ![Protesters in the midst of teargas smoke in Tanzania](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/tanzania-protest.webp) ![Vehicle tires burning in the middle of the road during a violent protest](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/tyre-fire.webp) ![Vehicle tires burning in the middle of the road during a violent protest](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/tyre-fire-kenya.webp) ![A wailing woman](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/wailing.webp) .fade-out { opacity: 0; } #quoteText { color: #053f5c; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out; } .author { font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; }   const INTERVAL_TIME = 30000; const quotes = [ { text: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.", author: "Lord Acton", }, { text: "The price of greatness is responsibility.", author: "Winston Churchill", }, { text: "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.", author: "Abraham Lincoln", }, { text: "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.", author: "Winston Churchill", }, { text: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.", author: "Martin Luther King Jr.", }, { text: "If you want peace, work for justice.", author: "Pope Paul VI" }, { text: "An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.", author: "Mahatma Gandhi", }, { text: "Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice.", author: "Nelson Mandela", }, { text: "War does not determine who is right — only who is left.", author: "Bertrand Russell", }, { text: "Without unity, there is no future for Africa.", author: "Julius Nyerere", }, { text: "In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility.", author: "Norman Cousins", }, { text: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.", author: "Martin Luther King Jr.", }, { text: "Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.", author: "Eleanor Roosevelt", }, { text: "Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the presence of justice.", author: "Jane Addams", }, { text: "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.", author: "Martin Luther King Jr.", }, { text: "Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.", author: "Mahatma Gandhi", }, { text: "Where law ends, tyranny begins.", author: "John Locke" }, { text: "The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.", author: "Niccolò Machiavelli", }, { text: "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.", author: "Desmond Tutu", }, { text: "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.", author: "Elie Wiesel", }, { text: "Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.", author: "Benjamin Franklin", }, { text: "The true victims of war are not the fallen soldiers, but the shattered lives of civilians.", author: "Ban Ki-moon", }, { text: "Poverty is the worst form of violence.", author: "Mahatma Gandhi", }, { text: "When the poor have nothing left to eat, they will eat the rich.", author: "Jean-Jacques Rousseau", }, { text: "The colonized man is an envious man.", author: "Frantz Fanon" }, { text: "Imperialism leaves behind germs of rot which we must clinically detect and remove from our land but from our minds as well.", author: "Frantz Fanon", }, { text: "Neo-colonialism is the worst form of imperialism.", author: "Kwame Nkrumah", }, { text: "To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.", author: "Nelson Mandela", }, { text: "The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.", author: "Martin Luther King Jr.", }, { text: "A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.", author: "Nelson Mandela", }, { text: "Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls.", author: "Khalil Gibran", }, { text: "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.", author: "Helen Keller", }, { text: "It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.", author: "Nelson Mandela", }, { text: "Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die.", author: "Herbert Hoover", }, { text: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.", author: "Albert Einstein", }, { text: "War is what happens when language fails.", author: "Margaret Atwood", }, { text: "Every gun that is made, every warship launched signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed.", author: "Dwight D. Eisenhower", }, { text: "You cannot prevent and prepare for war at the same time.", author: "Albert Einstein", }, { text: "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.", author: "Sun Tzu", }, { text: "The worst form of violence is poverty.", author: "Mahatma Gandhi", }, { text: "As long as there is poverty, injustice and gross inequality in our world, none of us can truly rest.", author: "Nelson Mandela", }, { text: "When the people stand up, imperialism trembles.", author: "Thomas Sankara", }, { text: "War is hell.", author: "William Tecumseh Sherman" }, { text: "All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers.", author: "François Fénelon", }, { text: "Only the dead have seen the end of war.", author: "Plato" }, { text: "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.", author: "José Narosky", }, { text: "A house divided against itself cannot stand.", author: "Abraham Lincoln", }, { text: "Civil war is not a war between friends. It is a war between brothers.", author: "Victor Hugo", }, { text: "The blood of brothers should never be shed in the name of power.", author: "Julius Nyerere", }, { text: "When brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their father’s estate.", author: "Igbo Proverb", }, { text: "The civil war is not over until the nation is healed.", author: "Nelson Mandela", }, { text: "The colonized man liberates himself in and through violence.", author: "Frantz Fanon", }, { text: "Those who divide us do not understand that we are already one.", author: "Wangari Maathai", }, { text: "The oppressor would not be so strong if he did not have accomplices among the oppressed.", author: "Simone de Beauvoir", }, { text: "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.", author: "Mao Zedong", }, { text: "I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me.", author: "Kwame Nkrumah", }, { text: "Tribalism is the enemy of progress.", author: "Jomo Kenyatta" }, { text: "The problem of Africa is not tribe; it is leaders who use tribe.", author: "Chinua Achebe", }, { text: "When one group is placed above another, violence becomes inevitable.", author: "Nelson Mandela", }, { text: "The surest way to work up a crusade in favor of some good cause is to promise people they will have a chance of maltreating someone.", author: "Aldous Huxley", }, { text: "Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.", author: "Albert Einstein", }, { text: "When the music changes, so does the dance.", author: "African Proverb", }, { text: "Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it, or betray it.", author: "Frantz Fanon", }, { text: "When we revolt it’s not for a particular culture. We revolt simply because, for many reasons, we can no longer breathe.", author: "Frantz Fanon", }, { text: "Decolonization is always a violent phenomenon.", author: "Frantz Fanon", }, { text: "He who feeds you, controls you.", author: "Thomas Sankara" }, { text: "We must dare to invent the future.", author: "Thomas Sankara" }, { text: "You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness.", author: "Thomas Sankara", }, { text: "Imperialism is a system of exploitation that occurs not only in the brutal form of those who come with guns.", author: "Thomas Sankara", }, { text: "Africa is not poor; it is poorly governed.", author: "Achille Mbembe", }, { text: "The postcolony is a world of entanglement.", author: "Achille Mbembe", }, { text: "Power in Africa is exercised through improvisation.", author: "Achille Mbembe", }, { text: "Leadership is about service, not control.", author: "Julius Nyerere", }, { text: "Development is for man, by man, and of man.", author: "Julius Nyerere", }, { text: "Tell no lies, claim no easy victories.", author: "Amílcar Cabral", }, { text: "Hide nothing from the masses of our people.", author: "Amílcar Cabral", }, { text: "A people who free themselves free humanity.", author: "Amílcar Cabral", }, { text: "Language carries culture, and culture carries the entire body of values.", author: "Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o", }, { text: "The bullet was the means of physical subjugation. Language was the means of spiritual subjugation.", author: "Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o", }, { text: "It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference.", author: "Wangari Maathai", }, { text: "You cannot enslave a mind that knows itself.", author: "Wangari Maathai", }, ]; let currentIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * quotes.length); const quoteElement = document.getElementById("quoteText"); const showQuote = (index) => { quoteElement.classList.add("fade-out"); setTimeout(() => { const quote = quotes[index]; quoteElement.innerHTML = `"${quote.text}" — ${quote.author} `; quoteElement.classList.remove("fade-out"); }, 1000); }; // Initial display showQuote(currentIndex); setInterval(() => { let randomIndex; do { randomIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * quotes.length); } while (randomIndex === currentIndex); // Prevents same quote twice in a row currentIndex = randomIndex; showQuote(currentIndex); }, INTERVAL_TIME); --- ## Trending Topics ![HIG0yMoXAAA-Gr0](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HIG0yMoXAAA-Gr0.png) #### Beyond Françafrique: Why the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi Signals France’s Strategic Pivot to East Africa? The convening of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi marked more than a diplomatic event. It represented a visible recalibration of France’s continental strategy at a moment when its influence in West and Central Africa has undergone one of its most significant reversals since… [Continue Reading](https://greatlakescrisis.org/beyond-francafrique-why-the-africa-forward-summit-in-nairobi-signals-frances-strategic-pivot-to-east-africa/) ![WhatsApp Image 2026-04-20 at 01.16.01](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-20-at-01.16.01.jpeg) #### From Hormuz to East Africa: Global Oil Shocks and the Structure of Vulnerability in the Great Lakes Region. The escalation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has re-centered global attention on the Strait of Hormuz, not simply as a geographic passage, but as a structural node in the global political economy of… [Continue Reading](https://greatlakescrisis.org/from-hormuz-to-east-africa-global-oil-shocks-and-the-structure-of-vulnerability-in-the-great-lakes-region/) ![Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine gives a speech with his daughter Suubi and his son Shadrack Mbogo at the headquarters of his political party National Unity Platform (NUP) in Kampala on January 26, 2024](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AFP__20240903__36F94K2__v1__HighRes__OugandaLOpposantBobiWineToucheAUneJambeParUnTir-1725477863.webp) #### Bobi Wine and the Managed Opposition: Power, Control, and Uganda’s Political Boundaries The events surrounding Bobi Wine after the 2026 election illustrate this dynamic with unusual clarity. His home in Magere was surrounded by security forces in the immediate aftermath of the vote. Movement was… [Continue Reading](https://greatlakescrisis.org/bobi-wine-and-the-managed-opposition-power-control-and-ugandas-political-boundaries/) [Explore More](https://greatlakescrisis.org/articles/) --- ## Featured Stories --- #### The Hidden Cost of Conflict Minerals in The DRC In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the mining of minerals such as cobalt and copper continues to be a source of conflict and human rights abuses. This investigative piece delves into the lives of those affected, revealing the devastating impact of illicit mining operations on local communities and the environment. The story highlights the urgent need for international regulations and ethical sourcing to protect the region’s future [Read More...](#) ![People migrating with their belongings escaping crisis in DRC](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/congo_crisis.webp) ![A group of activists from the Great Lakes Region holding up their right hands in solidarity while holding the same copy of a book.](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/great_lakes_justice.webp) #### A Call for Justice: Combating Impunity in the Great Lakes Region Following a recent conference in Nairobi, this article discusses the renewed efforts to address impunity for serious crimes in the Great Lakes region. It emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and local judicial reforms to ensure accountability for atrocities and human rights violations, providing a path towards lasting peace and justice. [See Renewed Efforts...](#) --- #### Tracing the Roots of Corruption: The Netherlands-DRC Connection An in-depth analysis uncovers the intricate network of corruption linking the Great Lakes region to financial systems in the Netherlands. By examining case studies and corporate data, this report exposes how corrupt officials and business leaders funnel illicit profits through Dutch financial institutions, exacerbating instability and poverty in the DRC. [Check Out Analysis...](#) ![A heap of 100 dollar bills with a red imprint of a hand on them](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blood_money.webp) ![A large group of people by the shores of a river or lake in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lakeside_crisis.jpg) #### Survivors’ Voices: Stories of Resilience Amidst Conflict Featuring personal interviews with survivors from conflict zones in Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda, this story captures the resilience and determination of individuals who have endured unimaginable hardships. Their narratives not only shed light on the human cost of ongoing conflicts but also inspire hope and highlight the critical role of grassroots peacebuilding initiatives in the region. [Read Their Perspectives...](#) --- ## Podcasts #### Tanzania's 2025 Elections - Episode 1 [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd1rmTL4r5s) A complete look at Tanzania’s 2025 general elections — political strategies, voter expectations, and evolving democracy. #### The Root Causes of Conflict in DRC [Video](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/causes_of_war.mp4) An in-depth primer on the historical, political and social roots of conflict in the DRC. Expert commentary. #### Weakening Congo's Democracy [Video](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/weakening_congo_democracy.mp4) A brief introduction to a podcast addressing how President Tshisekedi is weakening democracy in the DRC. [Listen To More](https://greatlakescrisis.org/podcasts/) --- ## Get Involved You have a chance to engage with and support The Great Lakes Crisis blog, here is a wide range of involvement opportunities you can take advantage of: ### Contribution - **Share Your Experience:** Have you been affected by the conflicts in the Great Lakes region? Submit your personal story, photos, or videos to help raise awareness and bring a human face to the issues. Your story could be featured on our blog. - **Interviews and Testimonials:** We are looking for individuals willing to participate in interviews or provide testimonials. If you have a unique perspective or experience, reach out to us. ### Discussions - **Join the Conversation:** Engage with our community on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts, comment on posts, and connect with others passionate about the Great Lakes region. - **Online Forums:** Participate in our dedicated online forums where you can discuss current issues, share insights, and collaborate with other readers. ### Newsletters - **Stay Updated:** Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news, stories, and updates straight to your inbox. Be the first to know about new initiatives and opportunities to get involved. --- ## Watch Our Latest Videos [Video](https://youtu.be/YSXUxCoPECQ?si=nVKQwvKkLuZ-1BZs) ###### Voices From Goma: Personal Testimonies [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E) ###### Causes of War: An Expert's Perspective [Video](https://greatlakescrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WhatsApp-Video-2025-05-21-at-12.41.32.mp4) ###### Legal & Political Stakes: Kabila's Immunity --- ## Uncover The Truth Behind The Headlines The Great Lakes region of Africa is at the heart of some of the world’s most pressing conflicts and crises, and understanding these issues is crucial for fostering peace and justice. Our blog offers in-depth articles, expert analysis, and personal narratives that bring you closer to the realities on the ground. [Start Reading Now](https://greatlakescrisis.org/articles/) ## Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter ##### Be the First to Know About Critical Developments As the events and crises evolve rapidly, to keep you updated with the latest news, expert analysis, and impactful stories, we offer a comprehensive newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. --- Your Name * Email Address * Subscribe