The Voice of The Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Crisis blog is a dedicated platform that merges personal expression with professional expertise to shed light on the intricate conflicts and crises within the Great Lakes region of Africa. Our mission is to offer a nuanced perspective on the region’s challenges, drawing from the firsthand experiences of those affected and the in-depth analysis of seasoned journalists and experts.
With these bridged viewpoints, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the issues and inspire meaningful dialogue and action. Through investigative reports, personal stories, and expert commentary, Great Lakes Crisis is committed to uncovering the truths and amplifying the voices that often go unheard in mainstream media. Be a part of us as we navigate the complexities of this vital region, and together we can illuminate the path towards peace and justice.
This Is Our Mission
The Great Lakes Crisis is committed to uncovering hidden realities through investigative reporting, rigorous analysis, and human-centred storytelling. Guided by integrity, justice, and empathy, we strive to foster understanding, hold power accountable, and build pathways for peace, reconciliation, and regional cooperation.
This Is What We Envision
To be the leading platform that amplifies untold stories, promotes truth and justice, and inspires dialogue and action for lasting peace, dignity, and prosperity in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
These Values Define Who We Are
Truth & Integrity
Upholding accuracy, transparency, and honesty in reporting and analysis.
Justice & Accountability
Advocating for human rights, rule of law, and fair governance.
Peace & Reconciliation
Promoting dialogue, understanding, and nonviolent solutions to conflicts.
Independence
Remaining impartial, objective, and free from political or financial influence.
Empathy & Humanity
Centering the voices, struggles, and resilience of communities in the region.
Courage
Fearlessly tackling sensitive, untold, or silenced stories.
Our Pillars
Investigative Reporting & Storytelling
Uncovering hidden truths, amplifying marginalized voices, and telling human-centered stories.
Research & Analysis
Providing in-depth, evidence-based insights on political, social, economic, and security issues.
Dialogue & Advocacy
Creating a platform that fosters conversations among stakeholders—citizens, scholars, policymakers, and activists; towards solutions.
Regional Integration & Cooperation
Highlighting the importance of cross-border collaboration and shared responsibility in resolving crises.
Education & Awareness
Informing readers globally about the realities of the Great Lakes Region to build empathy, solidarity, and action.
Our Team
Founder, Editor-In-Chief & Lead Writer
Mr. Nsiku's career includes significant experience with Amnesty International's East Africa Regional Office (EARO), where he focused on issues pertaining to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He now serves
Managing Editor & Senior Writer
Dr. BRIAN CHAGGU holds a PhD in International Relations (with distinction) and is a researcher specializing in conflict and peace studies, diplomacy, regional integration, democracy, and foreign policy, with a strong focus on Tanzania and Africa. He holds a Master of Arts in International Relations, a Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Diplomacy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration.
His academic work bridges theory and practice, examining governance, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding processes in Africa. Alongside his academic career, Brian serves as a Research Consultant at the Imara Leadership Initiative, contributing to youth- and gender-focused democracy, peace and governance programmes. He is also an alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Cohort 37, reflecting his commitment to leadership, policy engagement, and sustainable development across the continent.
Research Analyst & Writer
Mr. BOB MANARA is a geopolitical and security analyst specializing in the African Great Lakes region, with expertise in conflict prevention, peace-building, forced displacement, and regional dynamics involving the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. He holds a degree in International Relations from Kigali Independent University and has built extensive experience in conflict analysis, community mediation, humanitarian programming, and cross-border peace initiatives engaging youth and local actors across the region.
He previously served as Team Leader in conflict prevention and Research Officer at Great Lakes Youth for Peace and Development (GLYPD Asbl), and later worked as a MEAL Officer on programs focused on health, nutrition, protection, governance, conflict management, and economic recovery. Fluent in French, English, and Kiswahili, he regularly publishes strategic analyses and commentary on the political, historical, and geopolitical developments shaping the African Great Lakes region.
Digital Communications Manager
Mr. SAM AGUTU is the Digital Communications Manager at The Great Lakes Crisis (GLC), leading the platform’s digital branding, visibility, and audience engagement strategies across the African Great Lakes region and beyond. Skilled in graphic design, social media management, and digital marketing, he uses strategic communication and creative storytelling to strengthen GLC’s public image through impactful multimedia campaigns.
He also serves as the Creative Lead at Game se7en Films, where he brings expertise in digital media production and visual storytelling. Passionate about media and technology, Sam is known for his innovative, results-driven approach to digital communications and public engagement.
Legal & Policy Writer
Kevin Ntwari is a Rwandan legal and international affairs scholar with a strong focus on regional governance, diplomacy, security, and peace-building in Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) from the University of Kigali and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland. His expertise includes legal writing, communication, research, and policy analysis, with a particular interest in regional stability and international cooperation.
Currently serving remotely as a Fellowship Intern with Political Awareness Super PAC in Michigan, United States, Kevin contributes to research initiatives on political awareness and education reform. Fluent in English and French, he brings a multilingual and cross-cultural perspective to contemporary regional and global issues. Through his work with The Great Lakes Crisis, he provides insightful analysis on governance, security, and political developments shaping the African Great Lakes region and beyond.
Research & Communications Associate
Birindwa Linda is a Congolese researcher, communicator, and emerging analyst with a strong focus on social affairs, humanitarian issues, and regional dynamics in the Great Lakes region of Africa. She combines journalistic experience, academic training, and field engagement to produce insightful and impactful analysis of contemporary regional challenges. Since 2023, she has worked as a Reporter for Radio France Internationale (RFI), contributing to high quality journalstic content on social and security issues, with a particular focus on the lived realities of Congolese youth in a complex regional context, as well as comparative perspectives on youth conditions internationally.
She is currently pursuing her Law studies at the Université Protestante au Congo, where she is strengthening her skills in legal reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical interpretation of social systems. This academic foundation complements her field and media experience, reinforcing her ability to structure complex information into clear and accessible narratives.
At The Great Lakes Crisis (GLC), Birindwa Linda serves as a Research & Communications Associate, where she contributes to research, analysis, and strategic communication on social and humanitarian issues in the Great Lakes region. Her work supports GLC’s mission of producing rigorous, balanced, and impactful content that enhances understanding of regional dynamics and informs public discourse.
Our Partners
Ra’Asis Software operates as one of the Software & IT Consulting & Services Agents at Transfrontières Agencies Limited, a Private Limited Company registered in Kenya. They help you evolve your business into a profitable venture by connecting it to a pool of highly skilled Software & IT professionals. This connection facilitates businesses and brands to grow in crucial areas such as Software & Systems Engineering, Cloud Computing, IoT, Artificial Intelligence & Automation, Graphics Design and much more.
A results-driven Software Engineer with 4+ years’ hands-on professional experience in Software Development, Systems Engineering, DevOps and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE). Kimutai has specialized in building powerful, web-based applications and platforms that solve real business problems.
Ra’Asis Software built our website. Our partnership encompasses the upkeep, performance, and continuous improvement of the platform. This means they ensure the website remains secure, functional, and visually compelling while maintaining up-to-date refined content to engage readers and reflect current developments.
Refugee Bank for Africa (RBAf) is Africa’s first humanitarian bank, committed to empowering refugees, IDPs, and migrants through financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and community-driven solutions that restore dignity, resilience, and opportunity.
A Congolese humanitarian and peace-building professional focused on refugee empowerment, conflict transformation, migration governance, climate resilience, and youth-led peace initiatives across the Great Lakes region. As the founder of Refugee Bank for Africa, World and Peoples in Transformation and Peace Booster Great Lakes (see our other partners below) Abraham has emerged as a growing voice in humanitarian diplomacy and community-centered peace-building.
Through regional engagement and refugee-led initiatives, he represents a new generation of African leadership committed to dignity, resilience, and sustainable peace across the Great Lakes region.
- Peace-building and conflict transformation.
- Refugee advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy.
- Strategic communications and media visibility.
- Youth leadership and diplomacy.
- Climate and migration dialogue.
- Research and policy analysis.
- Storytelling and documentary initiatives.
- Cross-border regional cooperation.
- Podcasting and digital awareness campaigns.
WOPT focuses on Positive Conflict Transformation, Climate Inequalities Transformation, and Migration Industry Transformation. Washes Peoples, Washes the World.
Read about Abraham Kahasha Kabral in our Refugee Bank for Africa partner section above.
- Peace-building and conflict transformation.
- Refugee advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy.
- Strategic communications and media visibility.
- Youth leadership and diplomacy.
- Climate and migration dialogue.
- Research and policy analysis.
- Storytelling and documentary initiatives.
- Cross-border regional cooperation.
- Podcasting and digital awareness campaigns.
The Peace Booster Great Lakes (PBGL) project is an innovative youth peace-building initiative that seeks to promote dialogue, positive peace, and regional security among students and pupils in the Great Lakes region. Through a dedicated mobile application and Positive Peace Clubs, the project aims to connect young people across conflict-affected communities, providing them with peace education resources and opportunities to engage in constructive cross-border dialogue.
Read about Abraham Kahasha Kabral in our Refugee Bank for Africa partner section above.
- Producing analytical articles and educational content on peace, security, governance, and regional cooperation.
- Amplifying the project’s activities through its digital platforms and media networks.
- Facilitating expert discussions, webinars, and youth dialogues on conflict transformation and peace-building.
- Documenting success stories and lessons learned from participating schools and universities.
The Development Action for the Protection of Vulnerable People (ADPV) is a nongovernmental organization based in Bukavu, South Kivu, working to promote and protect vulnerable populations through programs in human rights, health, education, gender, environmental protection, and socio-economic re-integration, particularly in conflict-affected areas of eastern DRC.
- Peace-building and conflict transformation.
- Human rights and protection of vulnerable communities.
- Research, Policy analysis, and publications.
- Youth empowerment and community resilience.
- Gender, women, and child protection advocacy.
- Humanitarian communication and visibility.
IMARA Leadership Initiative is a youth and community-centered organization committed to promoting good governance, health advocacy, gender equality, climate action, and peace-building through leadership development, civic engagement, community outreach, and policy advocacy initiatives.
The partnership between IMARA Leadership Initiative and The Great Lakes Crisis reflects a shared commitment to advancing peace, accountable leadership, human dignity, social justice, and sustainable development across the Great Lakes region of Africa.
- Governance, democracy, and leadership development.
- Peace-building and regional security.
- Research, policy analysis, and strategic publications.
- Human rights and gender equality advocacy.
- Youth empowerment and civic engagement.
- Health advocacy and community awareness.
- Climate action and environmental sustainability.