The International Contact Group and Steps Toward Stability in the Great Lakes

On February 9-10, 2012 the International Contact Group on the Great Lakes Region will meet at the Department of State in Washington, DC. This body, consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the European Union, and the United Nations, aims to meet on a quarterly basis and has been convened regularly since the early 2000s. The Contact Group works to address political, diplomatic, security, and development issues in the region, and since 2008 has included a task force focused on the illegal trade in natural resources. The intention of the group is to act as a medium for regular exchange of information, the harmonization of messaging, and for the identification and discussion of gaps that exist in regional foreign policy among the members of the group. The group originally included regional countries such as Angola and South Africa, but over the years has slimmed down to its current members that now act as a North American - European alliance on development, security, and economic diversification in the Great Lakes Region. The Contact Group has a unique ability to advance a coordinated regional policy from all members based on the collective knowledge the group brings to the table. The Group tends to meet just below the ministerial level, occasionally receiving participation from senior principals, and in general allowing for interaction among working level and deputy assistant secretary level and equivalent representatives. This framework is beneficial in that it engages those who have an in depth working knowledge of the issues and situations on the ground. Ultimately, this allows those officials most responsible for crafting the nuts-and-bolts of policy to communicate and coordinate with their counterparts. The upcoming meeting in Washington will focus on four urgent subject areas: the Congolese elections, security sector reform in Congo, conflict minerals, and armed groups and regional dynamics including the LRA. As a whole, these areas represent core impediments to peace, stability, and development in the Great Lakes. The following are recommendations to the group on specific elements of each subject area where this body can act to create real progress to mitigate conflict and fill critical gaps in cross-border coordination and communication. Read more