Confidence Building Measures Among East African Community forStrengthening Peace in the Region

Abstract

The East Africa Community (EAC) comprises various
instabilities, including violence, humanitarian crises,
environmental issues, and conflicts, both within and
between states. In response, these countries have
established defense diplomacy, which involves the nonviolent utilization of military resources to pursue peace
and stability in the area. Their goal is to create a unified
force to address common threats that endanger peace
and stability within the region. Defense diplomacy
encompasses a strategic engagement, Confidence
Building Measures (CBMs), Capacity Building, and the
cultivation of international reputation. The
fundamental question arises: How can the EAC engage
in security cooperation amid the multitude of issues
faced within the region? Our article aims to
comprehend the implementation of CBMs among
member states, focusing on enhancing interoperability
within a case study of regional security cooperation
aimed at implementing peace and stability in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Our research
employs qualitative analysis using the concept of
Confidence and Security Building Measures (CSBM)
and applies DIME theory to illustrate the process of
establishing and strengthening trust among member
states in the region. The primary outcome of this study
underscores the critical role played by diplomacy and
military strategies in resolving peace and security issues
in the DRC