Multimedia
United States Special Advisor to the Great Lakes Dr. Howard Wolpe
October 30
The Africa Media Hub interviews the former seven-term Member of Congress who is on tour in Africa.
Dr. Wolpe begins by defining the key mandate of his office as three fold:
1. Revitalize International partnership of the Great Lakes.
Here Dr. Wolpe stresses the need for peace consolidation. He comments on Burundi’s upcoming election in 2010 highlighting it as a litmus test to a great future. He also comments on the importance of dealing with the FDLR in DRC and the LRA in Northern Uganda, as well as gender based violence in Eastern Congo.
2. Regional Economic Integration
3. Help strengthen regional interstate cohesion so that states can achieve a sustainable architecture to solve common security problems.
(Clip: Intro Special Ad Great Lakes Role)
Dr Wolpe analyses the tensions that exist in the DRC and says that a lot of them are manageable and gives practical examples on how this can be achieved.
(Clip: Dealing with conflict in DRC)
Dr. Wolpe highlights the outcomes of a contact group meeting held in Washington, represented by Sweden, Norway, the European Union and South Africa to discuss security reforms and political issues in the Great Lakes.
(Clip: Concerns by Great Lakes Group)
Approaches to peace and democracy building in Africa need a review and Dr. Wolpe says it is important to work with African leaders to find constructive solutions.
( Clip: Dr. Howard Wolpe Democracy and Peace in Conflict Areas)
On the issue of Gender based violence, Dr. Howard Wolpe stressed Secretary’s Clinton’s concern and says this issue is a high priority for the U.S. government. Dr. Wolpe expresses concern over the absence of integration and coordination in dealing with gender based violence in the region.
(Clip: Gender Based Violence)
On governance in Kenya, Dr. Wolpe expresses concern over the lack of trust in the coalition government, he describes the current situation as “dicey”, and says that there is a need to find a way forward amongst its key leaders. Dr. Wolpe also expresses concern over the LRA in Northern Uganda.
(Clip: LRA)
(Clip: Kenya Governance)