Assessing National Mechanisms for Atrocity Prevention in Africa’s Great Lakes Region

Abstract

In recent years, states and regional bodies in Africa’s Great Lakes Region have experimented with new models for the development of policies that prevent violent conflict. One such initiative has been the establishment of national mechanisms for genocide and atrocity crimes prevention—multisectorial bodies tasked with developing coordinated national strategies for the prevention of mass violence. This article examines the work of national mechanisms in order to assess their potential contributions to national and regional prevention. The authors argue that despite significant challenges in institutionalisation and funding, national mechanisms are contributing to four critical areas: the development of national prevention infrastructure, the consolidation of national and local prevention efforts, the promotion of trust in national prevention bodies, and the enhancement of interregional prevention networks. The article concludes with recommendations for increasing national mechanisms’ effectiveness.