In Search of Security; A Regional Analysis of Armed Conflict in Northern Uganda, Eastern Uganda and Southern Sudan

The war and humanitarian crises engulfing northern Uganda are intricately linked with the armed conflict and unrest in eastern Uganda and southern Sudan. As a result of the links between the upheavals in these three areas, a vicious cycle of interlocked armed conflict and insecurity exists across the region.
Identifying and understanding the ways that the conflicts in these areas are linked requires a more holistic regional approach than has been articulated to date. This study provides in-depth, field data on the facets of the specific conflicts and makes clear the broader regional links to best inform policy and program formation in the following areas: protection of civilian populations, DDR, peaceful resolution to the conflicts, transitional justice, conflict prevention, and the strengthening of sustainable livelihoods.
The current briefing report “In Search of Security” presents findings from research conducted between January and October 2005. This first phase of research in the larger project focused on the use of military approaches to address the conflicts, the rise of militias, the regional trade in weapons, and current disarmament and demobilization attempts. The full report on these topics will be available January 2006.