THE ROLE OF DIPLOMACY IN PROMOTING REGIONAL SECURITY; CASE STUDY OF RWANDA’S CONTRIBUTION

Abstract

Regional Security is a multi-level concern in which States, knowledge-empowered people, institutions and organizations need to get together in order to chart a way to overcome regional and global challenges. The study’s main objective was to evaluate the role played by Diplomacy in enhancing regional security focusing Rwanda’s contribution. To achieve the objective, the study adopted a three-dimensional approach. The first approach is to evaluating the role and impact of diplomatic engagement in an effort to promote Global security. Secondly, to assess the diplomatic efforts employed to address insecurity issues in the African continent. Thirdly to evaluate the role and impact of Rwanda’s contribution to promoting regional security. As a key player in the international relations, Rwanda aims at becoming economically, politically, properly incorporated in a peaceful and excelling sub-region, and the world at large. Nevertheless, Rwanda as a member of the great lake’s region has been affected by the conflicts that have affected the region for some time now and therefore it aspires to contribute to regional and global efforts. As a result, the study found out that Rwanda is an important regional player in promoting peace and safekeeping through contributing troops and civilian staff to peace arrangements and mechanisms on the continent. The study collected Primary data using questionnaire interview from key professional informants in relevant Rwanda government ministries. The data collected by use of questionnaire, it was then cleaned, validated and analyzed by use of content and thematic analysis techniques. This was based on the study objectives. The study was able to determine that diplomacy plays a key role in promoting Regional Security challenges notwithstanding. The study was able to identify the challenges of collective diplomatic effort in addressing contemporary issues of regional security and it put forward some recommendations to tackle these challenges.