The three countries that make up the region (Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC) are closely interconnected and have shaped each other’s development. Since they gained their independence, this continued interdependence has fed into cross-border conflicts that have caused enormous human suffering and brought state institutions to the brink of collapse. The three countries have signed peace agreements and held elections. However, it has become clear in recent years that these elections have failed to cement peace, and various conflicts endure. Institutions remain fragile and the people of the three countries have yet to reap the benefits of peace.
Strategy
The Great Lakes region, comprised of Rwanda, Burundi and the eastern DRC, is a priority region for the South Cooperation Department of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). This fragility is an obstacle to the strengthening of regional institutions and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Because the prospects of these three countries are intertwined, regional stability is a basic condition for improving the well-being of the local populations. In terms of business and trade, the region is rich in natural resources and offers many untapped opportunities.
Swiss Bilateral ODA |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 * |
|---|---|---|---|
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) |
|||
Bilateral development cooperation |
24.90 |
29.48 |
26.00 |
Humanitarian aid |
18.30 |
15.81 |
12.81 |
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) |
|||
Economic Cooperation and Development |
– |
– |
– |
Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) |
|||
Conflict transformation and human rights |
2.80 |
3.07 |
3.06 |
Total SDC/SECO/PHRD |
46.00 |
48.36 |
41.87 |
Other Federal Offices |
|||
Other FDFA Divisions (ASAF, AIO, aso) |
0.01 |
– |
.. |
Network of FDFA representations abroad |
4.85 |
4.72 |
.. |
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) |
– |
1.16 |
1.43 |
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) |
0.03 |
0.23 |
.. |
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) |
0.12 |
0.10 |
.. |
Total other Federal Offices |
5.01 |
6.21 |
1.43 |
Cantons and municipalities |
1.10 |
.. |
.. |
Total |
52.11 |
54.57 |
43.30 |
Swiss government spending for development and cooperation for the current year and the past two years, broken down by institution.
* planned; total based on available data
.. = figures not available | – = nil or amount < 5'000 CHF
N.B. Contributions of the humanitarian Aid to persons from the region of the Great Lakes having fled to Tanzania are reported under the humanitarian Aid of Tanzania
