A dominant feature of their interaction is that political power was achieved through the barrel of the gun especially in Southwest Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda and increasingly in Eastern DRC. Warfare intensified with the arrival of foreigners using European weapons. Weaker societies were raided for slaves and colonial domination. Since independence in the early 1960s armed struggle has remained the main method of capturing and retaining or losing political power.

The new breed of leaders in Burundi, Rwanda, DRC and Uganda came to power through the barrel of the gun. Since the introduction of democracy in part as a requirement for financial and technical aid, elections have been won by those who control guns. Attempts to replace democracy at gun point with real democracy using such instruments as the media have faced serious challenges.

The cost of exercising freedom of expression, assembly and of selecting one's representatives has been very high. Many people have been gunned down, others tortured and imprisoned. Their family members and relatives have been harassed and their inalienable rights violated in many other ways.

The purpose of this publication is to urge citizens of present and future generations in the region to continue the struggle – with support of their friends and well-wishers around the world – until the power of democracy has defeated the barrel of the gun. With combined effort it will happen sooner rather than later.