Political instability and/or violent conflict characterize the majority of countries in the Eastern Africa / Horn of Africa sub-region. Since the collapse of its central government in 1991-92, Somalia continues to be in a state of anarchy which has led to a severe humanitarian crisis. Only its autonomous northwestern part that seeks independence as "Somaliland" has been able to create internal peace and even establish democratically-elected institutions. Somalia is part of a wider "conflict system", with the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea at its core. After fighting two wars against each other in 1998 and 2000, tension at the border remains high, and both sides support Somali factions in order to destabilize each other. South Sudan's independence on July 9, 2011, marked the beginning of a new chapter between the governments of Khartoum and Juba. The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in January 2005, after decades of civil war ended the internecine struggle and laid a framework for peace between the north and the south. Kenya, often regarded as an "island of stability", experienced a violent aftermath of the December 2007 general elections that brought the country to the brink of civil war. The Grand Coalition government formed in spring 2008 after signing of the "Agreement on the Principles of Partnership of the Coalition Government" is in the process of implementing reforms contained in Agenda 4 of The Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation (KNDR) Framework. However, it has not yet held accountable those responsible for the escalation of post-election violence, hence the ongoing ICC process.

Civil society (or "non-state") actors provide important contributions to the promotion of peace and good governance in the region. The Heinrich Böll Foundation's regional office in Nairobi (in co-operation with the Foundation's country office in Ethiopia) supports processes of civil society networking, dialogue and advocacy work in several countries of the region, especially in Kenya (and the wider East African Community), Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan, and Southern Sudan, and beyond national boundaries (e.g., the "China – African Civil Society Dialogue"). In Kenya, we are supporting dialogue and research processes addressing peace building and state stability in various countries. The Foundation's partner organisations support ongoing peace-building efforts in Somalia and the Sudan.