Africa

Peacebuilding in Burundi: how peace transitions can work

A reply to Oliver Richmond's 'Liberal Peace Transitions'

This article by Alert's Director of Programmes Phil Vernon is a reply to Oliver Richmond’s ‘Liberal Peace Transitions' for Open Democracy.

International Alert supports a series of small post-conflict initiatives in Burundi. And some of the values that motivate these are also dear to the liberal hearts of the international community.

Phil Vernon
Mon, 30/11/2009

Terre, Pouvoir et Identité

Les Causes Profondes des Violents Conflits dans l’Est de la République Démocratique du Congo
Chris Huggins
November, 2010
International Alert
52 pages
London, UK
978-1-906677-81-7

Cette étude examine l’accès, l’utilisation et la gestion des terres et leurs rapports avec les causes premières de conflit au Nord- et Sud-Kivu et en Ituri. Elle a pour objectif de mettre en évidence

This study identifies disputed control over land as a root cause of conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report focuses on conflicts between customary and state-run land tenure systems, as well as claims by some communities to “indigenous” status which are used to relegate others to “migrant” or “foreigner” status. Waves of population displacement have created overlapping claims to land, and an ongoing process of refugee return is currently increasing tensions over these claims in parts of Eastern DRC. The report examines efforts to manage this return process and offers recommendations for action by local and international actors.

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The Complexity of Resource Governance in a Context of State Fragility

An Analysis of the Mining Sector in the Kivu Hinterlands
Steven Spittaels
November, 2010
International Alert
68 pages
London, UK
978-1-906677-71-8

Informal mining and illicit trading of minerals has long been associated with violent conflicts in the Kivu provinces of eastern Congo. Coltan from the Kivus became particularly well known around the world at the turn of the century because of its use in the manufacture of mobile phones. Gold, which has soared in value as a result of the global financial crisis, also comes in significant quantities from these provinces and the adjacent district of Ituri. The sites in the Kivus and Ituri are now well known and have been mapped.

Analysis of the mining sector in the Kivu Hinterlands and identifies mining sites, transport means and the export routes that operate mainly though the commercial centres of Bukavu, Goma and Butembo.

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Women, Elections and Violence in West Africa

Assessing Women's Political Participation in Liberia and Sierra Leone
Tim Kellow
December, 2010
International Alert
40 pages
London, UK
978-1-906677-82-4

Despite notable positive developments in many post-conflict countries in Africa, women’s representation in the parliaments of Liberia and Sierra Leone remains low and elections are still a considerable source of tension. This paper draws on local views to provide a largely qualitative assessment of the current state of women’s political participation in the two countries ahead of their forthcoming elections. It initially identifies the expanding opportunities for women that have emerged since conflict ended and shows how accompanying trends affect their greater participation.

Despite notable positive developments in many post-conflict countries in Africa, women’s representation in the parliaments of Liberia and Sierra Leone remains low and elections are still a considerable source of tension. This paper draws on local views to provide a largely qualitative assessment of the current state of women’s political participation in the two countries, Liberia and Sierra Leone, ahead of their forthcoming elections.

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Land, Power and Identity

Roots of violent conflict in Eastern DRC
Chris Huggins
November, 2010
International Alert
52 pages
London, UK
978-1-906677-80-0

This study identifies disputed control over land as a root cause of conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report focuses on conflicts between customary and state-run land tenure systems, as well as claims by some communities to “indigenous” status which are used to relegate others to “migrant” or “foreigner” status. Waves of population displacement have created overlapping claims to land, and an ongoing process of refugee return is currently increasing tensions over these claims in parts of Eastern DRC.

This study identifies disputed control over land as a root cause of conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), focusing on the complex interplay of ethnic identity, acccess to land and access to power.

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Supporting local communities dealing with land conflicts in Ituri, North-East Congo

A manual by Alert and Réseau Haki na Amani

International Alert and Réseau Haki na Amani, a Congolese NGO, have recently published a manual in order to support local communities dealing with land conflicts in Ituri, a North-eastern district of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Aurélien Tobie
Mon, 25/10/2010

La Traversée

Petit Commerce et Amélioration des relations transfrontalières entre Goma (RD Congo) et Gisenyi (Rwanda)
Celestin Kimanuka
Maria Lange
June, 2010
International Alert
44 pages
London, UK
978-1-906677-63-3

Le petit commerce de produits vivriers (légumes, fruits etc.) entre la Province du Nord Kivu de la RDC (Goma) et la Province de l’Ouest du Rwanda (Gisenyi) est très important. Le petit
commerce transfrontalier est défini comme « activité commerciale génératrice de revenus dont la valeur des transactions commerciales journalières ne dépasse pas 100 dollars américains (USD) par commerçant ».

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Building Peace, Security & Development in Africa: Taking Forward European Union (EU) Commitments to Conflict Prevention

International Alert, Saferworld
February, 2003
International Alert, Saferworld
4 pages
London, UK

Africahas suffered a total of one third of global armed conflicts over the past decade. The bottom 27 countries in the UNDP’s human development index are African and there are an estimated 6.1 million refugees and 20 million internally displaced persons across the continent. Now, more than ever, an effective EU-Africa partnership is required to address the underlying and proximate causes of conflict, insecurity, instability and underdevelopment to effect a demonstrative, positive and sustainable impact on the ground.

This is a briefing by Saferworld and International Alert to the EU-Africa Summit 2003 in Lisbon

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Regional approaches to conflict prevention in Africa

European support to African processes
Lindsay Alexander
Adam Higazi
James Mackie
Javier Niño-Perez
Andrew Sherriff
October, 2003
European Centre for Development Policy Management
12 pages
London, UK

This In Brief article exams EU policy on conflict prevention and the instruments at the Union's disposal, exploring how these instruments can be used to support African initiatives to counter conflict. This article is available in French.

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Small Arms Control in West Africa (MISAC)

Adedeji Ebo
November, 2003
International Alert
56 pages
London, UK
1-898702-35-0

This report is an overview of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) proliferation in West Africa, focusing on the implementation of sub-regional control instruments. In this regard, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa (ECOWAS Moratorium) stands out as the main platform on which arms control in the sub-region is based.

 

This report is an overview of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) proliferation in West Africa, focusing on the implementation of sub-regional control instruments. In this regard, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa (ECOWAS Moratorium) stands out as the main platform on which arms control in the sub-region is based.

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What Role for Oil Majors in Supporting Sustainable Peace and Development in Angola? A Survey of Stakeholder Perspectives

Jessica Banfield
Phil Champain
February, 2004
International Alert
24 pages
London, UK
1-898702-39-X

Introduction

This report presents the findings of a consultative research project examining the potential of oil majors to support peace in Angola. It looks in particular at oil companies’ relations with stakeholders, and argues that frequent and meaningful engagement with all stakeholders is essential for enabling business to become conflict-sensitive and to fulfill its peacebuilding potential.

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Natural Resource Exploitation and Human Security in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Seminar Report
International Alert
Pole Institute
June, 2004
International Alert, Pole Institute
24 pages
London, UK
1-898702-51-9

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is immensely rich in natural resources but its people are among the poorest in the world. This paradox is both cause and effect of the brutal exploitation of the country’s resources that has taken place since King Leopold, and that has fuelled such violent and devastating conflict.

The report is organised in three parts: first, summaries of the seminar presentations and plenary discussions; then analysis of the issues discussed and some conclusions; lastly a sketch of relevant policy actors and processes, with a view to further research and advocacy.

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Women's Bodies as a Battleground

Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls During the War in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Kivu (1996-2003)
International Alert
Réseau des Femmes pour un Développement Associatif, Réseau des Femmes pour la Défense des Droits
April, 2005
International Alert
72 pages
London, UK
1-898702-60-8

Combatants on all sides of the conflict in Eastern DRC have been using sexual violence purposefully asa weapon of war. Acts of sexual violence continue to be committed with unprecedented cruelty, the perpetrators inflicting the most humiliating and degrading treatment on their victims that they can devise. This report is based on interviews with 492 women and 50 soldiers in Eastern DRC. It documents the violation of women's human rights during the war and examines the socio-cultural roots of this violence and the different forms it takes.

This report documents the violation of women's human rights during the war in Eastern DRC and examines the socio-cultural roots of this violence and the different forms it takes.

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Peacebuilding in The Great Lakes

Challenges and Opportunities for the EU in the DRC
Charlotte Vaillant
September, 2006
International Alert
42 pages
London, UK
1-898702-82-9

Produced as part of the EU-funded Conflict Prevention Partnership, this paper analyses the context in which the European Union uses its external relations instruments to address security issues, promote legitimate and effective governance, and support economic recovery and regional integration, in the DRC. Consultations in the region and in the EU, as well as meetings held in Kinshasa in September 2006 with local officials, civil society and international diplomats have been used to develop recommendations and suggest possible avenues under each theme.

This paper analyses the context in which the European Union uses its external relations instruments to address security issues, promote legitimate and effective governance, and support economic recovery and regional integration, in the DRC.

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Conflict-Sensitive Business Practice: Guidance for Extractive Industries

International Alert
March, 2005
International Alert
195 pages
London, UK
1-898702-65-9

This is a set of tools for companies concerned about improving their impact on host countries to begin thinking more creatively about understanding and minimising conflict risk, and actively contributing to peace. It consists of guidance on doing business in societies at risk of conflict for field managers working across a range of business activities, as well as headquarters staff in political risk, security, external relations and social performance departments. It provides information on understanding conflict risk through a series of practical documents.

This is a set of tools for companies concerned about improving their impact on host countries to begin thinking more creatively about understanding and minimising conflict risk, and actively contributing to peace. It consists of guidance on doing business in societies at risk of conflict for field managers working across a range of business activities, as well as headquarters staff in political risk, security, external relations and social performance departments.

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