Africa

This report examines how forestry projects under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) initiative affect pre-existing structures of power, economy, fairness, safety and wellbeing in Brazil, Indonesia and Uganda, and how they may exacerbate pre-existing conflicts over land and resources. The report also looks at how REDD+ funds could provide the opportunity to diversify livelihoods, encourage sustainable development and enhance the adaptive capacity of local populations in the face of a changing climate.

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This article first appeared in The Huffington Post on 22 May 2013

This year Africa celebrates 50 years of collective action: first through the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and more recently the African Union (AU).

This year Africa celebrates 50 years of collective action: first through the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and more recently the African Union (AU). This is also a critical juncture in African history: the post-colonial period is over and the African Renaissance is underway; economic growth has been steady for a decade; and the number of wars and coups d’état has declined. However, Africans still face many challenges. This paper examines how the AU can enhance its contribution to sustainable peace. This is part of our Peace Focus series.

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In both low and middle income countries, well established arguments and solid evidence confirm that there is no real development without peace and only the peace of the graveyard without development. These conclusions have shifted the fulcrum of discussion about development over the past several years. But they have not yet added up to telling anybody how to do it.

Last week we launched a new report, Governance and livelihoods in Uganda’s oil-rich Albertine Graben.

This study was commissioned by International Alert and the Democratic Governance Facility in March 2012. It was carried out in the Albertine Graben, where oil exploration activities are ongoing. The study was conducted within the framework of the Harnessing the Potential of Oil to Contribute to Peace and Development in Uganda project, which is currently being implemented by International Alert and its partners.

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An innovative project in Rwanda is helping to heal old wounds by bringing genocide survivors, ex-combatants, ex-prisoners and the youth together through dialogue.

Our new paper, Crisis in Mali, looks at what a peacebuilding approach to the conflict in the country could look like.

The civil war in Burundi led to the death of 300,000 people and the displacement of 1 million more. Now with an influx of people returning, the road to recovery truly begins. Moving on from conflict means the rebuilding of lives after the trauma of violence, dealing with the death of loved ones and returning home to find land and homes repossessed.

Accompanying African Union Liaison Offices 

Working with the Peace and Security Department (PSD) of the African Union Commission (AUC), International Alert has recently taken up a three year project aimed at supporting African Union Liaison Offices (AULOs) to enhance the Commission’s work in conflict and post conflict environments.

On 25th November staff in our Uganda office took part in the 10km run of the MTN Kampala International Marathon, one of the country’s largest annual sports events.

This declaration was prepared for the Conference of Burundi Development Partners in Geneva on 29th-30th October 2012. It puts forth concrete policy recommendations on development, gender equality, economic empowerment and peacebuilding priorities for Burundi. Burundi’s second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper outlines the Government’s commitments for the country’s economic growth and development from 2012 to 2016 and was prepared in consultation with development partners and other stakeholders.

Declaration

The recent escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following a six-month stand-off between the M23 rebel group and the DRC government, continues to be of grave concern.