Economy and Peacebuilding

Oversubscription, financial constraints, unrealistic timelines and a format transposed from other countries with insufficient consideration for the local context were some of the pitfalls of the disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration process in Liberia. This case study critically explores the effectiveness of the component geared towards providing ex-combatants with long-term livelihood opportunities and psycho-social support. It illustrates the drawbacks associated with limited involvement of the local business community and women’s groups in the design and implementation of the reintegration programme. The study also discusses the importance of community-based initiatives and life-skills coaching, with a view to empowering ex-combatants to not only secure sustainable livelihoods but also contribute to the rebuilding of societies whose social and economic fabric has been disrupted by violent conflict.

This report is part of the case study series, Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in post-conflict environments.

The case of northern Uganda illustrates the difficulties of socio-economic reintegration faced not only by ex-combatants, but also by IDPs and war-affected youth in the post-conflict environment. It discusses the marginalisation of former abductees in particular, with a focus on the specific challenges that the reintegration process posed for girls and women. The study underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach, and of extending support to receiving communities so as to facilitate the return of former combatants and war-affected youth more generally. It furthermore highlights the potential of private sector actors to contribute to the design of socio-economic reintegration processes which are linked to realistic livelihood opportunities, and the need for donor interventions to provide long-term, sustainable support to beneficiaries.

This report is part of the case study series, Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in post-conflict environments.

Ce rapport de recherche analyse les dynamiques du petit commerce transfrontalier au niveau des 3 frontières à l’Est de la RDC et entre le Burundi et le Rwanda, et propose des actions pour l’amélioration de ce commerce afin de faire avancer le pouvoir économique des femmes et, par là même, contribuer à la paix et à la sécurité dans la région. Ce rapport fait partie d’un projet d’International Alert qui vise le renforcement de l’environnement des affaires pour les femmes (majoritairement) petites commerçantes et la création d’opportunités de dialogue et rapprochement entre les commerçant(e)s et les autorités des pays concernés. La recherche est utilisée comme instrument pour les femmes commerçantes aux campagnes de sensibilisation à ces quatre frontières.

Данная публикация представляет собой анализ взглядов деловых кругов, в частности, представителей малого и среднего бизнеса (МСБ), по вопросу урегулирования транс-ингурских экономических отношений, трансформации грузино-абхазского конфликта и стимулирования политического процесса. Данный отчет является продолжением абхазско-грузинского исследовательского процесса, который был начат в 2009 г. и в более общем смысле сформировался в результате работы International Alert по тематике экономики и конфликта на Южном Кавказе. Данная работа направлена на углубленное понимание экономического измерения процесса мирного урегулирования, а также на вовлечение экономических акторов в мирное урегулирование на Южном Кавказе. Цель данного отчета двойная: во-первых, представить эмпирические доказательства и анализ мнений частного сектора по вопросу урегулирования транс-ингурских экономических отношений и тем самым стимулировать дискуссию по данному вопросу; во-вторых, предложить рекомендации по возможному способу регулирования этих отношений в интересах более широкой повестки дня трансформации конфликта.

Это издание представляет собой сборник статей, подготовленных абхазскими и грузинскими экспертами на тему возможных политических и экономических дивидендов - и потерь – в ситуации регулирования транс-ингурских экономических отношений. Сборник является результатом исследовательского процесса который начался в 2009 году и основывается на работе Алерт в рамках проекта «Экономика и конфликт» на Южном Кавказе. Цель данной работы – стимулировать дискуссию о возможном политическом и экономическом отражении прозрачных и предсказуемых транс-ингурских экономических отношений. Без продвижения на данном этапе определенных моделей или предложений по регулированию транс-ингурских экономических отношений, эта работа создает базу для дальнейшего специализированного исследования, направленного на практический результат, и продвижение результатов таких исследований на уровне принятия решений. (English)

This practice note explains the importance of using a conflict-sensitive approach to land policy and land governance in conflict-prone or conflict- affected contexts. It offers guidelines and principles on how economic development planners and practitioners can promote conflict-sensitive land policy reform and implementation. Conflict-sensitivity in this context denotes the consideration by policy-makers and practitioners of the range of issues that may have, or may in future, cause and trigger violence. As issues related to land are at the root of violent conflict in many developing countries, they need to be addressed in a comprehensive way that maximises the productive capacity of people and natural resources while also minimising the risk of violent conflict and instability. Incorporating a conflict-sensitive approach when designing and implementing land policies and land reform is consequently crucial in order to realise increased equity, greater socio-economic development, food security as well as contribute to peace and stability.

Bien que de nombreuses études publiées au cours de la décennie qui vient de s’écouler aient souligné le rôle central joué par l’exploitation minière artisanale et à petite échelle du coltan, de l’or et de la cassitérite dans les conflits qui continuent de secouer la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC), le mode opératoire des différents acteurs participant à l’exploitation et au commerce de ces minerais reste mal connu. Il est crucial que des initiatives visant à réformer l’industrie de l’exploitation minière artisanale se basent sur une analyse approfondie des dynamiques politiques, économiques et sociales sur le terrain. Ce rapport de recherche analyse les réseaux commerciaux au sein du secteur minier et leurs liens avec les acteurs militaires, économiques et politiques de l’est de la RDC, en se focalisant sur les provinces du Nord et du Sud-Kivu, du district de l'Ituri et de la Province Orientale.

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.

Cela fait longtemps que l’extraction informelle et le commerce illicite des minéraux sont associés aux conflits violents qui secouent les provinces du Nord et du Sud-Kivu dans le Congo oriental. Le coltan extrait de ces provinces a gagné en proéminence à la fin des années 90, quand il a commencé à être utilisé dans la fabrication des téléphones portables. Ces provinces et le district adjacent de l’Ituri sont également riches en or, dont la valeur a explosé suite à la crise financière mondiale. La situation géographique des sites du Nord et du Sud-Kivu et de l’Ituri est maintenant bien connue, mais les données sur les sites miniers des provinces adjacentes sont beaucoup moins complètes. Ce rapport, qui se fonde sur plusieurs mois de recherches sur le terrain réalisées par l’International Peace Information Service (IPIS) et des partenaires sur le terrain pour International Alert, identifie les sites miniers dans le nord du Katanga, dans la province de Maniema et dans le district de Bafwasende. Il décrit les principaux modes de transport et les voies d’exportation passant principalement par les plates-formes commerciales de Bukavu, Goma et Butembo. Ces informations représentent une importante contribution aux connaissances internationales sur des quantités significatives de minéraux qui, bien qu’échangés dans des centres bien connus, proviennent de régions beaucoup plus éloignées.

This practice note offers options for economic development planners and practitioners for promoting accountable and conflict-sensitive governance of natural resource wealth. The presence of significant natural resource endowments has been documented as contributing to the outbreak of conflict as different parties compete for control over resource-rich territory, fuelling conflict through revenues generated by extractive resources, and undermining peace processes as powerful individuals or groups refuse to give up what they regard as their fair share of the spoils. In such contexts, sustainable peace is often difficult to bring about as vulnerable groups most impacted by the conflict and living in proximity of natural resources (or even participating in their extraction) can feel aggrieved when they are not directly benefiting from them.

This practice note explains what economic development planners and practitioners can do to support the socioeconomic reintegration of former combatants. It will assist you in your efforts to mobilise economic actors to play a constructive role in reintegration processes. The socioeconomic reintegration of former combatants is important and relevant for economic development planners and practitioners as successful reintegration will increase security and stability; both necessary pre-conditions for economic development, business expansion and the reduction of costs and risks of doing business. Simultaneously, economic recovery and business expansion are essential preconditions for successful socio-economic reintegration, as most ex-combatants will need to find employment in the private sector.

The five years of relative peace in Northern Uganda has enabled the majority of former Internally Displaced Persons to return to their home areas and begin rebuilding their lives. During and after the long war in Northern Uganda, women have emerged as critical economic actors, taking advantage of economic opportunities to secure their families’ livelihood, security and advancement. This report explores gender dynamics in the peace economy, particularly focusing on women’s economic and political status, and the extent to which government and development partner recovery interventions are sensitive to these issues.

This practice note explains why and how business environment reforms should be taken into consideration by economic development planners and practitioners working in conflict- and post-conflict contexts. It presents some of the main issues, risks and opportunities that economic development professionals need to bear in mind when designing programmes and initiatives that seek to attract foreign investors to unstable contexts.