Africa

Violence in Voinjama highlights fragility of peace on Liberia-Guinea frontier

Alert’s research on security and justice in Liberia’s Lofa County

International Alert recently conducted research into perceptions of security and access to justice among stakeholders in three districts of Lofa County in northwest Liberia, as part of its EC-funded Initiative for Peacebuilding (IfP) project. The eruption of communal violence in Voinjama while Alert’s team was visiting the county seat provided a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in Liberia and the challenges of security provision in a remote and sensitive region.

Richard Reeve
Wed, 31/03/2010

Refugee return to eastern DRC

A discussion document

International Alert recently published a report on Refugee return to eastern DRC, a discussion document that explores and warns of the dangers posed by the issue of returning refugees from Rwanda to North Kivu in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Communications
Fri, 30/04/2010

The role of the private sector in São Tomé and Príncipe

Preparing to join the ranks of oil-producing countries

Members of the Chamber of Commerce from São Tomé and Príncipe recently met in Príncipe to discuss the role of the private sector as the country prepares to join the ranks of the oil-producing countries of Africa.

The meeting, which took place at the Príncipe Cultural Center on 20th April, was attended by seven representatives of the national Chamber of Commerce and over 45 members of the Chamber of Commerce of the island of Príncipe.  

Lulsegged Abebe
Tue, 25/05/2010

Women, elections and violence in West Africa

Addressing stereotypes that feed into conflict dynamics in the region

International Alert recently published a report examining women’s representation in parliament in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Drawing on local views, Women, elections and violence in West Africa provides an assessment of the current state of women’s political participation in the two countries ahead of their forthcoming elections in 2011 and 2012.

Chitra Nagarajan
Fri, 24/12/2010

2008 Liberia Peace and Cultural Festival

Building Peace Through Culture

December 2008 saw International Alert, in partnership with the Government of Liberia, host the largest peace and cultural festival held yet in the West African republic of Liberia. Taking place on a large football field in the centre of the capital Monrovia, and attended by between 30–40,000 people on both days, this was the fourth consecutive festival that Alert has organised in Liberia since the end of the civil war only six years ago.

Chris Underwood
Thu, 22/01/2009

Local governance in the DRC

Alert shares analysis with other INGOs

International Alert recently took part in a meeting with ten Dutch INGOs and representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss local governance in the DRC.

In 2006, elections were held in the DRC amid high hopes that they would bring about positive change for Congolese people and mark a turning point after decades of weak and unaccountable governance, which remains a primary driver of this country’s instability.

Communications
Mon, 18/05/2009

Strengthening the economic dimensions of peacebuilding

Four case studies

International Alert recently launched a new publication series, part of the project ‘Strengthening the Economic Dimensions of Peacebuilding’.

Joost van der Zwan
Mon, 18/05/2009

Contributing to a Peace Economy in Northern Uganda

A Guide for Investors

International Alert–Uganda recently launched Contributing to a Peace Economy in Northern Uganda: A Guide for Investors, a report that provides information and advice for investors seeking to operate in northern Uganda in order to assist them in maximising profits while ensuring that they contribute to the peace and development of the region. Taking in consideration the sensitivities around investments in northern Uganda, the guide identifies how these can be conflict-sensitive and therefore promote peaceful economic recovery.

Robinah Kajwenge
Thu, 23/07/2009

Bringing together the forces of justice

Improving support mechanisms for female victims of sexual violence in West Africa

International Alert recently brought together in Gbarnga, Liberia, members of the traditional and formal justice communities to share experiences and expertise in order to improve access to justice for female victims of sexual violence, including both women and girls.

West Africa Team
Fri, 21/08/2009

Indicating peace

Cross-regional learning with Burundi, Sierra Leone and Liberia

Civil society and government representatives from Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Burundi recently gathered in Freetown for training on developing gender-sensitive indicators for the consolidation of peacebuilding programmes. Participants also attended a roundtable discussion on the development of National Action Plans (NAPs) for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

West Africa Team
Fri, 18/09/2009

Urging action to harness the power of oil for peace and development in Uganda

Alert’s new report on Uganda’s newly discovered potential

A new report examining the potential of Uganda’s newly discovered oil reserves was released this month by International Alert in Uganda. The findings reveal that the country has a unique opportunity to harness the power of oil for peace and development.

The report was launched at an event in central Kampala attended by leaders of civil society, media and districts, oil representatives, parliamentarians and the Minister for Oil of the Government of Uganda, Hon. Peter Lokeris.

Chris Underwood
Fri, 18/09/2009

Improving access to justice for Guinea's victims of sexual violence

Challenging the widespread culture of impunity

As part of the Human Security Project, International Alert Guinea recently held a series of workshops in the town of N’zerekore, in Guinea’s forest region, aimed at reducing sexual violence against women and improving access to justice for women and girl victims.

West Africa Team
Wed, 28/10/2009

Integrating gender into security sector reform in Burundi

A study on women's perceptions of security

International Alert Burundi recently carried out a study on women’s perceptions of security as part of its programme aimed at supporting local women’s organisations for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

Great Lakes Team
Fri, 30/10/2009

Communicating for peace

Empowering local peacebuilding organisations in DRC

Last month, International Alert conducted a week long communication training course for local peacebuilding organisations active in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The training took place against a backdrop of renewed fighting and multiple atrocities having been reported on all sides.

Local organisations taking part in the training were long term partners of the Life and Peace Institute, which is one of our partners in Bukavu, South Kivu province.

Aurélien Tobie
Sun, 29/11/2009

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
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