Africa

This series of three country “Insights” identifies peacebuilding priorities in Burundi, Liberia and Nepal, and discusses the response of the international institutions operating there.  The focus institutions are primarily the World Bank and the UN. The insights provide a brief snapshot and analysis of each country’s particular peacebuilding needs, as well as the dynamics that either facilitate or hinder institutional ability to address these needs.

Full report

This series of three country “Insights” identifies peacebuilding priorities in Burundi, Liberia and Nepal, and discusses the response of the international institutions operating there. The focus institutions are primarily the World Bank and the UN. The insights provide a brief snapshot and analysis of each country’s particular peacebuilding needs, as well as the dynamics that either facilitate or hinder institutional ability to address these needs.

Full report

Last week, the Democratic Republic of Congo went to the polls for the country’s second democratic elections, which have been marred by violence and tensions in many provinces since the start of the electoral campaign in October.

Jackson W Speare, Head of our Liberia Office, was interviewed by the Newshour programme for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) channel last week. In the programme, during which current Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and challenger Winston Tubman also give their thoughts on the prospects for peace in the country, Jackson talks about the view from the ground among Liberia's youth and those who do not live in the capital Monrovia.

The election, which is taking place today, is only the second election since the end of Liberia's civil war.

Long before UN Security Council Resolution 1325 came into existence, women in Liberia played an important and visible role in bringing an end to the country’s civil war. Women’s organisations and networks in Liberia therefore embody a significant amount of practical peacebuilding knowledge and experience. This report is based on a small study on women’s organisations in Liberia, which sought to document the impact of Resolution 1325 on the strategies and activities of women’s organisations in Liberia.

Full report

This report analyses the EU’s institutional capacity to carry out conflict early warning, early action, and conflict prevention in two of the most conflict-ridden and war-affected countries in the world: Sudan and South Sudan. It analyses the institutional aspects of EU conflict early warning approaches and assesses the extent to which they are applied in-country and in Brussels to inform policies, strategies and programming processes.

Full report

Why is development progress difficult in fragile and conflict-affected countries?  International Alert conducted a series of studies in Burundi, Liberia and Nepal to explore this question in terms of how international institutions channel aid to support peace and development progress. The studies focused on two multilaterals: the World Bank and the United Nations.

Report

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.

Full report

For large parts of the population in West Africa, political participation and contribution to public circles is impaired by a number of challenges. Women and young people, in particular, might face cultural, economic or political obstacles when attempting to make their voices heard.

Full report

Lands of our Ancestors from International Alert on Vimeo.

As we look to summer, it is hard not to reflect on what an eventful spring it has been on the international stage.

From a historic revolution in Egypt to the violent civil conflict that has erupted in Libya – the need for peace is back in the spotlight.