Africa

International Alert has been working in Liberia since 1993 and continued its work during the years of Liberia’s brutal civil war, seeking to build trust to keep communities together. Fourteen years of civil war led to the death of over 200,000 people, widespread rape and gender-based violence and the displacement of almost half the population.

Location

With a population of only 190,000, São Tomé and Príncipe is the second smallest nation in Africa. Exploitation of oil and increased tourism is attracting new investment which creates job opportunities, but is also increasing inequalities and widening the gap between the majority and the élites, as well as increasing pollution and threatening environmental security. The cumulative effect of these factors and bad governance can lead to dissatisfaction and subsequently low intensity conflict.

Location

In spite of its huge reserves of gold, bauxite, iron ore and widespread forests, Guinea is one of the least developed countries in the world. International Alert started its engagement in Guinea in 2006. At that time, Lansana Conté, president of Guinea since 1984, was still in power. Political tension had simmered for years as a government that tightly controlled electoral processes constantly challenged multi-party democracy.

Location

Many survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in particular widows and orphans, have been unable to build new families, and their isolation is an important factor in their inability to re-establish a viable livelihood. Ex-combatants, many of whom are former child or young soldiers who have spent more than a decade in the military, are frequently ill-equipped to deal with insertion into the civilian economy.

Location

International Alert’s vision for the DRC is one of political and social cohesion, based on respect for human rights, citizen participation and good governance. It aims to work with national civil society organisations and other stakeholders - such as democratically elected institutions - to encourage good governance, promote inclusivity and the representation of marginalised groups, and facilitate dialogue between different actors and sectors. Projects are rooted in a context analysis which is built around three interconnected elements, namely power, identity and resources.

Location

International Alert has a political economy approach to conflict at the core of its peacebuilding strategy in Uganda. The political economy focus has enabled Alert to carve out a distinctive niche since starting work in the country in 2007. This approach helps to reveal the way in which unequal and ethnically charged control and distribution of resources and economic opportunities contribute to escalating conflict in Uganda, with control of the economy at the root of the mounting tensions.

Location

International Alert has been working in Burundi since 1995 when peace negotiations were beginning. We have helped provide space for conflict transformation and built capacity for this among some of the main protagonists.

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This project supporting women peacebuilders follows on from a programme in which Alert supported a number of women’s groups in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325. The resolution mandates greater protection of women in conflict situations, particularly through the greater participation of women in peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.