COVID-19 Conflict & Resilience Monitor – 26 August 2020

The UN is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of great global disruption, as a result of an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic, social and political impacts. Will we emerge stronger, more inclusive and better equipped to withstand shocks? Or will distrust and isolation grow further?

The 2020 UN peacebuilding review was tasked to take stock of the progress made over the first 15 years of the UN’s Peacebuilding Architecture. Over the last few months, almost all peacebuilding initiatives and programmes have been affected by the measures introduced to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The downstream effects of the pandemic are likely to continue to have an impact on peacebuilding, and especially its financing, for at least the next 12 to 24 months.

The Liberian Peacebuilding Office undertook a COVID-19 Community Resilience and Conflict Sensitivity Monitoring assessment in July. The assessment conducted revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the drivers of conflict and other early warning conflict factors across the country. In addition, the COVID-19 community conflict-mapping assessment has confirmed and further uncovered emerging conflict drivers – which, if not addressed in the short term, will undermine the fragile peace and the government’s response to COVID-19 emergency health efforts.

Some 60% of CAR’s population is estimated to be under the age of 24. Despite their significant numbers, the youth remain largely under-represented and excluded as partners in decision-making processes, and their contributions to peace are often overlooked. Capitalising on the momentum following the signing of the peace agreement, with funding from the UN Peace Building Fund, ACCORD launched a project titled ‘Towards Youth Inclusive and Gendered Peace Processes in the Central African Republic’.

As a response to the ongoing health crisis, innovative digital solutions are necessary to help us adapt to the ‘new normal’ − and peacebuilding is no exception. While the African continent is often portrayed as the least ‘connected’ part of the world, its responses to COVID-19 demonstrate the potential for home-grown digital innovation that can strengthen societal resilience. But how can this potential be harnessed by peacebuilders to make sure that their efforts support digital self-organisation, rather than hinder it?