Sexual Violence Beyond Conflict Termination
Based on a pilot study of seven African countries – Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and South Africa – this Policy & Practice Brief presents insights on amnesty regimes and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV)2 beyond conflict termination. It shows that CRSV often continues past conflict termination and that most […]
Climate change and conflict
Introduction In preparation for COP17 (17th Conference of the Parties) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) in Durban, held a two-day expert seminar to identify issues and recommendations for ensuring that adaptation to climate change is conflict-sensitive. Practitioners and scientists presented […]
Managing Election-related Violence (English)
Approximately 25 presidential, legislative and local elections are planned in Africa for 2011.2 The African Union (AU) has identified the forthcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as ones that require special attention. This is because many parts of the country – including the Kivus, Bas-Congo, and Equateur Province – continue to experience violent […]
Managing Election-related Violence (French)
A peu près 25 élections présidentielles, législatives et locales sont prévues en Afrique en 2011.2 L’Union Africaine a reconnu les prochaines élections prévues en République démocratique du Congo (RDC) comme celles qui méritent une attention particulière. Cela s’explique par le fait que beaucoup de parties du pays, y compris les provinces du Nord et du […]
The Abunzi Mediation in Rwanda
This Policy & Practice Brief analyses the role of traditional institutions for conflict resolution, paying special attention to their relevance in post-conflict societies. Using Rwanda’s abunzi mediation system as an example, the brief considers traditional African mechanisms for conflict resolution as unique, context-specific, and responsive to the justice needs of societies emerging from conflict. The […]
The New Sudans
This Policy & Practice Brief focuses on the challenges facing the two Sudans post separation. 17 October marks 100 days since the fracturing of the Sudan. It is, therefore, an opportune moment for reflection on the state of affairs as the two states move into uncertain futures. The date also offers a chance to assess […]
Peace Implementation in the Post-2005 Era
This Policy & Practice Brief focuses on four peace agreements, namely the 2005 Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the 2007 Ouagadougou Peace Agreement (OPA) in Côte d’Ivoire, the 2008 Kenya National Accord (KNA), and the 2008 Global Political Agreement (GPA) in Zimbabwe. These particular peace agreements ended serious levels of violence and ushered in conditions […]
Training to Protect Civilians
Protection of Civilians has become one of the most important aspects of the mandates of peacekeeping operations. More recently, both the United Nations and the African Union have been engaged in strengthening their roles in addressing protection needs on the ground. As a result, training on protection has become of crucial importance in enhancing peacekeepers’ […]
Making Deals for Peace
Conflict mediators must constantly balance issues of peace and justice when designing peace agreements. This paper probes how peace and justice, two distinct but interrelated concepts, interact within the African peacebuilding context. Examining the different manifestations of peace and justice in post-conflict environments provides policymakers and stakeholders alike with frameworks for future peace agreements. Regional […]
Abyei
Introduction The Sudanese region of Abyei currently sits at the centre of a conflict between the north and south of what was Africa’s largest state. While analysts have described the situation in Abyei as “an intractable conflict”, this policy brief examines the current impasse, its historical context and the options available for breaking the deadlock […]